Age Limit on smoking Legal substances?

A series of questions around the limits of cigarettes:
-Do you believe there should be a set age limit on smoking legal substances?
-A ban on tobacco products?
-A ban on youth advertising on cigarettes?

I ask this because smoking is a situation where the repercussions to others are minimal in almost all situations.
It is only detrimental to the user-mostly.

Also for those that doubt the case of tobacco advertising to the youth:

 Spoiler

 Spoiler

EDIT: took out drinking clause. I want to talk about tobacco. We can discuss alcohol latter.

I ask this because smoking is a situation, unlike drinking, where the repercussions to others are minimal in almost all situations.
It is only detrimental to the user-mostly.

You can't be serious. Smoking has a huge effect on everyone around the smoker, more so than most other things. Ever heard of secondhand smoke? Ever looked at the research and stats behind it?

I believe smoking should be banned in all regards, period. I frickin' hate smokers and their selfish lack of concern for the people around them. I'm tired of having to walk through all these idiot smokers on my way to classes. Unlike those fags, I actually care about my body. If the idiots wouldn't start smoking in the first place, they'd never "need" a cigarette. It has absolutely no benefits and only ruins their body and wastes their money.

Ugh. I hate smokers. HATE. Stop smoking people.

The age restritctions on certain substances are not because they're bad for a certain age group; They[re bad for ALL age groups. The age restriction is the age of discretion of use (if that makes sense), basically "You arent old enough to decide for yourself because you dont know the full consequences of your actions/folly at this age so we'll make you be xx age before we let you decide". This stuff is bad, period. However, as most western countries call themselves a "free" country (to this extent, anyways), they allow the citizens to make the choice on whether or not to do it.

And what? Smoking doesnt have results that affect others? Where've you been the last bunch of years? Havent you seen those commercials that say that second hand smoke is even MORE harmful than smoking intself? That each inhale of secondhand smoke shortens your lifespan by 10 minutes (or something along those lines)? I would argue that smoking is even MORE dangerous to those around you than drinking; You're DEFINITELY inhaling 2nd hand smoke whereas there's only a CHANCE that you'd be hit by a drunk driver or be involved in an alcohol involved accident. With that being said, smoking is actually MORE harmful to those around them than it is to the smoker himself, which really shouldnt be the case >_>

To your questions themselves:

-Do you believe there should be a set age limit on smoking legal substances?

Yes, it exists already and I find it fine the way it is...Where I live, the age is 19 but I wouldnt be against it being moved up (down?) to say 21 or something though I know for some it wont make a difference; they'll find a way to get it illegally under age anyways.

-A ban on tobacco products?

As I said, it's a "free" country and people will do what they want to do as long as it doesnt affect others directly (Im not sure if this is being stated properly... Im just trying to say it's a free country but you arent allowed to go murdering and stealing as you please). If someone wants to eff up their body, then that's their choice.

-A ban on youth advertising on cigarettes?

The way I see it, why advertise to them? They cant use them, so why advertise it? I mean, it's like pouring lots of advertising money for a guaranteed no return... least that's the way I see it. They're better off spending their money elsewhere on an audience that might actually buy it. As for if it should be legal to advertise to youth...well, if you're not going to let them use it, you might as well block their exposure to it too

Personally for myself, it doesnt matter if they ban it or what the legal age to use these substances are; Im not going to use them anyways. Just as the legal drinking age doesnt really concern me. Legal drinking age is 19 here and though Im 19, I've only drank one alcoholic beverage since I turned 19 over half a year ago (and that was by accident... friends told me it was orange juice and forgot to mention it was alcoholic orange juice, rofl). If it's going to eff up my body or if there're no benefits to it, Im not going to do it, simple as that.

Ps. You need to have better discretion when choosing what emoticons/smileys to put. A glittery one beside smoking just makes you seem like one of those kids who go "zomg, smoking is soooo cool! Who cares if it's bad for your health!" Which brings up another point: Why do some people find it necessary to put emoticons after everything, even if it doesnt belong there? I digress though.

