Should Smoking Be banned in Public Places? - GoFuckYourself.com

FTVGirls · 12-08-2003, 09:34 PM

In my opinion, fuck yeah. I'm sick and tired of sitting having a meal, with a nice drift of cigarette smoke to batter up my taste buds.

A smoking area in a restaurant is like having a peeing area in a swimming pool.

Ic3m4nZ · 12-08-2003, 09:35 PM

Yesssss no doubt

dropped9 · 12-08-2003, 09:36 PM

*lights anthoer one*

ahhhhh tastes like chicken....

Tala · 12-08-2003, 09:37 PM

I remember the days of me and my cigarettes. I don't mind giving up smoking in restaurants but dammit, if I'm going to go to the pub to shoot some pool and have a couple of rounds with friends, leave me and my fuckin smokes alone. You want fresh air? Step the fuck outside.

Spunky · 12-08-2003, 09:37 PM

We have had a smoking ban in public areas for over 3 or 4 years.
The clubs and bars just have designated areas ..makes life more enjoyable for the non smokers

CDSmith · 12-08-2003, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FTVGirls
A smoking area in a restaurant is like having a peeing area in a swimming pool.

Awesome. I am going to steal this expression and use it often.

Thank you.

cluck · 12-08-2003, 09:39 PM

Public places like where? It already is banned anywhere. If you don't like it in a restaurant don't sit in the smoking section and if you don't like it in a bar go to a gay bar.

nofx · 12-08-2003, 09:42 PM

no, buy a gasmask.

lagwagon · 12-08-2003, 09:42 PM

hey dont make me drive over there and smack you for taking away my right to eat and smoke.

CDSmith · 12-08-2003, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cluck
Public places like where? It already is banned anywhere. If you don't like it in a restaurant don't sit in the smoking section and if you don't like it in a bar go to a gay bar.

How about just not puffing your poison where people are eating? Try -- if you want to smoke at a restaurant then get up, walk outside and light up all you want.

cluck · 12-08-2003, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CDSmith
How about just not puffing your poison where people are eating? Try -- if you want to smoke at a restaurant then get up, walk outside and light up all you want.

It's not like you're forcing it upon anyone else, smokers have their own section.

beemk · 12-08-2003, 09:51 PM

beemk · 12-08-2003, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cluck

It's not like you're forcing it upon anyone else, smokers have their own section.

yup, good thing they have those invisible walls that keep smoke from drifting to other areas.

Pipecrew · 12-08-2003, 09:53 PM

It is where I live, its 100 dollar fine if you try and light up and the place also gets fined.. Everything is soo much cleaner.

lagwagon · 12-08-2003, 09:54 PM

speaking of the subject check out this sweet spam

lame my cut and paste is jacked. lol

cluck · 12-08-2003, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by beemk

yup, good thing they have those invisible walls that keep smoke from drifting to other areas.

So don't eat at those places. Not everything in life smells good. We have to shit, we have to take out the trash, smell pussy and sometimes some cigarette smoke will waft our way.

lagwagon · 12-08-2003, 09:56 PM

you just said waft

nice

Sifu · 12-08-2003, 10:01 PM

I AGREE THEY SHOULD NOT LET THEM SMOKE IN PUBLIC PLACES

Manga1 · 12-08-2003, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tala
I remember the days of me and my cigarettes. I don't mind giving up smoking in restaurants but dammit, if I'm going to go to the pub to shoot some pool and have a couple of rounds with friends, leave me and my fuckin smokes alone. You want fresh air? Step the fuck outside.

How about the people who work in the pub and have to breathe your poison just cause they're trying to make a buck?

I can't believe people still smoke. It's so third world.

anidifranco · 12-08-2003, 10:24 PM

I remember the days of me and my clean air. I don't mind giving up clean air in restaurants but dammit, if I'm going to go to the pub to shoot some pool and have a couple of rounds with friends, leave me and my air alone. You want to smoke? Step the fuck outside.

Tala · 12-08-2003, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Manga1

How about the people who work in the pub and have to breathe your poison just cause they're trying to make a buck?

