Should the government ban tobacco and alcohol?

[Phone]

All,

 

I love bad science. Remember this?

 

BAN DIHYDROGEN MONOXIDE! Please contact your MP on this very important issue

DHMO!!

Dihydrogen monoxide is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and kills uncounted thousands of people every year. Most of these deaths are caused by accidental inhalation of DHMO, but the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide do not end there. Prolonged exposure to its solid form causes severe tissue damage. Symptoms of DHMO ingestion can include excessive sweating and urination, and possibly a bloated feeling, nausea, vomiting and body electrolyte imbalance. For those who have become dependent, DHMO withdrawal means certain death.

With respect to your health DHMO

can cause excessive sweating and vomiting;

is a major component in acid rain;

can cause severe burns in its gaseous state;

accidental inhalation can kill you;

contributes to erosion;

decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes;

has been found in tumors of terminal cancer patients.

Dihydrogen monoxide:

is also known as hydroxl acid, and is the major component of acid rain.

contributes to the "greenhouse effect."

may cause severe burns.

contributes to the erosion of our natural landscape.

accelerates corrosion and rusting of many metals.

may cause electrical failures and decreased effectiveness of automobile brakes.

has been found in excised tumors of terminal cancer patients.

Contamination is reaching epidemic proportions!

Quantities of dihydrogen monoxide have been found in almost every stream, lake, and reservoir in America today. But the pollution is global, and the contaminant has even been found in Antarctic ice. DHMO has caused millions of dollars of property damage in the midwest, and recently California.

Despite the danger, dihydrogen monoxide is often used:

as an industrial solvent and coolant.

in nuclear power plants.

in the production of styrofoam.

as a fire retardant.

in many forms of cruel animal research.

in the distribution of pesticides. Even after washing, produce remains contaminated by this chemical.

as an additive in certain "junk-foods" and other food products.

Companies dump waste DHMO into rivers and the ocean, and nothing can be done to stop them because this practice is still legal. The impact on wildlife is extreme, and we cannot afford to ignore it any longer!

 

The American government has refused to ban the production, distribution, or use of this damaging chemical due to its "importance to the economic health of this nation." In fact, the navy and other military organizations are conducting experiments with DHMO, and designing multi-billion dollar devices to control and utilize it during warfare situations. Hundreds of military research facilities receive tons of it through a highly sophisticated underground distribution network. Many store large quantities for later use

 

Phone

[Emma two]

You could be right about the cost to the state, I must admit to being totally ignorant of the balance of figures, it's not something I have been especially interested in. I started in my teens, and stopped at 54. My stroke may have been caused by my smoking but even the specialist couldn't make a positive causal statement to that effect (he did tell me to stop and I did, and found it really easy). So my 10 days on the stroke ward will have cost a bit I suppose, but surely not as much as I have paid over the years in NI contributions, income tax (I worked since I was 15). I could draw incapacity benefit, but I won't, I could get 25% off my council tax, but I dont claim that. I do get disibility living allowance, but the reasons for that have nothing to do with smoking.

[Ken L]

Yes and it's a side issue to the original one of whether prohibition is an appropriate course of action.

It's just that the claims of smokers that they are somehow saving the country from financial ruin like little martyrs, drives me crazy - all the more so since I used to see the consequences in my previous job.

 

As said, I'm not for prohibition of tobacco or alcohol - just some degree of control.

[barry luxton]

There is control with fags and alcohol, no longer smoked inside and quite right to, saying that a taxi pulled up outside the school yesterday to take the kids home, guy gets out fag in mouth, opens the door for the kids as he's a responsible sort of chap. Drops the fag end on the floor without looking back if it hit anything flammable and orff he went. Somewhere in that example tells me he is breaking one or two weak laws that need stricter control, or does it sit well with the apologists argument for drugs to be freely avalible as there will be laws put in place to make thier argument work, in your dreams. The cost of a legal packet is enough to stop anyone sane from smoking, i would hate to see the poor shivering soles moved on from in front of pubs and offices, many councils are stopping recreational alcohol drinking from parks, play areas and even on street in town areas, i can see fags going the same way. For legal substances that's a pretty much harsh legislation, if there is suitible penalties for failing to abide of course. Unfortunatly this is where the drug apologists argument falls flat. Take methodone as an example, avalible and freefor the lost causes, not sold by the government, yet there is still an illicit market for it, swapsies for a wrap of the good old illegal. Can you imagine crack cocaine, ecstasy (leah Betts, legalise that one?), heroin, sold and used strictly in accordance and as perscription form, and all will be well with the dealers and takers, the drug apologists need thier heads sorting.

 

I note illegal fags are being cut with all kinds rubbish because the users think they are on a bargain as opposed to buying it from gold plated legal sources. You think hardend druggies won't buy the cheaper stuff, even happens to illegal cut spirits, again the apologists need certifying.

 

 

hope your computor gets well soon Andrew, before questions are asked. ho ho ho.

Edited July 7, 2012 by barry luxton

[Newt]

Surprised there weren't any reactions to Phone's tirade about the dangers of water (AKA DIHYDROGEN MONOXIDE among other names).

[barry luxton]

Surprised there weren't any reactions to Phone's tirade about the dangers of water (AKA DIHYDROGEN MONOXIDE among other names).

 

 

suprised when there wasn't a reaction to this one that appeared to be alledegly mis-spelled:

 

 

The man replied, "That would be my wife Erma"

 

 

 

As for phone Newt, your the mod, ban him.

[barry luxton]

a question, how many pepole are killed each year with that nasty stuff called water, should it be banned.

 

DISCUSS. (sportsman please note)

 

 

 

no no i wasn't taking the errm 'p'

 

i was refering to the spelling.

Edited July 7, 2012 by barry luxton

[Steve Walker]

Basic State Pension = £107.45 PW.

 

Top wack DLA = £131.5. PW.

ESA = £71.00 PW.

Carers Allowance = £58.45 PW

 

Does that even up the scales a bit ?

 

Yes, a little, although you've missed out end of life costs - even people who don't smoke can end up needing years of expensive medical and social care.

 

I think you are right to point out that it is more complicated than tobacco duty raising considerably more than the NHS spends treating smoking related disease, but I don't think it is easy to reach a definitive figure either way.

 

I tend to go with the principle that when the needs of the state start to override the wishes of its citizens, the tail is wagging the dog, so I don't have much sympathy with the 'costs to the NHS' angle on any of these issues. If paying for it were optional, it could set rules for eligibility, but it isn't (and can't be).

[barry luxton]

Yes, a little, although you've missed out end of life costs - even people who don't smoke can end up needing years of expensive medical and social care.

 

Regarding social care, the governments and health services have pretty much got that wrapped up with regards to responsibility, expecially where the user has assets to thier name. So at the lower end of the 'market' there is an impact on the public purse. The rest have to pay.

[Andrew]

Go into care, yeah, if you have assets they are stripped from you by this very caring country, i wont say governments, to pay for yor keep. How very kind. Work all your life and then when you need urgent care, residential care homes with private companies, sell your house and use your assets. After all why should someone with money take from the government ! But we all pay into the system, that is if you work.

 

Be a pi$$ artist all you life, be a smack head, or even a smoker, no problem, your cared for by the state. FARE INNIT DUDE.

Edited July 7, 2012 by Andrew