Pub debate about Cancer, so look away if sensitive...

[Jam The Man]

Didn't get involved, but in a debate tonight about Cancer in the pub..

One bloke was saying how much his wife does for Breast Cancer charity... all well and good - and commendable.

His mate then said.. "Yeah, good on her.. but doesn't she smoke?"

First bloke then says "Yeah.. and...?"

His mate says.."Well...isn't it hypocritical of her? It's great that she's aiding awareness and research into one form of cancer, but isn't she setting back the issues relating to lung cancer?"

First bloke.."Not really"


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Is it hypocritical? Surely any effort raising awareness to cancer is worthy... but does the other bloke have a point too?

If you can be bothered, please discuss!

 

[Brixtaan]

Mondays are bad enough without a lung cancer discussion just after dinner.I'll skin up though.

 

[Bakesy]

Yes, Yes, yes and no.

 

[Yorkie]

A lot of doctors and nurses smoke whilst treating the effects on patients (Not at the time but off duty)

At least the lady is doing something to help even if her own personal habit is likely to make her a recipient of that help (smokers are more likely to get breast cancer too)

 

[ben andrews' girlfriend]

Think its very hypocritical!!!!

 

[Yorkie]

Think its very hypocritical!!!!

Why?

Drinking alcohol can cause mouth and throat cancer but if you were asked to do a run or raise money you would still do it, wouldn't you?

 

[ben andrews' girlfriend]

Why?

Drinking alcohol can cause mouth and throat cancer but if you were asked to do a run or raise money you would still do it, wouldn't you?

Cause why pay to prevent a disease when she is ruining her own lungs and other people's with passive smoking?

She wants to get a cure for breast cancer - fair enough. But if behind paying for a breast cancer cure is a way so that if she gets breast cancer then therell be a cure - then why does she actively increase the risk of getting lung cancer?

Of course i would still do it, but i dont drink that excessively to get throat and mouth cancer!

 

[DJ Leon]

Why?

Drinking alcohol can cause mouth and throat cancer but if you were asked to do a run or raise money you would still do it, wouldn't you?

Ah, but smoking can cause cancer in others. Why raise money in aid of cancer when the single most important thing you could do is stop actively contributing to other people getting it.

 

[ben andrews' girlfriend]

Ah, but smoking can cause cancer in others. Why raise money in aid of cancer when the single most important thing you could do is stop actively contributing to other people getting it.

Thats the point i was rather craply trying to put across

 

[Yorkie]

Cause why pay to prevent a disease when she is ruining her own lungs and other people's with passive smoking?

She wants to get a cure for breast cancer - fair enough. But if behind paying for a breast cancer cure is a way so that if she gets breast cancer then therell be a cure - then why does she actively increase the risk of getting lung cancer?

Of course i would still do it, but i dont drink that excessively to get throat and mouth cancer!

Fair point about passive smoking although attitudes have changed dramatically about that in the last 10 years. I grew up in a household with 3 adults smoking over 20 a day and haven't got cancer yet so it isn't invevitable.

I did have a friend who died of mouth cancer two years ago who only ever drank wine with a meal.
Edited to add that she hadn't ever smoked.

 

[ben andrews' girlfriend]

Fair point about passive smoking although attitudes have changed dramatically about that in the last 10 years. I grew up in a household with 3 adults smoking over 20 a day and haven't got cancer yet so it isn't invevitable.

I did have a friend who died of mouth cancer two years ago who only ever drank wine with a meal.
Edited to add that she hadn't ever smoked.

But mouth cancer along with lung cancer / breast cancer / anyother cancer can be triggered by anything, not only by having a glass of wine with a meal.

It isnt inevitable that you or anyone else will get cancer by passive smoking, i didnt say that, hoever the risk is always greatly increased by passive smoking.

 

[Yorkie]

I appreciate that but I would have thought that any help given to a cancer charity would be wanted regardless of someone's habits

(playing devils advocate here as I used to be a heavy smoker)

 

[DJ Leon]

I appreciate that but I would have thought that any help given to a cancer charity would be wanted regardless of someone's habits

(playing devils advocate here as I used to be a heavy smoker)

'Someone's habits' being contributing to cancer in others?

I really think that the best contribution the person in question could make is to give up smoking. If not for others for herself, because if she's a heavy smoker she is very likely to suffer in later life and it may even kill her. Raising a few pounds for a cancer charity isn't going to cover the cost of her medical care.

 

[oapdodge]

Why?

Drinking alcohol can cause mouth and throat cancer but if you were asked to do a run or raise money you would still do it, wouldn't you?

Only if you can have a good drink at the end.


Breast Cancer night to raise money at the dogs on Tuesday 20-09-05 so have a good night out and raise money at the same time.

 

[Yorkie]

'Someone's habits' being contributing to cancer in others?

I really think that the best contribution the person in question could make is to give up smoking. If not for others for herself, because if she's a heavy smoker she is very likely to suffer in later life and it may even kill her. Raising a few pounds for a cancer charity isn't going to cover the cost of her medical care.

I've no doubt the tax on a packet of cigarettes covers the cost quite well and add to that her National Insurance contributions and Income tax.

 

[DJ Leon]

I've no doubt the tax on a packet of cigarettes covers the cost quite well and add to that her National Insurance contributions and Income tax.

Well, if she gave up she could be healthier, her friends and family would be healthier and she wouldn't pay a ludicrous amount of tax for the benefit of killing herself slowly. Her NI and IncTax contributions can then pay for other health problems she hasn't stupidly inflicted on herself.

Now wouldn't that just be common sense

 

[Yorkie]

I agree DJ Leon as I gave up smoking 14 years ago.

I still have sympathy for those who smoke now though as I have been on both sides of the fence.

For that matter, other people have a choice as to whether to go into that pub and breathe in her smoke.

 

[ben andrews' girlfriend]

For that matter, other people have a choice as to whether to go into that pub and breathe in her smoke.

But why have to risk your well being by going in a pub that you like? It's not only because you dont like the smell, its also the health problems that goes with it. I have the right to have a drink where i want when i want, and i wish i could have the right to do that without the risk of getting lung cancer!

 

[Gritt23]

I agree with BAG on this one, I think she is being hypocritical .

On the one hand saying she wants to do something to help cancer suffers, while on the other hand she is increasing the chances of those around her becoming cancer sufferers.

As for her taxes, I'm afraid they have been spent bombing Iraq, not on NHS treatment.

 

[Yorkie]

Don't get me wrong, I am not condoning smoking now but I really do think the dangers of passive smoking are exaggerated.

More people die of blood pressure, stroke and heart disease than ALL the cancers put together.

It does seem a very fashionable thing to be against at the moment.
I say this as someone whose Dad died of lung cancer aged 78 (he had been smoking since he was 10)