NationStates Jolt Archive

The Floor of this Organisation unites in the voice that:

*Inhaled tobacco smoke, be it passive or not, is dangerous.
*Tobacco smoke relates to dozens of diseases and cancers.
*Tobacco companies are, on the whole, immoral.
*Millions of citizens become smokers every day.

Therefore to help prevent all the above

1. (a) Tobacco smoking is hereby banned in all public places that are covered by at least 75% structure. This includes, but does not limit to, public houses and cafes. (b) If one wishes to smoke they can smoke in private property - if allowed by the owned -, outside or when surrounded by 25% or less public structure.

2. (a) If not already imposed a further 'UN Tobacco Tax' shall be imposed. (b) All tobacco products shall have a tax implemented at 30%. (c) This money should be used in the healthcare department of any given country.

3. (a) All children shall be taught of the dangers of public smoking. (b) Private and 'State' schools alike should unite in teaching children why smoking is bad.

4. Products related to helping addicted smokers to stop (such as but not limited to nicotine 'patches') shall have all tax cut off from them.

5. No UN state should advertise any tobacco product.

I'm well aware this has probably been done a lot of times before.

The Floor of this Organisation unites in the voice that:
No it FLUFFY TEDDY BEARS doesn't. You're kidding me with this CHARMING PROPOSAL, right? You seriously think the UN should waste its time on this? For a start, maybe my smoke drifts into my neighbour's face. It certainly does not drift into your country. So you have no place worrying about it.

*Inhaled tobacco smoke, be it passive or not, is dangerous.
CRIKEY AND GOSH! 2 people every year die of alarm clocks giving them electric shocks.

BAN ALARM CLOCKS!!!!!!!!!
*Tobacco smoke relates to dozens of diseases and cancers.
Yes, it does (although cancer is a disease). Again, your point? Pringles are (mildly) carcinogenic; think about how many people die in car accidents, from alcohol abuse, from skin cancer chasing that nice tan, from CHD from eating too many burgers. That something has a link to a disease is no reason to ban it.

*Tobacco companies are, on the whole, immoral.
What the FLUFFY TEDDY BEAR? What does this even mean? What moral laws are they breaking? How can you generalise about an entire industry in this way?

*Millions of citizens become smokers every day.
SO????? Millions of people learn to drive every day. Many people die in car accidents. Cars also pollute.

Therefore, ban cars and hang car designers.

1. (a) Tobacco smoking is hereby banned in all public places that are covered by at least 75% structure. This includes, but does not limit to, public houses and cafes. (b) If one wishes to smoke they can smoke in private property - if allowed by the owned -, outside or when surrounded by 25% or less public structure.
Foolish law.

One place in Gruenberg tried this. It led to higher rates of rape, abduction, theft and violence against young women. Why? Because they were going outside, alone, to smoke, rather than staying in crowded areas where there were plenty of people about.

2. (a) If not already imposed a further 'UN Tobacco Tax' shall be imposed. (b) All tobacco products shall have a tax implemented at 30%. (c) This money should be used in the healthcare department of any given country.
Illegal; contradicts UN Resolution #128, "Representation in Taxation".

3. (a) All children shall be taught of the dangers of public smoking. (b) Private and 'State' schools alike should unite in teaching children why smoking is bad.
Beginning to think is a joke. "Smoking is bad, m'kay". Yeah...we'll teach our kids what we want, thanks.

4. Products related to helping addicted smokers to stop (such as but not limited to nicotine 'patches') shall have all tax cut off from them.
Illegal; contradicts UN Resolution #128, "Representation in Taxation".

5. No UN state should advertise any tobacco product.
Well, as this doesn't ban companies or individuals from advertising tobacco, that's ok.

Needless to say, HAPPY HAPPY THOUGHTS NO.

~Rono Pyandran
Chief of Staff

Jesus mate.

Jesus mate.
Well, I'm sorry. I just don't think the UN should be legislating in this area at all - and I have a real aversion to the sanctimonious preaching of the anti-smoking lobby. But I'll tone down my response for the record, nonetheless.

~Rono Pyandran
Chief of Staff

OFFICIAL MESSAGE
The Dark Empire of Shazbotdom is united with it's brothers and sisters in Gruenberg. We feel that this proposal is noto only a waste of words, but a waste of time for the NS United Nations. We will hearby vote NO if this ever comes to the General Assembly. Thank you for your time.

Matt Masterson
Shazbotdom Deligate
to the United Nations

... something about "lips" and "cold dead fingers" ...

There are so many problems with this proposals, most of which were pointed out by our fellow Ambassador from Gruenberg (though I disagree with some of his complaints). However, I really want to focus on one thing

*Tobacco companies are, on the whole, immoral.

We find this claim revolting as tobacco companies are no less moral than any other company who's biggest objective is the bottom line. Considering that's pretty much every publicly traded company and most other private non-publicly traded companies, I think this claim is ludicrous. Tobacco companies are providing a service, and while we can debate whether this service should or should not be provided, until such a time as the service has been outlawed, there is no moral guideline they are breaking.

