I actually get where this guy is coming from

[CAJUNLAWYER]

This will probably rile a lot of members here, but think deeply about it rather than knee jerk judge.
Cigarette Santa plans to give smokes to the homeless | Louisiana Festivals | nola.com

 

[Just another 22 shooter]

60 years ago a cartoon of cigarettes was an easy Christmas gift for a family member/friend that smoked. Times change, huh?

 

[Protocall_Design]

60 years ago a cartoon of cigarettes was an easy Christmas gift for a family member/friend that smoked. Times change, huh?

Sixty years ago a "cartoon" of cigarettes was a whole lot cheaper, too.

 

[Jinglebob]

If Cigarette Santa lived in California he would be handing out reefers.

 

[Rustyt1953]

If Cigarette Santa lived in California he would be handing out reefers.

Not at $120 per pack. Squares are cheaper.

 

[johngalt]

My Dad once told me this story about his doctor:

Doc said, "yes, I know smoking is bad for your health. So are lots of other things. If smoking gives you pleasure and a break from life's toil, who am I to say that's bad for you?"

 

[venomballistics]

My Dad once told me this story about his doctor:

Doc said, "yes, I know smoking is bad for your health. So are lots of other things. If smoking gives you pleasure and a break from life's toil, who am I to say that's bad for you?"

Mine told me it took years off my life, to which I replied "It don't take em out of the middle"

 

[GaryS]

I don't know how old you are, but I'm old enough to remember when hospital waiting rooms had cigarette machines in them. I've seen magazine ads from 1940s magazines with doctors endorsing various brands.

My Dad once told me this story about his doctor:

Doc said, "yes, I know smoking is bad for your health. So are lots of other things. If smoking gives you pleasure and a break from life's toil, who am I to say that's bad for you?"

 

[Grayfox]

I remember when cigarettes came in festive holiday gift cartons just for giving as Christmas presents.
I also remember when a bottle of booze was considered a nice present.
Times have certainly changed.

 

[Alpo]

I got about five words into that story, when the pop-up came up and said that it was for subscribers only but for the low low price of $4 I could read the story.


I declined.

 

[GaryS]

No pop up for me. There are plenty of ad blockers out there. Just don't use one on this forum.

I got about five words into that story, when the pop-up came up and said that it was for subscribers only but for the low low price of $4 I could read the story.


I declined.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I, too, hit the pay wall but there is a 15 second delay before it kicks in. Being a former student of Evelyn Woodhead I breezed right through the story.

 

[johngalt]

I don't know how old you are, but I'm old enough to remember when hospital waiting rooms had cigarette machines in them. I've seen magazine ads from 1940s magazines with doctors endorsing various brands.

I don't remember the vending machines or ads but have heard about it.
The doc wasn't endorsing smoking, but recognized that there is more to quality of life than simply existing.

 

[Rustyt1953]

When I was in the service guys would come up to me and ask: "Can I cop a square? I left mine in the machine."

 

[SMSgt]

My wife just buried her brother. He died in prison doing 20 years for trying to kill his brother and mother. He tried to kill them because he was crazy. He was crazy because he chain-smoked until his teeth fell out and his brain cells died. Yes, give the homeless cigarettes. It will cut down on the homeless.

 

[31FordA]

In the 1920's my grandfathers doctor told him to start smoking as a way to treat his asthma. My grandfather commenced smoking Chesterfields for the next thirty years, stopping cold turkey when he started coughing up blood. He lived another thirty years after that. His asthma did go away, so I guess the doc knew something.

I can't think of Christmas without thinking of Marlboro. Both my uncles smoked them, and everyone gave them carton's of Marlboros for Christmas. My one uncle had a Marlboro in his hand at his wake. His kids put it in his hand after people kept saying they'd never seen him without a cigarette.

The number one request from prisoners I transport is to have a cigarette. If they're not a problem I try to get them a cigarette before they go to the prison. Some guys, if given the choice of a pardon or a cigarette, would take the cigarette every time.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I have a close friend in Florida that rolls his own cigarettes. He has a hand cranked machine. Sometimes when I am talking to him I can hear what sounds like a high speed mimeograph churning away in the background.

Smoking brings him great satisfaction.

Ruthie is a 1/4 pack a dayer. She is under a lot of stress and smoking helps relieve that.

I get where they are coming from.

 

[austintexas]

cigarettes

When I was stationed in Germany, the day rooms had cigarette machines and Soda and Beer dispensing machines in the day rooms.
SWCA 892

 

[sigp220.45]

The number one request from prisoners I transport is to have a cigarette. If they're not a problem I try to get them a cigarette before they go to the prison. Some guys, if given the choice of a pardon or a cigarette, would take the cigarette every time.

