Do you think smoking cigerettes should be illegal ?

[Kathleen]

Well basically the title gives it all away

I was talking to a friend today in school and she is a reallyy heavy smoke (14) she buys one 'smoke' for 50p. Nd I can see that it is damaging hr health. She buys opened fingered loves - so he can smoke as well as being warm -at the same time.

But I do recall her saying that if all the 'smokes' were just wiped of the counter and they were never made again so they would be impossable to get to - she would be happy to stop smokeing.

So I was wondering what you all thought, if you can back it up with scripture, but if not I would love to hear you opinions anyways.

1 corinthians 6:19
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own

1 corinthians 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God

1 corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

romans 8:5
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit

James 4:17
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin

Hebrews 10:26
For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins

collosions 3:17
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him

1 corinthans 6:12
All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything

1 corinthains 3:17
If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple

Romans 12:1
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship

 

[Maddog]

Of course not. Cigarettes are a legitimate source of pleasure for a great many people. Smoking is not inherently immoral and neither is it necessarily 'bad' for you (not that that would be a good enough reason to ban them anyway).

 

[Kathleen]

1 corinthians 6:19
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own
1 corinthians 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God
1 corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
romans 8:5
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit
James 4:17
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin
Hebrews 10:26
For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins
collosions 3:17
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him
1 corinthans 6:12
All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything
1 corinthains 3:17
If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple
Romans 12:1
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship

Of course not. Cigarettes are a legitimate source of pleasure for a great many people. Smoking is not inherently immoral and neither is it necessarily 'bad' for you (not that that would be a good enough reason to ban them anyway).

90% of lung and liver cancer is due to smokeing. - how can you say smoking is not bad for your health?
furthermore you say smoking is a source of pleasure - most if not all sin is a pleasure -
hebrews 11:25
He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.

sex is a source of pleasure for a great many people also - can i just go and sleep around if i feel it is a legitamate source of pleasure.

furthermore - the above quoted scipture in james - and most of corinthains - ur body is a temple -
it is ad for you health and very damaging to ur body, also veryone knows of the hings 'involved' in smoking and its cincequnces

are you a smoker?

 

[BXblessings2you]

furthermore - the above quoted scipture in james - and most of corinthains - ur body is a temple -
it is ad for you health and very damaging to ur body, also veryone knows of the hings 'involved' in smoking and its cincequnces

Not only is smoking unhealthy for the body it is unhealthy for the spirit because it is addicting and people come to rely on it in place of Jesus.

 

[Kathleen]

Not only is smoking unhealthy for the body it is unhealthy for the spirit because it is addicting and people come to rely on it in place of Jesus.

are you against smokeing then?

talking about addicting - it says somewhere in the bible - let nothing master your body - this is often interpreted as smoking, alchohol ... etc etc

 

[BXblessings2you]

are you against smokeing then?

talking about addicting - it says somewhere in the bible - let nothing master your body - this is often interpreted as smoking, alchohol ... etc etc

I'm definitely against smoking, but I'm not sure how productive it would be to make it illegal.

 

[tryingtofindhim]

Well basically the title gives it all away

I was talking to a friend today in school and she is a reallyy heavy smoke (14) she buys one 'smoke' for 50p. Nd I can see that it is damaging hr health. She buys opened fingered loves - so he can smoke as well as being warm -at the same time.

But I do recall her saying that if all the 'smokes' were just wiped of the counter and they were never made again so they would be impossable to get to - she would be happy to stop smokeing.

So I was wondering what you all thought, if you can back it up with scripture, but if not I would love to hear you opinions anyways.

1 corinthians 6:19
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own

1 corinthians 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God

1 corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

romans 8:5
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit

James 4:17
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin

Hebrews 10:26
For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins

collosions 3:17
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him

1 corinthans 6:12
All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything

1 corinthains 3:17
If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple

Romans 12:1
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship

It is illegal for her to smoke , but that isn't stopping her.