Uhhhhh..... Yeah...... What Gruen said, but less British.

Aside from the Nat/Sov issues (which are huge), there are a few statements made that aren't supported at all...

*Tobacco companies are, on the whole, immoral.

There are the illegalities Gruen mentioned from the taxation ban as well.

My personal favorite, though, is this....

3. (a) All children shall be taught of the dangers of public smoking. (b) Private and 'State' schools alike should unite in teaching children why smoking is bad.

Not only does this morally posture in a way that is almost goofy, but it suggests that we keep our kids from smoking by telling them that they shouldn't. I don't know about you, but when I was a teenager, I went out of my way to do things that my parents told me not to do for the simple reason that I wasn't supposed to. It's kinda like telling your kids that pre-marital sex is bad and giving them a bunch of reasons to not do it. It will work with some, but there will be a large number who will just find the idea all the more appealing because they're not supposed to do it. Attach a stigma to something and there will be those who will wear that stigma with honour.

Arrogant, unconscionably intrusive, and badly written. NO.

Lorelei M. Ahlmann
Ambassador-at-Large

Not only does this morally posture in a way that is almost goofy, but it suggests that we keep our kids from smoking by telling them that they shouldn't. I don't know about you, but when I was a teenager, I went out of my way to do things that my parents told me not to do for the simple reason that I wasn't supposed to. It's kinda like telling your kids that pre-marital sex is bad and giving them a bunch of reasons to not do it. It will work with some, but there will be a large number who will just find the idea all the more appealing because they're not supposed to do it. Attach a stigma to something and there will be those who will wear that stigma with honour.

First off, Mikitivity considers this a national / domestic issue, with one possible exception: international passenger transport -- flights between countries could be managed by the "flag" of the carrier, but my government might seriously support legislation that banned smoking on international flights or legislation that regulated smoking on sea travel through international waters.

That said, the idea that it is possible to educate children about the dangers of smoking is easy. In Mikitivity most schools use negative imagery along with smoking to make it less appealing to children.

I'll spare this assembly some of the photos, but I will leave you with this image: smoking via a tracheostomy tube. In fact, the campaign has been so successful that some coucilors fault the posters with terrifying children into committing suicide.

And yet another government agrees that this isn't something upon which the UN should be trying to legislate...

First off, Mikitivity considers this a national / domestic issue, with one possible exception: international passenger transport -- flights between countries could be managed by the "flag" of the carrier, but my government might seriously support legislation that banned smoking on international flights or legislation that regulated smoking on sea travel through international waters.


I'd say that exception is too trivial for this body to be bothered with, but it's at least international in nature, unlike the proposal suggested by the Niploman representative.

Respectfully,
Sheik Nadnerb bin Cluich
Cluichstani Ambassador to the UN

I agree - but I could see it being included in something more general on airline travel.

I'd still oppose that, too, though. :p

Though it sounds like we're in the minority, the Nation of Razat supports this proposal. I realize that this has some NatSov issues. However, the UN has a history of ignoring NatSov over issues that are less important than this. We regard smoking as a significant health issue and will support any law that addresses that.

I agree - but I could see it being included in something more general on airline travel.

I'd still oppose that, too, though. :p

OOC: You're one of those evil, filthy smokers, aren't you? :p

I'll use my 300 long Delegacy in other areas then. Thanks for the, erm, words of wisdom. Never knew the UN was so anti-stopping-smoking.

Fair play on the comments on education - my school telling me not to made me try it. Didnt smoke much afterwards but I was in the wrong there.

Never knew the UN was so anti-stopping-smoking.The comments were more anti-having-the-UN-micromanage-every-single-aspect-of-their-laws.

You could if this is not already done make a resolution prohibiting the transport of alchool, recreational drugs and tabacco to countries that have laws making such things illegal.

The comments were more anti-having-the-UN-micromanage-every-single-aspect-of-their-laws.

Yahtzee!

Respectfully,
Sheik Nadnerb bin Cluich
Cluichstani Ambassador to the UN

Yahtzee!


What? Sorry, I couldn't hear you. I was smoking.

I love to smoke. I smoke seven thousand packs a day, ok. And I am never fucking quitting! I don't care how many laws they make. What's the law now? You can only smoke in your apartment, under a blanket, with all the lights out? Is that the rule now, huh?! The cops are outside, "We know you have the cigarettes. Come out of the house with the cigarettes above your head." "You'll never get me copper! I'm never coming out, you hear? I got a cigarette machine right here in my bedroom. Yeah!"

Know what I'm gonna do? I'm gonna get one of those tracheotomies. So I can smoke two cigarettes at the same time. I'm gonna get nine tracheotomies all the way around my neck. I'll be Tracheotomy Man! "He can smoke a pack at a time! He's Tracheotomy Man!"


