Banning smoking

[lowlandLucky]

Listening to JV and they are discussing if they should ban smoking and vaping during this pandemic. They are suggesting that smokers go cold turkey ? A doctor on the panel has just said that if it came down to it and there was only 1 ventilator left the non smoker would get it. If they are expecting smokers to give up their addiction at the drop of the hat, would IBU to expect the Heroin,cocaine, cannabis etc users to do the same and would IBU to expect Chemists to stop giving out free Methadone. I am not a smoker BTW

People saying "there is no evidence that vaping causes damage" must also realise that there is no evidence that it doesnt either. There is absolutely no point in banning cigarettes currently as the damage is done. 1 day, 6 weeks, 1 year, doesnt matter, the lungs are damaged and thats through personal choice. If it came down to a ventilator between and non and smoker the non-smoker should absolutely get it.

The government is going to need every penny it gets from tobacco tax so let them carry on puffing away.

They'd never ban cigarettes the government make loads of money off them the same reason why alcohol is legal yet can kill you.

I vape and I must say I can't put the damn thing down , I'm sure it has less chemicals in it than a cigarette however I'm sure it does do some sort of damage.

YABU - if they don't get methadone they will die ? Doctors also tell alcoholics NOT to go cold turkey because they could die. However with smoking you won't die from nicotine withdrawals.

People saying "there is no evidence that vaping causes damage" must also realise that there is no evidence that it doesnt either

This is true, but there is evidence to suggest any damage (assuming there is, let's err on the side of caution!) is a lot less than for smokers. That's the point, I'd never encourage a non smoker to start vaping, but would always suggest it as a way for smoker to stop smoking.

Purely on a risk assessment basis you understand.

@MoonlightMistletoe

Smoking is more addictive than heroin and you can't die from opiate withdrawals. If 16% of the adult population were opiate addicts that would be a dreadful idea to suddenly remove it, but no that's smokers. Do you want 16% of adults simultaneously trying to quit smoking? Stupid idea. The small minority on methadone prescribing suddenly being stopped? Most people wouldn't notice.