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I don't know if you've been to McDonald's lately, but they have nutritional facts on their food containers and wrappers. Plus, it's common sense that eating too many burgers, no matter where they're from or what is put in them, is bad for you.

I personally don't eat at McDonalds (after watching that movie, AND finding a really big hunk of cartillage in my nuggets), but I am pretty sure you don't mean to say that the nutrition information for EVERY ITEM is included on the wrappers. If people were to see "730 calories" on the outside of their double quarter pounder with cheese, how many of them would actually continue eating it? (Mcdonalds.com) YUCK!

While I totally think people should be able to have more self-control, and only eat fast food in moderation...I think there is a lack of social responsibility on the part of the corporations as well.

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Originally posted by freedomordeath:
If you watched "Supersize Me" you would know that most McDonald's restaurants don't have that information available. But the problem I have with the tobacco industry is that it still includes nicotine in the products, so it's not just a "good-feel" product - it becomes a physical addiction.

Nicotine IS the "Feel good" part of the cigarette. The companies don't "include" it, it's natural to the tobacco leaf.

What IS bad about cigarettes are the other crap they put in there, menthol, ammonia, etc. That's why you roll your own.

Freedom, the more you voice your opinion the more ironic your name becomes.

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hat I meant by punishment was something like our current "gas tax" on vehicles that are not very efficient or have poor quality emissions. There is also a cigarette tax, but that doesn't punish the company either. Both taxes effect the consumer.

Guess what kinds of taxes I also think are total BS? Just wait untill cigarette smoking becomes extremly rare. Where do you think the government's going to come up with the money that it's gotten used to spending from exploiting people's addictions and personal choices?

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If you watched "Supersize Me" you would know that most McDonald's restaurants don't have that information available.

I don't know if you've been to McDonald's lately, but they have nutritional facts on their food containers and wrappers. Plus, it's common sense that eating too many burgers, no matter where they're from or what is put in them, is bad for you.

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But the problem I have with the tobacco industry is that it still includes nicotine in the products, so it's not just a "good-feel" product - it becomes a physical addiction.

People know about nicotine. And they have the option of not starting to smoke in the first place. If they start and get addicted, that is their fault.

If you watched "Supersize Me" you would know that most McDonald's restaurants don't have that information available. But the problem I have with the tobacco industry is that it still includes nicotine in the products, so it's not just a "good-feel" product - it becomes a physical addiction.

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To an extent, yes, McDonald's should be punished as well - they make the choice to put unnecessary additives in the food.

And the public has the power to not eat their food and put them out of business. So it's really not their problem if people know how bad it is and then eat it anyway.

Yes Hydrok. I know.

To an extent, yes, McDonald's should be punished as well - they make the choice to put unnecessary additives in the food. And yes, consumers choose as well. What I meant by punishment was something like our current "gas tax" on vehicles that are not very efficient or have poor quality emissions. There is also a cigarette tax, but that doesn't punish the company either. Both taxes effect the consumer. I find this hypocritically similar to the government tracking down the providers of illegal downloads versus those who download. Our government is backwards, if you ask me.

well believe it or not FoD, smokers know the health risks too

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but the cigarette companies should accept liability and be punished for their known harm to customers.

That's like punishing McDonald's for making people fat. Everyone has the ability to choose not to smoke or eat fake artery-clogging hamburgers. The only person that should be held liable for your health is you.

The Salvation Army is considered to have righteous values, but such a display degrades their status in my eyes. And Doc, I do not believe smoking should be banned altogether, but the cigarette companies should accept liability and be punished for their known harm to customers.

It's not controversial

I smoke cigarettes daily but I know there are people on here that would hate what the Salvation Army did and I wanted to hear them voice their opinions. Its no fun to start a controversial thread when everyone agrees with you!

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Originally posted by AnnieGurl:
Funny how when I threw the 9/11 card out there how this thread didn't automatically get bombarded with lung cancer and addiction replies. I wanted people to think about why some of the people you might see smoking on a street corner are smoking that cigarette before they say it should be banned.

My roomate started smoking because it helped deal with the stress of MCATS and finals. Should my college be blamed? It has NOTHING to do with the 9/11 card. And just because you have one cigarette, or six, does not make you a lifetime smoker.

And I consider those assholes that say is should be banned a bunch of fascists who need to keep thier noses the hell out of people's personal desicions.

Hmm, you just were in the middle of the greatest attack on U.S. soil, watched 3,000 people die in two buildings that were the icons of your country, and you have no idea how or why it happene - well, I'd bet the last thing in the world you are worried about is the long-term effects of a cigarette.

The Salvation Army did the right thing, as they always do. That's why I donate to them, yet I wouldn't give the sweat off my balls to the Red Cross.

Funny how when I threw the 9/11 card out there how this thread didn't automatically get bombarded with lung cancer and addiction replies. I wanted people to think about why some of the people you might see smoking on a street corner are smoking that cigarette before they say it should be banned. To some people, a cigarette break it the only thing they have to look forward to.

whoopdie dooo, what does it all mean basil... someone probably donated them seeing how thats how the Salvation army works.

I'm a non-smoker who probably would have used a cigarette on that day.

Cigarettes, like alcohol, are not inherently evil and have thier place in society. There's a huge movement that uses fear and hate against cigarettes, and I think it's absurd. This news, along with the great discounts on clothing and furniture, make me love good old Salvo even more.

While I think there were probably much better uses for their time, money and effort, I think it was good to do whatever they could for hte people working at ground zero after such a tragic time...