Should Incense be banned?

[SalixIncendium]

The title says it all, really. Or does it?

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"Incense burning emits smoke containing particulate matter, gas products and other organic compounds and causes air pollution, airway disease and health problems. When incense smoke pollutants are inhaled, they cause airway dysfunction."​

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Incense smoke: clinical, structural and molecular effects on airway disease

In Asian countries where the Buddhism and Taoism are mainstream religions, incense burning is a daily practice. A typical composition of stick incense consists of 21% (by weight) of herbal and wood powder, 35% of fragrance material, 11% of adhesive powder, ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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That and some people don't like the aroma. Based on these, should incense be banned?

Why or why not?

 

[Secret Chief]

I thought this was a parody thread but.....

All things in moderation. I've used incense at home for decades, seemingly without harm.

I don't think there should be so much that it's overpowering but I don't think a blanket ban is needed. (why ban blankets?)

 

[PureX]

The title says it all, really. Or does it?

​

"Incense burning emits smoke containing particulate matter, gas products and other organic compounds and causes air pollution, airway disease and health problems. When incense smoke pollutants are inhaled, they cause airway dysfunction."​

​

Incense smoke: clinical, structural and molecular effects on airway disease

In Asian countries where the Buddhism and Taoism are mainstream religions, incense burning is a daily practice. A typical composition of stick incense consists of 21% (by weight) of herbal and wood powder, 35% of fragrance material, 11% of adhesive powder, ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

​

That and some people don't like the aroma. Based on these, should incense be banned?

Why or why not?

Depends on the situation, of course. People should not be subjected to that sort of air pollution involuntarily. Especially when some people will have serious negative health effects as a result of it.

 

[SalixIncendium]

I thought this was a parody thread but.....

It could have been. But I failed.

Incense smoke is a pollutant, and incense, in my experience, is primarily used by those I would consider to be environmentally friendly. But that's not really the point of the thread.

Incense pollution doesn't affect most...especially those who don't use it, or more importantly for the purpose of this thread, don't like it.

But like the thread that inspired the potential of parody, it's a "problem" that doesn't affect most of the people who would be against it. So this thread is more about people whining about things in life that don't really affect them just because they don't like them.

 

[Secret Chief]

It could have been. But I failed.

Incense smoke is a pollutant, and incense, in my experience, is primarily used by those I would consider to be environmentally friendly. But that's not really the point of the thread.

Incense pollution doesn't affect most...especially those who don't use it, or more importantly for the purpose of this thread, don't like it.

But like the thread that inspired the potential of parody, it's a "problem" that doesn't affect most of the people who would be against it. So this thread is more about people whining about things in life that don't really affect them just because they don't like them.

You mean I bothered to give this some thought for nothing? I'm outraged.

 

[SalixIncendium]

(why ban blankets?)

I'm sure some people who don't like them will have that covered.

 

[SalixIncendium]

You mean I bothered to give this some thought for nothing? I'm outraged.

Maybe we can start a thread asking if creating threads that make people think for nothing should be banned.

 

[Secret Chief]

Depends on the situation, of course. People should not be subjected to that sort of air pollution involuntarily. Especially when some people will have serious negative health effects as a result of it.

Quite right too. There's never any burnt when friends with any breathing issues come round and no-one's died yet.

 

[Secret Chief]

Maybe we can start a thread asking if creating threads that make people think for nothing should be banned.

I'm on it.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Quite right too. There's never any burnt when friends with any breathing issues come round and no-one's died yet.

But there's always that potential. Does that warrant a blanket ban (of incense, not blankets)?

 

[syo]

I know the dangers of it. So, I burn it only in my room with doors shut. I only damage myself.

 

[Secret Chief]

But there's always that potential. Does that warrant a blanket ban (of incense, not blankets)?

No.

 

[SalixIncendium]

I know the dangers of it. So, I burn it only in my room with doors shut. I only damage myself.

If something has the potential of damaging a person, even it's only the person using it, why shouldn't it be banned?

 

[syo]

If something has the potential of damaging a person, even it's only the person using it, why shouldn't it be banned?

I like poison. And I like poisoning myself.

 

[Secret Chief]

If something has the potential of damaging a person, even it's only the person using it, why shouldn't it be banned?

Life is full of risks. It's a matter of individually and collectively weighing up those risks and hopefully acting accordingly based upon the risk level and the magnitude of the potential negative cost (eg burning an incense stick in your own home or displaying a small flag with the wrong colours on it in America).

 

[Revoltingest]

It would be absurd micro-management of our lives to ban it.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

It would be absurd micro-management of our lives to ban it.

I would agree with you. But only if you incense'ted.

 

[Alien826]

If something has the potential of damaging a person, even it's only the person using it, why shouldn't it be banned?

Because freedom. Following your logic, we could go on to ban smoking, drinking alcohol, overeating, participating in dangerous sports and so on and on.

As a general rule, I'd say that we have the right to hurt (or risk hurting) ourselves, because, well, if we don't own our own bodies, what do we own?

 

[SalixIncendium]

Following your logic...

Why do you assume it's my logic? Where did I say or even imply this?

As a general rule, I'd say that we have the right to hurt (or risk hurting) ourselves, because, well, if we don't own our own bodies, what do we own?

I don't own my body. I'm just borrowing it while I'm here.

 

[Revoltingest]

I would agree with you. But only if you incense'ted.

I don't do incense.
I get enuf smoke already.
It's imported!
(From Canuckistan)