I can't believe people still smoke. It's so third world.

Sorry to inform you of this, but most people who work in a BAR realize that they're going to be exposed to smoke and thus should have the common sense not to apply for a job there if they don't like it.

Move along.

Nasty D · 12-08-2003, 10:26 PM

Tala · 12-08-2003, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by anidifranco
I remember the days of me and my clean air. I don't mind giving up clean air in restaurants but dammit, if I'm going to go to the pub to shoot some pool and have a couple of rounds with friends, leave me and my air alone. You want to smoke? Step the fuck outside.

Very cute. You're Dubya's speech writer, aren't you?

Why · 12-08-2003, 10:28 PM

smoking in public is not legal here in austin texas. to an extent, i guess.

Manga1 · 12-08-2003, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tala
Sorry to inform you of this, but most people who work in a BAR realize that they're going to be exposed to smoke and thus should have the common sense not to apply for a job there if they don't like it.

Move along.

Get a clue. Most people who work in bars do so because they can't make the same money anywhere else. Hence the saying "trapped in the bar business".

Smokers are funny. They're the only people other than Al Quida who believe they have a right to poison others.

katman · 12-08-2003, 10:37 PM

FTV, are you from California?

One one hand I do agree with you. Let's say in places like elevators, really enclosed places where it really does effect other people's possible health, asthma, etc.

I am not above saying it is possible that second hand smoke may be a health risk although it has been shown there is no correlation between second hand smoke any cancer, but simple LA air is 20 times the health risk, and that IS a proven fact.

However, smokers have the same rights anyone else does. Maybe restraunts should make more of a partition or something, but what you are talking about is not a health risk, considering the air outside in most cities is 20 times worse, but a simple annoyance. I don't like the smell of people with bad breath, smog, certain types of incense, shit, farts or many other things, but I don't try and make legislation against it unless it really poses a threat to my health or welfare. Anything else is just bitching.

cluck · 12-08-2003, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Manga1

Get a clue. Most people who work in bars do so because they can't make the same money anywhere else. Hence the saying "trapped in the bar business".

Smokers are funny. They're the only people other than Al Quida who believe they have a right to poison others.

So the bar owner wants to have an establishment where his customers can smoke. Tough for the people who work there. What's next, homeowners not being able to smoke at home because they might slightly damage their maids lungs?

Tala · 12-08-2003, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Manga1

Get a clue. Most people who work in bars do so because they can't make the same money anywhere else. Hence the saying "trapped in the bar business".

Smokers are funny. They're the only people other than Al Quida who believe they have a right to poison others.

Get a clue. Most people who work in bars are aware of the fact that they're going to have to deal with smoke before they're hired. They still take the job, then they have no right to bitch.

I haven't had a smoke in 3 years, but that doesn't mean I'm going to tell someone else that they can't. Sorry, but I don't think it's the right of a non-smoking person to demand that a smoker not be allowed to light up in a pub. What's next, smokers can't light up outside? In their own houses?

I also mentioned that I don't mind smokers being asked not to smoke in restaurants. IMHO that's only fair. Food and smoke don't generally mix. But for fuck's sake, don't push the smokers out of their favorite pubs. That's just being an ass for the sake of being an ass.

anidifranco · 12-08-2003, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tala
Very cute. You're Dubya's speech writer, aren't you?

I don't want to state the obvious, but you wrote it.

axelcat · 12-08-2003, 10:40 PM

Yes because second hand smoke kills

The Truth Hurts · 12-08-2003, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by axelcat
Yes because second hand smoke kills

you've been lied to.

cluck · 12-08-2003, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by axelcat
Yes because second hand smoke kills

Nope, sorry, just propaganda from the early 90's made up by pussies who think the world has to smell just a certain way.

Tala · 12-08-2003, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by anidifranco

I don't want to state the obvious, but you wrote it.

I don't want to state the obvious, but you didn't get the joke.

Tala · 12-08-2003, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cluck

Nope, sorry, just propaganda from the early 90's made up by pussies who think the world has to smell just a certain way.

