Cigarettes

[Erasmus]

In your opinion, should cigarettes be banned?

[Jess]

no. as much as smoking is really bad for you, people have the freedom to smoke cigarettes if they want to.

[Erasmus]

no. as much as smoking is really bad for you, people have the freedom to smoke cigarettes if they want to.

if you say that, should people have the right to do drugs even though they're horrible for you?

[Amnesiac]

if you say that, should people have the right to do drugs even though they're horrible for you?

Yes.

[Erasmus]

no. as much as smoking is really bad for you, people have the freedom to smoke cigarettes if they want to.

if you say that, should people have the right to do drugs even though they're horrible for you?

Yes.

then why aren't drugs legal?

[Sugaree]

then why aren't drugs legal?

It's sort of a grey area when it comes to drugs and cigarettes, mostly because smoking cigarettes is a much older pastime than drugs. If you look at it, the tobacco industry is a large profit business, especially in parts of North America, so making cigarettes illegal basically takes out a lot of profit into the economy.

[Erasmus]

It's sort of a grey area when it comes to drugs and cigarettes, mostly because smoking cigarettes is a much older pastime than drugs. If you look at it, the tobacco industry is a large profit business, especially in parts of North America, so making cigarettes illegal basically takes out a lot of profit into the economy.

That still didn't answer why drugs are illegal. Wouldn't they be practically the same as cigarettes, in the sense that they're bad for you, but they would generate a lot of money?

[Genghis Khan]

That still didn't answer why drugs are illegal. Wouldn't they be practically the same as cigarettes, in the sense that they're bad for you, but they would generate a lot of money?

Detrimental to the social welfare of the country, cigarettes have been in business for a very long time, as far back as when people didn't know about the dangers of smoking. People are now aware about the dangers of smoking and doing drugs but since smoking came into business first it's near impossible to bring that system down. Drugs are illegal because we know about their harmful effects. Plus it'd be very difficult to draw the line between what drugs should and shouldn't be legalised, if you legalise marijuana pretty soon you'll have people making the same case for heroin, ecstasy, LSD, mushrooms and so on. As you can probably already tell I'm against the legalisation of drugs.

[Sugaree]

That still didn't answer why drugs are illegal. Wouldn't they be practically the same as cigarettes, in the sense that they're bad for you, but they would generate a lot of money?

If taxed correctly, yes, drugs could generate a lot of money. However, the reason drugs are illegal is because of the market they're in. There's no licensed sellers, there's no actual bottom line, you've got thousands of people who die a year from the stuff. Of course, that's not to say that cigarettes don't kill people too, but it's more tightly controlled. Controlling the drug market is so incredibly difficult with cartels that making the substances legal would cause more harm than good in most cases.

[Erasmus]

ok thanks

[nicnicolas1]

i dont really care if their banned or legal but its just annoying to have to walk through that smoke, maybe its because im a health freak haha

[Thunduhbuhlt]

I would say no only because it would be way too common and jails would be overcrowded and it would be punished way too highly.

Sent from my Droid Incredible using Tapatalk

[Mortal Coil]

I'm pro-legalization, so I think that people should have the freedom to poison themselves however they want...

[ImCoolBeans]

I'm pro-legalization, so I think that people should have the freedom to poison themselves however they want...

Lets say you had three teenagers in high school. Would you still feel the same way?

[Bubbawhack]

I tried one once, when we had french exchange studants, I mean they brought some and I kinda liked the feeling, but IDK

[Short Circuit]

The tobacco industry brings BILLIONS into the economy, making them illegal, would only mean that they would be sold on the black market. It would also mean higher taxes on other things like food, gas, electricity etc.

DoNotStandUp, People who can buy cigarettes is restricted in most countries, thats why there is an age limit as to who can buy them.

[TeddyBearRock]

well I think the age should be raised coz millions of young adults are buy sigs and then they never have money, plus when they get older the thrill would have worn iff about them so less people will be smoking (hopefully)

[Fiction]

No I do not think it should be banned.

I enjoy smoking, and I don't actually want to stop. I'm young, i'm going to die one day, why can't I enjoy myself now?

If they made smoking illegal I know i'd definately end up buying them on the black market. I smoke probably about 5 a day, so i'm not even a heavy smoker, but i'd go as far as to say i'm addicted, and I wouldn't want to have to go without.

In the UK it's stupid too. You can legally smoke at 16, but not buy until you're 18. As i'm only 16 this is stupidly annoying... That's the only change i'd make. I'd make it legal to buy at 16 too.

