Today's link propogation

[ciphergoth]

Nicotine content of cigarettes goes up 11% in eight years

Five ideas for stressful living

Comments

[some-fox.livejournal.com]

Nicotine thing interesting. I went to a talk last night about alcohol bingeing and they said alcohol content of alcoholic drinks has gone steadily up too. After a certain amount people are much, much more likely to have another one even if they didn't originally plan to according to these experiments.

[babysimon]

I wonder whether the alcohol thing has already peaked though. All the new beers I've seen advertised recently (OK, it's only 2) have made a point of their lower-than-average ABV.

The tobacco thing, though - well, they're just evil. I heard a story somewhere that the tobacco industry moves nicotine content regularly up and down in the belief that it functions as a ratchet effect. More nicotine = smoke the same number cigarettes and get more addicted, then less nicotine = smoke more to get the same hit. Lather, rinse, repeat.

[jhg.livejournal.com]

Mmm. I went up the shop last night to get some beer - not having had any this year believe it or not!!!

The only bitter I could find (I didn't look at the lager) - the weakest one was Old Speckled Hen at 5.2%!!!

So I just had the one... though I'd *much* rather have had some less strong beer on a weeknight.

I remember when 4% was considered strong.


J

[babysimon]

That article has the best comment evar!

I smoke a lot. I don't think that they are responsible, I already know that you are killing yourself, and that they are just speeding up the process. It's all about population control. A smoker will keep smoking, even if the cost is much more. Yes, our nation would be better off if we all stoped smoking and got healthy, but if we were all healthy, we'd be "fit" for war combat. I agree with "what's the problem?"

Genius!

[ciphergoth.livejournal.com]

Yes, I loved that one. "Thanks for your comment. You seem a bit confused - why don't you sit down and think about what you're actually trying to say with a nice relaxing cigarette?"

Devil's advocate

[ergotia.livejournal.com]

Aieee, smoking. Yes, it is easy to say tobacco companies are evil, but they are using business strategies which are about profit not people *just like every other business*. And although the quoted comment certainly does not sound like one made by a genuius, I find myself agreeing with rather a lot of it. I just dont think there can be *anyone* in the West who does not know that smoking is bad for you .Unless it is made illegal, whjich would be very foolish, some people will continue to take the risk. And if the war fodder comment is about the hypocrisy of the State it is spot on. Pressure should be put on tobacco companies (like all other companies) to be transparent about the risks and their business strategies of course but ypou cant expect them not to try and sell cigarettes.

I suppose the same sort of arguments could be used about selling kidneys - I do seem to be drifting towards libertarian left as I get older - do feel free to shoot me down in flames :)