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<DIV>RArie Folger:</DIV>
<DIV>>In a personal communications when I took his contemporary halakhah course, R' <BR>Bleich opined that we look at the cumulative effect of toxic absorption to rule <BR>when one becomes obligated to shield oneself from exposure. Thus, whereas the <BR>first cigarette would not be assur on account of a direct piqua'h nefesh <BR>(though it may be assur on account of it being addictive and indirectly <BR>leading to danger), at some point, the cumulative intake of tobacco smoke will <BR>halakhicly compel the smoker to quit.<BR></DIV>
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<DIV>HB: I don't quite follow the logic of R. Bleich's psak. The smoker must quit halachically on what grounds? If not for a direct pikuach nefesh then for what? Because of reduced life expectancy (as RAFolger below)? But even in cases of reduced life expectancy (RLE), can we say that any one individual cigarrette contributes enough halachically to a </DIV>
<DIV>RLE, and is therefor assur? </DIV>
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<DIV>RAFolger: </DIV>
<DIV>>The same goes for living in a poluted city. <BR></DIV>
<DIV>>(snip) .... one would have a 20% chance of dying a year early, this would <BR>not be actionable, as 20% is smaller than 50%. If OTOH, after 20 years living <BR>there, one would reach a 50% chance of a significantly reduced life expectancy <BR>(significant being in the eyes of society IIRC), then the chap would have to move to a clean air sanctuary.<BR>
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<DIV>HB: The same logic should apply to heavy drinkers (liver damage), high cholesterol individuals, and overweight Yidden. Is the above 50 percent a halachically mandated number? Would one have to put down a hamburger and french fries NOW, because of what may happen in 20 or 30 years? And would any halacha be applied to only NOT doing something (e.g. smoking, drinking or eating) or would the same halacha mandate us to DO something active, like exercising to lose weight.??</DIV>
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<DIV>Finally, are certain professions like firemen, policemen, or career soldiers, not permitted because of RLExpectancy? Or must the chances of a RLE be above 50 percent for any halacha to kick in? HB</DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></td></tr></table>