2 year old kid smoking in China

[Peikko 1,575]

This is sad. Smoking is much more common in China, and I think there isn't much of a "smoking is bad for you" ideology there. In fact, giving a carton of cigarettes as a gift is common, and one of the traditions in a wedding reception is that the bride goes around lighting all the male guests' cigarettes. For men it's seen as normal, but for women it's frowned upon. There's also no age requirement. When my fiancee was a child, her father would send her to a nearby store to pick up cigarettes and beer.

On my last trip, I noticed small "no smoking" signs in some restaurants. I think it had something to do with the Olympics. The government probably wanted restaurants less smoky for foreign visitors. If they stick with that, it's going to take a while. Smoking and drinking in restaurants is very common, and very few have segregated smoking and non-smoking sections.

What does anyone expect? So the Western world has drastically cut down on smoking, does that mean that tobacco companies have 'seen the light'? No, of course not, they will seek out any market that is left open to them. Companies are not moral, they do whatever it takes to make a profit.

[Danno 1,228]

Better to smoke than to be obese as so many American kids are.

It's true, most kids who smoke eventually quit but very few obese children loose the weight into adulthood.

Do you have statistics to prove that.

If an obese child loses weight as they go through puberty and grow up, the damage to their body by being obese prior is probably nothing compared to damage to lungs and other things that smoking can cause. It seems the body would need more time to repair the lung situation than a body would need to repair from being heavy. Even old people who lose a bunch of weight greatly reduce their risk of heart disease. And there aren't medicines, like cholesterol meds for heart disease, for people who smoke to make their lungs all better. And do you really think all the obese adults have been that way since childhood? I know many people who were skinny kids and teens and later in life just gained a lot of weight.

If fat children, "often" became slim in later years, I would change my opinion and agree with you but the truth is.... typically, fat kids are even fatter adults.

I know lots of people (myself included) who smoked and quit.

Fat kids (especially girls) often face social pressures which effect not only their social life to a cruel degree, but their self image which often leads them TO SMOKE and other negative behaviors.

Kids who smoke are often seen as "cool" and enjoy all social activities and most often quit smoking before any real health damage is done.

Fat kids become obese adults and the health problems (and social limitations) that awaits them far out weighs anything smokers face.

Of all the people I have known, I only know one person, who had cancer of the mouth. I have never known anyone who died from smoking.. though I'm sure there are many.

I quit smoking because I knew it was a gamble, a gamble which had very little up-side (enjoyment) and a possible big down side (though I think the odds are not as great as most people fear.

I know so many people who have quite smoking, it's actually difficult to think of many who never smoked.

[Peikko 1,575]

Better to smoke than to be obese as so many American kids are.

It's true, most kids who smoke eventually quit but very few obese children loose the weight into adulthood.

Do you have statistics to prove that.

If an obese child loses weight as they go through puberty and grow up, the damage to their body by being obese prior is probably nothing compared to damage to lungs and other things that smoking can cause. It seems the body would need more time to repair the lung situation than a body would need to repair from being heavy. Even old people who lose a bunch of weight greatly reduce their risk of heart disease. And there aren't medicines, like cholesterol meds for heart disease, for people who smoke to make their lungs all better. And do you really think all the obese adults have been that way since childhood? I know many people who were skinny kids and teens and later in life just gained a lot of weight.

If fat children, "often" became slim in later years, I would change my opinion and agree with you but the truth is.... typically, fat kids are even fatter adults.

I know lots of people (myself included) who smoked and quit.

Fat kids (especially girls) often face social pressures which effect not only their social life to a cruel degree, but their self image which often leads them TO SMOKE and other negative behaviors.

Kids who smoke are often seen as "cool" and enjoy all social activities and most often quit smoking before any real health damage is done.

Fat kids become obese adults and the health problems (and social limitations) that awaits them far out weighs anything smokers face.

Of all the people I have known, I only know one person, who had cancer of the mouth. I have never known anyone who died from smoking.. though I'm sure there are many.

I quit smoking because I knew it was a gamble, a gamble which had very little up-side (enjoyment) and a possible big down side (though I think the odds are not as great as most people fear.

I know so many people who have quite smoking, it's actually difficult to think of many who never smoked.

It's not 'better' to be a smoker or obese. Both are bad for ones health.

Oh, and I never smoked so you can add at least one to your list of those who didn't

The odds of dying from a smoking related disease when one is a smoker are extremely high, there are so many problems to choose from and not all of them are cancer related.

[Danno 1,228]

Better to smoke than to be obese as so many American kids are.

It's true, most kids who smoke eventually quit but very few obese children loose the weight into adulthood.

Do you have statistics to prove that.

If an obese child loses weight as they go through puberty and grow up, the damage to their body by being obese prior is probably nothing compared to damage to lungs and other things that smoking can cause. It seems the body would need more time to repair the lung situation than a body would need to repair from being heavy. Even old people who lose a bunch of weight greatly reduce their risk of heart disease. And there aren't medicines, like cholesterol meds for heart disease, for people who smoke to make their lungs all better. And do you really think all the obese adults have been that way since childhood? I know many people who were skinny kids and teens and later in life just gained a lot of weight.

