If cigarette companies are so bad

[motivez]

I think anyone who smokes today knows full well the risks. There's no excuse to sue a company as a smoker if you develop lung cancer, or mouth cancer if you dip..

One problem that I haven't really been able to come to a conclusion on is whether or not second hand smoking warrants government intervention.

Are people not infringing on my rights not to inhale smoke if I'm outside walking on a street? I'm not even sure the science is in on whether or not second hand smoke does cause cancer.. but if it does, why should people be able to subject other citizens to those risks?

Inside an establishment is different, since the person makes the choice to enter knowing full well whether or not it allows smoking.

[motivez]

Originally Posted by 7960

No one will every adequately explain to me how NY can ban trans-fats while allowing cigarettes to be sold.

I guess they figure that it's much more difficult to be sure enough to make an informed decision about the food you eat in restaurants?

I disagree with it on a 'government-is-a-parent' level, but I'm wondering what (if any) impact this might have on health care costs down the road?

[Kytro]

Originally Posted by Scrumtralecent

I don't see how they can ban trans-fat at all.

"sorry people. you are too stupid to know what to put in your mouth so we will decide for you."

People are not too stupid, just too poorly informed.

[7960]

Originally Posted by motivez

I guess they figure that it's much more difficult to be sure enough to make an informed decision about the food you eat in restaurants?

If you aren't sure what's in the food you're eating, whose fault is that?

...I'm wondering what (if any) impact this might have on health care costs down the road?

We'll never know. It's only NYC and it's only restaurants. If it was *all* trans-fats everywhere then in 40 or 50 years we'd have an idea, but since it's not then it's going to take a lot longer before we can statistically say this had an impact.

[Kytro]

Originally Posted by 7960

If you aren't sure what's in the food you're eating, whose fault is that?

Please, you can't expect people to experts in everything that impact them. It's impractical.

While some people take an interest in specifics such as health, many don't have the time, inclination or knowledge base to do so.

What is the point of having experts if everyone has to take full responsibility for all details of their lives?

There is a massive problem with obesity in the western world and viewpoints that lay the blame at the feet of the people (deserved or not) do nothing to solve the problem.

Fact is people shouldn't always be allowed to make stupid decisions. On a small scale it isn't much of a problem, but on a larger scale the impact will be felt by more than jsut those "harming themselves".

If you are going to be selling food then you have a duty of care. It currently includes making sure the food is safe. As we learn more about how food affects people in detail there may be other requirements that are reasonable.

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by 7960

No one will every adequately explain to me how NY can ban trans-fats while allowing cigarettes to be sold.

The most idiotic law in the world. Seriously, liberals create the worst laws in the world targeting the most inconsequential issues in our society. There are significantly more important issues to deal with, and what do they do? Target trans-fats in foods. It continues to boggle my mind.

[Scrum]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

The most idiotic law in the world. Seriously, liberals create the worst laws in the world targeting the most inconsequential issues in our society. There are significantly more important issues to deal with, and what do they do? Target trans-fats in foods. It continues to boggle my mind.

Gay marriage and flag burning?

[Diamond Cross]

Threat to family and family values.

So they say.