My Smokers' Rights: Plus a few questions for my fellow addicts.

for my fellow smokers out there that are getting good a sick of the prices of cigarettes growing exponentially, you may want to check out My Smokers' Rights.

Now, that being said, How many of my fellow smokers here are fighting their own battles against the continual increase of a pack of smokes by rolling their own?

Those of you who are, what's your favorite brand of RYO tobacco and papers?

Myself, I quite enjoy my Drum with my freebie JOB papers. Get's the job done nicely.

Also, a question for everyone. How do you feel about the constant efforts to increase the tax on cigarettes?



And finally, a bit of commentary.

Sure, smoking is a nasty habit, but then again so are many of the other habits most of us are guilty of indulging in from time to time. Drinking, junk food and other habits lead to as many health problems (if not more) than cigarettes do over time. However, cigs seem to catch a horrible rap these days.

While I understand the rights of a nonsmoker to not have to share in my cigarette smoke (and yes, I actually respect it and try to avoid exposing those that don't want to be exposed), I think legislation is getting a bit ridiculous. For example, there are people in my area who are actually trying to get legislation passed that will stop me from smoking in my own home, in my car or ANYWHERE for that matter. If laws like these are allowed to pass, what's next? Perhaps those of you out there that are for legislation that takes away the rights of one person to do something you don't like simply because you don't like it should stop and consider what rights of yours may be taken next.

Cigarettes are indeed a hazard to ones' health. However, if someone chooses to partake in an act that they know is not good for them, as long as they hurt no one else in the process, it is THEIR right and they shouldn't be punished because of those out there that do not agree with them. Cigarette taxes are getting insane, there are actually places where cigarettes can cost upwards of 15 dollars a pack in the United States and of that 90% is TAX. This tyranny needs to STOP!!


Jasn



BEAT THE TAXES!!! START ROLLING YOUR OWN!


1 pack of drum + 50 papers = $2.25. equivalent of 2 and 1/2 packs of cigarettes which can run you (on average) 15 dollars.

Ha!
I recently went back home to Australia for a visit.
I've only taken up smoking recently and had not planned on smoking whilst home so I never even thought of taking some with me.
I got the 'urge' while there - it cost me $22 for a lousy pack of Malboros.
I kid you not. And they have graphic pics of diseased hearts and lungs on the pack.
Smoke in Australia and you are an outcast.
Legally in Queensland you cannot smoke within 10 metres (if I remember correctly) of any business, like shopping centers etc. So you can't just nip out the back for a smoke anymore.
About the only place in public you can still smoke is at the pub or nightclub.

Of course the outrageous prices reflect the fact that Australia has socialised medicine.
If you are going to burden the health system in the future from your filthy habit, you have to pay for it with high taxes on cigarettes. Fair enough.
Whats Americas excuse?

As a smoker I will have to grow my own next year. No additives, just plain old tobacco. The prices are just too high for us who do smoke. Even though we do get , buy one get one free, its still allot of my budget. I enjoy smoking, I have for over 30 years. I can say that I am in good health , but have MS. I grew up with a family of smokers, none of us got secondary illnesses or even cancer. I do know people who got lung cancer, and did not even smoke, they had radon in there homes. Not saying that smoking is good for you, but I do enjoy smoking.

reply to post by earthchild


Wow, 22 bucks a pack? That is insane. IF you are still in Nashville, do you guys have Bugler there? It's not too bad and only a dollar for .6 ounces. w/ papers.

At least in Tennessee they have Broncos and Shields at only $1.99 a pack haha.


The socialized medicine excuse is a good one, however, as you made clear....America has NO excuse. Well other than the fact that it became trendy to not smoke and the "rich" people of the regions get their way. (at least that's the main cause around here for the cig. ordinances.


Jasn



Note: You can't even smoke in bars in my town.

Well, i'm sick and tired of being treated like Typhoid Mary because i smoke and when i'm out on break at work, we have to walk all the way around the store and THAT takes up the entire 15 minutes i get.

On the other hand, we have tons of alcoholics at work, and even though i dont think they drink at work, it shows the next morning- their noses are redder than the day before and their faces look like they tied one on.

People have taken this a bit too far.

I'm sick of it.

reply to post by zman


What do the prices look like on the Roll your own in Jersey? It's actually incredibly affordable here. No more 60+ dollars a week for cigs. 7 bucks sets me up with 3+ ounces for the week.


Jasn

you have NO right to smoke...NONE....so stop crying about it......smokers always compare cigs to alcohol, junk food, or drugs....NO COMPARISON!!!! Alcohol gets YOU drunk and messes up YOUR body, the same as junk food and drugs...sure the effects of them could lead to an accident where others may get hurt but they do not directly effect others the way cigs do.

As soon as you light up, us non-smokers have to smell that *SNIP*, and breath it in WITHOUT choice....no matter how hard you TRY to keep it away from us....if i want your drink of alcohol I have to come over and take it, your nasty cig air is unavoidable. So stop with this our right to smoke stuff.....if you want a place to smoke...take your money and others smokers money and build SMOKERS buildings. Inside there you and all your fellow smokers can smoke, joke, eat, smoke some more etc....

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[edit on 28/8/07 by masqua]

reply to post by dgtempe


I hear ya. I actually had a coke head I use to work with lecture me on my smoking one time. It was a miracle I kept my job that day. My fist had a mind of it's own when that borderline single nostril joker tried to preach to me. Oooohhh I wanted to hit him hahaha.


