Annoying

michael_1265 · Jul 22, 2013

I truly try not to be annoyed by stuff on the tennis court. Everybody plays a little bit differently, and I try not to let peculiarities get under my skin. With the exception of smoking. the last couple of years, I have had several opponents who smoked before and/or after the match. First off, within the confines of a windless tennis court, I have to inhale that foul stuff. Secondly, there are no ashtrays on a tennis court, so where are your butts going?!

What's the consensus on this?

A few weeks ago, we were at our home courts loading up for an away match, and the 3.0 guys were getting ready for a home match. One of the 3.0 players (#1 singles!) lit up right behind where we were standing. One of my players asked him if that was a regular thing for him before a singles match. Before he could answer, my "Tourette's" flared up, and I said, "If you're going to take up a habit that is so unhealthy, why don't you make it crystal meth? At least then your court coverage would improve."

Oh, did I say that?

struggle · Jul 22, 2013

I smoke at times, but I try to be respectful of those (most folks) that don't do so by making sure I'm not contaminating their nearby airspace.

This applies everywhere, not just the tennis courts.

I drink beer during matches too (at times), but if that ****es someone off that is their problem, not mine.

I also have to play matches mid-day on Sunday sometimes because some folks have obligations
in the morning when it is much cooler.... That kinda ****es me off, but i deal with it without
making fun of the big boogeyman puppeteer in the sky.

newpball · Jul 22, 2013

michael_1265 said:
One of the 3.0 players (#1 singles!) lit up right behind where we were standing.

Honestly that would not bother me. I might catch a smell but that is part of life, if I sit outside a coffee shop along a road am I going to be disturbed every time a car passes by? And do I go ballistic and scream 'air killers!' when a diesel comes by? Whatever happened to tolerance?

I am not a smoker but I think some of the anti-smoke stance is way over the top. Nowadays people are not even allowed to smoke in the park on at the beach.

Mongolmike · Jul 22, 2013

tbuggle said:
I smoke at times, but I try to be respectful of those (most folks) that don't do so by making sure I'm not contaminating their nearby airspace.

This applies everywhere, not just the tennis courts.

I drink beer during matches too (at times), but if that ****es someone off that is their problem, not mine.

I also have to play matches mid-day on Sunday sometimes because some folks have obligations
in the morning when it is much cooler.... That kinda ****es me off, but i deal with it without
making fun of the big boogeyman puppeteer in the sky.

One of the guys on one of my league teams(actually one of the better players!) drinks during warm-ups, and I think has a few before the warm-ups too! He is like the honey badger. He does not give a s_it what anyone thinks about it. He's not jerky about it, just laughs it off and takes another pull.

As for the OP and smoking... being an ex-smoker myself... it doesn't bother me. In fact, I don't mind the smell, as long as you don't smoke in my car. As for the cigarette butts... yeah, I don't like butts strewn all over the place, but then I also "police" my court for twigs or stones or pieces of broken string etc.

Cindysphinx · Jul 22, 2013

I have never once seen any player, male or female, smoke before, during or after a tennis match.

One of my tennis friends is a smoker. She complains that captains will not put her in the line-up because they think she cannot hang because she smokes.

Then again, I can only think of one person I know well who smokes. It is really rare in my generation and part of the world. I'm 52, so maybe the smokers have died off by now.

struggle · Jul 22, 2013

We have a small group (2-3) who enjoys a smoke and we'll usually run off together after a match (opposing teammates too) and hide in a "safe" spot while watching ongoing lines.

Yes, many/most are shocked but some do still smoke (also, I live in NC.....not California. It does still make a bit of a difference).

Definitely a "dying" fad.

As far as fitness, for 4.0 doubles (the other 2 are 4.5) I don't ever really see it as an issue. Put me on the singles court and it matters at times, for sure. But I also won collegiate national ultimate frisbee champs in 1993 as a smoker. much tougher, so it's all relative to me.

nonetheless i should quit. bad habit.

Turbo-87 · Jul 22, 2013

Cindysphinx said:
I have never once seen any player, male or female, smoke before, during or after a tennis match.

