With all of the problems Ohioans face going into the midterm elections (corrupt government officials, questionable voting procedures, lackluster education for our children, the loss of many jobs and, as a result, the emigration of our younger generations) we’ve decided one of our biggest issues should be about smoking in public places. Now if I was a conspiratorially minded individual (and I am), I might suggest this is a clever way to get us angry at one another, thus taking some of the blame from where it truly belongs, to those whom WE PAY to keep some semblance of order and cooperation to society. The ol’ divide and conquer. Whatever, I can play along.
However, before I rip this issue apart, let me get on the record for saying I realize cigarette smoking is unhealthy and potentially deadly for those with a family history of lung cancer, emphysema, and heart problems. There is no debate in that area. But all of these possibilities fall squarely in the physical dimensions of smoking. They include chemical dependency (craving a smoke) and reactions by the body to the chemicals ingested (disease/cancer).
There is more to smoking than the physical (as with all things having to do with people). There is a neuro-chemical dependency present as well, one familiar to all compulsions. In this neuro-chemical realm (let us call it the mental dimensions) we find not only a change in brain “juices” but also a changing of neural pathways used to perceive the world, make decisions, and have needs and demands met. It is a conditioning of our minds to seek a quick fix in the midst of immediate stress, loneliness, even boredom. Addiction is a process that must be unlearned; it is not just an aspect of a person that can be chopped off.
And smoking is definitely an addiction, considering most everyone on the planet has been crammed full of good advice about how it’s bad for you. If I’m feeling cocky, I shoot back with “holy crap, really? When did this happen??” It’s got bite, I’ll admit, but it leaves the “well intentioned” person feeling sheepish; like holding up a mirror, revealing their actions in the moment. And yes, sometimes I’m a bitch. It definitely illustrates the frustrations many smokers feel when they are asked to stop doing what they do habitually. It’s like expecting others to eat only healthy foods all the time. You know it’s a healthful way of living, yet you don’t have time for that, you like the taste, you perceive junk food as indulgence outright.
Bottom line: bullying people who are stressed out enough to smoke cancer does not always work. When someone engages in behavior compulsively, the last thing they need is the negativity that comes from being preached at. They need subtle support.
With this in mind, let us now discuss the two motions on the Ohio ballet this year involving smoking legislation. Issue 4 seeks to amend our state constitution, banning cigarette smoke in public places statewide unless that place makes 40%+ of their sales from alcohol (hmm, the two seem to go hand in hand don’t they?) Of course, any establishment can still cater to both smokers and non-smokers provided they are physically separated by walls with doors that close. Issue 5 seeks to ban public smoking by law. It’s still unclear to me whether this includes parts of the outdoors.
I will be voting yes on issue 4 and no to 5. Issue 4 says “yes, we get it, smoking is bad and you don’t want to be exposed to it. We will go into another room or stay away from certain establishments.” It is a way for those who smoke to concede to this terribly one-sided crusade on well being and health. It allows us to admit we don’t care if we have to move to another room.
My problem with issue 5 is two-fold. First, and of the utmost importance, is that NO ban on smoking cigarettes, whether by segregation or by law, will greatly improve the quality of air that we breath. Here’s a fun fact: buildings DO NOT generate their own air in order for patrons to breathe. Air is a blanket that permeates most all of our “public places”; it’s the same air that is filled with gasoline fumes, factory smoke, and natural pollutants. Cigarette smoking merely adds to the problem.
Second, the REAL problem of our air quality goes sorely unaddressed when we look only to smoking in public places. The largest contributor to the crap floating through the air is the burning of fossil fuels, in particular from (you guessed it) the automobile. Nowadays, even our more rural areas hold emissions testing at 45% of total pollutants; at best, cigarette smoking accounts for 10%, and that’s in areas where smokers are gathered. If we are TRULY concerned about health here, such high percentages from our automobiles should enrage us! Yet … we as a nation drive shamelessly. We are proud of it.
I’m sorry, there is no logical basis for what is going to be voted on November 7th, and that includes both issues 4 and 5. It will not solve the problems brought up; only add a bunch of crazy, nicotine-deficient citizens into an already cross eyed culture. Remember this as you cruise the streets in your jacked out rides. And consider, if humans can’t let go of our dependence on cars and trucks, why should some of us let go of smoking?
