Why are cigarettes still legal?

Im ashamed to admit that i am a smoker. I have tried to quit a few times but i keep getting sucked back into it. Smoking cigarettes have to be one of the worst things a person can do to their body. I know that the Govt makes huge amounts of money taxing them but it is at the expense of hundreds of thousands of lives a year. I really dont understand why we just dont outlaw cigarettes like we have every other drug.

They're legal because there's no reason that they shouldn't be. The U.S. Government, and I'm making the assumption that you're talking about it, has no right to tell me what I can and can't buy.

This liberal idea is very fundamental to the whole meaning behind the country, even though it's been largely ignored for a while.

the first response is BS.
the thread hits close to home as yesterday was Mothers Day and I spent it alone as I lost my mom to breast cancer directly related to chain smoking.

I have asked this question...I have done a web search.
No one ask the question.
I am glad you did.
Its ovbious the control the private sector has on government.
the idea pot is illegal and booze and tobacco legal throws the liberal idea out the window with common sense.

tobbaco should be illegal.

its not legal to sell cancer causing agent for ingestion except tobacco

i also believe tobacco should be illegal.. and i am a smoker! everytime i smoke a cigg i think about how its harming my body. The government is basically allowing you to slowly kill yourself.

If cigarrettes are legal then why arent drugs legal? Im sure cigarrettes cause more deaths then all those illegal drugs combined!

Hey,

I'm all for (Cough) cigarette smokin'. Why, I invented the idea of smokin' (Cough) and you shouldn't listen to all the bad things (Cough) people say about em.

Cigarettes are good, (Cough) smoke, if you have em!

Yeah, let's ban fast food, too! And cookies! Chocolate!

Remember, we're authoritarians! We know best, not the people! So what if he wants to smoke? I'm Dr. Schmoe, and you have no right to choose what you do! The government will run your life! Risk is illegal!

Originally posted by junglelord
its not legal to sell cancer causing agent for ingestion except tobacco

That is a lie. Either you're ignorant and didn't bother to do any research at all, or you're trying to spread authoritarian propaganda.

I would like to bring up a point:
In todays society, we all know that cigarettes cause cancer, excessive drinking is bad for the body, eating excessive amounts of fast food, anything over once a week, can lead to overweight, too much sugar can lead to more medical problems and anyone who drinks coffee, have a harder time quiting drinking coffee than most. It is personal choice. Most tend to view cigarettes as bad, as that is the easiest to go after, but how about preventing all that would make us sick, that we know of? Lets ban going out into the sun and sunbathing as there is a direct correlation between that and skin cancer, no more fast food, as the effects on health is drastic, no more liquor as it can be bad for the body, and prevents drunk driving. One of the main stays is this, are we prepared for another prohibition where you then have black markets setting up?

Peace

If passing laws is so effective why make cigarettes illegal when the government could just pass a law requiring common sense or personal responsability?

Sure cigarettes kill. So what. If you dont want them to kill you dont smoke them. As for other drugs, they shouldnt be illegal either. If people make the choice to shoot heroine or smoke crack so be it. Its their own damn fault. Its not like there's some huge crack disinfo campaign going on tricking people into believing crack is good for you. Let the junkies all die under a bridge. They chose it.

If you dont want to die a smoking related death dont smoke. Its pretty simple.
Suck it up and quit. I did. People do everyday. Dont blame the government for your weakness. But then, the government has done an excellent job of breeding weakness and creating dependancy among the citizenry. I suppose I shouldve expected a group of people demanding the banning of their vice. Its always easier than taking responsability yourselves.

Why dont we just go ahead and ban booze again? It worked so well last time.

ciggs are so addicting, fast food and sunbathing etc. are not addicting. I was stupid and started smoking young. Now im addicted. And ciggs are a hell of alot worse then any of those combined.

I also smoke.

My husband and I recently started the prescribed stop smoking medication called "Chantix", and I am pleased so far. It does curb my smoking appetite. I do look forward to banking the $5,800.00 a year me and my husband spend on cigarettes each year.

I have an addiction and I know I need help so I am doing something about it.
I hate smoking, and it will most likely be what kills me ... I say yes make it illegal because its not doing any good to me, my family or my environment.

I heard about a law here in New Jersey that if you are caught smoking in your car with a child under the age of 18 you will be pulled over and given a fine. As to the exacts of this new law I am not sure. Has anyone else heard about this??

I am a smoker trying hard to quit. Smoking is absolutely gross!

Originally posted by Johnmike

Originally posted by junglelord
its not legal to sell cancer causing agent for ingestion except tobacco

That is a lie. Either you're ignorant and didn't bother to do any research at all, or you're trying to spread authoritarian propaganda.

can you point me to some cancer causing agent they sell for ingestion other then tobbacco please.

Originally posted by hikix
ciggs are so addicting, fast food and sunbathing etc. are not addicting. I was stupid and started smoking young. Now im addicted. And ciggs are a hell of alot worse then any of those combined.

Are you sure about the fast food? If you combine all of the other causes of death it outweighs that of cigarette smoking. In short there is nothing there that says a person has to light up a cigarette and there are all sorts of materials to help a person quit. If you think it is a good idea to make it illegale, are you prepared for the legal battles that will be fought for years afterwards, from uninsured citizens who will be demanding that the government pay for the stuff to help them to quit, to the native americans demanding to be excluded as it is a part of their spiritual beliefs to the courts and jails that will be over crowded for the black market that will be swelling up for this, and what about the tourist industry, we may ban it here in the US but are you willing to sacrifice billions of dollars to tell tourist who come and spend that money that they can not smoke, are you prepared for the ramification of this action? Lets just say for me, I will give up tobacco as soon as they ban all fast food and demand that those who are over weight lose weight.

