Colin, for the sake of balance can I comment on your views on smoking. I don't really want to reactivate the smoking thread but I feel the need to respond in this case.
<<Not all smokers die from it. In fact only 11%. Yet the proportion of people who get some form of cancer is 33 1/3%>> I do not have the figures to hand so I will presume that this is correct. However it is not just those who die who are affected by it,it is also those whose health suffers indirectly. Smoking can cause other diseases too. (I shall leave aside the passive smoking issue). <<There is a huge propaganda machine about smoking and most of it is crap. >> - There is also a huge propaganda lobby from the cigarette companies still saying that smoking is not proven to be harmful despite evidence to the contrary. Maybe saying that the propaganda machine is crap is propaganda itself. <<No it isn't a good idea to smoke>> - It's a bit more than just 'not a good idea' Colin, it can be lethal. << but smoking does NOT equal death>> - I have yet to see any advertising that says smoking equals death.Most advertising says that smoking CAN cause death or that smoking kills, both of which are true. <<I think perhaps the energy put into anti smoking attitudes would be better spent on pollution>> - Which would increase your 11% dramatically. << but then we all like our electricity, gas, cars, planes and trains don't we and they of course don't harm any of us.>> - Of course they do, but at least these have given some benefit to mankind. Colin, I hope you do not take this post the wrong way. I defend your right to choice when it comes to smoking. The issue as far as I see it is the education of the young, many of whom given an option which is 'not a good idea' by their elders will take the wrong option. ~ Kevin
