Originally Posted by blastboy

Actually, some high school kids do die from heart attacks (smoking and obesity related). But unless the population of the United States is comprised of all highschool kids, then 1000's is refering to the population as a whole which includes a lot of people over the age of 16. I assure you those numbers aren't made up. I was in the profession I said I was in and I'm not going to degrade the hard work I put into that profession by making up numbers. PM me if you want my credentials, website, research data, etc. I will happily hand it over as it is public information at the University I worked at. Otherwise don't make accusations without facts.

I see your perspective but it's not a valid comparisson; red meat, alcohol vs smoking. Smoking effects more than just the user, it effects people around. Smokers comprimise their own health as well as others around them. If you're at the other dinner table sawing away at a t-bone, it's not going to directly effect anyone exept you. If you're taking shots of Captain Morgan, it's not going to directly effect anyone but you. Eating red meat once in a while is not nearly as harmful to your health as smoking a cigarette once in a while. Having a drink here and there isn't going to give you serious problems. But to answer your question about red meat and alcohol, perhaps a more thorough examination could determine if one is fit to fly with a chronic redmeat eating habit and alcohol problem.

Do you think it's a good idea to smoke? Is there a pro with smoking you would like to share? The health effects (heart disease) of smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the US right now. Prevetable death! In simple terms, that means that you can prevent bad things from happening to you if you stop! Do you want bad things to happen to you? I would certainly hope not.

And once again, if a non-smoking policy is going to save the company money, that just may be potential to have more money stamped on your paycheck. Don't you want more money? Maybe it's just me, but that seems like a no brainer. If I smoked, I would quit anyway just to keep my job at Alaska and to keep the company I work for looking more professional. While Alaskas policy isn't going to solve the smoking problem completely, it's certainly a positive start.

I worked in a smoking cessation clinic for 3 months and we had a 95% success rate. I'm not going to give up. No medical if you smoke; That's just one man's opinion.


edit: and I just now saw your last post. Lo Siento, amigo. I understand where you are coming from, however I can never justify advocating poor health habits to a pilot.

Originally Posted by Herkdrv

I disagree. A shot too many of Morgans could harm others if I get in a car and drive. A high fat high cholesterol diet will certainly add to your employers health care bills. I am not arguing the effects of tobacco. I am simply asking you when does it end if you decide to ban all tobacco users?

Originally Posted by blastboy

Actually, no one sold anything to me. I figured it out on my own when I dug my hands into a 35 year old cadavers' black lungs and brittle heart in an autopsy. She smoked for 17 years. I still gag when I think of the smell of the remaining rotting lung tissue in the plural cavity. The sight didn't help either.

But you might be onto something, reCAL. Obesity does play a big part in heart disease and many overweight pilots lose their medical every year from heart complications and other vascular issues. Good point, reCAL.



What can't you believe? That smoking is detrimental to your health? I think I'm going to get blue in the face before I get through a head made of bricks. <waving white flag>

Originally Posted by reCALcitrant

I absolutely believe that smoking is bad for you. That's why I don't smoke. However, I only take issue with the government interfering to the point that you try to protect against stupidity. It's a liberty issue. What if I want to smoke banana peels? Should we make law's banning bananas at that point? Some law is good. But, it sounds as if you are in medicine and if you are, you know what too much Law in medicine is creating...Tort reform. Now! Let the stupid people die off. It will make for a stronger society.