Should cigarettes be banned?

[Cicero]

I really see no benefits with cigarettes.

[LoNgPyJaMaS]

The gouvernement gets alot of taxes from cigarettes.

[Jess]

As much as it's bad for your health, it is one's choice to smoke and a lot of money is made from cigarettes. The government shouldn't take that choice away from us, no matter how bad.

[West Coast Sheriff]

If someone wants to smoke, you shouldn't stop em. It's their choice. The only
Life they affect is their owns.

[Abyssal Echo]

Personally I think the Goverment has too much say in shit as it is. so no they shouldn't be banned. besides they tried to ban alcohol and you can see how that turned out.

besides the fact that the goverment makes lots of tax money off of the sale of tobacco products. banning them would hurt farmers that grow it and put alot of people out of work that process it.

[PinkFloyd]

Tax reasons... The US govt gets money from sales. I don't like it and will never smoke cigarettes. Hell I'll probably only smoke weed once...

[ImCoolBeans]

If you ban cigarettes because they are unhealthy then why not ban all fast food restaurants? Why not ban unhealthy foods from being produced all together? Why should the government be allowed to ban cigarettes. Cigarettes are not destroying households around the country. Cigarettes are not a destructive force in society that hinders good behavior. Cigarettes do not change mine or anybody else's attitudes or actions for the worse. There is no objective fact that says cigarettes are deteriorating our society -- so the government should not be allowed to ban them. Are they bad for your health? Yes. But when did the government receive the power to say that I can't smoke a god damn cigarette if I want to? They didn't.

[ReginaGeorge]

I think no, because yeah, it's really fucking bad for you, but 1) it's peoples choice to smoke, and some people refuse to give it up so they'll get it illegally. 2) There are a million things that are unhealthy, like junk food, soft drink, alcohol in large amounts and more people probably die from consequences of that than smoking (don't quote me on that, I don't have stats to back me up right now). You only hear about the people who get illness because of smoking, you don't hear about the millions who don't. Also 3) the industry is huge, they have gazillions and gazillions of dollars. Good luck trying to get rid of that.

I think Australia is well on it's way though, the anti-smoking agenda here is really extreme.

[workingatperfect]

Nope. I say if people want to smoke, let them. It's their body, they know what the risks are.

[Ryhanna]

Nah. Sure, smoking is ridiculous stupid and all, but you can't ban cigarettes without banning fast food, alcohol and cars. All things that can cause health issues/death.

[anyone50]

Tax reasons... The US govt gets money from sales. I don't like it and will never smoke cigarettes. Hell I'll probably only smoke weed once...

I think another reason that the US govt will never ban smoking is they don't want it to become exploited by organized crime. History has shown us that as soon as something becomes illegal someone will try to profit from it.

[Fanta_Lover44]

In my opionin yes, they should however this is never going to happen because the greedy goverments make too much money so my theory is..... Up the price of cigarettes more and up the price of the ones where you make it yourselfs...

I am never going to smoke.

Skype me sometime, don't be afraid to send us a message! :)

[xAlfredo]

Cigarettes are not destroying households around the country.

False, leaving a cigarette burning could destroy your house by burning it to the ground. :rolleyes:

Anyways, I don't think they should be banned. Too many people are addicted to smoking cigarettes. The government makes too much money for them to ban them, anyway. If anything, marijuana should be legalized, as marijuana is much healthier than cigarettes, IMHO.
You don't see anyone dying from smoking a joint, yet tons die from lung cancer from all of the nasty chemicals in cigarettes. But that's a whole different debate.

[Twilly F. Sniper]

If someone wants to smoke, you shouldn't stop em. It's their choice. The only
Life they affect is their owns.

My argument here can be said in three words: second hand smoke.

But still legalize it, just tax it a tad more heavily.

[Jean Poutine]

I got the best idea ever.

Ban tobacco and replace cigarettes with joints. Have it be a government monopoly so we don't see the insane shit that happened with cigarettes where tons of industrial refuse is added so it burns out faster. Tax it just like cigs are now. Breed plants with low THC for those still in their oral phase (so that the buzz strength equals a cigarette's), high THC for others and medicinal use, only those with low THC can be smoked outside your house.

Weed makes me more creative, with a way better capacity to respond to events. One time I was waiting at a bus stop but it was dark and the traffic lights blocked the stop # so I could not check on my phone at which time the bus came. Without a pause I took my phone out, turned the flash at the brightest possible level, took a picture of the stop, went on my phone, zoomed the picture and got the number. I would have never thought of that had I not been a little buzzed at the time. Weed cures my morning nausea, weed makes me a better writer, it even allows me to study better because it allows me to see links between concepts way more clearly which is very important in law.

