Progress in Stamping Out Smoking Has Stalled

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When the coolest guy in the world who just happens to also be the most powerful man in the world is a smoker, then we cannot expect to succeed in driving down the image of smoking.
With Hollywood also promoting smoking, the time is just not right at this moment to expend much effort in overcoming these most powerful of hip, youthful, cultural influences and images.

paul of CA 12:30AM November 13, 2009

I quit smoking on October 18th ... so this doesn't take me into account does it? lol

I quit of TX 12:00AM November 13, 2009

The smoking rates are all wrong as they judge how many are smoking per the PACKS (includes cartons) of cigarettes sold. I'll go no further on details.
One day the truth of who is behind the years of negative research and the funds for the bans will be out in the open. Those who know, get it going!

History Buff of OH 10:33PM November 12, 2009

No one has the right to make health choices for others and no one has a right to demand rights to the detriment of others, especially with the convenience of a lie, as we find in the “toxic effect of second hand smoke”.

Thomas L 9:54PM November 12, 2009

The CDC publishes "Morbidity and Morality Weekly Report"? Really?
The worst part is that Slate republished that detail verbatim: http://slatest.slate.com/id/2235448/entry/5
C'mon, news media!

Tracy Walsh of NY 9:43PM November 12, 2009

We "bleeding hearts" can care less about your health. We don't want to smell the stench you leave behind or inhale the byproducts of your habit. Do as you please, I, we, do not care. We too want to be left alone. Smoke in your home until your walls turn multiple shades of brown, smoke in your car until tar residue cakes your windows, smoke anywhere you please where I, my children and other "bleeding hearts" don't have to unwillingly participate in your habit.

shmegma of IL 9:30PM November 12, 2009

I am sick and tired of these self appointed do-gooders who want to dictate to the rest of us how to live. Smoking, done in moderation, has many benefits. It is relaxing, it eases stress. Stress, as we know,and, as this jerk should know, makes a person less resistant to disease and causes all kinds of problems. Even if smoking were harmful, people have a right to decide what trade offs to make in their lives. Hopefully, after the next major election, this character, and all those like him,will be out of a job.

Stefan Schreier of ID 9:30PM November 12, 2009

Here's my guess. When the first few waves of anti-smoking fanaticism began to hit hard in the '90s, many of us were embarassed or ashamed to identify ourselves as smokers. But now that the stomp-that-cigarette-out loonies are exposing themselves for the over-the-top, science-and-proof-be-damned Nazis that they really are, smokers are getting to be almost militant about identifying themselves. I can't speak from personal experience though. I've smoked for the last 44 years, and I don't remember anyone besides my doctor who ever asked me if I smoke or not (and I started lying to him about 10 years ago). I wonder who they do ask? I guess, in the wonderful world of statistics you only have to ask a few hundred or thousand to know everything you need to know about millions. It's one of the Great Hoaxes of the last 2 centuries, maybe THE GREATEST HOAX of all time!

Sambora of WA 9:25PM November 12, 2009

"Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S."
Wrong!
No one can prevent death, you can postpone death.
If a person can prevent death then every body would live forever.

Thomas Laprade 9:09PM November 12, 2009