Should we ban cigarettes?

[Sionnach Glic]

Well? The reasons for impossing a full-scale ban on cigarettes and similar tobacco products are manyfold and obvious. They're harmfull to both the user, and anyone in the vicinity. There's no enjoyment gained from them. They slowly kill you (and anyone in the area unfortunate enough to inhale the carcinogenics). They are of no benefit to anyone but the companies that make them. And, lastly, they are simply disgusting to be around.
That's just a sample of the many reasons I believe there should be a full ban on these things, but can anyone give me a good reason why there shouldn't be a ban on them?

[sunnyside]

Well for one it would probably half kill Mikey.

[MetalHead]

Ban them.

They kill people, they're the most dangerous product known to man, they KILL PEOPLE WHO DO NOT SMOKE.

Smoking is a filthy habit and a waste of money. And, you STINK of smoke. Smokers never realize but if you smoke, and you're around a non-smoker, we can smell you from about 5 feet away, thats how disgusting you are.

I can't kiss women who smoke either, the taste is horrible, and again, the stench not only on their clothes but their hair, UGH! Cigarettes are a pathetic addiction designed to do nothing but make money. Its not classy, its the sign of low-life, commoner foolishness. Sorry to be so harsh but smoking is just filthy and has no benefits whatsoever. Idiocy.

[Mikey]

All that you say is true - and I know better than most of you, because I know it first-hand. But, I ain't got too many vices left! I don't drink to the point of alcoholism anymore, I gave up "recreational pharmaceuticals," I'm even down to three cups of coffee a day based on the latest studies of caffeine on sugar production and insulin absorption. Take my smokes, and I may as well convert and join a monastery!

And in actuality, nicotine DOES have a definite effect on vasodilation, seratonin production, etc.; in some cases, a positive effect. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that's a good habit for anyone; just that there are real reasons why people smoke. As far as the effects on others... well, I make efforts (unlike many smokers, admittedly) to avoid smoking in areas where others would be affected.

I know I have to quit. But all in all, considering the way that I used to live my life, "just" smoking cigarettes is a hugely positive step.

[Tsukiyumi]

I'll second Mikey on that. It's quite hard to quit, and some studies show that people are more addicted to the sensation of smoking, rather than a pure chemical dependance on nicotine. If there were a free treatment program to help people quit, I'd say it could be a positive thing. But think of all the revenue the government would lose from all the taxes...

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

I'll say this, Mikey, you're a good man for toning down/stopping a lot of that stuff.

And ban them.

[sunnyside]

My question is why cigs? Pipe smoke can actually be pleasant. I think it's also massively cheaper. A quick google search shows you can get five pounds of fancyish stuff for ~$120

A cig typically contains under a gram of tobbacco so lets say that would get you 2400 cigs worth of tobbacco. Sounds like you pay about $3.50 for 20 cigs so the same number of cigarettes would cost $420

That seems to be a pretty big difference.

[colmquinn]

$3.50

Try 7.50 Euro for a pack of 20 here - I don't know exchange rates but its worth more than the dollar at present i believe. With revenue coming in like that you don't need dictators to make trains run on time
Over night ban wouldn't work either, look what happened with alcohol in USA, free program for quitting not raising taxes every year are what're needed.


For the record I do smoke (but haven't managed to don the habit yet)

[sunnyside]

A euro is roughly a buck and a half.

so that's like 11 dollars for a pack of 20!

With that kind of tax revenue. You know, actually, one of Americas biggest upcomming financial burdens in Social Security/medicade/medicare.

Smokers
1. Contribute more taxes
2. Are supposed to die earlier.
This could be a win-win

So long as they're doing it out in the snow now where others are trying to eat/work

[Blackstar the Chakat]

How can't you quit? Aren't there nicotine patches and that gum to help? There's also a book I heard about, if I find the name I'll tell you, where everyone I've heard who's read it quit. They aren't sure how or why, the book actually told them they didn't have to stop while reading, but somehow they all stopped smoking because of it.

Here's an interesting factoid: Nicotin can increase short term memory, and as a result people who wear those patches while sleeping will often have a better recollection of their dreams, which may or may not be a good thing.

[Mikey]

To include the "embarassing affectations" topic - this is a Star Trek forum, we've all had them - there was a period of time during which I smoked Silk Cut cigarettes (because John Constantine smoked them in the comics... ) they ran about $5.50 when domestics were about $3.50!

Sunny - pipe smoke is not inhaled, and provides a different sensation than cigarette smoke as well as a different type, intensity, and speed of nicotine absorption. And don't think "not inhaled" means "more healthy" - you're just transferring your risk of lung cancer into a risk of oral cancer.

Blackstar - I'm sure that most smokers know about all the methods you discuss, and more. But this little phrase:

How can't you quit?

is indicative of the fact that you've never had a nicotine addiction. I hope you never do; but for all the success stories with any particular method, there are ten times as many failure stories. Smoking is insidious, because it's not ONE type of addiction. It satisfies a chemical dependence as well as a psychological dependence - the psychoanalytic school would say that it satisfies a childhood-based oral fixation - PLUS one becomes used to, if not dependent on, the vasodilatory and seratonin-balancing effects.

In other words, the patches and pills may stop the chemical nicotine cravings, but do nothing for the psychological desire. Hypnotherpay, biofeedback, etc., may cease the id's desire, but don't eliminate the physical need. And all this is saying nothing of environmental psychological triggers...

[Blackstar the Chakat]

Okay, then why get started in the first place? The smell alone is enough to keep me away from it.

[Mikey]

Adolescent idiocy, ignorance, and "bulletproof" complex. At least, that's what did it for me.

[Tsukiyumi]

That sounds about right.

[MetalHead]

Mikey makes some great points.

However, I know alot of people who literally just said to me "its cool" or "its trendy". and it makes my mind spin. RAWR!

I've actually gotten into fights with smokers who absentmindedly blow their cigarette smoke into my face.

Thats the only reason the government wont ban smoking - the amount of tax they make off it is unbelieveable, similiar to the porno industry. The amount of tax money the government recieves is actually staggering. Same with alcohol. So I say this. Take 90% of the tax off petrol/gasoline and place that onto cigarettes, and keep them legal. We'll see what happens!!!!!!!!!!!!!