Smoking Bans Cause Obesity

[Hwy99]

In Our View: Changing Culture

Thursday, January 24, 2008


Yesterday: Cigarettes Today: Obesity

Having won the public's heart and mind in the war against smoking, government is now going after obesity. While there are dangers in spending too much public money on the effort and intruding in an adult's right to sloth and unhealthiness, we wish success to the government - and employers, schools, etc. - in this culture-changing cause.

It took several years af ter the ground-breaking 1964 U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health for the weight of public opinion to shift against cigarettes. The ban on TV commercials came in 1971 and the ban on smoking on commercial airline flights in the late 1980s. Later still came bans on smoking in public places. At some point, the movement reached critical mass now is seen by most Americans as uncool, unsafe, harmful-to-others and just plain unacceptable.

Next up: Obesity.

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control, obesity among Americans between ages 20 and 74 increased from 15 percent in 1976-1980 to 33 percent in 2003-2004. According to the local nonprofit group Community Choices, one in four Clark County adults was overweight in 2005, up from one in six in 1996.

But obesity, which leads to a multitude of health problems, is different. Unlike smoking, one person's indulgence doesn't affect the health of those riding in the same car, living in the same house, working in the same office or eating in the same restaurant.

But it is still a public health issue so long as hospitals charge higher rates because uninsured obese people come to emergency rooms and so long as Medicare and other government programs help pay medical bills.

With this public health issue, as with just about everything else in this hurry-up world, critical mass probably will be reached faster than it was with smoking.

It is happening before our very eyes. For example, at Clark College, (the first community college in the state to ban smoking on campus), President Bob Knight capped his State of Clark College address last week by leading a brisk half-mile walk, accompanied by about 60 students, faculty and staff. The walk underscored the Healthy Penguin Initiative Knight announced in his speech. (See Penguin Nation .)

Wednesday, The Columbian's Michael Andersen reported how John Wiesman, county public health director, intends to make his agency an anti-obesity advocate "on behalf of your heart, your pancreas and your waistline. ? Wiesman has become convinced that breaking the American habits of poor nutrition and sedentary living ? will require more than just fees, regulations and informational pamphlets."

His assault on the culture of obesity will include working with schools, churches, clubs, restaurants, architects and businesses to influence the lessons they teach, the food they serve, the stairways they design and the incentives they offer to eat well and exercise.

As if on cue, leaders of the nonprofit group Community Choices met Tuesday with local-government leaders to promote its "Walking: All Reasons, All Seasons" campaign to reduce obesity ( Walking: All Reasons All Seasons - [ Home ] ).

While medical factors contribute to some obesity, in most cases the problem can be mitigated by personal choices. Acting in behalf of all taxpayers, governments are spreading that message.

In Our View: Changing Culture- Columbian.com, Clark County, Washington, Vancouver, Breaking News, U.S., World, Entertainment, Video, Weather, Sports

(Note, you can read people's opinion comments by clicking the article link and look at the bottom of the article)

Curious what do you think?

 

[jillio]

The key word here is "personal choices". Be very, very careful. Big Brother is watching what goes into your lungs, your stomach, and what goes on in your bedroom! Scary.

 

[Hwy99]

The key word here is "personal choices". Be very, very careful. Big Brother is watching what goes into your lungs, your stomach, and what goes on in your bedroom! Scary.

Of course, personal choices.. But, umm... Are you acting like you know about me?

 

[jillio]

Of course, personal choices.. But, umm... Are you acting like you know about me?

Not at all. I'm simply saying that it is wrong for the government to regulate personal choice, especially when it comes to legal activities. It is dangerous when the government steps in to tell us what is best for us, and to act in the capacity of a parent.

 

[Angel]

Not at all. I'm simply saying that it is wrong for the government to regulate personal choice, especially when it comes to legal activities. It is dangerous when the government steps in to tell us what is best for us, and to act in the capacity of a parent.

!!!!

 

[jillio]

!!!!

 

[Banjo]

Not at all. I'm simply saying that it is wrong for the government to regulate personal choice, especially when it comes to legal activities. It is dangerous when the government steps in to tell us what is best for us, and to act in the capacity of a parent.

What about alcoholic beverages? You have to be over 21 to buy some in the USA. Isn't that regulating personal choices too as well?

Here, alcoholic beverages are heavily regulated. You cannot buy them at any stores you please to. You have to go to a store that is licensed to sell them. Meaning you can't go to just 7-11 and buy a can of beer. You have to be at least 19 years old to be able to buy some. Also, when you drink alcohol beverages at a restaurant and such, you have to drink it on the spot, you can't leave the restaurant with it.

Thankfully, I don't drink so I don't have to put up with that. Same with smoking cigarettes, don't have to put up with that.

 

[jillio]

What about alcoholic beverages? You have to be over 21 to buy some in the USA. Isn't that regulating personal choices too as well?

Here, alcoholic beverages are heavily regulated. You cannot buy them at any stores you please to. You have to go to a store that is licensed to sell them. Meaning you can't go to just 7-11 and buy a can of beer. You have to be at least 19 years old to be able to buy some. Also, when you drink alcohol beverages at a restaurant and such, you have to drink it on the spot, you can't leave the restaurant with it.

Thankfully, I don't drink so I don't have to put up with that. Same with smoking cigarettes, don't have to put up with that.

Yes, but all personal choices for minors are regulated. I'm talking about personal choice as it applies to adults. And, agreed, depending upon the location, one can or cannot choose to consume alcohol on the premises or to take it with them. But one still has the choice of which establishment in which to purchase that alcohol, or if to drink that alcohol at all. And likewise, an adult should have freedom of choice in what foods to put in their mouth, whether they choose to smoke cigarettes as long as they are legally sold, and who they want their life partner to be.

 

[Hwy99]

Not at all. I'm simply saying that it is wrong for the government to regulate personal choice, especially when it comes to legal activities. It is dangerous when the government steps in to tell us what is best for us, and to act in the capacity of a parent.

Of course!!!

Btw, the reason why I felt that you knew me because you got it very close truth about me, I do smoke in my room but no else than my room, and true my brother is my BIG brother and only brother I have, except... My brother do smoke so do my roommate

 

[Banjo]

Yes, but all personal choices for minors are regulated. I'm talking about personal choice as it applies to adults. And, agreed, depending upon the location, one can or cannot choose to consume alcohol on the premises or to take it with them. But one still has the choice of which establishment in which to purchase that alcohol, or if to drink that alcohol at all. And likewise, an adult should have freedom of choice in what foods to put in their mouth, whether they choose to smoke cigarettes as long as they are legally sold, and who they want their life partner to be.

Ah-a, here's the thing... you become a legal adult at the age of 18. Don't you find that to be somewhere of an irony? You become an adult at 18, but you still have to wait till you are 21 in the USA to buy a can of beer... legally.

 

[shel90]

Ah-a, here's the thing... you become a legal adult at the age of 18. Don't you find that to be somewhere of an irony? You become an adult at 18, but you still have to wait till you are 21 in the USA to buy a can of beer... legally.

Yes, I see the irony of it. U can smoke, vote, have sex, and not go to school at the age of 18 but cant drink.

 

[Hwy99]

Ah-a, here's the thing... you become a legal adult at the age of 18. Don't you find that to be somewhere of an irony? You become an adult at 18, but you still have to wait till you are 21 in the USA to buy a can of beer... legally.

Yupp I have to agree with Banjo, the legal age for alcohol seems too high, I start drinking socially when I was only 14 and still do drink socially today, while I am 20 right now, can't wait for 21th age so I can buy my own alcohol and owe my brother big time lol..

 

[jillio]

Ah-a, here's the thing... you become a legal adult at the age of 18. Don't you find that to be somewhere of an irony? You become an adult at 18, but you still have to wait till you are 21 in the USA to buy a can of beer... legally.

That is rather recent. For many years, one could purchase a 3.2% alcoholic beverage at the age of 18. Of course, that was a misnomer, because anything over 3.2% is rated as 6%. But, yes, I do find it ironinc. At 18, one is old enough to die for one's country, but not old enough to purchase a beer. Go figure!

 

[Byrdie714]

It makes sense why smoking ban causes obesitity.

When one can't smoke, they seek other alternatives to replace the smoking habit. Plus when your senses re-grow and "re-discovers" the taste of food again, we are more likely to put on the weight as everything tastes delicious again.

Granted it is a personal choice if one wants to smoke but they should'nt force others to put up with their habit.

 

[GarnetTigerMom]

Everything is a personal choice what you do with your health if you want to ruin your health. So that pretty much the sad thing. I just glad my mom FINALLY quit smoking for almost 3 weeks. I hope she continue to stay that way since she getting treatment.

So, people have to ask themselves why did you smoke in the first place?

Stress? Friends do it? Help the weight lot? Calm your nerves? Peer pressures? Cuz it look cool? so many of those sound pretty much an excuses to smoke. Once you smoke it become a addiction you can't stop. It like the same thing with pots and drugs. Smoking contains like over 6,000 chemicals in it and that dangerous to person's health.

Cigarette smoking is the most preventable cause of illness and death in the United States. A large number of Americans smoke cigarettes, and each year more than one million children and adults start smoking cigarettes. Many people die every year from illnesses caused by smoking. People who smoke die earlier than those who do not smoke. The risk of disease increases if you smoke a lot, inhale deeply, or have smoked many years.

I tell you why smoking is bad for people so if u are smoker then you should be aware why it bad for you. Here is why is bad for you, Cigarettes are filled with poison that goes into the lungs when you inhale. Coughing, dizziness, and burning of the eyes, nose, and throat are early signs that smoking is harming you. Smoking increases your health risks if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or high blood cholesterol. The long-term problems of smoking cigarettes are the following:

Cancer: Smoking increases your chances of getting cancer. Cigarette smoking may play a role in developing many kinds of cancer. Lung cancer is the most common kind of cancer caused by smoking. A smoker is at greater risk of getting cancer of the lips, mouth, throat, or voice box. Smokers also have a higher risk of getting esophagus, stomach, kidney, pancreas, cervix, bladder, and skin cancer.