And what? Smoking doesnt have results that affect others? Where've you been the last bunch of years? Havent you seen those commercials that say that second hand smoke is even MORE harmful than smoking intself? That each inhale of secondhand smoke shortens your lifespan by 10 minutes (or something along those lines)? I would argue that smoking is even MORE dangerous to those around you than drinking; You're DEFINITELY inhaling 2nd hand smoke whereas there's only a CHANCE that you'd be hit by a drunk driver or be involved in an alcohol involved accident. With that being said, smoking is actually MORE harmful to those around them than it is to the smoker himself, which really shouldnt be the case >_>

This a rebuttal to everyone who speaks about second-hand smoke:
Yes it is bad. I will not argue that it is anything but toxic.
I will argue that second hand smoke is avoidable (if there are bans on smoking in public areas) and that it would be the responsibility of the parent to prevent the child from smoking in, say the house or car, etc.
By side-effects comparable to alcohol I meant those of judgment impairment, and mood swings.
Also on a side note: nicotine is a tough drug to quit- withdrawal symptoms can include mood swings, intense crabbiness, and other slight changes.
Alcohol withdrawal can kill you.
So please stay on topic and do not try to explain why smoking is worse than alcohol. Just tell me why smoking is hazardous/acceptable and why you see as such.

-A ban on youth advertising on cigarettes?

The way I see it, why advertise to them? They cant use them, so why advertise it? I mean, it's like pouring lots of advertising money for a guaranteed no return... least that's the way I see it. They're better off spending their money elsewhere on an audience that might actually buy it. As for if it should be legal to advertise to youth...well, if you're not going to let them use it, you might as well block their exposure to it too

There is a law against advertising to youth already.
It exists because the youth wanted cigarettes (due to the advertising) and obtained the illegally.
The second part of your paragraph addresses the issue.
If it is LEGAL to smoke for children should it be LEGAL to advertise to them as well?

Ps. You need to have better discretion when choosing what emoticons/smileys to put. A glittery one beside smoking just makes you seem like one of those kids who go "zomg, smoking is soooo cool! Who cares if it's bad for your health!" Which brings up another point: Why do some people find it necessary to put emoticons after everything, even if it doesnt belong there? I digress though.

The emoticons are just for fun.
I hate smokers and I hate smoking- it is disgusting.
And I also believe that a standard age for drugs of all sorts should exist- and be one age.
Now where that age is- I am yet to decide.

He brought up drinking probably because you were the one who compared the two in your first post.

The age limit for smoking is fine and should be there, because even though it sometimes actually encourage people to smoke, many others will be discouraged by the prospect of breaking the law. I'd like a ban on tobacco products, or at least smoked ones (chewed tobacco doesn't seem to affect others, so harm your own body for all I care), but it's probably not worth the trouble, especially with the more vital problems out there. A ban on advertising to youth: I guess.

Personally, I don't think there's much discussion in this topic. You can research all the hazards of smoking, and if you don't smoke, I doubt you'll see any pros of smoking at all.

"When mom or dad smokes, the whole family smokes."

Ban it. I see it as worse than marijuana and etc. If you really want to do that pomegranate and ruin yourself, do it for all I care, just stay in your closet. But smoking rapes the air for everyone else as well.

"When mom or dad smokes, the whole family smokes."

Ban it. I see it as worse than marijuana and etc. If you really want to do that pomegranate and ruin yourself, do it for all I care, just stay in your closet. But smoking rapes the air for everyone else as well.

Yea i see that pattern

My Great Grandpa Smoked>My Grandma smoked>My Mom Smoked>Then my Dad Smoked because my mom smoked.

Im going to break that Chain

The only Way to stop the Production of Tobbacco is if Everyone stops smoking. And its scary to know that Most Tobacco Companies are owned by our Governments.

There should be an age limit of ~16-21 for smoking.
but for drinking there shouldn't be one cause there's no harm and I hate to drink in secret everytime.

