Smokers Watch Your Butts !
History will recall a dramatically changing society as "No Smoking" laws kicked in across the country over recent years ! Workplaces and public spaces will never be the same and certainly fewer people will choose smoking. Nobody should have to work and choke in a hazy pall of smoke. A fabulous piece of legislation ! Hurrah to the governments who have made a reform that has implications for generations to come.
My throat, nose and lungs collectively say a huge "thankyou." No one knows the effect of smoke more than those who have to breathe to make a living. And in my case sing. How hard it was to perform in public before this law change. To maintain a body and throat that could last a night without cracking up was nigh on impossible !
Too often the rights of those who have no real concern or understanding of others ride rough shod over the needs of those around them, but not any more. I've seen a lot of governments come and go in this country and waited with baited breath for reform that matters and this is literally a real breath of fresh air ! Good decisions are never backed by unanimous support and strong government is smart enough to realize that it isn't there to make everybody happy.
While I was out last year (2010) in Nara (Japan) at a local restaurant, the cook lit up as he prepared our meal. Shamefully still legal there, but slowly they too are getting the message. In Shinjuku, Tokyo, I watched a young guy on his mobile phone light up and shortly after, 2 public officers came up to him simply holding out a portable ashtray. Without any interuption to his conversation he butted out, the officers bowed and left. Mission accomplished ! Somehow I can't picture Aussie youth submitting with the same peaceful resignation. Japanese rightfully have earned a reputation for politeness. But I must say after living there 6 years I came home to Australia so I could breathe again.
Anyway, thank God Australia is setting world trends despite the complainers. Smokers think the world is a giant ashtray. Sorry to say, if you smokers must trash your own body it is your business, but don't forget we share this planet. Secondhand smoke is probably worse than the firsthand stuff as smokers whose fitness is generally much worse than the general population exhale it enriched with scum bacteria.
Some people don't get it, though few smokers will tell you it is a sensible or healthy hobby. Some anti-smoking laws are bad for business.
So what if business declines a little through the loss of the smokers' moving on to other smokier pastures ? With a bit of a push and vigorous encouragement many will quit. Imagine the savings to the health system and priority health care going to those who don't cause themselves problems.
Clubs, pubs and restaurants who haven't planned well may go broke leading the way clear for more family friendly, community concerned and better planned places of entertainment. With literally a billion ways for people to spend their time and money, why include destroying your lungs and those of the others around you. Emphysema is not fun and all smokers have emphysema.
The new economy that replaces the old way is a certain improvement.
With luck the tobacco companies will suffer. They deserve to for plying their disgusting trade. Investors in misery get your just desserts!
Invest in positivity, human well being, constructive pursuits. Assuming we have food,water and shelter, an economy can be based around anything. It's all really imagination. Even money is all based on the power of faith. Curious when I hear people talk about "no jobs" and "declining economy" when all I do is talk or sing silly songs, literally a business based on "nothing." I'd like to see more people put their time into constructive or creative pursuits and sustainable hobbies.
Speaking of destructive businesses, Jamie Packer invested heavily in gaming. (read gambling). Sounds like a real community minded soul, doesn't he ? Not ! Probably has shares in tobacco too. Perhaps he will grow up one day to find his children have gambled and lost the lot ?
I know it's nice to make money, but does he need more ? My (alcoholic) father ran a pub but honestly I can't say I want people to drink more so to follow in his footsteps would be folly. I couldn't promote that business even if it serves my desire to be a wealthier individual.
Do you wish people who had stacks of cash could share that view as they have so much more potential to change the world than little folk like me (us) ?
Invest in me if you like a small gamble ! I won't be using your funds to drink, smoke, gamble or try to destroy our great country. I'm looking for interested partners who are prepared for a small risk with good potential rewards and interesting possibilities.
Cheers for now, Steve
PS. I've actually thought a bit about more on the gambling and it niggles me that weak people throw money at such an activity instead of creating and building something for themselves. They want a shortcut to success or their view of success is myopic! But on a note of positivity, the huge gambling taxes they pay (albeit it indirectly) are making for better community services ! Thank you. And since the supermarkets have been quietly taking over the pubs and their gambling interests, they will surely collect the tax more efficiently and legally than most.
A true smoking story... My father a heavy lifetime smoker (and drinker) had terrible circulation so much so that the nerves were dying off in his feet. When he burnt his feet one winter on the heater he didn't know about it. Then the sores would not heal as you need good blood flow to heal properly. Sad what it does.