Jasn


As a note: I too came from a family of smokers. None of us have EVER had any smoking related health problems. Worst I've had personally was an extremely sore throat after having to smoke some rough ass cheapie sigs one time. Ahhh mavericks, I don't recommend them haha.

reply to post by shadow_soldier1975


well, at least I see why you have the - points hahaha. Could you possibly attempt to be a rational human being or is that standard too high for you?

Go back and reread my post and NOTICE this time that I am ALL FOR NON SMOKERS' RIGHTS TO NOT BE EXPOSED TO MY SMOKE!!!

I only smoke around a non smoker after asking if they mind and NEVER in a public place. I smoke in my car and in my home.

So are you telling me I have no right to do that? If that's the case, I suppose your rights are meaningless as well.


Jasn

increasing taxes on tobacco have nothing to do with health, it allows the government to maintain a revenue level while the number of people giving up increases. the level of taxation also has nothing to do with the cost of treating the diseases associated with smoking, the revenue far outweighs the cost.

the anti tobacco movement is the same as the anti drug movement or the anti alcohol movement or the anti abortion movement or the environmental movement or just about any other modern social movement, it's just an industry that uses peoples desire to be self-righteous and the need to enforce social conformity to make money.

the tactics are uniform, choose a vice, label it evil, tell people that don't partake that they are righteous, select facts to support your case, or if they don't exist, make them up, and then watch the bucks roll in. people will pay good money to support a group that makes them feel good about themselves.

basically its just religion without the spiritual aspect.

Originally posted by SimiusDei
reply to post by zman

 

What do the prices look like on the Roll your own in Jersey? It's actually incredibly affordable here. No more 60+ dollars a week for cigs. 7 bucks sets me up with 3+ ounces for the week.


Jasn

Prices for a pack range from 5.68 to 6.80. As far as roll your own, I have not checked. But I live in a area that I can grow my own. Farms all around, yep farm land in NJ. Lots of places on my spread to grow not only tobacco, but produce as well. I have to get seeds from the local farm store or have them order them. I do have a barn here on the property to cure the tobacco. So I will have to wait till the end of next year,but in the mean time I must BUY the productt they have here. When I Lived in SC, the prices for smokes was a 3rd of the cost of a pack here. Why are they taking my persuit of happiness away.

reply to post by pieman


You're darn right about that.
The do-gooder attitudes and holier than thou glances when I light up give me the you know whats.
As long as I'm not affecting anybody else it's my business if I choose to smoke. and enjoy it. so there.
There are worse things I could be doing.

Self righteous bull*SNIP* is indeed the main problems smokers face these days.

As I said, I go OUT OF MY WAY to not smoke around non smokers without asking first. However, trying to tell me I can't smoke in my car or my own home is carrying it to the point that those guns they are trying to take away may come into play.


Jasn

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[edit on 28/8/07 by masqua]

reply to post by pieman


Agreed, and VERY nice post. Thanx for contributing.

Wow, I'm surprised at the quick turnout here haha.


Jasn

i know its a heresy to disagree that smoking is unhealthy because of the thousands and thousands of warnings and evidence we ve seen and "everybody knows" that smoking is unhealthy....but I tend to disagree anyway. smoking has a calming effect on me. these smoking-breaks, that calm and center me, have had beneficial effects on my overall well-being. maybe thats the reason I havent had any health problems since my childhood a long time ago. my great-granddad who became 106 taught me how to use smoking as a relaxation tool.

the sentiments and laws against smokers are so extreme and hostile that you have to wonder...is there more behind this than we know about?

I head out to the reserve in Caledonia, Ontario.

$9.00 for a carton.

Can't beat that!!!

Listen:

Cigarretes are bad for YOU. Alcohol is bad for for non drinkers who are killed, their lifes ended by a drunk driver.

Get rid of alcohol. NOW.

reply to post by Skyfloating


Sucking smoke into your lungs is not good anyway you look at it. However, all of the diseases that are supposedly caused by smoking, I tend to have a hard time believing.

I have known 6 people in my life that died of lung cancer and NONE of them ever smoked a day in their lives.

On the other hand, 60% of the people I know smoke on a VERY regular basis and I have YET to be around a person who has had adverse health problems related to smoking.

Sure, smoking isn't good for you, BUT, I personally feel the demonization of smoking is a bit extreme.


Jasn

Originally posted by TheDuckster
I head out to the reserve in Caledonia, Ontario.

$9.00 for a carton.

Can't beat that!!!

Whoa!!!!!!!!!! Damn sure can't.....as they say in the south, "can't beat that with a stick".

Umm send me a few cartons in a fridge sized box to conceal them hahaha


Jasn

I don't smoke as a habit, and indeed it does annoy me when I'm stuck with someone puffing smoke and I can't avoid breathing it in, but to say you can't smoke in your own home or car is ridiculous. Here in Australia you cannot smoke in pubs or clubs, and all the cigarette packets have horrible, graphic pictures of smoking-related diseases and maladies. By law, the pictures must cover a certain percentage of the total visible surface area of the packet.
There is definitely a massive social stigma associated with smoking here. While 10 or so years ago it was okay to light up lust about anywhere, people get looked and scowled at when they do nowadays.

But yet, it is totally within the law for someone 18 years of age to buy cigarettes for someone below 18, while there are MASSIVE fines if you do the same thing with alcohol. It's just so silly.

Earthchild, how did you enjoy your visit back to Australia?