One of my tennis friends is a smoker. She complains that captains will not put her in the line-up because they think she cannot hang because she smokes.

Then again, I can only think of one person I know well who smokes. It is really rare in my generation and part of the world. I'm 52, so maybe the smokers have died off by now.

Come to think of it, I haven't seen anyone smoke around tennis courts. It is definitely getting to be a rare thing. You can't even smoke in bars in my city. Smokers feel like pariahs these days for good reason.

RetroSpin · Jul 22, 2013

I would certainly find it odd that someone lit up before a match, but I can't say it would bother me. Actually, I would probably find it funny in a Mad Men kind of way. Years ago, yes, I was like the OP, then I realized it wasn't really the smoke that bothered me but the idea that people were doing it around me. I think that is the difference between being concerned about your own health and just trying to impose your values on other people. Let's face it, someone smoking outside or even in a bar is not going to kill you.

newpball · Jul 22, 2013

RetroSpin said:
I would certainly find it odd that someone lit up before a match, but I can't say it would bother me. Actually, I would probably find it funny in a Mad Men kind of way. Years ago, yes, I was like the OP, then I realized it wasn't really the smoke that bothered me but the idea that people were doing it around me. I think that is the difference between being concerned about your own health and just trying to impose your values on other people. Let's face it, someone smoking outside or even in a bar is not going to kill you.

Indeed, in the open air the fumes of a passing by truck probably have more health hazard than the second hand smoke of a cigaret.

Cindysphinx · Jul 22, 2013

Cigarette smoke gives me a headache pretty must instantly. I hold my breath when I must dart from the sidewalk to the door of an office building where people congregate to smoke.

Still, the occasional puff of second-hand smoke is not half as bad as the scores of foul cigarette butts smokers leave in their wake. I never understood why some consider it OK to throw their cigarette butts onto the ground.

I imagine many smokers are responsible about this and take care not to litter. Sadly, it only takes a few bad apples to foul the public beach.

michael_1265 · Jul 22, 2013

newpball said:
Honestly that would not bother me. I might catch a smell but that is part of life, if I sit outside a coffee shop along a road am I going to be disturbed every time a car passes by? And do I go ballistic and scream 'air killers!' when a diesel comes by? Whatever happened to tolerance?

I am not a smoker but I think some of the anti-smoke stance is way over the top. Nowadays people are not even allowed to smoke in the park on at the beach.

It didn't particularly bother me in that case (we weren't on the court), but my remark was probably fueled by the fact that he had stunk up the court on numerous occasions.

michael_1265 · Jul 22, 2013

RetroSpin said:
I would certainly find it odd that someone lit up before a match, but I can't say it would bother me. Actually, I would probably find it funny in a Mad Men kind of way. Years ago, yes, I was like the OP, then I realized it wasn't really the smoke that bothered me but the idea that people were doing it around me. I think that is the difference between being concerned about your own health and just trying to impose your values on other people. Let's face it, someone smoking outside or even in a bar is not going to kill you.

There is probably a little more going on than just the act, I admit. My Dad smoked four packs a day and my Mom two. We would drive the 6 hours from southern CT to Vermont on the holidays, and the windows would stay up because of the cold weather, with Dad smoking constantly. It's not a moral thing, just a lot of bad associations. I don't have the illusion that someone smoking on a tennis court is going to give me cancer, I just dislike the stink of it. And, up until about 15 years ago, you could pretty much do it anywhere. I guess things are a lot better now.

dizzlmcwizzl · Jul 23, 2013

ON Sunday I went to watch the finals of our district playoffs.

I thought it was really funny that the 3.5 champs after they collected their championship hats all went and stood together for a smoke ... not even cigars, but rather the entire team lit up cigarettes.

Maybe it is a cultural thing as nearly the entire team is from India originally.

Cindysphinx · Jul 23, 2013

michael_1265 said:
There is probably a little more going on than just the act, I admit. My Dad smoked four packs a day and my Mom two. We would drive the 6 hours from southern CT to Vermont on the holidays, and the windows would stay up because of the cold weather, with Dad smoking constantly. It's not a moral thing, just a lot of bad associations. I don't have the illusion that someone smoking on a tennis court is going to give me cancer, I just dislike the stink of it. And, up until about 15 years ago, you could pretty much do it anywhere. I guess things are a lot better now.