 

[Kathleen]

It is illegal for her to smoke , but that isn't stopping her.

your right perhaps the first pos was a bit vague - i mean do you thik they should be illegal as in - not be made or sold?
- that type of illegal

 

[tryingtofindhim]

your right perhaps the first pos was a bit vague - i mean do you thik they should be illegal as in - not be made or sold?
- that type of illegal

No, I don't because everyone should have the choice whether they want to smoke or not.

 

[Groundhog]

Just because smoking is bad for you doesn't mean we should make it illegal. We can't micromanage everyone's life. Remember when we outlawed alcohol for a few years? Yeah, that worked out well.

In a free country you just can't ban things that are unhealthy. People make their own choices about what they do to their bodies. If we outlawed smoking, we would have to outlaw anything unhealthy: caffeine, processed foods, burgers, fries, pizza, alcohol, cheesecake, etc. The list would never end. Once we start trying to regulate everyone else's life through these rules, what's to prevent them from regulating our lives by telling us that the church is evil and that Christianity is illegal? The freedom that allows others to drink, smoke, etc., is the same freedom that insures our right to assemble and worship. This is how a free society works.

 

[LightningClap0002]

Have you learned about the prohibition of alcohol yet? If not, I would recommend that you research it a little.

As far as an answer to the original question... You need to differentiate between casual use and addiction. Addiction to cigarettes, sex, alcohol or other drugs isn't beneficial period. However, as has been pointed out by Maddog, cigarettes can be a legitimate source of pleasure. And just like sex and alcohol, this please isn't inherently damaging.

Too much alcohol can give you irreversible liver disease

Too much sex can give you STDs, or a child that you are not able to support

Too many drugs can destroy your life

Too many cigarettes lead to emphazyma(sp?) and lung cancer

 

[Maddog]

90% of lung and liver cancer is due to smokeing. - how can you say smoking is not bad for your health?

Because 'smoking' is a blanket term which does not distinguish between someone who smokes 50 a day for 40 years and the fellow who enjoys the occasional cigar. To say smoking causes cancer is just as meaningless as saying drinking causes liver disease. Clearly the amount and length of time one smokes or drinks must be taken into account, as well as other factors. Second, it is philosphically unprovable that 'smoking' causes anything. I will go as far as agreeing that the correlation between long term heavy smoking and increased risk in certain diseases make it reasonable to suppose there is a risk to health. However, 'risk' is not the same as actually causing damage, and diseases (eg.lung cancer) have multiple 'causes' so to blame it only on the fact that someone may have smoked is disingenuous to say the least.

Even though there is risk involved, that does not automatically make it 'bad' for you (guess what: we're all going to die, many of us from cancer even if we don't smoke) and the only person who can and should assess whether or not the risk is worth it is the individual themselves.

furthermore you say smoking is a source of pleasure - most if not all sin is a pleasure -
hebrews 11:25
He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.

sex is a source of pleasure for a great many people also - can i just go and sleep around if i feel it is a legitamate source of pleasure.

Fornication is an illegitimate (ie. sinful) source of pleasure. Smoking is amoral; that is, it is a morally neutral activity in and of itself.

furthermore - the above quoted scipture in james - and most of corinthains - ur body is a temple

St Paul was specifically referring to sexual immorality when he wrote about the body being the temple of the Holy Ghost.

are you a smoker?

Yes.

 

[BXblessings2you]

Cigarettes are a legitimate source of pleasure for a great many people.

What makes you say cigarettes are legitimate?

 

[Maddog]

What makes you say cigarettes are legitimate?

Because smoking cigarettes is not intrinsically sinful, that's what I meant.

 

[Slepsog4]

IF tobacco actually caused cancer, then why doesn't absolutely everyone who uses it get cancer?

It may be a contributing factor, but it is not clear that it is A cause!

The most damaging element in our environment is the chemicals in our water, food, clothing, air, etc. these are what is damaging and weakening our bodies' ability to fight disease.