Made up by pussies who think they have the right to legislate people's behavior.

katman · 12-08-2003, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by axelcat
Yes because second hand smoke kills

I know that was the thought for years, but it has recently been prooven otherwise, or maybe I should say that they, after all the years studying it, have not been able to make a correlation between second hand smoke and any effects on the subjects studied...just to be fair.

Smokey The Bear · 12-08-2003, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sifu
I AGREE THEY SHOULD NOT LET THEM SMOKE IN PUBLIC PLACES

I blow smoke in the face of people like you. Because i know it bothers them. LOL

Tala · 12-08-2003, 10:46 PM

Wow. This didn't turn into a pissing contest or anything.

cluck · 12-08-2003, 10:46 PM

So it takes 40-60 years of smoking a pack of cigarettes a day to get cancer and die usually. That means 20 times a day you inhale a whole cigarettes worth of thick, pure smoke. Inhaling about 1/1000th of the smoke particles from one of those cigarettes a day is going to kill you after how many years?

Manga1 · 12-08-2003, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tala
Get a clue. Most people who work in bars are aware of the fact that they're going to have to deal with smoke before they're hired. They still take the job, then they have no right to bitch.

I haven't had a smoke in 3 years, but that doesn't mean I'm going to tell someone else that they can't. Sorry, but I don't think it's the right of a non-smoking person to demand that a smoker not be allowed to light up in a pub. What's next, smokers can't light up outside? In their own houses?

I also mentioned that I don't mind smokers being asked not to smoke in restaurants. IMHO that's only fair. Food and smoke don't generally mix. But for fuck's sake, don't push the smokers out of their favorite pubs. That's just being an ass for the sake of being an ass.

I agree with you to a point. I'm not going to tell anybody to put out their smoke unless they're exposing my kid to it. People want to kill themselves then let them. I don't think it's the right of a non-smoking person to demand that a smoker not be allowed to light up either. I think it's the government's DUTY to ban smoking everywhere. It's not just a matter of what people like or dislike. It's a matter of public health. In the same way that the government bans the use of formaldehyde in buildings because it is known to cause cancer, the government should also ban smoking in all buildings for the same reason. Smoking kills. Second hand smoke kills. Why should it be tolerated?

gin · 12-08-2003, 10:49 PM

smoker: want to hit this newport?
non smoker: no, that is nasty i eat apples and drink healthy milk all day long

cluck · 12-08-2003, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Manga1

I agree with you to a point. I'm not going to tell anybody to put out their smoke unless they're exposing my kid to it. People want to kill themselves then let them. I don't think it's the right of a non-smoking person to demand that a smoker not be allowed to light up either. I think it's the government's DUTY to ban smoking everywhere. It's not just a matter of what people like or dislike. It's a matter of public health. In the same way that the government bans the use of formaldehyde in buildings because it is known to cause cancer, the government should also ban smoking in all buildings for the same reason. Smoking kills. Second hand smoke kills. Why should it be tolerated?

Second hand smoke does not kill. Get up to date on your research. Unless you're blowing it into the face of someone who has severe asthma you're not damaging their lungs in any way.

Think about how many carcinogens go through your tailpipe in your car every day. Think about all the ones in the food you give your kids and in pretty much everything else that humans consume. It's all a matter of which kind of cancer they're going to get when they're 80.

anidifranco · 12-08-2003, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gin
smoker: want to hit this newport?
non smoker: no, that is nasty i eat apples and drink healthy milk all day long

Manga1 · 12-08-2003, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by katman

I know that was the thought for years, but it has recently been prooven otherwise, or maybe I should say that they, after all the years studying it, have not been able to make a correlation between second hand smoke and any effects on the subjects studied...just to be fair.