You too, eh?

My parents did a lot of things right. One thing they did wrong was driving us cross country, lighting up every few minutes, windows rolled up. Finally we kids would gag and beg and protest, and they would roll the windows down a crack to suck out the smoke trail. This caused ashes to fly around the car.

Did I mention that my brother and I had asthma? Sheez.

Ah, well. They both quit cold turkey decades ago, so I'll give them props for that.

NoQuarter · Jul 23, 2013

I have seen smokers several times over the years playing. In all cases, they have been respectful enough to make sure that it does not bother me. Unlike the idiots that light up right at the front door of restaurants which are non smoking.:evil:

El Diablo · Jul 23, 2013

If someone wants to smoke outdoors, I think it's a bit petulant to make an issue of it. There's enough room for you to move out of harm's way until he's done.

Chico · Jul 23, 2013

newpball said:
Honestly that would not bother me. I might catch a smell but that is part of life, if I sit outside a coffee shop along a road am I going to be disturbed every time a car passes by? And do I go ballistic and scream 'air killers!' when a diesel comes by? Whatever happened to tolerance?

I am not a smoker but I think some of the anti-smoke stance is way over the top. Nowadays people are not even allowed to smoke in the park on at the beach.

El Diablo said:
If someone wants to smoke outdoors, I think it's a bit petulant to make an issue of it. There's enough room for you to move out of harm's way until he's done.

This and this. Anti smoking these days is way over the top. OP's reaction too.

gould2000 · Jul 23, 2013

Personally, I find it rude and inconsiderate for someone to smoke close enough to a court that I can smell it while playing. They should be aware that the wind may be blowing their second hand smoke on the court I am playing on. I can;t exactly move to another court, nor should I have to

Turbo-87 · Jul 23, 2013

gould2000 said:
Personally, I find it rude and inconsiderate for someone to smoke close enough to a court that I can smell it while playing. They should be aware that the wind may be blowing their second hand smoke on the court I am playing on. I can;t exactly move to another court, nor should I have to

I hate smoking, but this makes me chuckle a bit. As if big city air isn't ten times worse than diluted second hand smoke outdoors. Heh.

RetroSpin · Jul 23, 2013

gould2000 said:
Personally, I find it rude and inconsiderate for someone to smoke close enough to a court that I can smell it while playing. They should be aware that the wind may be blowing their second hand smoke on the court I am playing on. I can;t exactly move to another court, nor should I have to

I guess I am on both sides of this, as I have to agree with this post as well.

NJ1 · Jul 23, 2013

newpball said:
Honestly that would not bother me. I might catch a smell but that is part of life, if I sit outside a coffee shop along a road am I going to be disturbed every time a car passes by? And do I go ballistic and scream 'air killers!' when a diesel comes by? Whatever happened to tolerance?

I am not a smoker but I think some of the anti-smoke stance is way over the top. Nowadays people are not even allowed to smoke in the park on at the beach.

100% agreed. People need to take care of their own issues instead of bothering others for no good reason.

gould2000 · Jul 23, 2013

IA-SteveB said:
I hate smoking, but this makes me chuckle a bit. As if big city air isn't ten times worse than diluted second hand smoke outdoors. Heh.

The point is most people do not go to a tennis court with the expectation of having to smell that crap while playing. People are more than welcome to smoke anything they want, it's their body. Just don't do it close enough to me that I have to smell it while I am trying to play. I think it's reasonable of me to expect that certain environments will be smoke free when I go to play tennis. Now, if I choose to play tennis at a court that is located outside of a bar where patrons may step outside for a smoke, then in that case perhaps I need to find a new place to play. But, I would never play there if such a court existed. Probably wouldn't play at one located at a Marlboro testing facility either. Even if it was grass and free;-)

michael_1265 · Jul 23, 2013

Cindysphinx said:
You too, eh?