[embers]

In the UK it's stupid too. You can legally smoke at 16, but not buy until you're 18. As i'm only 16 this is stupidly annoying... That's the only change i'd make. I'd make it legal to buy at 16 too.

As of February last year you have to be 18 to smoke in the UK too. (Or so I've been told.)

[mrjoely]

no, there is enough awareness now that people of age should be able to make a decision themselves. i am a smoker myself but i understand the risks and will quite when i begin to feel unfit or it affects my life too much.

also, as boring as this may be, the government makes a large profit from taxing them, profit that can then be spent on more worth while things.

[Breakeven]

noooooooo :o

[Jean Poutine]

Yeah. As much as I'd like to say I'm all for people ruining themselves, cigarettes really are on a whole other level. Sometimes things have to be outlawed because people are too fucking stupid. It's tough love.

Smoking is extremely addictive. At one point it stops being a choice and becomes a craving. Does anyone really consciously chooses to smoke in the first place? One might be undergoing huge stress, maybe peer pressure, or a try just for the heck of it and it turns out one has an addictive personality. Then you try to quit...my mom tried what, 15 times before finally getting rid of that nasty habit?

Personally, I think selling death is despicable and I utterly loathe big tobacco and also big alcohol while I'm at it. I lost my grandfather to smoking and nearly lost my mother. I lost my uncle to alcohol. At least guns have other uses. Cigs, especially, do...what exactly aside from pump your body with a hundred carcinogenics? And mine, too. Fuck SHS.

Will it get outlawed? Hell no. Would it be practical to? No. In a perfect world would I wish for it? Hell yes.

[SomecallmeTim]

well pretty much by defonition anything adictive is called a vice,cigarettes, or drugs, so in my perspective a cigarette is a drug, but that is just me, that's my opinion.

[MonsterChic]

If they got banned we all know people would want them 10x more..

[Infidelitas]

I don't think that they should ban smoking, people should be able to choose whether or not they do it or not.
I don't see any point in changing any age restrictions for buying cigarettes, because if teenagers (under the age of being able to buy cigarettes legally) want to smoke, they're going to find a way to buy the cigarettes whether there is a restrictions or not.
A few years ago, a guy working in a news agency in my city was caught selling cigarettes to primary school children (age 12-13 ish), and he had been doing it for several years before getting caught.

[Fiction]

As of February last year you have to be 18 to smoke in the UK too. (Or so I've been told.)

So it says on wikipedia :P But it's false. In actual legislation it still says you have to be 16.

[Stronger]

no. as much as smoking is really bad for you, people have the freedom to smoke cigarettes if they want to.

This ^, as much as I don't like it, its not my choice to tell people to smoke or not, its up to them

[User_Does Not Exist]

I would say yes:
A.) They smell
B.) It looks trashy
C.) They're awful for your health
D.) They're bad for the enviornment
The list goes on, there is zero good that comes from them

[northskater110]

There is no point in eliminating them at this point, let people do as they please.

[Erasmus]

I would say yes:
A.) They smell
B.) It looks trashy
C.) They're awful for your health
D.) They're bad for the enviornment
The list goes on, there is zero good that comes from them

i agree with you totally

[Nellerin]

Although I think people should be able to do what they want to their bodies. I also believe the same should be allowed for marijuana if they are going to let tobacco be legal forever.

[kenoloor]

I would say yes:
A.) They smell
B.) It looks trashy

Thanks for sharing your opinion. Now back to rational arguments. (I'm being generous with that word)

C.) They're awful for your health

So is fast food.

D.) They're bad for the enviornment

So are cars, factories, cow farts, and breathing.

The list goes on, there is zero good that comes from them

Money.

[DerBear]

The tobacco industry brings BILLIONS into the economy, making them illegal, would only mean that they would be sold on the black market. It would also mean higher taxes on other things like food, gas, electricity etc.

DoNotStandUp, People who can buy cigarettes is restricted in most countries, thats why there is an age limit as to who can buy them.

Age limits however only really reduce smokers by a moderate percentage, people who really want to smoke will, as you know.

I feel tougher action has to be taken against shop owners who sell to minors and the minors themselves, however It is now illegal for children to smoke in public places where as before it was just the buying part now its the actual smoking part was aged 16 amd (law was passed in FEB 2012, I think) making it 18 again not 100% sure on this but I remember seeing it.

As for the ban of it I would say no.

[User_Does Not Exist]

Thanks for sharing your opinion. Now back to rational arguments. (I'm being generous with that word)



So is fast food.



So are cars, factories, cow farts, and breathing.



Money.

Back on topic, the scent of them isn't really much of an opinion if someone smoking on the highway and they're several cars ahead of you can you can smell it clearly then they do stink.

