To smoke or not to smoke those cigars? That is the question
2004/12/17
By To Lee The China Post
Are cigars harmless to the human body? Does second-hand smoke from cigars pose less of a threat to others? Is smoking cigars an effective way to quit smoking? Is it legal to sell cigars via the Internet? All these questions were answered yesterday in a press conference held by the John Tung Foundation.
The common misconception held by many Taiwan people is that cigars pose less of a threat to the human body than cigarettes. Dr. Peng Jui-peng of the Taipei Veterans General Hospital explained that the only difference between cigarettes and cigars is the processing method of their tobacco.
Cigars are as harmful to the human body as cigarettes, sometimes even more detrimental to the smokers' health, said Peng. Because of the basic nature of cigar wrappers, inhaling cigar smoke renders the smokers' mouth and throat vulnerable to the nicotine, he stressed.
Hair loss, cataracts, cervical cancer, heart disease, stomach ulcers, tooth decay, skin cancer, hearing loss, and lung ailments are but a few of the many negative effects cigar and cigarette smoking might have on the smokers' body, said Peng, citing information from the World Health Organization (WHO) and a research conducted by the American Council on Science and Health. He also added that second-hand smoke from cigars and cigarettes is equally dangerous.
Peng also declared that cigars and cigarettes are equally likely to cause cancer. He stressed that the nicotine content in one single roll of cigar contains amounts of nicotine similar to a pack of cigarettes. Additionally, because a cigar contains more tobacco and lasts longer than a cigarette, the second-hand smoke it produces is far more damaging than that of a cigarette.
WHO estimates that there is one tobacco related death every 10 seconds worldwide.
Huang Cheng-tai of the John Tung Foundation stated that he used to be a cigarette smoker. He mistakenly thought that smoking a pipe, which uses the same type of tobacco as cigars, will help him quit cigarettes. "Many people associate pipes and cigars with sophistication and prestige. Some people even think that switching from cigarettes to cigars or pipes will help them kick their cigarette habits. However, any type of smoking will only bring negative effects," said Huang.
"Because of the marketing strategy of cigar manufacturers, many people think that cigars will make a classy and tasteful gift for the holidays," observed Huang. He hoped that people will realize the injurious effects of cigars and cease to make Christmas presents out of any tobacco products.
Consultant Lin Hsin-ho of the New Environment Foundation expressed his disappointment and frustration at the lax enforcement of laws concerning Internet sales of tobacco products. "Minors can easily obtain cigarettes online without much hassle," said Lin. "The government needs to step up their efforts in preventing such instances," he added.
Li Feng-ao of the Consumer Foundation of Taiwan added that, because most of the cigars purchased online are not packaged, there are no labels indicating the product's ingredients and content. Furthermore, because the Internet has no national boundaries, cigars purchased from abroad do not come with Chinese labels, which is a violation that could result in a fine of NT$200,000.
According to the Consumer Protection Law, labels for every product must contain the name of the merchandise, manufacturer information, manufacture date, and the content and ingredients of the product. If tobacco products do not specify the amount of tar and nicotine on their labels, it can result in a fine of NT$300,000.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Reflection:
Smoking, for most people, is not a good hobby. Actually, smoking is nothing but harmful to human body. In my view, it is hard to point out advantages of smoking; on the contrary, it is easy to give disadvantages of smoking.
I am not a smoker because I hate the smelling of smoke. Also, my body condition is not so healthy that I can smoke. In my family, there is only one person, my father, who smokes. But, in my mind, he is a good smoker. You may want to know what a “good” smoker is. When he wants to smoke, he always goes to the balcony because he knows that we all not like the smelling of smoke.
Many people know disadvantages of smoking, but they still smoke regardless of those disadvantages. In the society, many teenagers smoke only for a stupid reason, being cool. They think smoking is way of showing off, but they are totally wrong. Meanwhile, many people think that smoking can relax our body. Is it right? For me, there are so many ways to make us feel relax such as playing sports, listening to music, and so on. Smoking will be my last way to make me feel relax.
The bad effect of smoking is not only on the smoker but on the people who around the smoker. According to some reports, second hand smoke is harmful to human body as well. All in all, whenever you want to smoke, please go outside, don’t let your second hand smoke to bother other person who around you. Also, don’t forget to be a “good” smoker like my father.
文章定位：