My parents did a lot of things right. One thing they did wrong was driving us cross country, lighting up every few minutes, windows rolled up. Finally we kids would gag and beg and protest, and they would roll the windows down a crack to suck out the smoke trail. This caused ashes to fly around the car.

Did I mention that my brother and I had asthma? Sheez.

Ah, well. They both quit cold turkey decades ago, so I'll give them props for that.

My parents quit cold turkey as well when I was 14. They were miserable ***holes for a year after that, but it was worth it. They had 30 more years before it caught up to them, which is pretty good.

Isn't it amazing that parents who were great in most other ways were able to disregard the health of their kids??

Mongolmike · Jul 23, 2013

gould2000 said:
Probably wouldn't play at one located at a Marlboro testing facility either. Even if it was grass and free;-)

Smoking free grass? Dang... guess I picked the wrong day to give up smoking reefer!

The Isomotion31 · Jul 23, 2013

It does when my doubles partner is out of shape already and needs to take a cigarette break during a match and is asking me to take over the match and do all the hunting down of the balls. Says it helps him calm his nerves...whatever.

gould2000 · Jul 23, 2013

Mongolmike said:
Smoking free grass? Dang... guess I picked the wrong day to give up smoking reefer!

Well played

Cindysphinx · Jul 23, 2013

michael_1265 said:
Isn't it amazing that parents who were great in most other ways were able to disregard the health of their kids??

They didn't know any better. Simple as that.

Cindy -- way more worried about those Shell pest strips Dad used to hang around the house

VaththalKuzhambu · Jul 25, 2013

Burn one, turn one. Before match, after match.

+1
+1
+1

tbuggle said:
I smoke at times, but I try to be respectful of those (most folks) that don't do so by making sure I'm not contaminating their nearby airspace.

This applies everywhere, not just the tennis courts.

.... That kinda ****es me off, but i deal with it without
making fun of the big boogeyman puppeteer in the sky.

corbind · Jul 25, 2013

Cindysphinx said:
They didn't know any better. Simple as that.

In school they taugh kids not to inhale smoke from a fire by hitting the floor. So most teens would logically figure out putting smoke in your lungs (even via a cigarette) is damaging or at least illogical. So "didn't know" is kinda shaky.

But back to the smoking at a tennis court, well, I could do without it entirely. If someone smokes ON the asphalt that is rude but if they at least go outside the gate that is enough. Even if I smell it then they've made an effort and is sufficient.

Topaz · Jul 25, 2013

Smoking is quite simply the absolute most terrible and damaging thing you can do to your body, period. I never quite realized how much until I went to nursing school and saw the fall out on my rotations in the hospital. Smoking is also a leading allergen for people suffering from asthma. So yes, those people smoking up are harming the other people around them, and I think you have every right to say something. If they want to slowly commit suicide, they should do it where they won't affect anyone else.

rh310 · Jul 25, 2013

corbind said:
In school they taugh kids not to inhale smoke from a fire by hitting the floor. So most teens would logically figure out putting smoke in your lungs (even via a cigarette) is damaging

Completely countered by all of the cultural cues that smoking was grown up, and smoking itself looked / was cool.

or at least illogical.

Because, you know, there's just so much evidence that human beings are deeply logical and rational creatures.

JackB1 · Jul 25, 2013

I am always amazed how smokers think its "OK" to smoke anywhere that is "outdoors". The only difference is that there is no walls and roof. You are still fouling the air I am trying to breath a few feet away from you. You don't need to only be indoors to do that.

newpball · Jul 25, 2013

Topaz said:
So yes, those people smoking up are harming the other people around them, and I think you have every right to say something. If they want to slowly commit suicide, they should do it where they won't affect anyone else.

Personally I find this stance unreasonable and intolerant.

I am in full agreement that smoking is bad for the health and that includes second hand smoke. But I think the danger from catching second smoke outside is grossly exaggerated. I think the fumes from a truck passing by will be more damaging than smelling the smoke of someone who smokes nearby. So you hold your breath every time a truck passes by?

