Do you think the age increase to 18 to buy cigarettes on 1st of October is a infringement of liberty?

mollbert

I believe that the answer to this question lies in the "eye of the beholder." I was a smoker in the U.S. from age 12 on. When I turned 16 years old (1994) my state passed a law that banned minors under the age of 18 from the sale and possession of cigarettes.

At the time I felt that it was an infringement of my liberties - I had the money, I was making the decision to smoke, and I was old enough to make this decision.

The rationale behind this imposed law was to regulate the health and well being of children - and to stop the epidemic of children smokers.

This plan has not been successful, as many children under the age of 18 still smoke and will continue to do so. Now it is a matter of "the forbidden fruit."

I agree that everyone should have the right to choose to smoke - and this is especially vital now that smoking facts are openly discussed and there is no more "smoke and mirrors" from tobacco companies.

Additionally, the more parents and others complain about smokers and the problems they cause for society, the more children will continue to smoke. When people stop placing a stigma on smokers, kids will actually be willing to listen to the facts about the subject and not see it as a way to irk their parents.

Zero1

I don't know where the United States Constitution guarantees you the right to smoke?

coragryph

Yes, it's an infringement -- but like many other laws (seat belts, taxes, speed limits) it is a legal infringement.

Meaning, the govt has the legal right to infringe your choice in that way -- some infringement are legal, some are not.

reardwen

Yes, it is an infringement of liberty, but it's a good one, like the law that says corner shops can't sell heroin.

Unknown

It infringes on the right to make stupid choices. Which is a right everyone should be granted but never should use.

Watari

I think it is a bit of an infringement to be honest, we're all capable of making grown up, important decisions from the age of sixteen so I don't see why it's the government's buisness to infringe on that.

I suppose there's the arguement that under 18's aren't adults yet, and they shouldn't be allowed access to something harmful. But with that way of thinking under 18's wouldn't be allowed into MacDonalds!

taxed till i die,

The government are bringing it into line with alcohol,Which i think is fair enough.

Logic316

You can still legally grow your own. All you need is 1/10th of an acre of land.

genkilady

think of the money you will save. and you wont smell like an ashtray either. its a mugs game.

i wont get started on the health issues.

this is happening in the UK. apparently.. long over due. its a disgusting habit to get caught up with. as the choice to smoke becomes a need. addiction to anything is not good.

lily

I take it you don't live in the US. Our legal age to buy cigarettes is 18 here.

We moan over here about having to wait until we're 21 in order to buy and drink alcohol legally. You're probably in one of the countries where you can drink at 18.

You only have to wait 2 more years, if this rumor is true. It may be to try to discourage people from starting smoking... if they have to wait longer, maybe the glamour effect of it won't be as interesting when they reach legal age. Or maybe it'll make more teens start smoking illegally.

joannie

Well, 18 to vote, drink alcohol, get married so why not cigarettes.
I wish someone had tried to stop me smoking when I was a teenager, its taken til now over 50 for me to pack up!
Even though you might not want to hear it, under 18s do think alot different to people over 18.

NovemberSun

Perhaps it is an infringement, to have the law period, but the culture of our society does not allow for this type of behavior. If you want the right to smoke you may have to leave the country.
On the other hand...
By increasing the legal age to smoke it is assumed or at the very least hoped, that the individual will make a more informed decision.

John & Stephanie

Where the crap you live? Its always been 18 for tobacco products, shotguns/ammo and 21 for alcohol, and handguns/ammo in Ky.

Pleasant Peter Perkins

It is an infringement in the same sense that not being able to freely purchase dynamite is.

Should we be free to by something lethal when we are still termed children by most social measures?

Why are Americans answering this?

fozdoiguacu

yes it is. but sometimes its for the best!

Kelly S

I agree with everyone else when I wonder what state/country you live in. My state (New Jersey), changed the law to 19 about a year ago or so.

I personally do not believe it is an infringement of our liberties to have an age restriction on cigarettes, because I don't think we want to see 10 year olds smoking. I am aware that this still does occur, but I think the likelihood of young children smoking would be much greater if the law did not exist.

Perdendosi

It's not that it's just not healthy:
(1) It's REALLY unhealthy. Cigarettes are the only product sold on the market that will kill you if you "use as directed."
(2) The earlier you start smoking, the greater likelihood that you become addicted and can't stop, leading to the health problems recognized in No. 1.
(3) It also is unhealthy to those around you. Secondhand smoke kills. Teens are around their friends, and aren't going to say "eew smoke." Keep their lungs clean, too.

peter s

Buying deadly poisons like cigarettes at any age should be illegal in fact they should not be on the market. Anybody having witnessed his/her parent on their death bed with lung cancer would never disagree with me.

bill

Do you think the age limit of 16+ is an infringement of liberty.

Stevie

You see it's that sort of attitude that is creating this mad society that we live in.....i think you should have to be 50 to buy cigs or even better just ban the dam things and i am saying this as a smoker....in a way sales of tobacco is murder as so many people die of related illnesses every year....it's not a question of liberty but a question of common sense

curmudgeon

why anyone calls this a free country is beyond me.

halsca

I live in Southern California, it's been 18 as long as I can remember.

sparhawk7322

Always been 18 in Ohio

In Texas, as long as I can remember, the legal age has always been 18 to buy cigarettes.

beardog4314

Yes, it's definitely an infringement on that liberty. All laws infringe some liberty. The question, is whether or not it's an acceptable liberty to infringe upon.

Em x

In the UK??? I havent heard about it being definite??

Willow

Abso blooming Lutely! I am heartily sick of the people who are paid a fortune to so call govern us telling me what I can and cannot do!! Instead of addressing the major issues which affect this society they are more intent in governing MY life! I am an adult, I can choose what I eat, what I wear, my lifestlye choices, what car I drive, where I shop, how I raise (raised) my children..Whether to smoke, eat fat, use salt, ad infinitum.....I have worked all my life, will work till I drop coz I cannot afford to do otherwise! .In persecuting the "normal" citizen the powers that be hope we will not notice the shambles they have made of the bigger picture! Liberty? We have none....Criminals? We have plenty.....we cannot house them anymore, Borders? Open to all and sundry because . it is cheap labour to the capitalists! Have they banned smoking in prisons? The House of Commons, the Armed Forces ? Mental Institutions? if not why not? We, joe public as always, are the easy target. Stand up in our millions and be counted, they are our elected representatives....Do they represent us? Put up or shut up!.

A Priori

everyone pretends that smoking only harms the smoker, but when those smokers don't have health insurance, and they have to go to a free clinic, who do you think is paying for that? taxpayers.

charlie

Its a bit harsh if you've just turned 16 on say 29th September, its then legal for you to buy them for 2 days and then it becomes illegal.

A bit of a silly law really.

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