Smoking.. Should It Be Made Illegal?
Im a heavy smoker… i would love to stop but im addicted to it… fallen into the trap one could say!!!
Smoking is of no benefit to the smoker. The only percieved benefit is getting back to the feeling of normal after the cigeratte…
At least “proper” drugs such as alcohol and weed and certain other class a drugs have an effect on the user.. but smoking does nothing for you except drain money out of your pocket and keep you addicted….
31 Responses to “Smoking.. Should It Be Made Illegal?”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
January 30th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
I think that it should be illegal. After all, any product that harms one’s health as much as tobacco use–yet has no legitament uses due to its adictive properties–really doesn’t make sense in a world that puts restrictions on such things as alcohol. I’m not going to place them in the class of hard-core drugs such as heroin, since the United States government doesn’t seem too competent in controling THOSE.
But it won’t happen anytime soon. Cigarettes are legal simply because of the massive tax revenue generated from the sales made off of highly-addicted people. They’ve been legal (and indeed, somewhat encouraged) long enough that there’s a very good marketing system attached to them. Pot? No one seems to have a problem coming up with it, and it’s not regulated–which is why it’ll never be legal for recreational use: No way to tax it. If there were, you’d see pot in every gas station and grocery store in existance.
It’s all about money, period and end of story. And if you want to quit, the wisdom of today tells you to go and buy nicotine replacements like nicotine gum and patches–even MORE revenue! It’s no coincidence that the prices of the replacement “therapies” go up right along with each cigarette hike. Also consider all the perscription anti-craving drugs like Welbutrin (generic for Zyban, and there’s even a generic for Welbutrin–a generic for the generic!) and the prices attached to these–cha-ching! $$$$$$$. You’re addicted. You’ll pay to feed that addiction. Again, and again, and again. In one form or another.
Sacharrin? That neat little artificial sweetener that’s known to cause certain cancers? Never removed from the market, was it? Nope. Too many products that contained it–generating revenue. There’s the green talking again. So the FDA forces companies who use it to place warning labels on it (read a box of Sweet ‘n Low sometime) while allowing its sale. To protect you, you know!
When kids sell things like these, they’re labeled as drug dealers. When Uncle Sam allows them to be sold, it’s income. Kinda funny stuff, isn’t it?
So it really doesn’t matter much what John Q Public thinks. They’ll be around for a good, long, time.
January 30th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
I don’t think it should or ever will be made illegal.
The UK government say we should all give up and provide us with helplines etc, but what they don’t say is that they have actually got effective drugs which if taken stop you smoking without the side effects. Why don’t they say anything? Because they make too much money on each packet of cigarettes we buy.
I know of at least three people in the last 5 years that have had or have got cancer and not one of them is a smoker and I can’t actually think of anyone I know or have known who is a smoker getting a smoking related cancer or illness. Also, all the smokers I know who have had children have actually said that their children weighing less at birth were the ones they had cut done or given up cigarettes for during the pregnancy.
I think there are a few myths about smoking and it’s effects out there!
January 30th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
No, it is a matter of choice. When you’re ready, you’ll quit.
I have smoked for 40 years and have no desire to quit.
Smokers are the most discriminated against portion of the population at the present.
Try treating another group like smokers and you’;d have a revolution.
The CDC did a 10 year study on second hand smoke.
They found out it isn’t nearly as bad as the alarmists claim, so they refused to release the study (since it doesn’t match their agenda).
What a crock!
I think rabid non-smokers have a brain disorder.
Maybe we should send them all to CA, nuke the San Andreas fault & let them have their own little PC country.
Hillary can be the first President of the People’s Republic of California…
January 31st, 2010 at 12:55 am
Yeah. I’m a smoker too. The government make far too much money out of us so it will never be made illegal. I think they should raise the age limit to 25 because most kids start smoking in their teens and if they aren’t smoking by the age of 25, chances are they won’t smoke at all. That’s the only way it will start to phase out.
January 31st, 2010 at 6:35 am
Yes it should
January 31st, 2010 at 7:16 am
I WISH it were illegal. If smokers want to suicide, I don’t care, but once they start killing ME with their deathsticks… I get PISSED OFF! And by the way, even quoting proper doesn’t work… there is no way drugs are EVER considered remotely proper. Ugh…
January 31st, 2010 at 7:19 am
I am a smoker and have tried several times to stop.
I don’t think that it should be made illegal as it is up to the person weather they should smoke or not. Everyone is going to die at some point so if they choose to die a nasty death by smoking then it is their choice.
I don’t think that smokers should kill others by them smoking like in pubs and restaurants but outside I can’t see there being a problem.