Of course one is free request that someone stops or goes away but the fact of the matter is that smoking is generally permitted outside. And insisting that someone who smokes outside stops or goes away if there are no laws against it becomes harassment.

I live in Northern California, most of the public courts are in parks and smoking in parks is generally not allowed but I think this is fairly untypical outside of California.

beernutz · Jul 25, 2013

It is rare to see tennis playing smokers but they exist. I played in two state tournaments during the last two months and in those large groups of tennis players you could see a few odd people lighting up.

Embarrassingly for me, in one of those tournaments I lost a tough match at #1 singles played at 3pm on a sunny, hot, and humid day. Walking back to our ride in the parking lot with the rest of my team I spy my opponent puffing away. Talk about depressing.

I may have lost the match however he was toast for the rest of the tournament as he never won another set and he told me candidly I ran the legs right out of him which is of course cold comfort for a loser.

hrstrat57 · Jul 25, 2013

I have been around tennis courts for many, many years some country club some urban and everything in between. Clay, grass, rubber hard court with and without cracks you name it. Have never experienced cigarette smoke on or within sniffing range of play.... Never even considered it was possible.

I would probably protest if I experienced it - but really kind of unimaginable.

I used to work with a lady who walked every day at lunch and chain smoked the whole time, cigarette usually hanging out of her mouth so she could swing her arms. She was in amazing shape probably except for her lungs...

I've seen a few road bikers on the bike paths smoking at times too, and the golf course is notorious for tobacco use, even on tour until recently.

Interesting thread.

tennis tom · Jul 25, 2013

I played a hippie guy at a tournament once on Har-Tru in the 50 or 55's who smoked on the changeovers, didn't really bother me at all, thought it was kinda' novel in fact. He was a pretty good player but quirky for a Senior Age Group tournament player.

Topaz · Jul 25, 2013

newpball said:
Personally I find this stance unreasonable and intolerant.

I am in full agreement that smoking is bad for the health and that includes second hand smoke. But I think the danger from catching second smoke outside is grossly exaggerated. I think the fumes from a truck passing by will be more damaging than smelling the smoke of someone who smokes nearby. So you hold your breath every time a truck passes by?

Of course one is free request that someone stops or goes away but the fact of the matter is that smoking is generally permitted outside. And insisting that someone who smokes outside stops or goes away if there are no laws against it becomes harassment.

I live in Northern California, most of the public courts are in parks and smoking in parks is generally not allowed but I think this is fairly untypical outside of California.

Actually, it is well informed and educated. Go into a hospital. Look at how many people are there for pneumonia, COPD, respiratory distress (or if they are lucky, ALL OF THE ABOVE). Don't forget lung cancer! Now look at their history. Smokers? Oh hey, look, they are smokers. (Didya miss the part where I'm a nurse? In an ICU?) Smoking is the #1 risk factor for so many diseases...and cancer. Of all types, not just lung cancer.

Think second hand smoke isn't harmful? WRONG. Read some studies. And unless that smoker has asked everyone around them whether or not they have asthma, then they are potentially causing them an asthma exacerbation. Which, you know, MEANS THEY CAN'T BREATH. Asthma kills people.

If someone is doing something that will harm me, then they are effecting my civil rights. People have a right to be outside and not have to inhale carcinogens. And yes, I do hold my breath when I'm outside running, and a smoky truck passes me. I can't help it...its gross.

eelhc · Jul 25, 2013

As a whole I think Americans are a bit too uptight about smoking and not uptight enough about bad food/poor nutrition.

True, that 2nd hand smoke is ore of an issue than "2nd hand coca cola"... But IMO there are more health problems and costs associated with poor nutrition than smoking these days. Obesity, Juvenile Diabetes...

I don't mind smoking so long as it's done discretely and away from the court... My doubles partner last year was/is a smoker. His smoking only bothered me when he ran out of gas in the 2nd set.

I don't like the fact that we "stick it to the smokers" with exorbitant taxes in the name of providing health care for the impoverished. A pack of cigarettes in NY is over $10 these days. Using the same argument... shouldn't we "stick it" to fat people and people with poor health habits as well? Personal freedoms sliding down a slippery slope...