There should be an age limit of ~16-21 for smoking.
but for drinking there shouldn't be one cause there's no harm and I hate to drink in secret everytime.

NO harm in drinking? WHERE have you been? more teens die from drinking & driving then they do of smoking dope :f6:

Edit: And i think the age limit is fine. You have a choice whether or not you want to take up cigs or not, you're legally an adult.
-As for the ban on tobacco products, no, because you have a choice, that's just selfish for somebody to say oh i want this banned because it's unhealthy to me etc.
-Youth advertising- no because the Truth is making the youth today aware that smoking causes a lot of deaths today and that's a good thing.

I am not a cigarette smoker, my mother is however & she's healthy surprisingly :f6: She's been smoking for A LONG time.. I would like for her to stop but that's not up to me lol

NO harm in drinking? WHERE have you been? more teens die from drinking & driving then they do of smoking dope :f6:

that's not really the "harm" i meant...

but even without drinking car accidents can still happen.
Car accident happen because of the driver's carelessness, the method to carelessness can be alcohol or anything else.

anyways you can't drive until you reach 16 anyways.

If the amount of car accident increases among younger ppl, they should increase the driving age, not the drinking age....

If the amount of car accident increases among younger ppl, they should increase the driving age, not the drinking age....

Alcohol doesn't only impair the use of a motor vehicle, but most machines.

Increasing the driving age means the economy will suffer more. People use cars to get back and forth to work, and if a 17 year old can't get to work because some 16 year olds wants to look cool by holding a beer in his hand there won't be a lot of job opportunities for younger people.

A lot of employers give random drug tests, too, so drinking at an early age will discredit them from future employment.

Smoking sucks though. I'm affected by secondhand on a daily basis, and I can say it's done a number on me for 20 years, more so in the past 7 years. I say it should be banned in public and some residencies as well.

Alcohol doesn't only impair the use of a motor vehicle, but most machines.

Increasing the driving age means the economy will suffer more. People use cars to get back and forth to work, and if a 17 year old can't get to work because some 16 year olds wants to look cool by holding a beer in his hand there won't be a lot of job opportunities for younger people.

A lot of employers give random drug tests, too, so drinking at an early age will discredit them from future employment.

Smoking sucks though. I'm affected by secondhand on a daily basis, and I can say it's done a number on me for 20 years, more so in the past 7 years. I say it should be banned in public and some residencies as well.

Just because a 16 year old is drinking doesn't make it increase the driving age. Drinking and driving does. If the majority of the 16 year old are not responsible enough and decides to drink and drive, then obviously you should raise the driving age. Restricting drinking is like restricting kitchen knife to prevent murder. Yes they are the tools to do it, but there are many other tools that's available, the key lays in the person's responsibility.

ironic cuz i just found this article

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/03/health...ml?_r=1&em

If the amount of car accident increases among younger ppl, they should increase the driving age, not the drinking age....

Why do you think they get into accidents at young ages? Yea, part of it is a less developed brain, but most of it is lack of experience. Raise the age to 30 (an extreme to prove a point), and I guarantee the portion of 30-32 year olds who get into accidents won't differ from the current portion of 16-18 year olds by much. Might even be higher since drinking is legal at that age.

If the majority of the 16 year old are not responsible enough and decides to drink and drive, then obviously you should raise the driving age.

If the issue is drinking and driving, why would you raise the driving age?
If most of the accidents are by teens under the influence, the age has almost nothing to do with it: Raise the drinking age, not the driving age. Make stricter enforcement of it, and harsher punishments to people who sell the drinks in the first place.

Restricting drinking is like restricting kitchen knife to prevent murder. Yes they are the tools to do it, but there are many other tools that's available, the key lays in the person's responsibility.

It's better to teach someone not to do something, than never letting them choose for themselves. If a kid grows up always wanting to drink, but never being able to, the first chance he gets, what's he going to do? Drink. If he grows up having plenty of changes, maybe abusing it once or two with no serious incident, he'll have much better control when he's older, and can drink whenever why ever.

