Regulating death

[LOVEthroughINTELLECT]

Why do some of the same people who say that one does not have a right to die and that physician assisted suicide for a suffering, terminally ill person is unethical turn around and say that people have the right to kill themselves with cigarettes?

People who are capable of making their own decisions about their medical care need "big brother's" protection from unethical medical personnel, greedy insurance companies and selfish family and friends, but people who are clearly vulnerable don't need "big brother's" protection from tobacco producers and retailers?

It seems to me that certain people have decided that it is their decision who dies, when people die, and how people die.

 

[ottaia]

Good point! Again, I think it comes down to "Don't touch my sin."

 

[Maxwell511]

Why do some of the same people who say that one does not have a right to die and that physician assisted suicide for a suffering, terminally ill person is unethical turn around and say that people have the right to kill themselves with cigarettes?

Not everyone that smokes dies from smoking related illnesses. It's not the same as say putting a shotgun in your mouth and pulling the trigger.

 

[LOVEthroughINTELLECT]

Not everyone that smokes dies from smoking related illnesses. It's not the same as say putting a shotgun in your mouth and pulling the trigger.

But some people are killed by cigarette smoke, right? Yet, some of the same people who say that government has no business intervening in the production and consumption of that killer say that it is morally imperative that government intervene in the production and consumption of the drugs used in physician assisted suicide.

 

[Maxwell511]

But some people are killed by cigarette smoke, right?

Some people are killed crossing the road. Some people are killed from falling down the stairs. Some people are killed swimming. Some people are killed from <fill in some everyday activity>.

The thing is these activities are not done with the intention of death or with the prior knowledge that they will result in a 100% chance of death.

 

[LOVEthroughINTELLECT]

The thing is these activities are not done with the intention of death or with the prior knowledge that they will result in a 100% chance of death.

I could be wrong, but it seems to me that several people I have known conceded that smoking was killing them and had the attitude of "You have to die of something".

That does not sound to me like an activity that is "not done with the intention of death or with the prior knowledge that it will result in a 100% chance of death".

 

[Maxwell511]

I could be wrong, but it seems to me that several people I have known conceded that smoking was killing them and had the attitude of "You have to die of something".

That does not sound to me like an activity that is "not done with the intention of death or with the prior knowledge that it will result in a 100% chance of death".

Trust me most smokers do not want to die nor do they actually think smoking will kill them.

Btw I'm only agruing with you cos I think the analogy is bad not because of my beliefs euthanasia.

 

[Soul Searcher]

To the OP... good point.

The thing that strikes me as odd is the self proclaimed "right to life" people are usually the ones who want to deny the "right to death" death is part of life if one truly has the right to life should they not also have the right to say well it was fun but I've had enough?

 

[Soul Searcher]

That does not sound to me like an activity that is "not done with the intention of death or with the prior knowledge that it will result in a 100% chance of death".

There is only one thing that has a 100% chance of death.... Life.

 

[knightlight72]

I don't think smoking and assisted suicide are comparable.

Maybe if you signed up for assisted suicide, and wouldn't know exactly when the doctor would come by and help you commit suicide, just that it will happen in the next 20 or 30 or more years from now.

Really, two different acts.

 

[Autumnleaf]

I fail to see how people smoking cigs is related to people demanding medical doctors, who swore not to harm people, kill them.

 

[The_Horses_Boy]

Not everyone that smokes dies from smoking related illnesses. It's not the same as say putting a shotgun in your mouth and pulling the trigger.

Brilliant observation, Dr. Watson!

 

[kopilo]

Does it come down to how much money can be made... You can't easily gain money from a dead person, they might have family, but you can gain money through consumables, which may or may not kill people.

 

[Maxwell511]

Brilliant observation, Dr. Watson!

I do my best.