San Rafael Smoking Ban, Strictest In The Nation, Goes Into Effect

[JDPriestly]

44. It is interesting and tragic.

Someone should do a sociological study on it to learn why it is.

It used to be that middle-class people smoked a lot -- professionals. I don't think it is purely a matter of information and education and therefore understanding of the risks. I think it is also a matter of opportunity and the social cost to middle-class people that smoking entails. Frankly, in California a lot of people, especially educated people, disapprove of smokers. It is possible that to better educated and wealthier people, smoking seems to be a sign of either ignorance or lack of respect for oneself, a sign that the smoker does not really value his life or his social status. That could explain why middle class and wealthy people smoke less than poor people.

Of course, it could also be the influence that advertising has on certain people as well as where ads are placed. Perhaps poor people are targeted because cigarette companies think they are more vulnerable to the ads. i don't know. Someone should study this if they already haven't.