However, before I rip this issue apart, let me get on the record for saying I realize cigarette smoking is unhealthy and potentially deadly for those with a family history of lung cancer, emphysema, and heart problems. There is no debate in that area. But all of these possibilities fall squarely in the physical dimensions of smoking. They include chemical dependency (craving a smoke) and reactions by the body to the chemicals ingested (disease/cancer).
There is more to smoking than the physical (as with all things having to do with people). There is a neuro-chemical dependency present as well, one familiar to all compulsions. In this neuro-chemical realm (let us call it the mental dimensions) we find not only a change in brain “juices” but also a changing of neural pathways used to perceive the world, make decisions, and have needs and demands met. It is a conditioning of our minds to seek a quick fix in the midst of immediate stress, loneliness, even boredom. Addiction is a process that must be unlearned; it is not just an aspect of a person that can be chopped off.
And smoking is definitely an addiction, considering most everyone on the planet has been crammed full of good advice about how it’s bad for you. If I’m feeling cocky, I shoot back with “holy crap, really? When did this happen??” It’s got bite, I’ll admit, but it leaves the “well intentioned” person feeling sheepish; like holding up a mirror, revealing their actions in the moment. And yes, sometimes I’m a bitch. It definitely illustrates the frustrations many smokers feel when they are asked to stop doing what they do habitually. It’s like expecting others to eat only healthy foods all the time. You know it’s a healthful way of living, yet you don’t have time for that, you like the taste, you perceive junk food as indulgence outright.
Bottom line: bullying people who are stressed out enough to smoke cancer does not always work. When someone engages in behavior compulsively, the last thing they need is the negativity that comes from being preached at. They need subtle support.
With this in mind, let us now discuss the two motions on the Ohio ballet this year involving smoking legislation. Issue 4 seeks to amend our state constitution, banning cigarette smoke in public places statewide unless that place makes 40%+ of their sales from alcohol (hmm, the two seem to go hand in hand don’t they?) Of course, any establishment can still cater to both smokers and non-smokers provided they are physically separated by walls with doors that close. Issue 5 seeks to ban public smoking by law. It’s still unclear to me whether this includes parts of the outdoors.
I will be voting yes on issue 4 and no to 5. Issue 4 says “yes, we get it, smoking is bad and you don’t want to be exposed to it. We will go into another room or stay away from certain establishments.” It is a way for those who smoke to concede to this terribly one-sided crusade on well being and health. It allows us to admit we don’t care if we have to move to another room.
My problem with issue 5 is two-fold. First, and of the utmost importance, is that NO ban on smoking cigarettes, whether by segregation or by law, will greatly improve the quality of air that we breath. Here’s a fun fact: buildings DO NOT generate their own air in order for patrons to breathe. Air is a blanket that permeates most all of our “public places”; it’s the same air that is filled with gasoline fumes, factory smoke, and natural pollutants. Cigarette smoking merely adds to the problem.
Second, the REAL problem of our air quality goes sorely unaddressed when we look only to smoking in public places. The largest contributor to the crap floating through the air is the burning of fossil fuels, in particular from (you guessed it) the automobile. Nowadays, even our more rural areas hold emissions testing at 45% of total pollutants; at best, cigarette smoking accounts for 10%, and that’s in areas where smokers are gathered. If we are TRULY concerned about health here, such high percentages from our automobiles should enrage us! Yet … we as a nation drive shamelessly. We are proud of it.
I’m sorry, there is no logical basis for what is going to be voted on November 7th, and that includes both issues 4 and 5. It will not solve the problems brought up; only add a bunch of crazy, nicotine-deficient citizens into an already cross eyed culture. Remember this as you cruise the streets in your jacked out rides. And consider, if humans can’t let go of our dependence on cars and trucks, why should some of us let go of smoking?
1 comment:
1. Your verbiage is nicely shaped, and you're right -- most smokers are painfully aware of the consequences. I know if I see a dirty brown lung harvested from a body, it doesn't phase me... just oh, big floppy wet brown thing.
I wish smoking were still glamorous, but our lives aren't filtered through silver nitrate celluloid; alas and alack.
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