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AMEN. I am so sick and tired of people constantly condemning smokers and the obese with that argument about 'it drives up MY health care costs,' while no one ever mentions alcoholics...it's almost like they are a protected class or something, everyone is afraid to say anything bad about people who drink excessively. And for what it's worth, sometimes I feel like these people (those who drink excessively) are EVERYWHERE. I like a drink or two every now and again, but it seems like every single person I encounter in the past couple years is a daily, heavy drinker. And it's totally acceptable, even admirable. But light up a cigarette an people look at you like you have leprosy and just rubbed up against them.
The only reason they don't say anything is because way too many "professional" types are actually closet drunks. You know, the type who has Irish coffee for breakfast.
Anything done in excess is harmful. That isn't the point. Alcoholism is a disease, many recover from it, others don't. Those that don't end up dead or in jail. So there are no free passes as being alleged. The vast majority of people who do drink, are not alcoholics. Light & moderate drinking of alcohol isn't harmful if done responsibly.
In contrast:
Smoking is the only legal product on the market that is guaranteed to kill you if you use as directed. It will also harm those around you and make their lives miserable too. Unlike drinking, there is no such thing as responsible smoking. This debate ended decades ago.
Clinical obesity, what was being discussed here, is almost always a lifestyle choice. Obese people do drive up health care costs for everyone, the statistics are there to prove it.
The incidence of alcoholism is far less than obesity and many studies have shown health benefits from moderate alcohol use. Not true for smoking or being overweight. Not to mention huge amounts of money, effort and public information put into alcohol abuse programs, treatment and public education.
One isn't comparable to the other.
Anyway, you asked the question and you got the answer. Sorry if you don't like it.
Anything done in excess is harmful. That isn't the point. Alcoholism is a disease, many recover from it, others don't. Those that don't end up dead or in jail. So there are no free passes as being alleged. The vast majority of people who do drink, are not alcoholics. Light & moderate drinking of alcohol isn't harmful if done responsibly.
In contrast:
Smoking is the only legal product on the market that is guaranteed to kill you if you use as directed. It will also harm those around you and make their lives miserable too. Unlike drinking, there is no such thing as responsible smoking. This debate ended decades ago.
Clinical obesity, what was being discussed here, is almost always a lifestyle choice. Obese people do drive up health care costs for everyone, the statistics are there to prove it.
Never seen anyone smoke a cigar and go out with their car and kill a family. Have you?
I like how "Harmless" you make drinking sound, but DUI Deaths prove Drinking Responsibly is a not a Norm and is a rare exception. Everyone that drinks thinks they are responsible folks.
Never seen anyone smoke a cigar and go out with their car and kill a family. Have you? I like how "Harmless" you make drinking sound, but DUI Deaths prove Drinking Responsibly is a not a Norm and is a rare exception. Everyone that drinks thinks they are responsible folks.
Again you have made a fallacious argument.
DWI, whether it be alcohol, weed, or abuse of prescription drugs is clearly a criminal & illegal activity. Society already hands out severe punishment for it. It is not a "norm". It's got nothing to do with responsible drinking.
Smoking will kill you and others. Period. This is the norm.
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AMEN. I am so sick and tired of people constantly condemning smokers and the obese with that argument about 'it drives up MY health care costs,' while no one ever mentions alcoholics...it's almost like they are a protected class or something, everyone is afraid to say anything bad about people who drink excessively. And for what it's worth, sometimes I feel like these people (those who drink excessively) are EVERYWHERE. I like a drink or two every now and again, but it seems like every single person I encounter in the past couple years is a daily, heavy drinker. And it's totally acceptable, even admirable. But light up a cigarette an people look at you like you have leprosy and just rubbed up against them.