Nonsense. There are mountains of documents proving the health risks of second hand smoke. You're just buying into the Philip Morris disinformation campaign.

cluck · 12-08-2003, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gin
smoker: want to hit this newport?
non smoker: no, that is nasty i eat apples and drink healthy milk all day long

Because milk's oh so healthy

katman · 12-08-2003, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Manga1

I agree with you to a point. I'm not going to tell anybody to put out their smoke unless they're exposing my kid to it. People want to kill themselves then let them. I don't think it's the right of a non-smoking person to demand that a smoker not be allowed to light up either. I think it's the government's DUTY to ban smoking everywhere. It's not just a matter of what people like or dislike. It's a matter of public health. In the same way that the government bans the use of formaldehyde in buildings because it is known to cause cancer, the government should also ban smoking in all buildings for the same reason. Smoking kills. Second hand smoke kills. Why should it be tolerated?

Does anyone seem to care about this fact...I refer to an earlier post that is scientificaly true, I might add...

"So it takes 40-60 years of smoking a pack of cigarettes a day to get cancer and die usually. That means 20 times a day you inhale a whole cigarettes worth of thick, pure smoke. Inhaling about 1/1000th of the smoke particles from one of those cigarettes a day is going to kill you after how many years?"

Manga1 · 12-08-2003, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cluck

Second hand smoke does not kill. Get up to date on your research. Unless you're blowing it into the face of someone who has severe asthma you're not damaging their lungs in any way.

Think about how many carcinogens go through your tailpipe in your car every day. Think about all the ones in the food you give your kids and in pretty much everything else that humans consume. It's all a matter of which kind of cancer they're going to get when they're 80.

So according to your logic we should not bother doing anything because we're all going to get cancer one way or another. That's very progressive. Congratulations on your inovative thinking.

BTW, second hand smoke does kill. Don't believe the hype.

Tala · 12-08-2003, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Manga1

I agree with you to a point. I'm not going to tell anybody to put out their smoke unless they're exposing my kid to it. People want to kill themselves then let them. I don't think it's the right of a non-smoking person to demand that a smoker not be allowed to light up either. I think it's the government's DUTY to ban smoking everywhere. It's not just a matter of what people like or dislike. It's a matter of public health. In the same way that the government bans the use of formaldehyde in buildings because it is known to cause cancer, the government should also ban smoking in all buildings for the same reason. Smoking kills. Second hand smoke kills. Why should it be tolerated?

Whoa. That is so 1984 (Orwellian).

Dude, you fuckin scare the shit outta me.

It is not the government's responsibility to keep me healthy. It is my responsibility, just as it is yours to keep yourself healthy.

anidifranco · 12-08-2003, 10:58 PM

According to the most recent 2001 statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 7.2% of U.S. adults have current asthma. Massachusetts is the state with the highest rate of self-reported asthma at 9.5%, Maine and Rhode Island are next at 9.4%, and all the New England states have higher than average rates. (See www.cdc.gov )

Asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease and affects more than one child in every fifteen under the age of 18.

The cost of asthma in 2000 was estimated to be $20 billion, exceeding the combined total costs of AIDS and tuberculosis.

Approximately 18 million Americans suffer from asthma, and 6 million of those people are under the age of 18.

Among children ages 5 to 17, asthma is the leading cause of school absences from a chronic illness and is responsible for more hospitalizations than any other childhood disease.

Asthma also accounts for about 1.8 million emergency room visits and 10 million doctors' office visits a year.

Each day 14 Americans die from asthma.

Tobacco smoke triggers asthma symptoms and makes people with asthma more vulnerable to attacks.

Tobacco smoke harms 50 million Americans with asthma and allergies.

Exposure to tobacco smoke worsens symptoms of asthma in 200,000 to 1 million children.

Manga1 · 12-08-2003, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tala
Whoa. That is so 1984 (Orwellian).

Dude, you fuckin scare the shit outta me.

It is not the government's responsibility to keep me healthy. It is my responsibility, just as it is yours to keep yourself healthy.

Is it the government's responsibility to protect you from some nutcase spraying anthrax onto a crowded subway platform you are standing on? What's the difference?

