According to BMI

Which I think we've established as a poor standard by bullshit consensus.

I'm not saying that those with asthma or those with a sensitivity to the smoke that causes them severe health problems should choose to go into smoke-filled events if it is bad for them, but why should I be banned if I do choose to smoke?

I agree that there should be some middle ground. But, unfortunately, the bigger part of the burden of this issue will fall on the smokers. Because a lot of respiratory ailment sufferers are unable to make this kind of decision for themselves. At least until we can control air or filter out the contaminants to the point where it won't harm others.

I understand your dilemma. I really do. I have a sister who cannot go 15 minutes without a cigarette. She doesn't ride anywhere in the car with me because I won't let her smoke. I know she's terribly addicted but if she can't survive a short car trip without a cigarette, I'm not the one that's going to suffer for it (or let it affect my kids).

DH took a "lifestyle" quiz at work. It was probably to narrow down higher insurance risks. His weight was flagged as an issue. We really try to work on that but it's difficult. We'll most likely end up paying higher premiums because of it eventually.

That said, we're not giving up cheeseburgers.

But, unfortunately, the bigger part of the burden of this issue will fall on the smokers.

And I think that's fair. But I don't think blanket bans had to be the answer.

That said, we're not giving up cheeseburgers.

I've had some success with the "portion control" theory. As in, getting a single cheeseburger instead of a double.

I'm not skinny, but I think I'm a little less overweight.

I've had some success with the "portion control" theory. As in, getting a single cheeseburger instead of a double.

I think the biggest problem is that DH is fond of the "black & blue" burger. Black angus, blue cheese. With bacon.

Now I'm hungry.

Taxing something because it is a health burden seems wrong. There are places to pay for it- such as insurance costs. But it is hard to put in a box A causes B. let's take my favorite disease. Diabetes. If you are not geneticly inclined, you will only get it if your pancreas is destroyed or damaged. So obese does not = diabetes. Then there is me - my weigh crept up. I decided to do something about it. Lost 30 lbs. Slowly , carfully, over a year in time. 6 months after hitting my low weight -that's when diabetes showed up. Loseing weight, not a promise of good health.

Possibly rewards for good health are better. Ihave a friend who lost weight because of a life insurance thign - it was the final motivation fo r her. She stuck to it, did really well and is proud of herself

Because you can choose to go outside to smoke, but no one else around you at a restaurant can choose not to smoke your cigarette if you're smoking near them. I haven't noticed less people in restaurants since the law was passed.

In restaurants and bars, I don't have a problem with not being able to smoke. I can go outside. It's not abig deal to me. At least outside I can hang with smokers. Automatic comrades!

My main problem is the law. My smoking is not a healthful thing to do, but there are also other unhealthy things that so many people do, that it gets tiring being the only group that is taxed and villified as much as smokers are.

3 things help me.

1) portion control - which I do pretty well with most of the time

2) recognizing my own eating habits. - as in I like to eat all the time - so I eat a resonable breakfast and dinner,but I snack a lot from 10 - 4

3) rare. some foods just have to be rare. as in not often. And that's the hardest one.

Which I think we've established as a poor standard by bullshit consensus.

Hells yeah. Unfortunately, BC/BS does not yet recognize the word of the Buffistas as being the One True Way.

Effers.

Even though I live in a place that doesn't have much of anything except bond issues on the ballot, these policy discussions are cool to read and helps remind me that apathy is not necessarily the default political position. I need help on a Buffy quote, though, and decided you guys would be the best resource. The quote I'm thinking of is in the episode where Ethan transforms Giles into a demon like creature; Buffy is ready to kill him but then stops and explains that she knew it was Giles because the look in his eyes was a combination of.... love and disappointment?... affection and resignation?. Anyway, can anyone point me in the direction of that quote? I am going through a rough spot with my very bright, very verbal and very willful teen-age son and I'd like to adopt it as my personal mantra for a bit.

IMO, smoking bans are for the benefit of the staff, not the nonsmoking customers.