And this is why we can't have nice things... because "we" don't "permit it". How does someone even write this sentence? Did they glance over at their crown, which says "King We", and think "thou shall not smoke!"?
Why do we still permit tobacco use? (2015)
21–30 of 250 posts
Re: Why do we still permit tobacco use? (2015)
#22Because some people enjoy it, and it's a free country. Why is this even a question?
> Why is this even a question? Again, the article explains: "I can vividly recall in the first couple of weeks into my first clinical rotation watching an elderly man with end-stage emphysema literally suffocate and die on my shift wearing just a venti mask. It was a clarion moment for me as a young health care professional even though I never smoked."
Elderly man -- had possibly lived a good life. Why is this even a question. People can do what they want. In every other western country outside of the US, you might be able to argue that since Medicare is provided free by the state that it is an unfair load on the system -- but in the US -- you absolutely don't have that argument available in your pocket. Sorry. So -- to each his own.
Re: Why do we still permit tobacco use? (2015)
#23Because laws match social rules, not the other way around?
Re: Why do we still permit tobacco use? (2015)
#24I enjoy the plant. I grow it in my garden for the beautiful scented flowers, and then I dry it or buy higher quality pipe tobacco and smoke it in my pipe in the summer and fall. Or a nice cigar when I'm on vacation in a warm place.
The industrial cigarette product.. yeah that's something else. Gross.
But I don't see how the two can be reasonably separated from each other, though, and how you can realistically police cigarette consumption. You'll just end up with a black market.
Seems like the current approach in western countries of high taxation and intensive education and regulation is (slowly) working.
Re: Why do we still permit tobacco use? (2015)
#25Smoking is bad but prohibition is worse. Being subjected to the carcercal system is worse for your health than smoking.
Being subjected to the carceral system is indeed bad for your health, but there's a gap here: you haven't explained why banning smoking means we have to put people in prison. I would have thought to just fine them, or tax purchases out of existence. No need for shackles.
They’re highly addictive. Banning them turns millions into criminals.
Re: Why do we still permit tobacco use? (2015)
#26Smoking is bad but prohibition is worse. Being subjected to the carcercal system is worse for your health than smoking.
The issue was prohibition in the USA was that it indiscriminately criminalised selling, transporting, owning and consuming alcohol. With tobacco, modern countries could simply ban selling while allowing consumption. The risk is that the black market would flourish. I think the current policy of constantly hiking the price is a compromise: it restricts availability while limiting the development of parallel sell channels.
Re: Why do we still permit tobacco use? (2015)
#27Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Why is this even a question? Again, the article explains: "I can vividly recall in the first couple of weeks into my first clinical rotation watching an elderly man with end-stage emphysema literally suffocate and die on my shift wearing just a venti mask. It was a clarion moment for me as a young health care professional even though I never smoked."
You have to die of something eventually. We are not immortal.
I think many people would like to see their loved ones live longer, healthier lives and die with relative comfort. That doesn't require being denial about their mortality.
Re: Why do we still permit tobacco use? (2015)
#28Smoking is bad but prohibition is worse. Being subjected to the carcercal system is worse for your health than smoking.
Does this apply to other drugs as well?
Generally I'd say yes at least for individuals with possession of substances for personal use.
There's a lot more justification to go after manufacturers like Perdue Pharma who engage in fraud.
Re: Why do we still permit tobacco use? (2015)
#29Smoking is bad but prohibition is worse. Being subjected to the carcercal system is worse for your health than smoking.
This, to me, is the only compelling reason. Prohibition is almost always worse. Even just prohibition of production -- not use -- has substantial negative externalities.
Almost every other argument is absurd on-face. Even base appeals to "freedom" fall flat given the significant secondary and tertiary effects of smoke exposure, as well as the huge cost imposed on society by smoking.
Re: Why do we still permit tobacco use? (2015)
#30Well, one thing to consider, seems these days, it is OK to smoke marijuana but not tobacco.
So, I believe until it is illegal to put 'smoke' into your lungs, anything goes. But, as some US businesses are doing, increase Medical Costs for people who smoke anything. Hard to verify since I know of a few people who lie about smoking to avoid the increased rates. At least that is a start.