Here's a study by the World Health Organization in 1999 on the effects of second hand smoke on children http://www.smoke-free.ca/pdf_1/whoreportchart.PDF

cluck · 12-08-2003, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by anidifranco
According to the most recent 2001 statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 7.2% of U.S. adults have current asthma. Massachusetts is the state with the highest rate of self-reported asthma at 9.5%, Maine and Rhode Island are next at 9.4%, and all the New England states have higher than average rates. (See www.cdc.gov )

Asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease and affects more than one child in every fifteen under the age of 18.

The cost of asthma in 2000 was estimated to be $20 billion, exceeding the combined total costs of AIDS and tuberculosis.

Approximately 18 million Americans suffer from asthma, and 6 million of those people are under the age of 18.

Among children ages 5 to 17, asthma is the leading cause of school absences from a chronic illness and is responsible for more hospitalizations than any other childhood disease.

Asthma also accounts for about 1.8 million emergency room visits and 10 million doctors' office visits a year.

Each day 14 Americans die from asthma.

Tobacco smoke triggers asthma symptoms and makes people with asthma more vulnerable to attacks.

Tobacco smoke harms 50 million Americans with asthma and allergies.

Exposure to tobacco smoke worsens symptoms of asthma in 200,000 to 1 million children.

So don't bring your kids to a bar and don't sit them in the smoking section or near it.

12-08-2003, 09:34 PM	#1
FTVGirls So Fucking Banned Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 1,052	Should Smoking Be banned in Public Places? In my opinion, fuck yeah. I'm sick and tired of sitting having a meal, with a nice drift of cigarette smoke to batter up my taste buds. A smoking area in a restaurant is like having a peeing area in a swimming pool.

12-08-2003, 09:37 PM	#4
Tala Fucked if I know Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Do you have a flag? Posts: 23,368	I remember the days of me and my cigarettes. I don't mind giving up smoking in restaurants but dammit, if I'm going to go to the pub to shoot some pool and have a couple of rounds with friends, leave me and my fuckin smokes alone. You want fresh air? Step the fuck outside. __________________ ICQ: 11120676 \| Google: mindcrime \| Skype: suitemindcrime\|E-Mail: mindcrime AT gmail.com\|PR girl with great writing skills for hire!!!! Contact me to work for YOU!\|TECHIEMEDIA? 24/7 support from some of the best techs in the biz. Tell Jim that I sent you.

12-08-2003, 09:37 PM	#5
Spunky I need a beer Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ♠ Toiletville ♠ Posts: 133,944	We have had a smoking ban in public areas for over 3 or 4 years. The clubs and bars just have designated areas ..makes life more enjoyable for the non smokers __________________ *YOUR INFORMATION HERE*

12-08-2003, 09:39 PM	#7
cluck Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,248	Public places like where? It already is banned anywhere. If you don't like it in a restaurant don't sit in the smoking section and if you don't like it in a bar go to a gay bar. __________________ icq 279990726 www.mcdonalds.com <- great money making opportunity

12-08-2003, 09:42 PM	#8
nofx Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Virgin Mary's womb Posts: 16,826	no, buy a gasmask. __________________ Often times I wonder why There's love and hate, theres live or die. When sickness comes I must decide: When feelings go, theres suicide.

12-08-2003, 09:35 PM	#2
Ic3m4nZ Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Montreal! Posts: 6,285	Yesssss no doubt

12-08-2003, 09:36 PM	#3
dropped9 Registered User Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Your moms box Posts: 26,727	lights anthoer one ahhhhh tastes like chicken....

12-08-2003, 09:42 PM	#9
lagwagon Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: az Posts: 8,464	hey dont make me drive over there and smack you for taking away my right to eat and smoke. __________________ FTVGirls - FTVMilfs - DanielleFTV

12-08-2003, 09:51 PM	#12
beemk CLICK HERE Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 20,829	yes __________________ I host with Vacares

12-08-2003, 09:53 PM	#14
Pipecrew Master of Gfy.com Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 14,887	It is where I live, its 100 dollar fine if you try and light up and the place also gets fined.. Everything is soo much cleaner.