Cigarettes get me dizzy and make me vomit. That's about it.

See? Perfect plan. Fuck cigarettes.

[Professional Russian]

I got the best idea ever.

Ban tobacco and replace cigarettes with joints. Have it be a government monopoly so we don't see the insane shit that happened with cigarettes where tons of industrial refuse is added so it burns out faster. Tax it just like cigs are now. Breed plants with low THC for those still in their oral phase (so that the buzz strength equals a cigarette's), high THC for others and medicinal use, only those with low THC can be smoked outside your house.

Weed makes me more creative, with a way better capacity to respond to events. One time I was waiting at a bus stop but it was dark and the traffic lights blocked the stop # so I could not check on my phone at which time the bus came. Without a pause I took my phone out, turned the flash at the brightest possible level, took a picture of the stop, went on my phone, zoomed the picture and got the number. I would have never thought of that had I not been a little buzzed at the time. Weed cures my morning nausea, weed makes me a better writer, it even allows me to study better because it allows me to see links between concepts way more clearly which is very important in law.

Cigarettes get me dizzy and make me vomit. That's about it.

See? Perfect plan. Fuck cigarettes.
Just because it works for you and makes you work better it doesnt mean it does that for everybody

[xmojox]

The states and municipalities make a lot of money from the excise taxes on cigarettes. I personally don't smoke cigs, but, neither do I think they should be banned. If we start banning things because they're unhealthy or dangerous, we open the door to far too much governmental intrusion into our lives. For instance, do you really want the government telling what you can and can't eat? I heard on TV the other day they're banning large sodas in NY? If I misheard that someone please correct me, but, if I didn't, what fucking brain-trust thought that up? I don't need or want big brother telling me what to eat and how to wipe my butt.

[Jean Poutine]

Just because it works for you and makes you work better it doesnt mean it does that for everybody

Considering cigarettes work for nobody and do nothing of significance except a very slight buzz and tons of adverse effects, I'd say that's a step in the right direction.

[joeyboy24]

yes i think they shud be banned

[Harry Smith]

The government would have a very hard time even if they wanted to ban them. Not only are tobacco companies very rich, but remember a lot of people do actually smoke. Not only would you have opposition from them but also from people who think it infringes on there rights.

[Erasmus]

A few replies have mentioned that cigarettes aren't banned because it's the person's choice to smoke them. If that's the case, why are other drugs like weed, cocaine, etc banned, if it's your choice to use them, and they don't harm anyone else?

[Nellerin]

Do not ban cigarettes, do not ban anything that only harms the person doing it. All drugs should be made legal as long as cigarettes and caffeine are legal.

[PerpetualImperfexion]

Simply put, the government has no right. So long as a choice does not directly infringe on the rights of another individual, you have the right to make that choice.


A few replies have mentioned that cigarettes aren't banned because it's the person's choice to smoke them. If that's the case, why are other drugs like weed, cocaine, etc banned, if it's your choice to use them, and they don't harm anyone else?

Good question. Why is it mandatory that you wear a seatbelt? Why must my school serve food that is in some cases less nutritious than prison food? Simply put, the government just wants to get bigger and more controlling. Power has the tendency to do that.

[maxx14]

I don't think they should, people have a right to choose to smoke or not to smoke, but it's probably the dumbest thing to smoke

[ImCoolBeans]

A few replies have mentioned that cigarettes aren't banned because it's the person's choice to smoke them. If that's the case, why are other drugs like weed, cocaine, etc banned, if it's your choice to use them, and they don't harm anyone else?

People have mentioned that because they most likely don't know how else to support their argument. It's not the best reasoning because like you said, drugs like cannabis, cocaine, LSD, etc. are all banned. However, those drugs are banned because they cause, or are believed to cause, harm to society as a whole -- whereas cigarettes don't pose the same threat. Cigarettes will not change your mental state and you remain in control of your actions while being able to make clear, logical thoughts and decisions.


Do not ban cigarettes, do not ban anything that only harms the person doing it. All drugs should be made legal as long as cigarettes and caffeine are legal.

I'm just going to tell you to read the bit of text above your quote in this post.

