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Not all lungs are created equal
Oct. 22nd, 2020 01:07 pmThe Lung Health Foundation has adopted some creative advertising tricks over the years. People who still use or remember snail mail are probably familiar with Christmas Seals. Many of their slogans are quite memorable too, like "Lungs are for life" and "If you can't breathe, nothing else matters." In the early days, tuberculosis was high on their list of concerns. And now with COVID-19, the approach of flu season and the threat of a "twindemic", their work is more important than ever.
But at the moment, they have two campaigns on the go that seem to me to be working at cross-purposes.
Before the Coronavirus, lung cancer was one of the more serious pre-occupations of the Foundation. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, most workplaces went smoke-free, leaving desperate nicotine addicts to huddle in doorways during their coffee breaks and lunch hours. Every January we had "weedless Wednesdays" and people were urged to enrol in smoking cessation programs. Then restaurants and other public places, both indoors and out, increasingly went smoke-free.
In general, I think this was a good thing. But now, I'm thinking maybe we've gone a bit too far. It seems we're not even allowed to TALK about tobacco dependency any more! If someone is diagnosed with lung cancer, we're not supposed to ask "Did you smoke?"
https://thewrongquestion.ca
I'm well aware that second-hand smoke and other environmental pollutants are a problem. And yes, it does sound like a good idea to change the conversation about lung disease "from blame and shame to care and compassion". But now let's look at their new campaign, directed at young people.
Since pandemic restrictions came into effect, they tell us, Canadians are overindulging in online behaviours "like, say, HOURS of video streaming". Tsk, tsk. They go on to say "Even more alarmingly, many who use cannabis have upped their consumption since the pandemic began." As they say at labour demonstrations, "SHAME!!" I mean, if that's not "blame and shame" I don't know what is!
Their idea of a constructive solution? A hero! A classic graphic novel role model! Meet.... The Toker!!
https://thetokeronline.ca
Sounds like reefer madness to me!
And just a couple of postscripts here: (1) If memory serves me correctly, the Joker of Batman comic fame was a villain, not a hero; and (2) My doctor did ask me that taboo question back in 2018, when I caught a bad lung infection; no, I'm not a smoker - or a toker. Nor was I offended by the question.
But at the moment, they have two campaigns on the go that seem to me to be working at cross-purposes.
Before the Coronavirus, lung cancer was one of the more serious pre-occupations of the Foundation. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, most workplaces went smoke-free, leaving desperate nicotine addicts to huddle in doorways during their coffee breaks and lunch hours. Every January we had "weedless Wednesdays" and people were urged to enrol in smoking cessation programs. Then restaurants and other public places, both indoors and out, increasingly went smoke-free.
In general, I think this was a good thing. But now, I'm thinking maybe we've gone a bit too far. It seems we're not even allowed to TALK about tobacco dependency any more! If someone is diagnosed with lung cancer, we're not supposed to ask "Did you smoke?"
https://thewrongquestion.ca
I'm well aware that second-hand smoke and other environmental pollutants are a problem. And yes, it does sound like a good idea to change the conversation about lung disease "from blame and shame to care and compassion". But now let's look at their new campaign, directed at young people.
Since pandemic restrictions came into effect, they tell us, Canadians are overindulging in online behaviours "like, say, HOURS of video streaming". Tsk, tsk. They go on to say "Even more alarmingly, many who use cannabis have upped their consumption since the pandemic began." As they say at labour demonstrations, "SHAME!!" I mean, if that's not "blame and shame" I don't know what is!
Their idea of a constructive solution? A hero! A classic graphic novel role model! Meet.... The Toker!!
https://thetokeronline.ca
Sounds like reefer madness to me!
And just a couple of postscripts here: (1) If memory serves me correctly, the Joker of Batman comic fame was a villain, not a hero; and (2) My doctor did ask me that taboo question back in 2018, when I caught a bad lung infection; no, I'm not a smoker - or a toker. Nor was I offended by the question.