Originally posted by junglelord

Originally posted by Johnmike

Originally posted by junglelord
its not legal to sell cancer causing agent for ingestion except tobacco

That is a lie. Either you're ignorant and didn't bother to do any research at all, or you're trying to spread authoritarian propaganda.

can you point me to some cancer causing agent they sell for ingestion other then tobbacco please.

Obviously I cant speak for Johnmike but lets see:

Naphthalene in cleaners and mothballs.

MeIQ, MeIQx, and PhIP are heterocyclic amine compounds formed when meats and eggs are cooked or grilled at high temperatures.(gonna ban cooking food?)

Lead is used to make lead-acid storage batteries, ammunition, and cable coverings.

Cobalt Sulfate is used in electroplating, as coloring agents for ceramics, and as drying agents in inks and paints.(no more potter in art class?)

Nitromethane is used in specialized fuels, explosives, and in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals. (no more RC cars I guess)

Benzene, in just about everything. Know that "new car smell?" Its Benzene.

Lets get to banning! We've quite a list. These are just a few of the 246 cnacer causing ingredients. That was in 2005. There may be even more now.

ntp.niehs.nih.gov...

How could I forget the best one!!!! WOOD DUST.



[edit on 14-5-2007 by thisguyrighthere]

Originally posted by thisguyrighthere

Originally posted by junglelord

Originally posted by Johnmike

Originally posted by junglelord
its not legal to sell cancer causing agent for ingestion except tobacco

That is a lie. Either you're ignorant and didn't bother to do any research at all, or you're trying to spread authoritarian propaganda.

can you point me to some cancer causing agent they sell for ingestion other then tobbacco please.

Obviously I cant speak for Johnmike but lets see:

Naphthalene in cleaners and mothballs.

MeIQ, MeIQx, and PhIP are heterocyclic amine compounds formed when meats and eggs are cooked or grilled at high temperatures.(gonna ban cooking food?)

Lead is used to make lead-acid storage batteries, ammunition, and cable coverings.

Cobalt Sulfate is used in electroplating, as coloring agents for ceramics, and as drying agents in inks and paints.(no more potter in art class?)

Nitromethane is used in specialized fuels, explosives, and in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals. (no more RC cars I guess)

Benzene, in just about everything. Know that "new car smell?" Its Benzene.

Lets get to banning! We've quite a list. These are just a few of the 246 cnacer causing ingredients. That was in 2005. There may be even more now.

you ingest those things you listed (except for black charcol barbaque)


now I ask again show me one product sold for CONSUMPTION/INJESTION that is a known cancer causing agent?


[edit on 14-5-2007 by junglelord]

Originally posted by junglelord


MeIQ, MeIQx, and PhIP are heterocyclic amine compounds formed when meats and eggs are cooked or grilled at high temperatures.(gonna ban cooking food?)

you ingest those things you listed (except for black charcol barbaque)


now I ask again show me one product sold for CONSUMPTION/INJESTION that is a known cancer causing agent?


[edit on 14-5-2007 by junglelord]

Yes. You do.

they are not sold, thats bad cooking at home
again show me one thing SOLD for INJESTION
PS i eat my steak rare...so none of that crap for me.
I also bake...
no need to eat charcoal/


[edit on 14-5-2007 by junglelord]

Originally posted by junglelord

no need to eat charcoal/

[edit on 14-5-2007 by junglelord]

If you want to you're free to go through that report and look up each compound and see what each one is used in and where theyre found. Im not going to go out of my way to prove to you one thing or another.

As far as I know the substances that are illegal were't made so because they cause cancer. By and large they were made illegal due to public ignorance and racism.

The point is if you dont want to die a smokers death dont smoke. It no ones job to babysit you or hold your hand through life.

Keep eating your steak rare and you just might die from worm infestation.

Sooner or later youre going to die. If you dont want it to be from a know carconogen dont consume the carcinogen.

And BTW, the new car smell? You INHALE IT.

Originally posted by thisguyrighthere

Originally posted by junglelord


MeIQ, MeIQx, and PhIP are heterocyclic amine compounds formed when meats and eggs are cooked or grilled at high temperatures.(gonna ban cooking food?)

you ingest those things you listed (except for black charcol barbaque)

now I ask again show me one product sold for CONSUMPTION/INJESTION that is a known cancer causing agent?


[edit on 14-5-2007 by junglelord]

Any Salted or Smoked red meat will cause stomach cancer as it destroys protiens making it harmful for the person eating it. In short that kills beef jerky.

Originally posted by thisguyrighthere
If people make the choice to shoot heroine or smoke crack so be it. Its their own damn fault.

Actually I will have to disagree with you on that comment. Lets use an example of a teen that was in a terrible auto accident, pumped up with morphine, demerol, then sent home with a bottle of strong pain pills such as Percocets to take care of her broken leg, and hip pain. The addiction can start just like that. Is this innocent or not?

Narcotics are over prescribed and most addictions start right in your family practitioners office without the patient even knowing what their up against. It is just to easy to go to the Doctors and get narcotics ... even today with more awareness to the problem.

This happens all the time. Dr's prescribe pain pills and narcotic cough syrups (aka liquid vicodins) so easily these days and next thing you know the young and old are addicted.

When the pills are not strong enough and the effects of not having the drug makes you sick you end up going to something stronger like Heroin! The same goes with diet pills ... they are not strong enough anymore so crack coc aine is the next level to go.

I say it is not always their damn fault because most of the time it started off so innocent just by visiting a Doctors office.