Dunk smoking habit during tournaments
Today, the Greensboro Coliseum becomes smoke-free. Because secondhand smoke is an important health hazard, leading to heart attacks with as little as 30 minutes of exposure and causing asthmatics and others with respiratory problems to have acute attacks, this is a major advance for health. But there is a fortuitous bonus.
The coliseum will host the ACC women's, ACC men's and first two rounds of the NCAA basketball tournaments in the next three weeks. There will be 28 games, all but two in doubleheader formats. Because of other uses of adjoining spaces, smokers will not be able to leave the coliseum for a cigarette break and return during the course of these doubleheaders.
It is established that 70 percent of smokers want to quit and more quitting takes place at times when smokers are confronted with a smoke-free environment. Faced with the prospect of several sessions lasting five hours or longer without smoking, spectators at our March Madness may make this sensible choice.
Cessation is the single most important step to improving health for most smokers. Professional counseling is available by dialing 1-800-Quit-Now (1-800-784-8669) from 8 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.
Richard J. Rosen, M.D.
Greensboro
Comments (9)
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Well Dr. Rosen while you are in the banning mood and very concerned for everyone's health lets also ban hot dogs, french-fries, all fried foods, soft drinks, barbecue,& all other "proven" links to heart disease that will be at the Coliseum the next few weeks. Let's also ban Coach K and the Blue Devils 'cause they really make my blood-pressure boil.
Posted on March 1, 2006 3:31 AM
Skinsluva, your comparison is not analogous. No one else is going to be affected you eating a hot dog, whereas they will breathe your smoke if you light up.
However, I do agree with your apparent position that smoking should not be banned in the coliseum, at least not by law. I don't think they should allow it in the arena, but there's absolutely no reason why they shouldn't have some designated smoking areas in various places around the coliseum.
As for this quote:
"It is established that 70 percent of smokers want to quit and more quitting takes place at times when smokers are confronted with a smoke-free environment."
...it's nice to know that there are fascists in this country who believe in social engineering.
Posted on March 1, 2006 4:43 AM
Paul,
I agree with you. But in some ways, skinsluva has a point. You say we aren't affected but then again we are when you look at health insurance costs and other costs that we taxpayers get stuck with due to people making unhealthy choices (or at least that's the argument I always hear when people want to ban smoking).
Also, I don't know if there have been studies, but I'm not sure all that grease and popcorn residue floating through the air is as harmless as we might think. Remember all that hullaboo at the popcorn manufacturers lately.
I'm like you, though, Paul in that I think there should be a smoking area (possibly even an outdoor yet secure area) for those who choose to smoke.
Posted on March 1, 2006 11:10 AM
Skinsluva,
Did I miss the section where Dr. Rosen stated he believed that smoking should be banned?
Posted on March 1, 2006 1:03 PM
since we're all about some social engineering and banning things...can we put burkhas on all the college cheerleader women? you know, being a young male, I can't control myself and their outfits are just too sexy. and since there will be alot of men in the crowd between the ages of 16 and 49, its in the best interest of all the males in that age bracket if we ban cheerleading outfits. they can only wear khakis and their school colors on a long sleeve shirt.
hmmm whatelse can we socially engineer and ban....
oh yeah POPCORN! get rid of it. after years of office workers burning the popcorn in the microwave, i refuse to eat it! and since most of those bags have a teflon coating which has been linked to cancer, its in the best interest of everyone whos ever smelled burnt popcorn to ban it at the coliseum!
Hi, My name is Kim Jong Ill and I want to be your mayor! Vote for me in the next election!
Posted on March 1, 2006 1:19 PM
its also in the best interest of everyone who enjoys nachos to have an extra side of nacho cheese and jalapenos. Militant vegetarians and vegans will be disgusted at the site of boiled, chared, baked and fried animal flesh and bits being consumed. Militant christians/muslims will be furious at anyone drinking a beer....I've got it! Bottled water and saltine crackers will only be offered during the game. I would offer pepsi and coke but people could fight over which one tastes better.
Posted on March 1, 2006 1:25 PM
it is usually apparent when you pee in someones wheaties.....they loose the ability to make rational comments !
Posted on March 1, 2006 2:33 PM
BUZ,
We're just having a little fun, that's all. Wouldn't you agree this place needs to lighten up some?
Oh, 6string, nix them saltines. Might have a salt nugget accidentally land on somebody with high blood pressure.
Posted on March 1, 2006 4:02 PM
YDog,
you are right.....i (we) should ease up at times.......yeah....that feels better ! ....thanks :-)
Posted on March 1, 2006 5:15 PM