• Hefty smoking laws in Iraq
    54 replies, posted
[url]http://media.economist.com/images/20090815/3309MA2.jpg[/url] [quote=The Economist] [img]http://media.economist.com/images/20090815/3309MA2.jpg[/img] More lethal than terrorists IT’S the health and safety measure Iraqis have not been waiting for. The government in Baghdad last week banned smoking in public buildings. Anyone found lighting up will have to pay a fine equivalent to $4,300, enough to buy 17,200 packs of cigarettes at the local price of about 25 cents. “Do the politicians have nothing better to do?” asks Abu Yasser, as he takes a drag while filling up his car at a petrol station. “My cousin was recently murdered by terrorists, my neighbour was tortured by the police, my electricity is cut for most of the day, the same is true in most hospitals in the city. And they are worried about smoking?” As soon as parliament ratifies the cabinet-imposed ban, Iraqi smokers will be forced to loiter on street corners exposed to car bombs and 45-degree heat in the summer. But according to a recent study, smoking kills an average of 55 Iraqis a day, compared to a current average of ten deaths daily from terrorist shootings or bombings. So the government argues that it is perfectly reasonable to outlaw smoking on public-health grounds. Nonetheless, the ban has done nothing to improve the already low opinion many Iraqis have of their democratically elected government. “Bring back Saddam,” says a cigarette vendor. “We were free to smoke anywhere then.” Others link the ban to reports of torture in official detention. “Prisons are public buildings, right? So will they now prevent guards from stubbing out cigarettes on the arms, legs and backs of inmates?” asks one university student. With nerves jangled from years of upheaval, nicotine is often the first and only comfort. Stuck at checkpoints, Iraqis pass around cigarettes. Faced with recalcitrant bureaucrats, they do the same. In parliament though, the ban is popular. Islamists want to get rid of tobacco outright. Of course, many ministers and MPs smoke too, often in their offices. But, given their elevated positions, few rules apply to them.[/quote] Though a smoker, I generally don't oppose hefty smoking laws and even support them. This is somewhat over the top though.
What the hell, I thought hookah bars and smoking were really popular in the middle east.
SMOKERS WILL BE STONED. /caps
Saddam is dead. He's not coming back.
Tougher smoking laws are good.
[quote][b][i]as he takes a drag while filling up his car at a petrol station.[/i][/b][/quote] Simply wow.
[QUOTE=N0 WAR;16714568]Tougher smoking laws are good.[/QUOTE] Yeah but you can't fine people that much, come on.
[QUOTE=Poltergeist Three;16714713]Yeah but you can't fine people that much, come on.[/QUOTE] besides, iraq really has fucking bigger problems than smoking, come on...
Good
If it's killing more people than terrorists, then it should be made law.
Smoking did 9/11 [editline]fff[/editline] That's some cheap cigarrettes. 25 cents per pack?
I've been to Iraq a lot, and believe me, shit's not gonna happen. Everyone fucking smokes there, and nobody gives a shit how old you are.
GJ[img]http://www.facepunch.com/fp_ratings.php?postid=16666579&rating=12[/img]
[QUOTE=VladimirPutin;16715193]If it's killing more people than terrorists, then it should be made law.[/QUOTE] They're all terrorists.
[QUOTE=Moby-;16716609]They're all terrorists.[/QUOTE] Yes Moby I agree, the oppressed women and even children and babies are terrorists. Therefore the culling is efficient and helpful.
[QUOTE=-AJ-;16714609]Simply wow.[/QUOTE] Some people take it up to themselfs to get killed in the most stupidest way possible. On the other note; someone has scripted a bot that rates everyone 1 dump within the second they post. But it goes away if you edit your post adding moar sentences. Only to have it back when you hit enter before clicking the "save changes"
[QUOTE=Raiskauskone;16716785]Some people take it up to themselfs to get killed in the most stupidest way possible. On the other note; someone has scripted a bot that rates everyone 1 dump within the second they post.[/QUOTE] Hey, he'd die by an exploding car one way or another.
25 cents for a pack a fags?
[QUOTE=Poltergeist Three;16716812]Hey, he'd die by an exploding car one way or another.[/QUOTE] Hmmm, true. But I'd rather die by a cause not my own.
[QUOTE=tonzofgunz;16716730]Yes Moby I agree, the oppressed women and even children and babies are terrorists. Therefore the culling is efficient and helpful.[/QUOTE] I approve this post. [img]http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_185/1189997318d83yw1.jpg[/img]
good, fucking cancer breathe. [img]http://www.facepunch.com/fp_ratings.php?postid=16708109&rating=12[/img]
This is stupid, if people want to die, [B][U]LET THEM FUCKING DIE.[/U][/B]. All Smoking laws are Stupid, because they are preventing the natural progression of Natural selection, then we get too many people in the world, then we have no food, and then we get wiped out.
[QUOTE=Xesum;16717139]This is stupid, if people want to die, [B][U]LET THEM FUCKING DIE.[/U][/B]. All Smoking laws are Stupid, because they are preventing the natural progression of Natural selection, then we get too many people in the world, then we have no food, and then we get wiped out.[/QUOTE] you don't understand what natural selection is because you are 11 years old
[QUOTE=Rankzerox;16714339]SMOKERS WILL BE STONED. /caps[/QUOTE] Depends what they're smoking.
[QUOTE=Xesum;16717139]This is stupid, if people want to die, [B][U]LET THEM FUCKING DIE.[/U][/B]. All Smoking laws are Stupid, because they are preventing the natural progression of Natural selection, then we get too many people in the world, then we have no food, and then we get wiped out.[/QUOTE] the creation of cigarettes alone disrupts natural selection
[QUOTE=Jock Strap;16717665]the creation of cigarettes alone disrupts natural selection[/QUOTE] No, it gets rid of the idiots that do smoke.
[QUOTE=Xesum;16717700]No, it gets rid of the idiots that do smoke.[/QUOTE] okay ill just call it "manufactured selection" from now on
Finally they can start losing money :dance: [quote]It's true they will.[/quote]
A little second hand smoke never hurt anybody.
[QUOTE=PvtCupcakes;16717997]A little second hand smoke never hurt anybody.[/QUOTE] Correct.
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