There is a rise in obesity rates in the developed world, a statistical trend that’s alarming scientists. But this is to be expected, isn’t it? We all know why these people are becoming more obese, don’t we? It corresponds naturally with something else these very same alarmists are pushing: quitting smoking.
Everybody knows that when people quit smoking they gain a significant amount of weight, because smoking curbs one’s appetite. And health bullies have been pushing and shoving people into quitting smoking, even making it illegal in some extremist places (like where I live). And what argument do they use the most to ban smoking? Why it’s the argument that smokers drive up healthcare costs! Oh, but why the panic about the increase in obesity? Oh, they say it’s so alarming because it gives people health problems and it drives up healthcare costs (!).
Do you see a pattern here? I do. The health bullies are forcing people to do one thing (quit smoking) for health purposes, and it’s causing other health problems (obesity). So, basically, their actions are leading to another health crisis. Great job, guys! This is the usual effects of over-eager government intervention: unintended consequences. (And they’re usually worse than if they had done nothing. But at least it costs a lot of money we don’t have!)
Now what I’d like to know is this: does it cost less to treat obesity-related health conditions than it does to treat smoking-related ones? If not, then the health police should stop their social engineering experiments! Because they’re only saving smokers from cancer and emphysema to kill them with diabetes and cholesterol. And at least they enjoyed smoking.
(BTW: I am not pro-smoking, but I’m even less pro-government intervention. The appropriate way to deal with the smoking issue is with public service announcements made by talented advertising creatives to persuade people to stop smoking, and also to persuade people into eating healthier foods. Government bullying always creates a backlash, and people being forced into doing things they don’t want to do always just makes for more miserable people. And what do miserable people do? They overeat. Duh!)
Here’s the smokeless story:
