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Smoking hurts on Saudi airline
For a smoker, nothing is more miserable than staring down a long flight without being able to light up. As if air travel isn't enough of a chore, various regulations and health nuts have taken away our preferred coping mechanism. A Sudanese man fought back ... and paid dearly. According to the Daily Mail, the passenger lit a cigarette on a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight from Qurayyat to Jeddah. The cabin crew repeatedly asked that he put out the coffin nail, and he refused. So, when the plane touched down, he was arrested.
Saying sorry wasn't enough.
Though he apologized in court and presented evidence that he was in a smoking cessation program, the perp was sentenced to 30 lashes. Hey, the judge wanted to prove a point. And, it could have been worse. Last April, another in-flight smoker was sentenced to 50.
Not only does smoking kill ... it hurts like hell.
Though many human rights organizations condemn this form of punishment, it is quite common for a number of offenses, from adultery to being alone with a non-relative of the opposite sex. Some crimes can lead to thousands of lashes, but they are meted out in batches of 50 over a period of months.
What gets you 1,000 lashes? I don't know, but I suspect a post-coital cig after joining the mile-high club would put you in the running.
[Via Daily Mail]
What strange things have been found on planes?
Filed under: Activism, Africa, Saudi Arabia, Airlines, News
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 15)
Jerry Feb 5th 2009 7:31AM
I think there should be an airline for smokers, we have rights too. The main reason I won't take an out of the country trip is because of the time, and not being able to lite up. Maybe micro-waves, and cell phones, etc,,,, are worse than cigarettes.
Lorne Feb 5th 2009 11:45AM
You can not smoke in a plane cause it is a fire saftey issue you dum ars,man all you smokers are so ignorant . Think about the cost to put out all the fires you cause and the people you kill in those fires .Not to mention small kids and helpless infants . The Okanagan park fire in British Columbia Canada was caused by a disgarded cig from a freaken fireman. 250 homes GONE!! hundreds of millions of dollars GONE. The taxes you jokers pay add up to a pittance of what the medical and collateral damage you cost society in one form or another. Think about it and add it all up on a super computer,cause thats how big the dollar amount would be. What about the Billions of smokes going up every day after every day and the leachade from all the dirty filters its poluting our planet . To a smoker this planet is one big ashtray period. What really pisses me off is your in a parking lot and some inconsiderate smoker(is there such a thing as a considerate one) dumps all his butts from his car ashtray on the ground . Disgusting!!!!! Cheers all
Jerry Feb 9th 2009 6:47AM
I hardly ever send comments because of the response fron many over stereotyped people with a mouth as big as their arse, like the response I got on here. Pointing out the "fact" of monitary thoughts, disgusting trash, and pollution sights. How about the millions of other junk you see around every where from the people who just don't care about any thing, or the fools that listen to the FDA and actually think they are doing some good. The drunks that go out every night and kills the many all around the world, and don't forget the #1 killer called abortion that kills before we they have any kind of chance. All I can say is remove that fat arse and look around and see the whole world not just your little vise.
Lorne Feb 17th 2009 11:56AM
Jerry my man your missing the frikking point here .I agree all that other stuff is selfish and dangerous but this is a vice that is with you for life and there is more than a 50-50 chanch it will kill you. It is also something you have to do cause you are as hooked as a heroin or meth addict.You dont need to drink and drive but you need to smoke.You dont need to litter and speed through red lights or run stopsigns or change your cars oil and let it drain into a ditch which joins to a salmon stream but you need to smoke. See what I'm getting at.All that other stuff you can control unless you have a running red light and stopsign coupled with a need to drink 15 beers and drive disorder. If you have this there is probably a pill that can help you.LOL cheers
Susan Feb 5th 2009 6:53AM
Now 30 lashes for lighting up a cigarette I think that's way too excessive and unfair. Tobacco has been a part of civilazation for hundreds of years. NOW all of a sudden because the government deems tobacco to be harmful to smokers and non-smokers they want to PUNISH smokers. That is totally unfair. I am a smoker and I pay taxes just like non-smokers do. I have rights too.. Non-smokers need to realize they Do Not own GODS air. If my smoking bothers a non-smoker that much they need to have non smokers purchase oxygen/air purifying masks. This wey they wont have to expose themselves to smokers cigarettes. I say let's start putting some of the pressure on non-smokers. Smokers shoiuld have a right to smoke in bars, restaurants etc. Why is the government removing smoking sections in public places of business? I think smokers are getting a bad rap..
Rob Man Feb 5th 2009 9:46AM
Give me a break!
