Ramblings
Don't they get it?
Published on February 8, 2005 By eventide82 In Misc
On my way to work this morning I drove past a heavily pregnant woman who was puffing away on a cigarette. At first I thought "maybe she's just really fat in the stomach area", but on closer inspection I decided that she really was pregnant. I don't get it, what excuse do they have to justify smoking when they're expecting a baby?

Maybe it was just a moment of weakness and it was the only cigarette she's had during her pregnancy, but how do I know that? And with all the facts they now have on the effects of smoking and that whole slogan "Every cigarette is doing you damage", how can women still suck on those cancer sticks while they're pregnant? I hate to judge someone I just drove past on the street, but come on! Smoking? While pregnant? Just because you're killing yourself slowly doesn't mean your unborn child should have to suffer as well.

Comments
on Feb 09, 2005
"I hate to judge someone I just drove past on the street"

You seem to like judging people to me, that is the problem with this country (US). Everyone knows what's
best for the other person, and insist it be law. I for one do not want anyone's protection and will accept the
risk of my actions.

But along the same lines, post whatever you like...
on Feb 09, 2005
I think that when you smoke while obviously pregnant you leave yourself open to judgement. I never said smoking while pregnant should be against the law. However, like I said, with all the information and research on the effects of smoking, we really do know what's best for people who people who smoke, particularly those who are pregnant and it's really simple: don't smoke. It causes irreparable damage to foetuses and babies in utero. Why should your child suffer because you don't have any will power?
on Feb 09, 2005
Maybe she just doesn't care.
on Feb 09, 2005
What's the big deal, it's just an "inviable tissue mass" and no amount of cigarette smoke could possibly harm one of those... right? ;~D
on Feb 09, 2005
I can't say a word being an ex-smoker and confirmed nicotine addict. I just know it's something I can't do. But I just gotta say, dammit, it's a pity for the baby.
on Feb 09, 2005
we really do know what's best for people who people who smoke, particularly those who are pregnant and it's really simple: don't smoke


We really do know that speeding in a car kills, do you speed?. Should we install a GPS in your car to ensure you do not endanger me? We know that having unprotected sex kills, should we test your spouse or "other" before you do the deed? After all we do know what is best for YOU!
on Feb 09, 2005
something tells me Carpe Diem's a smoker...
on Feb 09, 2005
That Federal Mind Your Own Business law is sounding better and better.
on Feb 09, 2005

That Federal Mind Your Own Business law is sounding better and better.


Hell yes! where do I cast my vote for it?
on Feb 09, 2005
something tells me Carpe Diem's a smoker...


yes but what I will never tell
Really just tired of people telling me when to wear my seat belt, when to wear a helmet, when to pee.... bah bah bah. They tell me its for my own good. But notice its only an issue when it affects their bottom line. (Seat belts was to help the insurance companies...)

We have become a country that truly lives by the golden rule. (The ones that have the gold, make the rules)
on Feb 09, 2005
I don't think a woman smoking while pregnant affects my bottom line....It's more the poor baby who may or may not be born with a mass of health problems due to its mother's habit.

Someone tells you when to pee? That's a shame......
on Feb 09, 2005
I don't think a woman smoking while pregnant affects my bottom line....It's more the poor baby who may or may not be born with a mass of health problems due to its mother's habit.Someone tells you when to pee? That's a shame......


If you worked for a health insurance company it would (who do you think pushes the anti-smoking)... You also have another point it may or may not, so who am I to say what is good / not good for this person... we all take risk, and we all put others at risk, its a fact of being alive, I'm just not hypocritical enough to tell others how to live. (After all my car pollution put us all at risk, and I drive alot)

And yes we have drug testing where I work, and it is a shame.
on Feb 10, 2005
Hey, I never told her how to live, just excercising my right to be judgemental and express an opinion....

I agree that every behaviour and action we particpate in exposes us and others to dangerous situations, but often they are unwillingly done. I don't intend to get in my car and kill someone in an accident, but it could happen. I don't intend for my car to pollute the environment but it does (as does every other form of transportation).

The difference between myself and that woman is that she is participating in a behaviour that she and everyone else knows will damage an innnocent human being. That's the point I'm trying to make. She's knowingly hurting her baby and I can't believe she's doing it.
on Mar 10, 2005
Carpe_Diem, the reality is if you smoke when pregnant, you risk the life of an unborn baby, get off your high horse, jerk
on Mar 10, 2005
Isn't it awful that our greatest frustrations come from being forced to acknowledge the affect others have on our lives. ;~d