If the issue is drinking and driving, why would you raise the driving age?
If most of the accidents are by teens under the influence, the age has almost nothing to do with it: Raise the drinking age, not the driving age. Make stricter enforcement of it, and harsher punishments to people who sell the drinks in the first place.

I like how everyone saying it should be stricter is probably unaware that drunk driving accidents are pretty low in europe where there is no drinking age.

What if i'm a 40 year old dad and i buy drinks for my son and his buddies. When the buddies drive home and get in an accident, what are you going to do to the guy that sold it? Punish him? It was my decision to give it to them. Most booze is gotten from parents/people of legal age, and the kids get it because of parental consent or theft. Most vendors know about how stupid and punishable it is to sell to minors.

It's better to teach someone not to do something, than never letting them choose for themselves. If a kid grows up always wanting to drink, but never being able to, the first chance he gets, what's he going to do? Drink. If he grows up having plenty of changes, maybe abusing it once or two with no serious incident, he'll have much better control when he's older, and can drink whenever why ever.

Who says he's going to wait for that legal chance? (assuming you meant the first chance he gets when legal)

I like how everyone saying it should be stricter is probably unaware that drunk driving accidents are pretty low in europe where there is no drinking age.

Which brings me to my issue of.. Why have ANY age limit on smoking?
We can bat back and forth on the ideas of brain development (mid to late 20s btw) and the idea of freedom (in the victim-less crimes area at least).

Which brings me to my issue of.. Why have ANY age limit on smoking?
We can bat back and forth on the ideas of brain development (mid to late 20s btw) and the idea of freedom (in the victim-less crimes area at least).

Why have any limit? Because smoking is way more addictive and way more harmful, unlike drinking (in most cases anyway).

I'd be more interested in seeing:
Marijuana legalized
or
Alcohol made illegal

Reasoning -
Marijuana, while having judgement impairing and brain-damaging side effects, does nothing worse to the user than alcohol would, and is non-addictive. It has medical benefits, and generally results in a relaxed, muchy-craving personality.

Alcohol, on the other hand, can have wildly varying affects on mood and personality, is highly addictive, has limited to no medical benefits (discounting mild consumption of wine), and can cause severe damage to your kidneys.

If alcohol is legal, marijuana has no reason not to be...

I abhor smoking... It's flat out stupid.

- Drain on your wallet
- Drain on your health
- Drain on your friends & family's health through secondhand smoke
- Makes you stink, yellows the teeth, etc.

There's not a single good reason to start and the only reason to continue is addiction. The problem is that tobacco companies are a huge cash cow for the governments. For example, I'm going to use Canada's numbers for 2005 because it's the first thing Google brought up:

Health care costs due to tobacco-related sickness: 4+ billion
Income made on tobacco taxes: 9 billion
Anti-smoking campaign costs: 8 million
Tobacco company profit: 1.5 billion

That's a decent chunk of cash every year for the two tiers of government and it's even more in the States, due to the lack of universal health care. The anti-smoking campaigns are just there as a public relations ploy; the government LOVES the smokers because they can just keep gouging up the prices and the smoker keeps on coming back anyway, almost like a junkie.
The government won't want to throw that much money away, so nothing will change.

That said, I don't mind the smokers that much. Their choosing to kill themselves helps pay for my road repairs, snow removal, etc. Sure, they're annoying as all hell but they're mostly avoidable.

Why have any limit? Because smoking is way more addictive and way more harmful, unlike drinking (in most cases anyway).

No.
Where did you get these "magic facts?
My main point is such: lets say you start drinking and smoking at age 5.
And you want to quit at age 15.
Smoking withdrawal is annoying. (you can get quite cranky and hungry)
Alcohol withdrawal can be fatal. (you will hallucination, have Grand mal seizures, strokes, and heart attacks)

...
So please stop telling me how bas smoking is and how helpful drinking is.