If fat children, "often" became slim in later years, I would change my opinion and agree with you but the truth is.... typically, fat kids are even fatter adults.

I know lots of people (myself included) who smoked and quit.

Fat kids (especially girls) often face social pressures which effect not only their social life to a cruel degree, but their self image which often leads them TO SMOKE and other negative behaviors.

Kids who smoke are often seen as "cool" and enjoy all social activities and most often quit smoking before any real health damage is done.

Fat kids become obese adults and the health problems (and social limitations) that awaits them far out weighs anything smokers face.

Of all the people I have known, I only know one person, who had cancer of the mouth. I have never known anyone who died from smoking.. though I'm sure there are many.

I quit smoking because I knew it was a gamble, a gamble which had very little up-side (enjoyment) and a possible big down side (though I think the odds are not as great as most people fear.

I know so many people who have quite smoking, it's actually difficult to think of many who never smoked.

It's not 'better' to be a smoker or obese. Both are bad for ones health.

Oh, and I never smoked so you can add at least one to your list of those who didn't

The odds of dying from a smoking related disease when one is a smoker are extremely high, there are so many problems to choose from and not all of them are cancer related.

For long term smokers, this might be true, but as most people quit, it reduces the risk of harm.

If obese folks could slim down in mid-life they two could avoid the many health issues as well as the limiting lifestyle obesity brings.

One of the most promising things that I have seen for obese folks is the stomach stapling (or similar) operations. I have seen a few people who had this done and the result is stunning.

My Aunt who was maybe 3-400 lbs, had this done and when I saw her at a wedding, I had trouble believe that this was the same person.

In fact she almost looks "too thin" to be honest.

I'm not sure about side effects etc but it is amazing.

I sympathize with over weight people, I know how hard it is to loose 15-20 lbs, for this reason I

hate to see kids put on a path of life long obesity.

[Amby 490]

I never smoked either

[Peikko 1,575]

Better to smoke than to be obese as so many American kids are.

It's true, most kids who smoke eventually quit but very few obese children loose the weight into adulthood.

Do you have statistics to prove that.

If an obese child loses weight as they go through puberty and grow up, the damage to their body by being obese prior is probably nothing compared to damage to lungs and other things that smoking can cause. It seems the body would need more time to repair the lung situation than a body would need to repair from being heavy. Even old people who lose a bunch of weight greatly reduce their risk of heart disease. And there aren't medicines, like cholesterol meds for heart disease, for people who smoke to make their lungs all better. And do you really think all the obese adults have been that way since childhood? I know many people who were skinny kids and teens and later in life just gained a lot of weight.

If fat children, "often" became slim in later years, I would change my opinion and agree with you but the truth is.... typically, fat kids are even fatter adults.

I know lots of people (myself included) who smoked and quit.

Fat kids (especially girls) often face social pressures which effect not only their social life to a cruel degree, but their self image which often leads them TO SMOKE and other negative behaviors.

Kids who smoke are often seen as "cool" and enjoy all social activities and most often quit smoking before any real health damage is done.

Fat kids become obese adults and the health problems (and social limitations) that awaits them far out weighs anything smokers face.

Of all the people I have known, I only know one person, who had cancer of the mouth. I have never known anyone who died from smoking.. though I'm sure there are many.

I quit smoking because I knew it was a gamble, a gamble which had very little up-side (enjoyment) and a possible big down side (though I think the odds are not as great as most people fear.

I know so many people who have quite smoking, it's actually difficult to think of many who never smoked.

It's not 'better' to be a smoker or obese. Both are bad for ones health.

Oh, and I never smoked so you can add at least one to your list of those who didn't

The odds of dying from a smoking related disease when one is a smoker are extremely high, there are so many problems to choose from and not all of them are cancer related.

For long term smokers, this might be true, but as most people quit, it reduces the risk of harm.

If obese folks could slim down in mid-life they two could avoid the many health issues as well as the limiting lifestyle obesity brings.

One of the most promising things that I have seen for obese folks is the stomach stapling (or similar) operations. I have seen a few people who had this done and the result is stunning.

My Aunt who was maybe 3-400 lbs, had this done and when I saw her at a wedding, I had trouble believe that this was the same person.

In fact she almost looks "too thin" to be honest.

I'm not sure about side effects etc but it is amazing.

I sympathize with over weight people, I know how hard it is to loose 15-20 lbs, for this reason I

hate to see kids put on a path of life long obesity.

It's not an 'either or' situation Danno, that's my point. Both are bad for you. That you 'got away' without getting a smoking related disease (if in fact you have, it's not possible to know at this stage) then all power to you, of course.

However, your attitude is most bizarre. A lot of people have huge problems giving up smoking, your personal experience with giving up can't relate directly to other people's personal experience with not being able to lose weight. These are not directly comparable things. They are seperate problems.

I don't know if it is your intention, but you seem to be suggesting "It's ok to smoke as kids if one does so in order not to get fat". That rationale is well, bizarre to say the least.

The best way not to get fat is to eat a healthy diet and have a constant exercise program (one that starts in childhood and continues through out life. For exercise, I recommend swimming although apparantly there is a risk of drug use with that particular activity )

.

