Agree that there's no way to smoke responsibly, but do you actually think
it's not possible to drink responsibly? I'm currently abstentious for
weight/fitness reasons, but otherwise don't mind a glass of wine at
dinner.
Depends on what you define as "responsibly." I suppose you could define certain types of moderate drinking as "responsible" provided you follow all the recommended guidelines (not pregnant, operating heavy machinery, etc.). I believe this typically applies to wine more than beer. Of course there are no health benefits to gambling. And taking a trip for 3 days with the sole purpose of gambling doesn't sound very responsible. Replace gambling with "drinking" and it doesn't sound responsible at all.
Now I'm curious about what your definition is. Ignoring professionals, gambling is just another activity that people spend their leisure/entertainment time and money on. If someone allocates x dollars (provided x dollars is a subjectively minor amount) toward any type of entertainment and they stick to the amount, I'd say that is responsible*.
*-I'd argue that unhealthy activities can be done in a responsible manner as well since the definition doesn't only depend on financial or physical health. Sometimes you go play bingo with your elderly aunt in a smoke-filled room once a month because you deem that the social and emotional benefits outweigh the negatives.
If the person spending on entertainment is okay with the trade-off of spending in the short term rather than investing for the long term, to each their own. I imagine someone spending money on entertainment on this site is not dependent on the next paycheck to live and they already have quite healthy retirement plans. Any amount of money spent on entertainment that is not under control or is altering other life goals a significant amount is clearly irresponsible.
I have family members who allocated "x" amount of dollars every week to purchase scratch off tickets. They stuck to that amount, does that mean they are responsible? After decades of doing this they are hundreds of thousands of dollars less wealthy. They regret doing it. Also have another family member that bet on horses roughly 5 days per week with "x" amount of money. They still do it to this day. Are they responsible as well?
Point being, I would argue that's a rather poor definition for what constitutes responsibility. I think claiming you can gamble responsibly is a pretty slipper slope and there is a lot of gray area. As for your analogy, I would suggest having a nice lunch in a smoke free environment. Seems more engaging and healthier. ( :
FWIW gambling itself is by definition, risk. The odds are rarely, if ever, in favor of achieving the desired outcome, unless your desired outcome is to lose money.
I don't understand, are you agreeing with me that irresponsible behaviors are bad? Or do you want me to agree with you that gambling can be a problem for many? Or did you ignore the part of my post that dealt with being okay with the opportunity costs of gambling while having healthy retirement plans in place for me to consider it responsible? What you described does not fit that bill. I agree, that sounds very irresponsible of your relatives without knowing more about their situation.
As for a slipper slope, I think the general "you" should just be honest with yourself. If your hobbies/entertainment budget/gambling balloons to a point that it is damaging life goals and relationships, then admit it. If you're being dishonest about an activity (how often the activity occurs, hiding it from your spouse/friends/family, how much is being wagered, overstating the gains, ignoring/downplaying the losses, etc.), then you're probably going to be an irresponsible person in that regard.
I've stated in this thread I gamble in various ways a few hundred hours every year and would say the feasible range of outcomes is +/-$200. I think that is an acceptable amount given everything that comes with the activities. I enjoy the games I play for money and the socialization that comes with most of it. If all of my gambling happened at a casino or horse track, then perhaps I would rethink the cost/benefit equation. As it stands, that constitutes a small percentage.
Yes, gambling involves financial risks. There are many types of gambling that do not occur in a casino or are sold at a convenience store. Most of the gambling I personally do is zero-sum. Ignoring skill level for zero-sum gambling, the EV is 0 plus I got to play a fun game or watch an event. For the fraction of gambling I do that does have a negative EV, the amount I put at risk in a year is so small that it's hard to fathom how it would have any averse impact on my long-term plans. I get lives have and are being ruined by gambling. That's awful and I wish more had self-control but I am not ready for playing cards to be illegal and fantasy sports outlawed because of how others go off the deep end. Admittedly, if I cut down my casino and horse track attendance to ZERO, my remaining gambling would probably be in the black every year.
As for the bingo hall analogy, that was largely fictitious but I take your point. I do have an aunt that does frequent the bingo hall but I hangout with her every month at our pinochle league (my grandfather's house is smoke-free). :-)