OrangePower · Jul 25, 2013

eelhc said:
As a whole I think Americans are a bit too uptight about smoking and not uptight enough about bad food/poor nutrition.

True, that 2nd hand smoke is ore of an issue than "2nd hand coca cola"... But IMO there are more health problems and costs associated with poor nutrition than smoking these days. Obesity, Juvenile Diabetes...

I don't mind smoking so long as it's done discretely and away from the court... My doubles partner last year was/is a smoker. His smoking only bothered me when he ran out of gas in the 2nd set.

I don't like the fact that we "stick it to the smokers" with exorbitant taxes in the name of providing health care for the impoverished. A pack of cigarettes in NY is over $10 these days. Using the same argument... shouldn't we "stick it" to fat people and people with poor health habits as well? Personal freedoms sliding down a slippery slope...

The difference between smoking and other vices (poor nutrition, drinking, etc) is that smoking has negative impact on others nearby via second hand smoke.

I am a great believer in personal freedoms and so in theory don't care whether someone wishes to harm themselves by smoking when they are alone. Similarly I don't care in theory if one elects to eat junk and get diabetes.

I say in theory though because ultimately other people's poor choices do impact us all, since we as a society are somewhat on the hook for those people's escalated healthcare costs (uninsured visits to emergency room, Medicare, Medicaid, etc).

And so until such time as healthcare is fully private and not government financed in any way, I do think it's legitimate to tax cigarettes so that the price reflects the true economic cost to society of smoking. And by the way I do think that other known harm causing products like soda should also be taxed.

This is coming from a diehard libertarian that hates taxes; but as long as we are providing any form of socialized healthcare, we need to be allocating out those costs as best we can, which means taxing products known to promote higher medical costs.

vandre · Jul 25, 2013

JackB1 said:
I am always amazed how smokers think its "OK" to smoke anywhere that is "outdoors". The only difference is that there is no walls and roof. You are still fouling the air I am trying to breath a few feet away from you. You don't need to only be indoors to do that.

I agree 4000% jack! it's a free country (for a little while longer anyway) so you can do almost as you please but the people who sit downwind outdoors in public 2 benches away from my kid and proceed to light up have got to either be the most inconsiderate people on the planet or have highly advanced cases of cranial-rectal inversion.

RetroSpin · Jul 25, 2013

newpball said:
Personally I find this stance unreasonable and intolerant.

I am in full agreement that smoking is bad for the health and that includes second hand smoke. But I think the danger from catching second smoke outside is grossly exaggerated. I think the fumes from a truck passing by will be more damaging than smelling the smoke of someone who smokes nearby. So you hold your breath every time a truck passes by?

Of course one is free request that someone stops or goes away but the fact of the matter is that smoking is generally permitted outside. And insisting that someone who smokes outside stops or goes away if there are no laws against it becomes harassment.

I live in Northern California, most of the public courts are in parks and smoking in parks is generally not allowed but I think this is fairly untypical outside of California.

I agree. It's impossible to reason with these zealots, as evidenced by Nurse Crachit's reply to you. We do get it, smoking is very BAD, but it's legal, and the idea that someone is going to get a lethal dose of second hand smoke outside is ridiculous.

Unfortunately, this country has no shortage of supersensitive scolds who want to tell everyone else how to live their lives. Today it's smoking, next week it's supersized sodas, the week after, its fat food.

And don't forget, it's all for the children, so you're a real ***** if you don't go along.

Turbo-87 · Jul 25, 2013

Topaz said:
Actually, it is well informed and educated. Go into a hospital. Look at how many people are there for pneumonia, COPD, respiratory distress (or if they are lucky, ALL OF THE ABOVE). Don't forget lung cancer! Now look at their history. Smokers? Oh hey, look, they are smokers. (Didya miss the part where I'm a nurse? In an ICU?) Smoking is the #1 risk factor for so many diseases...and cancer. Of all types, not just lung cancer.