[Kevin&Leilei 1]

What does anyone expect? So the Western world has drastically cut down on smoking, does that mean that tobacco companies have 'seen the light'? No, of course not, they will seek out any market that is left open to them. Companies are not moral, they do whatever it takes to make a profit.

It's not the cigarette companies' fault, it's the parents who allow their toddler to smoke. Better education about the dangers of smoking would help.

[Peikko 1,575]

What does anyone expect? So the Western world has drastically cut down on smoking, does that mean that tobacco companies have 'seen the light'? No, of course not, they will seek out any market that is left open to them. Companies are not moral, they do whatever it takes to make a profit.

It's not the cigarette companies' fault, it's the parents who allow their toddler to smoke. Better education about the dangers of smoking would help.

I didn't say it was. All I said was a company that loses its market will look elsewhere. The western world has decided smoking is bad so the governments put a lot of effort into education, warnings and restricted areas where it can be used. It is not the tobacco companies that have chosen to do that. Such is not the case in China or indeed numerous other, mostly third world countries. The government in China does not provide that sort of education, and the tobacco company certainly will not.

Edited February 11, 2009 by Madame Cleo

[Jasman0717 9]

Smoke, smoke, smoke those cigarettes

Puff, Puff, puff until you smoke yourself to death

Well tell St. Peter at the gate he is just gona have to wait

I just gotta have another cigarette

[chri'stina 190]

I've never smoked either.

[Marilyn. 340]

me either... smoking equals in my books

but my hubby does and he is having a hard time quitting... he wants to quit but he seems to have no willpower to do so

[Waldo 0]

D.A.R.E. = Drugs Are Really Expensive

Who remembers these???

Edited February 12, 2009 by Waldo

[justashooter 430]

This is sad. Smoking is much more common in China, and I think there isn't much of a "smoking is bad for you" ideology there. In fact, giving a carton of cigarettes as a gift is common, and one of the traditions in a wedding reception is that the bride goes around lighting all the male guests' cigarettes. For men it's seen as normal, but for women it's frowned upon. There's also no age requirement. When my fiancee was a child, her father would send her to a nearby store to pick up cigarettes and beer.

On my last trip, I noticed small "no smoking" signs in some restaurants. I think it had something to do with the Olympics. The government probably wanted restaurants less smoky for foreign visitors. If they stick with that, it's going to take a while. Smoking and drinking in restaurants is very common, and very few have segregated smoking and non-smoking sections.

the straight truth is that smoking cigarettes is a way of life in china. if you don't accept a cigarette in a business meeting, and offer one later, you have insulted your host. the same rule applies at business and family dinners. if you are a foreigner and really want to impress your host, a carton of american cigarettes is a better gift than a bottle of american alcohol.

kids drink beer in china freely, even at the age of 2-3. nothing funnier than watching my 2 year old nephew and the beagle we had in louyang, both drunk, wrestling over an olympic doll on the floor in the middle of a big family dinner. kids don't generally like cigarettes, but Peter the dog does.

[Peikko 1,575]

This is sad. Smoking is much more common in China, and I think there isn't much of a "smoking is bad for you" ideology there. In fact, giving a carton of cigarettes as a gift is common, and one of the traditions in a wedding reception is that the bride goes around lighting all the male guests' cigarettes. For men it's seen as normal, but for women it's frowned upon. There's also no age requirement. When my fiancee was a child, her father would send her to a nearby store to pick up cigarettes and beer.

On my last trip, I noticed small "no smoking" signs in some restaurants. I think it had something to do with the Olympics. The government probably wanted restaurants less smoky for foreign visitors. If they stick with that, it's going to take a while. Smoking and drinking in restaurants is very common, and very few have segregated smoking and non-smoking sections.

the straight truth is that smoking cigarettes is a way of life in china. if you don't accept a cigarette in a business meeting, and offer one later, you have insulted your host. the same rule applies at business and family dinners. if you are a foreigner and really want to impress your host, a carton of american cigarettes is a better gift than a bottle of american alcohol.

kids drink beer in china freely, even at the age of 2-3. nothing funnier than watching my 2 year old nephew and the beagle we had in louyang, both drunk, wrestling over an olympic doll on the floor in the middle of a big family dinner. kids don't generally like cigarettes, but Peter the dog does.

I am sure you had to laugh so as not to offend your hosts and you realize of course that this was totally inappropriate behaviour that you would never condone?

Edited February 12, 2009 by Madame Cleo

[justashooter 430]

kids drink beer in china freely, even at the age of 2-3. nothing funnier than watching my 2 year old nephew and the beagle we had in louyang, both drunk, wrestling over an olympic doll on the floor in the middle of a big family dinner. kids don't generally like cigarettes, but Peter the dog does.

I am sure you had to laugh so as not to offend your hosts and you realize of course that this was totally inappropriate behaviour that you would never condone?

offend my hosts? i was the host. who do you think got the dog drunk? the kid was already half gone by the time the in laws arrived for dinner. like father - like son. a genuinely likeable family. not uptight, in the least.