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/Tindalos/UN/doctor.jpg
Doctor Denis Leary
Swiping Wholesale From No Cure For Cancer
The Federated Technocratic Oligarchy of the Most Glorious Hack

I'll be Tracheotomy Man! "He can smoke a pack at a time! He's Tracheotomy Man!"

The Federated Technocratic Oligarchy of the Most Glorious Hack

Shouldn't that the Federated Tracheotomic Oligarchy of the Most Glorious Hack?

As for Tracheotomy Man, he should be the next contestant on "Who Wants to Be A Superhero!" Main Power: doesn't need to breathe and can see in zero visibility. Power Stunt: Voice box replaced with Darth Vader breather unit, thus able to control dogs by barking strange commands at caine ears. Power Stunt: able to light things on fire with cigarette butt. Weakness: Californium, small doses just annoy him, very large doses are completely lethal. Goal: Protect the civil liberties of smokers world wide. Motto: You can have my cigarette when you pry it out of my cold dead hands!

Pfui! Attitudes like Hack's are why Razat is forced to spend police resources to shut down illegal "smoke-easys" since we totally outlawed smoking there. But it's just a temporary problem. We'll get those smoking criminals under control soon.

The only way you're going to get any anti-smoking resolution is to make it mild and restrict it common sense bans and risk education.

Possible things the UN might agree to:

Ban of smoking in air-conditioned closed transport, such as trains and planes.
Ban of smoking within 10m of an extremely high risk flammable zone, i.e. petroleum tankers and station forecourts. A car is not high risk enough, but the vacinity of a bar might be, which would please bar staff, restricting a smoking area to the far end. This would still be contentious however.
Strongly recommending a no frills education of what might happen to heavy vs light smokers, those who smoke while pregnant/in the vacinity of children etc, as well as other drugs such as caffeine, alcohol, cannabis. Also the potential benefits of medicinal use. Pure impartiality.
Recommending an age limit.

That's as much as I can foresee passing, it being a mixture of something that transcends borders so an international element, a slight NS infringement for public protection, an attempt to protect the freedom to decide, and a moralistic 'protect the children'.

Pfui! Attitudes like Hack's are why Razat is forced to spend police resources to shut down illegal "smoke-easys" since we totally outlawed smoking there. But it's just a temporary problem. We'll get those smoking criminals under control soon.

And attitudes like this are why we won't ever be visiting the police state that is Razat.

Respectfully,
Sheik Nadnerb bin Cluich
Cluichstani Ambassador to the UN

HotRodians prefer to smoke tires rather than cigarettes anyway, but I don't think the UN needs to waste its time banning smoking in member nations. We don't coddle our citizens in HotRodia, and we'd appreciate it if y'all didn't try to coddle us.

HotRodian UN Representative
Accelerus Dioce

HotRodians prefer to smoke tires rather than cigarettes anyway, but I don't think the UN needs to waste its time banning smoking in member nations. We don't coddle our citizens in HotRodia, and we'd appreciate it if y'all didn't try to coddle us.

HotRodian UN Representative
Accelerus Dioce

Now wait a second here ... does HotRodian tire smoke stick to HotRodian borders? We might have a *new* topic for a UN proposal here ... "Regulating Tire Buring" "Environmental" "Automobile Industry". Bwhahahaha!

Now wait a second here ... does HotRodian tire smoke stick to HotRodian borders? We might have a *new* topic for a UN proposal here ... "Regulating Tire Buring" "Environmental" "Automobile Industry". Bwhahahaha!

OOC: :p I love you too, Mik.

"Luckily it's not a 'tire fire'. It's a 'tar far'."

"Luckily it's not a 'tire fire'. It's a 'tar far'."

Damn straight! :)

Though it sounds like we're in the minority, the Nation of Razat supports this proposal. I realize that this has some NatSov issues. However, the UN has a history of ignoring NatSov over issues that are less important than this. We regard smoking as a significant health issue and will support any law that addresses that.

Because, of course, citizens shouldn't be allowed to waive health concerns and smoke anyway, oh no, if it's a health risk, the government must ban it. Cars? They crash, banned. TV? It can cause seizures, banned. Walking? Well, you could trip, banned. Breathing? Well, you could inhale an airborne disease, banned.

Anyway....just no.

Because, of course, citizens shouldn't be allowed to waive health concerns and smoke anyway, oh no, if it's a health risk, the government must ban it. Cars? They crash, banned. TV? It can cause seizures, banned. Walking? Well, you could trip, banned. Breathing? Well, you could inhale an airborne disease, banned.

Anyway....just no.

Do bear in mind that there is a daily issue to ban cars, and effectively a few resolutions that have been adopted to reduce the popularity of their use.

But these other ideas: Restrict Exposure to Television, Safe Walking Act, You Are What You Breathe ... all interesting ideas. After the Stop Tar Far Law of course.