As for the trashy look, your absolutely correct that is an opinion, congratulations.

In terms of how they affect your health, fast food doesn't even come close to cigarettes in terms of health issues. Show me a burger that causes cancer, builds tar in your lungs, causes emphysema, and other life threatening health issues. Not some cop out excuse, in 1999 some 4 year old died from ecoli from a burger. That's not a daily occurence, the moratility rate in fast food vs. cigarettes isn't comparable, cigaretters surpass fast food with ease.

No kidding those are bad for the enviornment, but you can continue on life without inhaling smoke into your body.... failed arguement, good try though.

Money is really only your valid arguement in this point, yet if they were banned do you really think that we wouldn't find a replacement?

Again, enough with the over opinionated responses, look at it form other stand points.

[kenoloor]

Back on topic, the scent of them isn't really much of an opinion if someone smoking on the highway and they're several cars ahead of you can you can smell it clearly then they do stink.

I know many people (smokers and nonsmokers alike), myself included, who do not find the smell of smoke to be unpleasant. It's an opinion that they smell bad, not a fact. Come on, you're really going to argue that? Don't be stupid.

In terms of how they affect your health, fast food doesn't even come close to cigarettes in terms of health issues. Show me a burger that causes cancer, builds tar in your lungs, causes emphysema, and other life threatening health issues. Not some cop out excuse, in 1999 some 4 year old died from ecoli from a burger. That's not a daily occurence, the moratility rate in fast food vs. cigarettes isn't comparable, cigaretters surpass fast food with ease.

I never said they were identical. I was merely suggesting that there are other legal things that are extremely shitty for your health.

So you're suggesting that, because cigarettes are "worse" than fast food, they should be illegal? So there is a certain threshold of bad-for-you that determines whether or not sonething should be legal? Who draws that line? What justifies taking away personal liberties?

No kidding those are bad for the enviornment, but you can continue on life without inhaling smoke into your body.

I hope you realize how much sense this doesn't make.

Money is really only your valid arguement in this point, yet if they were banned do you really think that we wouldn't find a replacement?

Considering the amount of revenue that cigarette sales bring in, no, I don't think we'll find a sufficient replacement.

Again, enough with the over opinionated responses, look at it form other stand points.

"I don't care what you say, my opinion that smoke smells bad is a fact."

[User_Does Not Exist]

"So you're suggesting that, because cigarettes are "worse" than fast food, they should be illegal? So there is a certain threshold of bad-for-you that determines whether or not sonething should be legal? Who draws that line? What justifies taking away personal liberties?"

No I didn't compare it in that manner at all just a minor comparison of what you had said was bad for your health. There isn't a threshold but there should be one, not even in moderation can cigarettes promote the slightest health benefit. Define personal liberties in the 21st century, we're losing almost all freedoms we have with how many laws are out there. Some states you don't even have personal freedom in your house, you don't have freedom on your cell-phone, etc.

"I hope you realize how much sense this doesn't make."

Ya didn't catch that, they are bad for the enviroment and you can continue on life without smoking a cigarette where I was arguing your statement of autombiles, breathing (really? what's your suggestion end the human race?), cow farts....

"Considering the amount of revenue that cigarette sales bring in, no, I don't think we'll find a sufficient replacement."

Not that much revenue, but what is that revenue REALLY doing for us. Our debt is outrageous and will never be cleared, so those billions of dollars don't really do much for us regarding U.S. revenue

""I don't care what you say, my opinion that smoke smells bad is a fact.""

Didn't say that, find me someone who will have cigarette smoke blown in their face and can truthfully say they truly enjoy the taste and smell of it.

[Jupiter]

a ban? no.

if you don't like smoking, don't smoke. it's as simple as that.

[Angel Androgynous]

Didn't say that, find me someone who will have cigarette smoke blown in their face and can truthfully say they truly enjoy the taste and smell of it.

I do. ^___^

It's pointless to ban cigarettes just because you happen to not like them. I happen to not like your face, let's ban that too it's bad for my health. :(

[Syvelocin]

Why are people so concerned with other people's affairs? Air's already polluted without us smokers. I know you like to pin it on us but the factories are going to kill you faster than very mininum exposure to second-hand smoke. And some of us are actually courteous about it, I know, shocker that we aren't all selfish pigs.

I agree with the fast food thing. I think I'd rather ban shit food before cigarettes. But I wouldn't, only because I believe everyone can do whatever the fuck they want to themselves.

[missy_moo]

The tobacco industry brings BILLIONS into the economy, making them illegal, would only mean that they would be sold on the black market. It would also mean higher taxes on other things like food, gas, electricity etc.

