Ideal Bite

I admit to at first resenting the idea that you were selling organic cigarettes with your bite for today. I can get past that and agree that all people have their faults and choosing to smoke can be one of them. Then I got to thinking more about it. I considered the idea that perhaps organic wines are better for you. They will still get you drunk, but they don't have the sulfites that are found in non-organic wines. Thinking more on it, smoking marijuana has not been linked to cancer. Recent studies have found it to be non-carcinogenic even when smoked regularly. If you want that buzz that poisoning yourself gets you, try something that will not kill you as directly as liquor. Any drug that any person does is a form of poisoning themselves. It messes with the brain in such a way that could be deadly. Some are less deadly than others, but are still entirely illegal to persue. I encourage all of your readers to read NORML's newsletter to find out the other side of the research being done worldwide. Look at the real statistics. Smoke pot, not tobacco. Eat mushrooms, not LSD tabs. Find out what you're doing to your body before pushing your boundaries.

yuck. I am really disturbed that you are pushing cigarettes, organic or not. I don't care if this bite is just for people already smoking. My grandmother died of lung cancer. Back when she was young the tobacco companies advertised that smoking was a healthy thing to do. Educating consumers and reducing smokers has been the smartest thing we've ever done. If you are a smoker, forget organic cigarettes, just QUIT.

I met another one of the old Marlboro Men that lives outside of Sante Fe New Mexico. He was recovering from a triple bypass heart surgery...no lie. I was also surprised to find out that this American male icon was gay. Life is full of irony. I do think it is important when you post a tip like this to inform your readers if you receive any money whatsoever from tabacco companies you discuss.

Smoking is nothing to take lightly. It is a proven health hazzard and causes cancer. I can't understand why anyone would choose to smoke. It is not sexy, beautiful or alluring. It is filthy and has no place in modern society. Sure, when we were a more ignorant people, it may have had it's place, but now that we know what it does, let's stop this pathetic nonsense and put our money into better causes.

Today's tips were really sad. And your defense is just pathetic. I've cancelled my Daily Tip.

Maria - Yes, educating people about the dangers of cigarettes is hugely important. It's heartening to see places like my homestate of CA enact laws and education programs that have seen smoking rates decrease a significant amount. Ecoyogi - Rest assured, we do NOT accept money from tobacco companies.

Ok. I already emailed my mini-rant. But I need to add more. Namely, comparing smoking to eating red meat, driving a car, using a cell phone, etc. does'nt fly. None of those, or any other personal vices, affect the health and welfare of others on the same scale that smoking does. I mean yes, you can kill people with your car, but usually you don't. Smoking affects everyone within breathing range of the smoker. And yes, years ago I smoked and did (and sometimes still do) things that might be deletirious to my health. But I try to keep from harming others. Healthy cigarette = oxymoron. And , I still miss smoking after 20 years.

And don't forget to carpool if you just have to drive a Hummer!

I had no problem with the recommendation that people use better cigarettes. I know so many smokers who refuse to even try to quit, so if they could take these steps, it is good. I DID not like the comment: "We know, we KNOW: of course we shouldn’t smoke and drink and curse and eat meat… Fact is, some of us are just going to" drinking can be done responsibly with no harm to anyone - except for some liver damage I suppose. eating meat? Well there is nothing wrong with that. And before someone leaps in with environmental comments - there are organic farms now. as for cursing, well yes, it should go away too ~Eva

I love Ideal Bite and I'm apologize for appearing harsh but I'm totally confused - I thought Ideal Bite was about saving the environment not making it more polluted. What about the affects of second hand smoke regardless of supposedly so called "organic" smokes? Providing so called organic solution to smoking is a laugh and it's deceptive. I'm tired of the selfish perspective of the smoker what about the ones who don't or can't say anything - about how second hand smoke how it affects their lives: Such as babies, children and pets. Smoking shouldn't be a right at all because of the damage it does to those that don't elect to do it and the damage it does to the environment. What about the life of the pet that lives for years with a smoker? I know one poor canine that is suffering from cancer from her 3 pack a day smoking owner. Btw: According to Canadian Medical Association Journal all-natural cigarettes "have higher levels of nicotine and tar than conventional smokes..." By Kezwer, Gil. CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal, 01/13/98, Vol. 158 Issue 1, p13, 1/2p, 1c. "Tobacco addiction is a global epidemic that is increasingly ravaging countries and regions that can least afford its toll of disability, disease, lost productivity and death... Nowadays, tobacco companies continue reassuring health concerned smokers by offering with their new products the illusion of safety. They continue to take their old and new customers to more insidious levels of deception by promoting and selling new products disguised under healthier names, fruity flavours or more attractive-looking packaging." - direct quote from WHO/CDC, May 31, 2006, 09:22, source: foodconsumer.org. Positioning Ideal-Bite as the providers of Green-thought-leadership is a social responsibility that is important to your readers. Not about creating more buzz about by being sensitive towards people who have serious addiction to tobacco, and recommending they replace their addiction with something that is no better.