You didn't do a very good job of explaining yourself there, and as I just explained legalizing all of those drugs poses a much greater risk to society than cigarettes and caffein do. I'm pro-legalization for cannabis; but legalizing all drugs would be idiotic. Part of the governments job is to maintain order and safety in society -- allowing all psychoactive drugs to be used recreationally would be a disservice by the government to it's people. Yes, it is the person's choice to take the drug; that does not mean that they should all be allowed. Number one reason being that drugs are addicting (both physically and psychologically). The vast majority of people will not be able to responsibly use drugs and will develop serious addictions which will hinder their work performances, if they even continue a career. I don't know about you, but I certainly do not think that having and allowing a large part of society be cracked out, junkies who don't work, and if they do they don't have a career, is a good thing. That would be a massive economic hit for the country as a whole. I don't think you fully understand what you're trying to say; but it's a poor argument.

TL;DR Legalizing all drugs is a poor choice, cigarettes should not be banned though.

[Nellerin]

People have mentioned that because they most likely don't know how else to support their argument. It's not the best reasoning because like you said, drugs like cannabis, cocaine, LSD, etc. are all banned. However, those drugs are banned because they cause, or are believed to cause, harm to society as a whole -- whereas cigarettes don't pose the same threat. Cigarettes will not change your mental state and you remain in control of your actions while being able to make clear, logical thoughts and decisions.




I'm just going to tell you to read the bit of text above your quote in this post.

You didn't do a very good job of explaining yourself there, and as I just explained legalizing all of those drugs poses a much greater risk to society than cigarettes and caffein do. I'm pro-legalization for cannabis; but legalizing all drugs would be idiotic. Part of the governments job is to maintain order and safety in society -- allowing all psychoactive drugs to be used recreationally would be a disservice by the government to it's people. Yes, it is the person's choice to take the drug; that does not mean that they should all be allowed. Number one reason being that drugs are addicting (both physically and psychologically). The vast majority of people will not be able to responsibly use drugs and will develop serious addictions which will hinder their work performances, if they even continue a career. I don't know about you, but I certainly do not think that having and allowing a large part of society be cracked out, junkies who don't work, and if they do they don't have a career, is a good thing. That would be a massive economic hit for the country as a whole. I don't think you fully understand what you're trying to say; but it's a poor argument.

TL;DR Legalizing all drugs is a poor choice, cigarettes should not be banned though.

Cigs do not pose an issue to other people, however, Alcohol is legal and causes drunk driving, that is where my "all drugs should be legal" idea comes in.

[Erasmus]

Cigs do not pose an issue to other people, however, Alcohol is legal and causes drunk driving, that is where my "all drugs should be legal" idea comes in.

Exactly. Alcohol poses just as much of a risk as something like LSD would.

[Korashk]

snip
Haven't I explained to you that according to all available evidence legalizing drugs would do more good for society than bad?

Plus there's the fact that legal drugs cause WAY more harm to "society" as a whole than illegal ones do simply because they are responsible for a magnitude more deaths than illegal ones. We're talking ratios like 50:1 in favor of legal drugs killing people.

[johnsmith1]

It's an easy thing to say, and as non-smoker, I would love to see cigarettes gone. However to ban them completely would currently cause issues for smokers who would dearly love to give up but can't (as cigarettes are very addictive). A lot of countries have tried to bring in controls to separate smokers from non smokers (EG ban of smoking in enclosed public places), and ultimately smokers that smoke in their own place affect noone but themselves.
A lot of other things should be looked at in their own right too. I don't drink and see that an occasional drink as not an issue (though recognise that exsessive drinking is), and similarly recognise that my unhealthy eating (I LOVE chocolate) will affect my weight and health, but do think these are all separate arguments, and should be kept separate when discussing issues with smoking

[tovaris]

No cigaretes shouldent be band, all tobqco productus should be havely taxed. And smoking should be band in public places, like they did in Russia. Also smokers should pay higher helth ensurance.

[PinkFloyd]

There are no benefits for them. I agree with you on that, but there is a tax on them, and that gets US states money. I know it's wrong, but state governments rely on those taxes. If cigs are banned, then taxes will be added to new things, or everything will stay the same except for the sales taxes on say products in stores in Minnesota would go from say 7% to like 9 or 10%

[BebeFleur.]

Perhaps the taxes on them should be raised.

But I do agree on it being banned in public places. Second-hand smoke is a really big problem. Think of all the young kids inhaling the smoke at a young age...

[Human]

I don't think any kinds of drugs should be banned, apart from very hard drugs.
Banning drugs only creates more market for them...

[Lonely teen]

I would ban it but the way to get rid of them is to make the taxes so hight no one can afford them lol

[TerryBerry622]

I wish they would be banned
then I wouldn't be smoking the damn things. they make your clothes smell, you feel gross whenever you smoke them, your fingers turn yellow. they're so nasty
I hate smoking yucky

[Emerald Dream]

Thread locked at OP request. :locked: