Who is telling you what to smoke?

At PJ Media, Sarah Hoyt writes,

...The funny thing is, most of the drugs that are depressants (ganja and heroine, for instance, or opium) seem to correlate with ancient civilizations in which the vast mass of the ruled submitted to the whims of the rulers. Even the khat chewed in Somalia seems more a way to while away life without tuning in to it.

And once you think of that, the fact that tobacco is fought with every possible weapon in the left’s arsenal — while we’re cheerfully enjoined to partake of a joint and told that pot is universally beneficial -- will make you raise your eyebrows.

After all, extending the war on smoking to vaping is even crazier than the second-hand smoke crusade, and though I personally benefit from it, there is absolutely no reason to tell restaurant owners they can’t run a smoking establishment. If the effects are as awful as the left thinks, surely those establishments would have no clientele. On the other hand, if people want to smoke while eating, what business is it of government to tell them they can’t?

...In the end, it comes down to: “Who is telling you what you should smoke?” And: “What kind of society do they want?”

Because the substances you indulge in absolutely shape the society we have. Do the tobacco-hating/pot-loving left want you to have another (pot) cigarette and learn to forget?

Read more here.

Defying science

David K. Li reports in the New York Post that this 112-year-old Nepalese woman

has defied science by living to the ripe old age of 112 — despite her 30-cigarette-a-day habit.

Batuli Lamichhane says she’s been puffing butts for the past 95 years, and she has an unusual technique to get her nicotine fix.

Instead of holding a cigarette with her index and middle finger, Lamichhane uses her entire right fist, which she then holds to her mouth to inhale.

“I don’t really care how old I am,” she said. “But I am old nonetheless. I have seen a lot of things change during my lifetime.”

8 things we no longer do

Found here.

On freedom and quitting smoking

Ace of Spades writes,

I keep saying this, but quitting smoking is the best decision I ever made, apart from eating that rib-eye a half hour ago. I would strongly urge all smokers to kick the habit -- you don't need it, just as a junkie doesn't need his drug, and you will be a better person -- healthier, more present in the moment (not thinking about your next nicotine jones), better at sex (everyone enjoying reduced lung capacity?), and richer.

Your life will become better almost immediately-- within, I'd say, about four days. Sure, three days of (some mild) withdrawal, and then just every day better and better for the rest of your (longer) life.

And I'll do what I can to help you.

But the way to persuade people is to actually persuade them.

Not to bully them.

Ace links to a piece in the Washington Free Beacon by Elizabeth Harrington, who reports,

New Yorkers may soon not be able to smoke in their own homes, if Democratic New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio gets his way.


The New York Post reported on de Blasio’s new initiative to partner with health groups that will “pressure landlords” into banning smoking in apartment buildings.

“That means smokers would be barred from lighting up in one of their last sanctuaries: their own living quarters,” the paper said. “Smoking is already banned in public places, including bars and restaurants, workplaces, sports venues, and parks.”

Ace continues,

DiBlasio begins with a truth -- smoking is bad -- and then turns it into a lie by not recognizing the most important truth of all:

A free people is only free if it is permitted to do the WRONG thing, as well as the right thing.

Read more here.

Stages young people must go through to become an adult

Debra Saunders writes in The American Spectator that there seem to be several stages of legally becoming an adult. When you are 14 in progressive California, you can get an abortion without parental consent. When you are 16, you can get a drivers license. When you are 18, you are considered old enough to vote, enlist in the military, to sign a contract, to buy a gun, to get a tattoo and to get married. Saunders writes,

On Tuesday, the California Senate voted to raise the age when young people can buy cigarettes, from 18 to 21. The Hawaii Legislature has passed similar legislation. A companion California bill would mandate that e-cigarettes fall under the same restrictions as tobacco smokes.

Recreational marijuana? Colorado, Washington, Alaska and District of Columbia say ya gotta be 21.

Here is a map showing the age at which young people may begin drinking, courtesy of Wikipedia.

colors: black = illegal, brown = 25, reddish brown = 21, red = 20, purple = 19, blue = 18, green = 16, grey equals no regulations/no information

When is an American finally recognized as an adult? Saunders writes,

The Democrats’ 2010 Affordable Care Act mandates that health plans provide coverage for parents’ adult children up to age 26. It was a popular provision with parents whose college-graduate children could not get a job with health benefits. But then, to the nanny-state left — with its proposals to squeeze soda drinking and ban single-use plastic bags and smoking (other than medical marijuana) — we are all children, regardless of age.

Read more here.

Cancer research

From BBC News:

The globe is facing a "tidal wave" of cancer, and restrictions on alcohol and sugar need to be considered, say World Health Organization scientists.

It predicts the number of cancer cases will reach 24 million a year by 2035, but half could be prevented.

The WHO said there was now a "real need" to focus on cancer prevention by tackling smoking, obesity and drinking.

The World Cancer Research Fund said there was an "alarming" level of naivety about diet's role in cancer.

One of the report's editors, Dr Bernard Stewart from the University of New South Wales in Australia, said prevention had a "crucial role in combating the tidal wave of cancer which we see coming across the world".

"The extent to which we modify the availability of alcohol, the labelling of alcohol, the promotion of alcohol and the price of alcohol - those things should be on the agenda."

He said there was a similar argument to be had with sugar fuelling obesity, which in turn affected cancer risk.

"In the UK, about a third of the most common cancers could be prevented through being a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet and being regularly physically active.

"These results show that many people still seem to mistakenly accept their chances of getting cancer as a throw of the dice, but by making lifestyle changes today, we can help prevent cancer tomorrow."

It advises a diet packed with vegetables, fruit, and wholegrains; cutting down on alcohol and red meat; and junking processed meat completely.

Dr Jean King, Cancer Research UK's director of tobacco control, said: "The most shocking thing about this report's prediction that 14 million cancer cases a year will rise to 22 million globally in the next 20 years is that up to half of all cases could be prevented.

I eat a sandwich chocked full of processed meats and cheese every day. Goodbye. Actually, isn't the reason cancer is on the increase because of the fact that people are living longer?