Medpage Today Article on Tobacco & Obesity

[Vocalek]

Obama Take 2: Tobacco, Obesity Key in Second Term

Obama Take 2: tobacco, Obesity Key in Second Term

By David Pittman, Washington Correspondent, MedPage TodayPublished: January 20, 2013

WASHINGTON -- The second term of an Obama administration will be marked for implementing key provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but the president also wants to focus on lowering tobacco use and obesity rates, a senior administration official said.

I left a comment regarding the government saying "tobacco use" when "smoking" is the accurate term, and proceded to discuss how treating all tobacco products as equally harmful works to prevent smoking cessation.

 

[Petrodus]

Affordable Care Act

Most don't even have a clue what this "train wreck" will look like
at the end of "Four More Years" with the "Regulator and Chief" at the helm.

 

[Vocalek]

Let me say this about that:

 

[DC2]

And so it goes...

Obesity is the next logical target.
And if I have to be honest, it makes a LOT more sense than pursuing nicotine.

But then, why not pursue both if the public is convinced that nicotine is harmful to public health.
In spite of the fact that is really isn't, but who cares about the truth if the public can be convinced otherwise.

Oh wait, they already have been.

 

[Vocalek]

And then there is the fact that smoking nicotine cessation causes significant weight gain.

So they (powers-that-be) punished you and punished you for smoking, until you quit (nicotine), and then you became obese.
Now they are going to punish you for obesity.

 

[Stubby]

Um..... ah.........

http://rodutobaccotruth.blogspot.com/2013/01/overweight-and-low-mortality_9.html

 

[Crumpet]

Well, I hope all of the people who were so gung-ho to persecute smokers will be equally enthusiastic about their weight making them targets now. There are a LOT more overweight/obese people than there are smokers and it makes sense that their sheer numbers would mean that they cost more than smokers. However, targeting conditions quickly turns to targeting people and demonizing them. Bullies full of righteous indignation feel not only entitled, but compelled to insult or degrade people who 'make their health care costs go up'. It makes me sick.

I am a nicotine user/addict who happens to be very fit and healthy. I don't think that overweight people are any less human than me. We all have struggles and some show on the outside for all the world to see. The few who have nothing 'wrong' with them are so damn boring I don't even care to be around them anyway.

I can't help but wonder though how all of the smoker haters are going to be up in arms about being denied employment or having to pay higher insurance premiums now that fat people are the new boogeymen.

 

[DC2]

We all have struggles and some show on the outside for all the world to see. The few who have nothing 'wrong' with them are so damn boring I don't even care to be around them anyway/

I've found that people with no vices seem to have a disturbing nature.

 

[Crumpet]

I've found that people with no vices seem to have a disturbing nature.

I agree. They may insist that with no vices that at least they aren't harming anyone in any way. Maybe not, but I'm pretty sure no one will miss them when they're gone!

 

[DC2]

It is my opinion that the human condition demands that we look for the periodic escape from the pressures of everyday life.
A way to relax and unwind seems normal and humane.

There is a reason that nearly every civilization throughout history has embraced one form or another of mood-altering concoctions.

And those that insist on purity may just be combating their own human nature.
And a fight like that can leave one somewhat uptight in general.

 

[TennDave]

I lost weight when I stopped smoking and started vaping....just sayin'

 

[Crumpet]

I lost weight when I stopped smoking and started vaping....just sayin'

Me,too!!!!!

 

[Fiamma]

I didn't lose any, but I didn't gain any, and with vaping I can now vape stuff that I don't dare eat without gaining weight. For me that's a win win situation.

During all the times I tried to quit smoking with cold turkey, NRT's hypnosis et al I gained weight immediately and there appeared to be no end in sight. I substituted the hand to mouth cigarette with hand to mouth food. I was cranky and food made me feel better about the situation. Common, I'm told. So then you miss the nicotine and you miss anything that helps you not miss the nicotine so much, and life becomes a downward spiral. Cranky and trying hard not to be fat.

Thankfully there are e cigs and you don't have to suffer this any longer.