Second hand smoke is idiotic junk science, used as a weapon in the Class War. The latest skirmish comes from Apple, who is refusing to fix Macintosh computers under warranty if their owners are smokers. The reason? They claim that cigarette smoke is a biohazard:
Consumerist reports that Apple is refusing to work on computers that have been used in smoking households. 'The Apple store called and informed me that due to the computer having been used in a house where there was smoking, [the warranty has been voided] and they refuse to work on the machine "due to health risks of second hand smoke,"' wrote one customer. Another said, 'When I asked for an explanation, she said [the owner of the iMac is] a smoker and it's contaminated with cigarette smoke, which they consider a bio-hazard! I checked my Applecare warranty and it says nothing about not honoring warranties if the owner is a smoker.' Apple claims that honoring the warranty would be an OSHA violation.Another reason to not buy from Apple. Ubuntu Linux, people! It doesn't care if you smoke.
Good grief - smoking cooties? You want to see seriously nasty computers, try this.
ummm do those morons know the definition of "Bio-hazard"?
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_hazard
"A biological hazard or biohazard is an organism, or substance derived from an organism, that poses a threat to (primarily) human health."
Technically smoke ash and tar is simply a toxic chemical (kinda like the ones that come from shorted electronics, leaking batteries, and that evolve from soldering parts onto boards....you know the OTHER stuff Apple fixes) and not all that toxic at that.
Second Hand Smoke is pure stupidity. I can walk down the street and breath gasoline and diesel smoke all day long, but god forbid the dude beside me at a bar (where I'm drinking Pabst...the virtual panacea health-tonic that it is) decides the light a camel I'm gonna die now?
Of course not, they ban smoking in bars and restaurants to protect the staff (most of whom also smoke) from second hand smoke. Meanwhile nobody seems to care I was working on fishing boats where I'm breaking diesel smoke 24/7 and second hand smoke there.
Just breathe deep, and note that you'll be OK!
I would accept that they don't want to work on it because it smells, but bio-hazard? Unless the owner has something really contagious and left butts lying in the case, I think they don't have a leg to stand on.
ReplyDeleteJim
The only time I've seen legitimate contamination is in a couple of computers that were sent in on warranty at a place I used to work at. The motherboards had almost a quarter inch of insect shit on them due to being infested with cockroaches. The shit caused them to overheat and was also corroding some of the electronics.
ReplyDeleteBobG, not sure if that voids the warranty, but that certainly would fit in my book as "non-Serviceable". Pitch box in trash get new box from warehouse.
ReplyDeleteOr just quit smoking - then evey budy wins... doh!
ReplyDeleteCept for Philip Morris.
I guess that was too obvious.