The other big point is that if they made smoking illegal then all the tax that is made from fags would have to me placed elsewhere therefore all are rates would go up.
Here in the UK are council tax would rise, income tax possible etc etc.
There wouldn’t just be able to swallow the millions of pounds they would lose in this tax they would have to find it from elsewhere.
Also when do it stop next after they have increase the price of 1 pint of beer to £10 and told you drinking is bad for you will that be band too and that it just as bad as smoking.
January 31st, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Yes it should be made illegal. It is a disgusting habit. And it has no positive benefits what so ever. Plus the prices are outragous for a pack.
January 31st, 2010 at 1:53 pm
I think it should but i’m not sure the government could afford the drop in revenue
January 31st, 2010 at 8:20 pm
I gave up just over a year ago. The reason i gave up was, one morning i was coughing and i coughed up some blood. I had to go for a chest x-ray and it took 1 week to get the results. When the doctor told me i had a severe chest infection and not cancer i was relieved.
He told me to give up as next time it may not be an infection. I told him that i had given up the moment i coughed up the blood.
I needed a reason to give up and i was lucky enough to get one. I look back now and can not believe how stupid and weak i was.
It is the worst habit on this planet and it should be banned everywhere and carry a £500 fine if caught.
When people smoke in public they are not just killing their selves but they are killing adults and children around them.
If it were banned, the C02 emissions will drop dramatically and the Government will leave my 4X4 alone.
I know some of you are going to read this and see me as a converted smoker and say that they are the worst.
I SAY BOLLOCKS TO THOSE PEOPLE, as they are jealous and do not have the will power to give up themselves.
Ps: The revenue lost by the Government would be compensated by fines.
February 1st, 2010 at 2:16 am
Yes it should be illegal in public places, this includes areas outside of your property where non-smokers will be exposed to the fumes, but no it should not be totally illegal. It is a choice. As for the benefit, well it could be as simple as it amuses someone to smoke. That is the only benefit from almost anything we covet as humans. How many people are hopelessly addicted to fast food. How many people to soda, or coffee. There is no nutritional value in coffee, and it is a cycle that will leave you without energy and a horrible headache when you try to break it.
And to all of you who say it should be illegal, watch “Thank You for Smoking” it’s not about smoking or not smoking, it’s about the freedom to choose.
February 1st, 2010 at 3:37 am
im also a smoker, its really hard to quit. i undergo some treatment but it didnt work, until i cant breath and had this palpitation, my doctor asked me, which do you prefer your health and long life or short life span and cardiac arrest, before im hesitant to stop, till one day i was brought the hospital because of hard breathing, i felt this wierd feeling, i want to have a long life. so i decided to quit. your question also came to my mind, why the government cant persuade the cigarrette company to stop producing cigarrette. the answer is cigarrette companies are paying high taxes and of course the government are the one benifited of taxes. the battle of stopping smoking is really like you are in a war i may say, hope the government itself should make a law, closure to all cigarrette producing companies. in some countries/areas, smoking are prohibited, but still they have a smoking area facilities, so how can you avoid smoking. the only way is within yourself, or a strong determination of controling yourself not to smoke.
February 1st, 2010 at 3:45 am
yes
February 1st, 2010 at 7:43 am
If made illegal it would be cheaper, that’s for sure.
February 1st, 2010 at 10:51 am
While yes I do agree cigarettes are bad and they shouldn’t be allowed in public areas, no I don’t think we should make it illegal. The more things we make illegal the more we have to start worrying about Big Brother. But I don’t trust the government for the same reason a lot of you said you don’t like cigarettes, my grandfather died from lung and stomach cancer resulting from working at hanford Nuclear power plant, the government told him it was a perfectly safe place to work.
But lets ban cigarettes, lets ban everything that is bad who needs the right to choose
February 1st, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Yes and No.
No because of people such as your self who are in no doubt addicted in a serious way and there for would be an absolute nightmare to live with.BUT they should up the age limit to at least 21, by then peer pressure is ruled out (almost) in younger people.
YES because it MAKES YOU SMELL THEN KILLS YOU!!!!
February 1st, 2010 at 5:42 pm
What you mean, is that people dont use it to the point of blacking out, ha ha.
Smoking is mood altering as well – ever use it to calm down, perk up, when youre angry?
The definition of addiction: you experience withdrawl if you quit using it on a regular basis (irritability, anxiousness, etc)
But I’m all with ya on this one. It should be made illegal – pronto.
P.S. I’m getting accupuncture on Friday. Two of my coworkers quit this way – and they both smoked 3 packs a day. Wish me luck!
