[jhynesrockmtn]

I'm generally against smoking but feel the overwhelming govt. intervention and then the hypocrytical tax situation is stupid. Both my parents smoked heavily and I've seen that take it's toll on them. In the end was it smoking that ended up killing my father or the fact he never exercised and was 100lbs overweight most of his adult life?

Moderation and balance in most things is way more important than extreme positions or behaviours on anything. Sure, I love the fact my neighborhood bar is smoke free but think the laws should allow someone to open up a smoking is ok bar if they want. The market should drive that.

A recent study by some researcher in the Netherlands (I think) found that out of 3 populations, HWP non smokers, Obese people and smokers the 1st group will statistically cost more in health care over their life because they live longer and in old age things like alzheimers, etc. are way costlier to "treat" than lung cancer. Living until you're 95 and spending the last 10 of those years on expensive prescriptions, etc. isn't necessarily the way I want to go out. Maybe I'll drive my 911 off a cliff on my 80th birthday or something.