Rush Limbaugh denied smoking risks in 2015: 'Smokers aren't killing anybody'

[spanone]

The conservative radio host has long extolled the glamour and societal benefits of smoking, while downplaying its dangers.

Just five years ago, conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh went on a pro-tobacco rant on his show, during which he downplayed the risks of smoking, said it’s “a myth” that secondhand smoke causes illness or death and argued that smokers aren’t at any greater risk than people who “eat carrots.”

“Smokers aren’t killing anybody,” the conservative host declared in an April 2015 segment of the “Rush Limbaugh Show,” then argued that tobacco users should be thanked because their purchases generate tax dollars that fund children’s health care programs.

“I’m just saying there ought to be a little appreciation shown for them, instead of having them hated and reviled,” Limbaugh said. “I would like a medal for smoking cigars, is what I’m saying.”

Fast forward to Monday, when Limbaugh, 69, went on his radio show to announce that he had been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/02/04/rush-limbaugh-denied-smoking-risks-in-2015-smokers-arent-killing-anybody/

[dalton99a]

1. "I would like a medal for smoking cigars, is what I'm saying."

Trump just gave him one

[jberryhill]

2. Smokers reduce Social Security claims

There's actually a point in here, but not the one Rush intended.

You will often hear about smoking causing increased health costs, but everyone is ultimately going to die of something, and terminal illnesses of all kinds are expensive. For example, Alzheimer's patients are going to last a lot longer than lung cancer patients, and require care over a longer period of time.

These "cost" calculations rarely take into account that by reducing their lifespans as a class, smokers are not collecting Social Security for as long as non-smokers as a class.

On balance, in addition to the tobacco tax revenue, they are reducing Social Security payments.

[Squinch]

3. "The sin they do by two and two they must pay for one by one."

[DesertRat]

4. I wonder how many of his listeners followed his advice over the years

In 2010 Rush advised his listeners to to uninsured. "I’m not gonna get health insurance. I’m not going to inflate my bill"

https://www.healthinsurancecolorado.net/rush-limbuagh-health-insuranc/

[Rider3]

5. Poetic Justice

Couldn't happen to a "nicer" guy.

[Locrian]

6. smoke em if you got em Rush - go for it - n/t

[Wednesdays]

7. Wonder how many listeners took his advice?

[uponit7771]

8. See, I said to myself this guy has fought against cures for cancer and not for them. He's been on ..

... side of wrong so many times throughout his life I can't see this one time him being on the side of right.

and now his words come back to bite him

How many people took his word as bond and kept smoking ?!