 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
While reading this article on the persecution of smokers in today's grauniad
David Hockney, as he tends too, raised an interesting point. He says, of the guy MP David Tayor, who pushed the anti-smoking law through:
"I noticed that on boxing day, he went for a walk, and dropped dead aged 63"
"If I'd dropped dead, they'd have said it was my lifestyle. Nobody mentioned his meanness of heart"
Its an interesting point. He goes on to suggest that being petty and small minded, like a lot of English health Nazi's leads to a (justified early death. Whereas smokers and drinkers tend to be a bit more relaxed and jovial types, a lot of whom live to a ripe old age as a result.
I think he's onto something there. At least I hope he is 😀
haven't you heard - lots of smokers don't live to a ripe old age though, something about it being bad for your health I hear...
but petty jobsworth types should be culled
Whereas smokers and drinkers tend to be a bit more relaxed and jovial types, a lot of whom live to a ripe old age as a result.
This may be your experience, not necessarily mine and I suspect not borne out by any evidence? unless you can prove me wrong.
My experience tells me that they have a poorer quality of life, are often sickly and that life is often shortened. They clearly think Nicotine makes up for this.
Instead of all these laws they should just cut to the chase ban smoking without prescription. as you say the pettiness and little measures to hamper smokers is worse than smoking.
Its an interesting point. He goes on to suggest that being petty and small minded, like a lot of English health Nazi's leads to a (justified early death. Whereas smokers and drinkers tend to be a bit more relaxed and jovial types, a lot of whom live to a ripe old age as a result.
I'm sure there is a little bit in that. Getting overly stressed about stuff certainly isn't good for you. However smoking (even in very small amounts) and excessive drinking certainly isn't good for you either. It has of course been shown that moderate drinking can be good for you - however smoking is only good at relieving the withdrawal symptoms you're getting due to being addicted!
Healthy living people do of course die before reaching their three score and ten. As do plenty of unhealthy people. Suggesting this bloke dieing at 63 has any meaning is just like saying that all the snow we had this year disproves global warming! The whole thing - and you bringing it up here - strikes me as people trying to justify their unhealthy habits.
[i]smokers ...tend to be a bit more relaxed and jovial types[/i]
Twitchy types with stubs for fingernails ime
Pointing out exceptions to things that are true in general means absolutely nothing, other than to satisfy some fuzzy, vaguely heartwarming fantasy.
Whereas smokers and drinkers tend to be a bit more relaxed and jovial types, a lot of whom live to a ripe old age as a result.
I think that means you know some jovial, relaxed people who are smokers, and some other smokers who lived to a ripe old age. It doesn't say anything about how harmful those things are in general.
Plenty good people I've known have died too young and also plenty of assholes that have lived to a ripe old age. It's just Sods Law in action 😥
My favourite Uncle, Harry by name, ended his days in a cancer ward of an open hospital back in 1977.
He'd got lung cancer after years of addiction to the filthy weed.
The last time I saw him, he was in a "row of chalets"-type single-storey block of individual rooms. The access to the grounds was via a pair of french windows, immediately outside of which was a single footpath that ran the length of the block.
At one point, I opened the windows to let in some fresh air and noticed that the path was completely litter free except for outside uncle Harry's room, where it was covered in cigarrette butts. He died a week later.
David Hockney is a notable artist, but otherwise, a prat.
if they're relaxed and jovial, why do they need to take drugs ?
binners - Member
While reading this article on the persecution of smokers...
It's only fair. Smokers have been persecuting those of us who like clean air for over 100 years.
If you could smoke, inhale all the crap, and emit none, I wouldn't give a stuff. It's your life.
But being stopped from filling a room with poisonous crap isn't persecution.
(Both my parents died too young with smoking related deaths, and it wasn't a pretty way to go)
Couldn't care less if people smoke as long as me & mine don't have to suffer it. But what really pisses me off is parents forcing kids to endure it, in cars for example. Ban it for them selfish tossers without delay.
Dunno, but according to Roald Dahl, mean spirited and petty people are uglier:
[img] 
[/img]
Isn't that a cigarette the bloke has in his beard though - proving that smokers can also be mean spirited and petty.
Hockney is an artist, he's really quite rich and enjoys the lifestyle and good health that accompanies wealth, regardless of bad habits. He also says things that are quite fanciful.
I quite agreeDavid Hockney is a notable artist, but otherwise, a prat.
I see a flaw in your argument binners 🙂
[img] 
[/img]
David Hockney is a notable artist
Dammed by faint praise! I love it.
I hope not.
My jovial grandma died from lung cancer when I was 10. She was in her early 50s.
My jovial colleague died from lung cancer a couple of years ago. She was in her late 40s. Her only child collected his GCSE results 6 weeks later.
smoking = ****ing stupid
Poor, black, lacking educational qualifications
Statistically speaking, every smoker is at least two of the above