DoNotStandUp, People who can buy cigarettes is restricted in most countries, thats why there is an age limit as to who can buy them.

This.

The only reason why it hasn't already been banned is because of the massive black hole it'd cause in a few government's budgets.

[BassSwagg]

I kind of go both ways on this one, I don't think cigarettes should be banned because a lot of people need there nicotine fix and it helps calm a lot of people down. im off my anti anxiety meds because i smoke and it keeps me calm but there is a very strong addiction that comes with smoking that i do not like. and p.s. by the way Hugs Not Drugs 65 days sober today :)

[Genghis Khan]

Should we ban sitting down because that's bad for your health?

Sitting down doesn't affect anyone else's health but your own.

Should we ban light bulbs and electricity use because they're bad for the environment?

Not really, they're essential for us to see, otherwise our vision would be relatively more impaired.

[Amaryllis]

People can choose to think for themselves. It's not the government's responsibility to tell your kids they can't smoke, it's the parents/guardians. They teach and when the kids reach a legal age (obviously smoking before then would be illegal) they can decide for themselves.

The government earns taxes from cigarettes. And it would not bode well for the government or its people for cigarettes to be banned. If smoking were illegal, some who're addicted may choose to rebel or get it illegally. And they'd be jailed for something that was legal a while ago.

Banning cigarettes would go as well as banning alcohol and be just as effective.

EDIT: And it's population control.

[DerBear]

One word

Nanny-State.

[PerpetualImperfexion]

The government has no right to tell you what you can and can't do, unless it harms others. Cigarette smoke is harmful when breathed in so I am all for disallowing it in public places. Believe it or not the government actually approves of cigarette smoking. They make money from the taxes AND the more people that die the less pensions they have to pay, etc. I know that sounds horrible, but it's true. My question is what should we do about the children? My parent's smoke and therefore I am exposed to second hand smoke. They try to open a window in the car and I'm not really around them much in the house but that's not true of all families and smaller children have no choice. I personally think a little second hand smoke here and there could actually be beneficial, helping someone to build a resistance to lung cancer, etc. On the other hand if it were illegalized people would be forced to get it illegally. Sure drug dealers would just be stealing more money from the government but in reality cigarettes would be much more healthy, straight tobacco is a lot better than the tar, arsenic, and other poisons your inhaling when you smoke.

[Electra Heart]

The're awful, and I was pretty much born addicted to them, but I have to say no. You can't just go around banning things unfortunately...

[Scarface]

I've been smoking for almost 6 years now, and I enjoy it, I don't smoke near people and I don't care if you want to stand next to me when I smoke, as long as you can take second handing it. Banning it would be stupid, the money don't go to a good cause, the cigarettes keep changing and I STILL-KEEP-SMOKING. Why? Because its the one thing I enjoy to my day, when people let me down, my cigarette don't and I always feel good with a smoke. I don't have a fucking needle hanging out of my arm any more, and I quit that shit, I've quit smoking for a week and I don't want to do it any more.

Lifelong Cowboy Killer smoker lol. I'm well aware of what it does to me, in this just ever so wonderful country of fucking canada, I'm reminded of what is going into my body along with a catholic guilt trip of images, and percentages of each chemical present in the cigarette, I even read the god damn box as I'm taking a drag. One day I'm going to be that croaking, shrivelled old man, with an oxygen mask in one hand and a marlboro red 100 in another and I don't give a god damn if people want me to quit, That's my body, My decision, My Life. And I choose to end it slowly, then let me. Simple as fuckin that, I don't need the government banning shit that I'll only find another way of buying them from.

[MeltedCrayon]

nope, i dont think cigarettes should be banned.My mum smokes them all the time sence i was born.. im use to the smell, i even smell like smoke cuz my mum smokes too much!

[Sonic Boom]

The government earns taxes from cigarettes. And it would not bode well for the government or its people for cigarettes to be banned. If smoking were illegal, some who're addicted may choose to rebel or get it illegally. And they'd be jailed for something that was legal a while ago.

Banning cigarettes would go as well as banning alcohol and be just as effective.

EDIT: And it's population control.

Exactly. Especially the fact that people will still drink and smoke whether it's legal or not.

[Annika]

yes i do think they should be banned and i would love to take the man who invented them out in the streets pull out my dads ar 15 and put a few rounds in his head either that or run him over with a snow blower

nope, i dont think cigarettes should be banned.My mum smokes them all the time sence i was born.. im use to the smell, i even smell like smoke cuz my mum smokes too much!
you will probably get cancer in the future from second hand smoke

[Bath]

Please don't bump threads older than two months. :locked: