This board is to be commended for allowing free and open discussion of this issue. I posted the second thread on CC on this matter. Though there was no vulgar language or "flaming" of any other poster, it was deleted. I emailed the moderator and asked why. I told him that I am a moderator on the Mercedes-Benz Club of America board, and am instructed NOT to delete anything that is not vulgar or "flaming." In other words, you are free to post on my board and say "I just bought a new Mercedes and it is a piece of junk!" Not only will you not be deleted, but you will be referred to our ombudsman who will try to help you. The CC moderator hasn't developed the intestinal fortitude to respond to me, and I am not holding my breath. Most of the posts on the referenced thread stated that Regent's new policy was too draconean.
Smoking is a bad addiction. Nobody disagrees with this that I know of. But, after some are addicted, it is not a matter of choice. I have a friend who works in the area of Psychiatric research, who tels me that nicotine (if taken in a way that does not cause lung problems) has actually shown signs of being a useful drug in treating some mild forms of depression and other mild psychiatric disorders. But of course, we don't get such drugs, as "Big Pharma" can't make any money from them as they can't patent a tobacco plant. The benefit MIGHT be that smokers are only "self medicating" themselves for other problems, and could easily stop if alternative medicine were available. But, we won't soon see such medicine with a private pharmaceudical industry.
And that's a shame. Smoking kills some. It only irritates others. But policies like Regent's new one treat only the symptoms, and not the disease. Some of Regent's potential guests became adicted to cigarettes whan there were ads on TV that stated "four out of five doctors recommend Chesterfields." They grew up in a society where 65% of the adults smoked. Now, they are addicted, and virtually banned from many places, including Regent.
The REAL solution (and not a surface one) is the develoment of effective medical treatment that will effectively cause somkers to not want to smoke anymore. All smokers I know would participate. That would be a solution. Things like Regent is doing are just harassment.
Edited by Karen--I found it rather ironic that I had to edit this particular post. ;)