I've worked in the medical industry for 17 years and I have only seen one non-smoker die from lung cancer, COPD, emphysema, etc.
Drowning is a miserable way to day yet when you die of respiratory failure it's exactly the same way.
The cost of treating patients with the above illnesses is unbelievable and, curiously, most of them are poverty-level with no insurance so we are ALL paying for their vice.
When we decimated the indigents of North America the Native Americans must've winked at each other and said "Not a problem, the tobacco we introduced to them will even the score eventually!"
Dave Feb 21st 2009 9:53AM
Are you serious? Pay for a mask, rights, bad rap?! You are more naive then my 12 year old sister. Your comments actually made me laugh. Lets see: the world is flat, the easter bunny killed santa claus and I saw Elvis and Tupac surfing together. Wake up and go run 5 miles if that dosent work eat a four leaf clover that will give you good luck for 10 years! Lol I cant stop laughing.
dick Feb 5th 2009 11:07AM
I dont smoke but i agree with you 100%
Louis Feb 5th 2009 6:57AM
Donna--dont want to pay the taxes--give up the butts. It is really a simple solution to a nasty expensive habit. It took me ten years to quit, so the smoke nazi / health nut comeback doesnt work with me. It is your problem, not societies, deal with it, the public has spoken. Good Luck, but no symphathy.
Kacz Feb 5th 2009 6:57AM
As a former smoker I really could care less about this smoker's "war". If people want to kill themselves, so be it, one less fool to contend with. Smoking kills or in the least, harms the body to a point that can lead to death. I know this from personal experience and will debate any smoker about the "benefits" of smoking. It's a dirty, disgusting and expensive habit that has millions of mindless people hooked. I was fortunate, I went 'cold turkey' and was able to get off the habit (2 packs a day). It takes a strong conscience and a stronger will to do it. It's in everyone...you just have to stop the excuses and do it.
hc Feb 5th 2009 10:49AM
Only a MORON would call something more addictive than Heroine a "HABIT". I am also an ex-smoker and still believe in "smokers" rights and that businesses should make the choice of smoking sections. If you don't want to patronize them don't. Lets keep government out of our lives. If smoking is so bad then why isn't it outlawed? Simple, revenues.
David Feb 5th 2009 7:10AM
Gotta love the obsessivness of the Saudi way of life. In my opinion, foolish,but then again, I am an American, what do I know.
Sheryl Feb 5th 2009 7:13AM
We are quickly becoming a country with no rights left.
We all die from something and being a health nut doesn't help. You people are so rude to smokers and I don't understand it. After all smokers are paying your health bills with all the taxes they pay. So keep jogging and doing cardio exercises because your still gonna die some day.
lee Feb 5th 2009 7:20AM
This country would be in big troble if every smoker quit. States have become very dependent on the high taxes they pay! Just what do you think will be taxed next if that happens? Food, alcohol, leisure activities? The states will have to make it up somehow...
Barry Feb 5th 2009 11:44AM
Get a clue ...this country is already in trouble!
Dave Feb 5th 2009 7:22AM
Poor smokers, you can't stink up the air in public places. I don't effect you in any way by not smoking, but your smoke effects me in many ways, from stinking up my clothes to messing up my lungs. Do you have a right to smoke...of coarse you do, just not around me.
Will Feb 5th 2009 9:27AM
I dont like your deodorant ...it make my sinuses stuff up, and makes my skin itch ..... please stay a safe distance from everyone ... you are a health menace wearing deodorant and cologne. Which by the way is a choice for you and smoking is not a CHOICE for those sufferign nicoteine addiction.
Timbo Feb 5th 2009 7:26AM
Good health is the slowest way to die......
Bo Feb 5th 2009 9:31AM
Good point Tim. Plus living a long time is much over rated. I have an Aunt who never took a drink or smoked a cig in her life. She is 85 and has no idea who she is or who what year it is. She has to be guarded 24/7 because she loves to walk and is health enough to walk 5 miles if you don't watch her. I have an Uncle who is 82 and he is on dialysis and can barely get around. He is very tired of living but he is otherwoise health and will be with us a few more years I'm sure. In stead of dying old and leaving a healthy corpse. I think I will continue my life style and If I make 70 I will be lucky. I do agree that others should not be burdened with our cig smoke however. But we shouldn't have to listen to the crap about how wonderful old age is either.
Timbo Feb 5th 2009 6:46PM
Bo...I agree. Grandma and gramps..down on the farm used to smoke and eat everyday sausage and bacon and eggs (and gravy) and lived very long lives.