 

[MahogonySnail]

The way things are going I think eventually it will be illegal.

 

[Leilaii425]

Even if cigerattes where illegal people would still find a way to smoke. I was a smoker for years, as was my mother sisters brothers and all of my aunts and uncles. Every single one of my family members that have died it was from lung cancer, because they all smoked. I myself am allergic to smoke yet still smoked through broncitis pneumonia and all. Then i got smart when the doctor said your on your way to emphazema in a couple years if you dont stop.My grandfather has it and its a horrible thing to live with.

I find that any one who says especially you maddog that cigerattes do not cause cancer and that it is only the amount one smokes... is ignorant, your only believing what you want to. You also said that it isnt wrong to smoke. Would you do it in front of jesus, do you think he would like the smoke blowing all over him??? Do you think he finds it perfectly acceptable for you to inhale dozens of toxins everyday willingly, because you find it pleasurable?? Can you honestly say that smoking is not harmful to you??? Go out side and try to jog and mile, You'd be wheezing by half a mile because your lungs couldnt take it, they have tar all over them. Come on people, get smart!

 

[Maddog]

I find that any one who says especially you maddog that cigerattes do not cause cancer and that it is only the amount one smokes... is ignorant, your only believing what you want to.

I don't think you understand how these things work. Of course it matters how often and how much someone smokes. Are you honestly trying to say that (for the sake of argument we'll ignore the millions of other things that have an effect on whether or not you get cancer) someone who smokes (say) 10 cigs a week is just as likely to get cancer as someone who smokes 50 a day?

You also said that it isnt wrong to smoke.

Correct.

Would you do it in front of jesus

I would have no problem with that, but not before offering Him a smoke as well.

do you think he would like the smoke blowing all over him

Why do anti-smokers have this bizarre impression that smokers are involved in some conspiracy just to blow smoke at others?

Do you think he finds it perfectly acceptable for you to inhale dozens of toxins everyday willingly, because you find it pleasurable??

You have no idea how much I smoke. But in any case, do you think he finds it perfectly acceptable for you to inhale these same 'toxins' everyday just in the air you breath whether or not you find it pleasurable? I honestly don't think He'd give a toss. Just for future reference, a 'toxin' is something poisonous BUT a substance only becomes poisonous in certain amounts. The amount of chemicals in a cigarette are not anywhere near the level to honestly be called 'toxic'. We need to move away from this silly notion that tobacco smoke is a military grade chemical weapon.

Can you honestly say that smoking is not harmful to you

Yes, remember, it's the dose that makes the poison. There's no reason why someone can't enjoy smoking sensibly and in moderation just as people can enjoy fast food and alcohol sensibly.

Go out side and try to jog and mile, You'd be wheezing by half a mile because your lungs couldnt take it, they have tar all over them.

I am able to keep up with all my military training commitments. Actually, I'm not bad at running and my lungs are fine (not that my health is any of your business, by the way). Oh and next time, I don't think you should make presumptions about the state of someone's health when you've never met them because they're at the other side of the Atlantic.

 

[lil-rush]

Why do anti-smokers have this bizarre impression that smokers are involved in some conspiracy just to blow smoke at others?

That gave me a giggle.

So, if it is the amount of smoking that causes cancer, how come some people can smoke thousands upon thousands of cigarettes and never get cancer, yet other people can smoke for like 5 years of their life and end up with lung cancer? It is not only the amount you smoke that causes cancer.

***

On topic, I do not think it is the government's place to tell us whether we can smoke or not in our own homes. In public places, where second-hand smoke can harm others, I can understand smoking being banned. But I think the government would be completely out of place to try and ban smoking completely.

 

[Cako53]

It is illegal for her to smoke , but that isn't stopping her.

But is it illegal for her to smoke? In Canada you can smoke at any age, you just aren't allowed to buy them. Nor are people allowed to supply them to you, but you have every right to smoke them.. It's a messed up law.