Think second hand smoke isn't harmful? WRONG. Read some studies. And unless that smoker has asked everyone around them whether or not they have asthma, then they are potentially causing them an asthma exacerbation. Which, you know, MEANS THEY CAN'T BREATH. Asthma kills people.

If someone is doing something that will harm me, then they are effecting my civil rights. People have a right to be outside and not have to inhale carcinogens. And yes, I do hold my breath when I'm outside running, and a smoky truck passes me. I can't help it...its gross.

You are clearly taking this a bit too far. We get it. I am not a smoker and don't care for it, but yamma hamma. Calm down.

newpball · Jul 25, 2013

IA-SteveB said:
You are clearly taking this a bit too far. We get it. I am not a smoker and don't care for it, but yamma hamma. Calm down.

I agree.

If a smoker smokes in a place where he is legally permitted to smoke someone can certainly ask the smoker not to do it but if someone insists or even demands this it becomes harassment and this is subject to (citizen's) arrest.

OrangePower · Jul 25, 2013

RetroSpin said:
Unfortunately, this country has no shortage of supersensitive scolds who want to tell everyone else how to live their lives. Today it's smoking, next week it's supersized sodas, the week after, its fat food.

I don't care how one lives their life, but also I don't want to be on the hook for a portion of their healthcare costs if they get lung cancer or diabetes.

newpball · Jul 25, 2013

OrangePower said:
I don't care how one lives their life, but also I don't want to be on the hook for a portion of their healthcare costs if they get lung cancer or diabetes.

And when you get seriously ill I presume you pay everything cash without help from any collective insurance right? And of course your lifestyle is perfect and you never engage in risky activities right?

Turbo-87 · Jul 25, 2013

OrangePower said:
I don't care how one lives their life, but also I don't want to be on the hook for a portion of their healthcare costs if they get lung cancer or diabetes.

I find that comment a little insensitive, but that's just me. If someone is a pariah smoker and suddenly is stricken with an unrelated terminal disease, is the thought still "oh well ... he's a smoker and that's what happens. My premiums are going up next year."

I really shouldn't have started commenting in this thread.

Nothing against you, OrangePower ... it just hit a button.

newpball · Jul 25, 2013

IA-SteveB said:
I find that comment a little insensitive, but that's just me. If someone is a pariah smoker and suddenly is stricken with an unrelated terminal disease, is the thought still "oh well ... he's a smoker and that's what happens. My premiums are going up next year."

I'd say let karma do the work, perhaps OrangePower will get insight in the consequences of his position and actions when he is at the other side of the coin.

Sumo · Jul 25, 2013

newpball said:
And when you get seriously ill I presume you pay everything cash without help from any collective insurance right? And of course your lifestyle is perfect and you never engage in risky activities right?

Do you really not see the difference in the circumstances he's describing and receiving a health insurance payout?

OrangePower · Jul 25, 2013

newpball said:
And when you get seriously ill I presume you pay everything cash without help from any collective insurance right? And of course your lifestyle is perfect and you never engage in risky activities right?

IA-SteveB said:
I find that comment a little insensitive, but that's just me. If someone is a pariah smoker and suddenly is stricken with an unrelated terminal disease, is the thought still "oh well ... he's a smoker and that's what happens. My premiums are going up next year."

I really shouldn't have started commenting in this thread. Nothing against you, OrangePower ... it just hit a button.

You guys are missing the point.

My comment was directed to whoever was saying that smokers are only hurting themselves and we should allow them the personal freedom to do so, and that taxing smokers is unfair.

My point is that I believe we do have a right as a society to restrict and tax smoking (and other dangerous behaviors), because we as a society pick up part of the tab through collective healthcare.

If I was not paying for smokers' healthcare indirectly through my taxes, then it would not matter to me *from an economics standpoint* whether they smoke or not.

Of course on a personal level I have empathy with anyone suffering from cancer etc., regardless of whether they engaged in risk-increasing behaviors or not. I have lost a couple of friends to smoking-related health issues.

Turbo-87 · Jul 25, 2013

I probably was. It has been a long week. It's all good. I need to focus on my tourney that starts tomorrow.

There had better not be any smokers there. lol

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