February 1st, 2010 at 8:04 pm
I like the idea, but I think it is not workable. Consider the American Prohibition. Rum runners and others made a fortune in the illicit trade, just as others make plenty in modern drug trafficking.
We can’t outlaw what people want. These laws simply make some criminals wealthy, fill our jails with others, and give the government a way to spend and collect money.
February 1st, 2010 at 10:20 pm
yes. smoking also harm others, ie. taking in second-hand smoke from the smokers
February 1st, 2010 at 11:35 pm
It should be illegal – the only problem is that so many people are addicted to smoking so ciggarettes would become big in the black market. You’re right though, it’s basically a pointless habbit. A habbit I’ve had to quit three times.
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:17 am
I watched my sister die from smoking related cancer. She was 45. So please do not think that smoking does nothing for you. It blackens your lungs, constricts your blood flow, and on and on. The cigarette companies are adding chemicals to their wares to keep you addicted.
My sister used acupuncture to quit smoking, alas too late.
So my opinion is yes, make them illegal.
February 2nd, 2010 at 4:50 am
I don’t think they should be illegal. There are quite a few people that enjoy tobacco products, whether it be a cigarette, cigar, pipe, chew, etc. People need to be mature about it and not smoke 4 packs a day or smoke 10 cigars a day, etc. Moderation is key. The whole second hand smoke argument is complete baloney but people believe it. If you find the real stats on it, you’d be surprised how little second hand effects people. Car fumes and hair products are more harmful as far as I know. As far as smoking’s direct impact, it is not good for you…..but if you keep it to a few cigarettes a day that isn’t harmful. But to each his own as long as you don’t overdo it but keep it down.
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:01 am
That’s a great idea to have it made illegal, but it will never happen.
The tobacco companies do a tremendous amount of lobbying at the US Capitol.You know how money talks!
I know it is an addiction. My late husband tried to quit for over 20 yrs and finally died a slow death with lung disease.
Hope you try to quit and succeed.
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Absolutely NOT. I understand that smoking cigarettes is bad for your health and all that.. but if a person chooses to smoke, it’s THEIR choice. They tried banning alcohol once.. and it didn’t work. There is no reason to believe that banning cigarettes would work in any way. In the case that they do ban cigarettes, they’ll have to ban fast food all together because the effects from it are far worse.
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:53 pm
I think that smoking should still be legal and I’m sorry to hear that you’re addicted to cigarettes, I wish you best of luck on giving up smoking.
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:56 pm
we are in the same boat ,
but nothing should be illegal in true democratic terms
except murder or bodely harm,theft and damage of property.
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:51 pm
well you are mostly right. I am a smoker too, and I would like to quit, but I also like smoking. The benefit is that you get a change of consciousnous for a few min.
In today’s world that is a HUGE relief.
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:29 pm
GUYS! Think deep!
We all know that smoking is bad for you, no? Those who take a puff are addicted and it’s really hard to get unhooked to the drug.
I have read some of the opinions here and must disagree with some.
Haven’t you heard of the 21st amendment? Before it, an amendment banned alchohal. However, that didn’t stop a lot of Americans from drinking. Gangs secretly sell them in oftenly portrayed alleyways, people smuggled them in from Canada. Hell, officers and mayors could be found in illegal bars. People finally gave up and decided that banning alchohol wasn’t a solution to stop us Americans from drinking, thus the 21st amendment was passed.
Also, raising the money on cigarettes might help some, but being desperate might cause more violence, such as robberies and outbreaks.
My father smoked every once in a while, especially after work because his boss had issues. It helped him relax and get his mind off stress. He was not hooked like smoking all the time because he was worried about my health. Rather, his smoking was periodically, like maybe once every two weeks or so.
From past experience, we understand that prohibiting cigarettes will not stop smokers from smoking. The only way I feel can truely stop it is for the seniors to pass down their experience to the children of today, encourage them to stop smoking. Then, we can finally abolish it.
but that would be hard wouldnt it?
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:37 pm
i think that the smoking age should be raised a year every year to be fair to the people who already smoke, until it gets to like 80 or a 100, then it could be completely banned.
And i completely agree with you about smoking … it sucks (never tried it myself though)
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:46 pm
yeah it should okay i think they’d be an uproar at first but people would get used to it and would be better off from it.
February 3rd, 2010 at 5:35 am
It should be banned. Nobody wants to get lung cancer. These “proper” drugs will damage your body and mind and you can easily become an addict. When you smoke around people, it increases their chances of getting lung cancer from second hand smoke. Bet you wouldn’t want that on your conscience. I can say proudly that I have never even thought about smoking. You can live without it.