Heart and blood vessel disease:


If you already have heart or blood vessel problems and smoke, you are at even greater risk of having continued or worse health problems. The nicotine in the tobacco causes an increase in your heart rate and blood pressure. The arteries (blood vessels) in your arms and legs tighten and narrow because of the nicotine in cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke increases blood clotting, and may damage the lining of your heart's arteries and other blood vessels.


Carbon monoxide is a harmful gas that gets into the blood and decreases oxygen going to the heart and the body. Cigarette smoke contains this gas. Hardening of the arteries happens more often in smokers than in nonsmokers. This may make it more likely for you to have a stroke (blood clot in your brain). The more cigarettes you smoke, the greater your risk of a heart attack.


Lung disease:


The younger you are when you start smoking, the greater your risk of getting lung diseases. Many smokers have a cough which is caused by the chemicals in smoke. These chemicals harm the cilia (tiny hairs) that line the lungs and help remove dirt and waste products. Depending upon how much you smoke, your lungs become gray and "dirty" (they look like charcoal). Healthy lungs are pink.


Chronic bronchitis is a serious lung infection which is often caused by smoking. Emphysema is a long-term lung disease that may be caused by smoking cigarettes. Cigarette smoking also makes asthma worse. You are at a higher risk of getting colds, pneumonia, and other lung infections if you smoke.


Gastrointestinal disease: Cigarette smoking increases the amount of acid that is made by your stomach, and may cause a peptic ulcer. A peptic ulcer is an open sore in the stomach or duodenum (part of the intestine). You may also get gastroesophageal reflux from smoking. This is when you have a backflow of stomach acid into your esophagus (food tube).


Other problems: The following are other problems that smoking may cause:


Bad breath.


Bad smell in your clothes, hair, and skin.


Decreased ability to play sports or do physical activities because of breathing problems.


Earlier than normal wrinkling of the skin, usually the face.


Higher risk of bone fractures, such as hip, wrist, or spine.


Higher risk of starting a fire. This may happen if you fall asleep with a lit cigarette.


Men may have problems having an erection.


Sleeping problems.


Smoking is an expensive (costly) habit. You will save money if you choose to stop smoking.


Sore throat.


Staining of teeth.


Women and smoking: You may have a higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke if you smoke and use birth control pills. This risk is more serious if you are 35 years or older. The risk of losing your unborn baby or having a stillborn baby is higher if you are pregnant and smoke. Babies born to smoking mothers often weigh less, and are at a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). You may have a harder time getting pregnant if you are a smoker. Women who smoke may have a higher risk of osteoporosis (also known as "brittle bones"). Women who smoke also have a higher risk of incontinence, which is when you are unable to control when you urinate.

 

[Babyblue]

That is rather recent. For many years, one could purchase a 3.2% alcoholic beverage at the age of 18. Of course, that was a misnomer, because anything over 3.2% is rated as 6%. But, yes, I do find it ironinc. At 18, one is old enough to die for one's country, but not old enough to purchase a beer. Go figure![/QUOTE

Yes! My mom and I was just talking about that a few nights ago..Legal age of drinking is 21 but you can enlist in the Army and Sign your life away to murder people and fight in wars. But you are not old enough to drink.

 

[Babyblue]

People are by far spending our tax money in the U.S.A to educate people on the Harm of smoking, Harm of drinking, and eating the right way. The government is trying to use it to educate people. I guess they are trying to prevent having to spend so much on health care on people that don't take care of themselves.

 

[jillio]

People are by far spending our tax money in the U.S.A to educate people on the Harm of smoking, Harm of drinking, and eating the right way. The government is trying to use it to educate people. I guess they are trying to prevent having to spend so much on health care on people that don't take care of themselves.

I don't mind the education; that still leaves individuals with freeedom of choice. What I dislike is legislation banning activities that are legal, or legislation that removes personal choice from the equation.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

It makes sense why smoking ban causes obesitity.

When one can't smoke, they seek other alternatives to replace the smoking habit. Plus when your senses re-grow and "re-discovers" the taste of food again, we are more likely to put on the weight as everything tastes delicious again.

Granted it is a personal choice if one wants to smoke but they should'nt force others to put up with their habit.

It's no excuse to blame quit smoking or smoking ban causes obesitity but yourself!!!! because you know what kind of foods are health or not. YOU, not smoking itself. It's YOUR personal choice...

 

[Liebling:-)))]

That is rather recent. For many years, one could purchase a 3.2% alcoholic beverage at the age of 18. Of course, that was a misnomer, because anything over 3.2% is rated as 6%. But, yes, I do find it ironinc. At 18, one is old enough to die for one's country, but not old enough to purchase a beer. Go figure![/QUOTE

Yes! My mom and I was just talking about that a few nights ago..Legal age of drinking is 21 but you can enlist in the Army and Sign your life away to murder people and fight in wars. But you are not old enough to drink.

Yeah