Recently the City Council of New York passed a law prohibiting smoking in public areas and public parks due to "health concerns". First of all, I do understand the intention of this law. It is to promote a healthy lifestyle in the city and minimize air pollution.
My friends, the path to hell is lined by good intentions. Now, consider this.....obesity is a HUGE problem in these United States (pun intended). I, myself, am considered obese (I like beer, I like donuts and Homer Simpson is my role model) and obesity is a far greater health risk than smoking. If NYC (especially mayor Bloomberg) is truly concerned with public health, why not tax the obese? Or better yet, prevent obese people from ordered out? or even eating? Seems obscene and offensive? Well, it won't end there porky!
Consider this.... if you are in a closed space for a half hour with your car running, you die. If you are in a closed space for a half hour with cigar/cigarette smoke, your clothes and hair smell. Which emissions are more toxic? So if the city of New York is TRULY concerned with public health, they should also pass a law prohibiting any car that has an exhaust from driving near public parks. Ridiculous? Absolutely!
The true culprit.... Mister Softee ice cream trucks. These are not only bad for the environment (gas-guzzling, toxic emission spewing carriers of delicious frozen treats), but they ALSO encourage obesity! Do not target the cigar smokers off in the corner of the park who are merely enjoying an afternoon smoke, target these diabetes-peddlers!
Seems ridiculous? It is. Smokers are denied basic rights due to strict and absurd laws. Laws passed by out of touch politicians. The fact that this law was passed in NYC (but the police will not enforce it) is a sign of the times... a scary sign. Remember, Hitler was a non-smoker....and he was defeated by three smokers (Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin).
"A man with no vices, has even fewer virtues."-Honest Abe Lincoln.
Well said, my friend. Like you said, I understand the intent...but the delivery is seriously flawed. And that's one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite presidents.
ReplyDeleteVery valid points. Has second hand smoke really definitively been proven to cause as many problems as NY politicians make it out to be? What if the smokers are on a rooftop or in a tree so it doesn't bother people below? Or there's a breeze? Doesn't methane deplete the ozone? So should we fine people for farting? Pointless laws have always been a pet peeve of mine.
ReplyDelete