Excellent points, Steve, Jen. It's interesting to hear the other side of the coin.
I am one of those unfortunate people who is very sensitive to tobacco smoke in any form. For years, I was unable to go into a bar and enjoy a beer. It is SUCH a refreshing change to be able to do so now, without coming away gasping for air, and with my eyes red and stinging. There is a local restaurant here in Aurora that hosts a folk night every Tuesday. I love this type of music, and have tried to sit in on a few of these evenings. Unfortunately, they hold them in the section of the bar that is a legally designated smoking area.
Last time, I lasted about 45 minutes before I had to leave. Even some of the band members are hardcore smokers.
I have seen many family members die from smoking related causes. Jen, they don't hit you when you're young and healthy. I have an uncle right now who's in hospital. He lost a leg to the effects of smoking* many years ago, and is currently dying due to poor circulation and heart failure. I have also had patients who were told, "Oh you quit smoking X number of years ago, your risk of cancer is now pretty much the same as someone who's never smoked." Well, guess what, SUCKAH!! You just won the lottery! The tests show lung cancer, bladder cancer, cancer of the throat, etc. You many argue, "Well, these people are OLD. They've lived their life..." Yeah, but you haven't seen anyone die of cancer the way I have. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
As for medical costs, we all make good and bad health decisions. One of the core values we are taught as nurses is to treat everyone the same, regardless of diagnosis, economic status, colour, creed, or how much they annoy you. One of the things I see most frequently are diabetics who are non-compliant with their treatment regime. Should THEY pay extra taxes because their non-compliance is going to trigger heart disease and circulatory problems as they get older? I don't think so.
Still doen'st stop me from wanting to give them a good shaking....
*He had an arterial graft done in an effort to save the leg. While he was in rehab, his physio pointed out several new amputees who were learning to walk again. "Most of our amputees are either diabetics or smokers. These grafts have a very low success rate for people who smoke."
Was he able to quit after this? No.