h a l f b a k e r yMy hatstand runneth over
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There have been lots of proposals - most of them quite
practical - for safe(r) cigarettes. They generally don't
make it to market because (a) a cigarette company
producing a safer cigarette risks acknowledging that
normal cigarettes are dangerous and in any case (b)
producing an enjoyable and safe(r) cigarette substitute is
considered morally wrong (smokers are just meant to quit,
not enjoy their habit safely). |
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There have been, from time to time, cigarettes which use
glowing charcoal to heat air which passes over tobacco (or
a tobacco derivative), vaporising the nicotine without
producing a carcinogenic cocktail of burnt hydrocarbons.
There may even have been electronic versions of the same
(though battery life would be an issue). |
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Producing safer cigarettes isn't really very difficult.
However, it is almost impossible to overcome the
moralistic objection to tobacco*, which is indendent of
(though justified by) the health impact of smoking. |
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[*see following annotations for examples] |
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Would it help to overcome the moralistic objections
if we incorporated an MP3 player into the device?
This way you're enjoying the music rather than the
tobacco, which is obviously morally deficient to
enjoy. |
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Yes, but only if you can make a small needle jab you in the
gums every time you take a drag. |
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***way*** too many question marks in the post |
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//Would it help to overcome the moralistic objections if
we incorporated an MP3 player into the device.// Clever.
Ludicrous, but clever. Could be combined with [MB]'s
small needle jab: some things are pretty painful to listen
to. |
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Oddly, I was just this evening discussing health benefits
[sic] of nicotine. Would be huge if the health detriment
problem could be solved. Largely unregulated addictive
drugs that are good for you: a future growth industry. You
heard it here first. |
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[mouse] they tried giving non-smoking oldies in retirement
homes nicotine patches and found an improvement in
mental ability (no or negligible harmful effects). But
cigarettes are not permitted to have beneficial effects. |
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[MB] Interesting; I didn't know that. Those same oldies are
probably now on more socially respectable cholinergic
agonists. |
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I know someone who, as a child with asthma in the early '40s,
was treated with some stuff which you put a spoonfull of it
in the (metal) cap, set fire to it, & breathed the smoke.
Belladona, I bet, or something like it. |
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Probably. You see, it's only tobacco that contains
carcinogens when burned. Things like barbecues, campfires,
incense sticks and good-old-bonfires are absolutely fine,
healthy and downright wholesome. |
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