12-08-2003, 09:54 PM	#15
lagwagon Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: az Posts: 8,464	speaking of the subject check out this sweet spam lame my cut and paste is jacked. lol __________________ FTVGirls - FTVMilfs - DanielleFTV

12-08-2003, 09:56 PM	#17
lagwagon Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: az Posts: 8,464	you just said waft nice __________________ FTVGirls - FTVMilfs - DanielleFTV

12-08-2003, 10:01 PM	#18
Sifu Confirmed User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: So Cal Posts: 1,791	I AGREE THEY SHOULD NOT LET THEM SMOKE IN PUBLIC PLACES

12-08-2003, 10:24 PM	#20
anidifranco So Fucking Banned Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 711	I remember the days of me and my clean air. I don't mind giving up clean air in restaurants but dammit, if I'm going to go to the pub to shoot some pool and have a couple of rounds with friends, leave me and my air alone. You want to smoke? Step the fuck outside.

12-08-2003, 10:26 PM	#22
Nasty D Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: P-Town Posts: 2,563	yes __________________ Pimp Mandy Mayhem, Tabatha Sweet, Kristi Montana and Lexy Lohan @ Hawt Money

12-08-2003, 10:28 PM	#24
Why MFBA Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: PNW Posts: 7,230	smoking in public is not legal here in austin texas. to an extent, i guess.

12-08-2003, 10:37 PM	#26
katman Confirmed User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tombstone, Az Posts: 230	FTV, are you from California? One one hand I do agree with you. Let's say in places like elevators, really enclosed places where it really does effect other people's possible health, asthma, etc. I am not above saying it is possible that second hand smoke may be a health risk although it has been shown there is no correlation between second hand smoke any cancer, but simple LA air is 20 times the health risk, and that IS a proven fact. However, smokers have the same rights anyone else does. Maybe restraunts should make more of a partition or something, but what you are talking about is not a health risk, considering the air outside in most cities is 20 times worse, but a simple annoyance. I don't like the smell of people with bad breath, smog, certain types of incense, shit, farts or many other things, but I don't try and make legislation against it unless it really poses a threat to my health or welfare. Anything else is just bitching. __________________ I don't have fantasies, I live them.

12-08-2003, 10:40 PM	#30
axelcat Adult Locals Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: West Coast Posts: 25,450	Yes because second hand smoke kills

12-08-2003, 10:46 PM	#37
Tala Fucked if I know Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Do you have a flag? Posts: 23,368	Wow. This didn't turn into a pissing contest or anything. __________________ ICQ: 11120676 \| Google: mindcrime \| Skype: suitemindcrime\|E-Mail: mindcrime AT gmail.com\|PR girl with great writing skills for hire!!!! Contact me to work for YOU!\|TECHIEMEDIA? 24/7 support from some of the best techs in the biz. Tell Jim that I sent you.

12-08-2003, 10:49 PM	#40
gin Confirmed User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 672	smoker: want to hit this newport? non smoker: no, that is nasty i eat apples and drink healthy milk all day long

12-08-2003, 10:58 PM	#48
anidifranco So Fucking Banned Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 711	According to the most recent 2001 statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 7.2% of U.S. adults have current asthma. Massachusetts is the state with the highest rate of self-reported asthma at 9.5%, Maine and Rhode Island are next at 9.4%, and all the New England states have higher than average rates. (See www.cdc.gov ) Asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease and affects more than one child in every fifteen under the age of 18. The cost of asthma in 2000 was estimated to be $20 billion, exceeding the combined total costs of AIDS and tuberculosis. Approximately 18 million Americans suffer from asthma, and 6 million of those people are under the age of 18. Among children ages 5 to 17, asthma is the leading cause of school absences from a chronic illness and is responsible for more hospitalizations than any other childhood disease. Asthma also accounts for about 1.8 million emergency room visits and 10 million doctors' office visits a year. Each day 14 Americans die from asthma. Tobacco smoke triggers asthma symptoms and makes people with asthma more vulnerable to attacks. Tobacco smoke harms 50 million Americans with asthma and allergies. Exposure to tobacco smoke worsens symptoms of asthma in 200,000 to 1 million children.