I used to do the same thing when I'd transport guys from the rez to federal court, which was usually quite a drive. We had to transport alone, which was a policy violation, so I didn't feel bad breaking the no-smoking in the G-ride rule. I'd keep a pack or two I'd taken off somebody else in the console and ask - can you handle a smoke like that? - meaning the belly chain and cuffs. No one ever said no. It kept them calm.

I lit one up for an Apache kid who was taking the ride for stabbing his cousin. I asked him if he got to ABQ often. He smiled and said - man, I've been to Paris. Turns out there are still Wild West Shows touring in Europe and he spent a couple of years attacking wagon trains.

 

[Oldbird13]

I, too, hit the pay wall but there is a 15 second delay before it kicks in. Being a former student of Evelyn Woodhead I breezed right through the story.

Reminds me of a hot summer in high school being forced to sit in front of a "pacer" and try to keep up with the moving light that sped down the pages. I hated those times! Her name was Evelyn Wood. Wish I could say..thanks for the memories.
"

 

[Kevin J.]

When I was stationed in Germany, the day rooms had cigarette machines and Soda and Beer dispensing machines in the day rooms.
SWCA 892

Same at Lackland and Osan in my day. And at Osan there were "dancers" at the NCO club.

 

[Kevin J.]

The got the kid more than a last cigarette.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Smoke 'em if ya got 'em.

 

[pantannojack]

the intellectual flatulation required to even be a "smoker" can be a major cause of homelessness.

I quit 6mar1988. My freedom day. I will NEVER go back.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

While I was in Vietnam the price of cigarettes at the PX went from $1.70 to $1.90 per carton (10 packs), tax-free prices. I thought there would be a mutiny!

C-rations came with a 4-pack of cigarettes in every meal. Winstons, Marlboros, Kools, Chesterfields, Pall Malls, Camels, something for everyone's tastes.

Beer was $2.40 per case at the Class 6 stores, if you could get to a rear area base camp. Ration card limit of 4 cases per month (or 4 quarts of liquor at about $1.90 each, tax-free). The really big problem was getting COLD BEER, with no refrigeration, no ice. Best solution I found was a nearby Marine air base with repair facilities, usually a F-4 or two coming out of maintenance and needing a flight test, so we hauled a few cases over, strapped them into the navigator seat, pilot took the plane up for a half-hour or so at 30,000 feet or more, and we split the cold beer with the Marines. I heard that operating costs for a F-4 fighter-bomber were about $3000 per hour, so I want to express my gratitude to all you taxpayers for my chilled 10-cent beers.

 

[pantannojack]

My Dad once told me this story about his doctor:

Doc said, "yes, I know smoking is bad for your health. So are lots of other things. If smoking gives you pleasure and a break from life's toil, who am I to say that's bad for you?"

If "life's toll" requires one to smoke. I say reject "life's toll".

 

[Beemerguy53]

the intellectual flatulation required to even be a "smoker" can be a major cause of homelessness.

I quit 6mar1988. My freedom day. I will NEVER go back.

I started smoking at 15, quit cold-turkey at 30, and had my first cancer operation on my 38th birthday.

My father and my uncle (his brother-in-law) both died from smoking-related illnesses.

To say I have definite opinions about smoking would be a gross understatement...

 

[austintexas]

rations

Yes, I remember the cheap cigarettes and beer in Vietnam. I didn't smoke or drink hard liquor so I traded off my rations to someone else for their beer ration. When I got to Phu-Cat in '68 the NCO club was not air conditioned, just screens to let the air flow thru. I was in the Civil Engineering squadron. We A/Ced all the shops, most slept down there. We built an auditorium sized air conditioned NCO Club, we imported singers and dancers from all over. No American entertainers,(did get to see Ann Margret and Bob Hope). It was weird hearing Japanese and Thailand singers singing country and western. I remember we ordered an aftermarket air conditioner for the wing commanders car, a 1966 Chevy. Lots of funny stuff happened while I was there. 2 palets of plywood would get you a jeep from the Army, Case of C rations could be traded to the ROCs for any kind of weapon you wanted.
SWCA 892

 

[chief38]

We all know smoking cigarettes can shorten your life. That said, so will being homeless! If one is a long term cigarette smoker with no plans of quitting - then handing him/her smokes might prevent something bad in the future, as a true smoker will do many things to score a pack of "coffin nails".

 

[eveled]

My cousin is a NICU nurse. She found an article from the 60's in a popular magazine advising women to smoke while pregnant, to keep the baby small so the delivery would go easier.