If smoking is so dangerous, why havent they banned it?

money. it brings in an unbelievable amount of cash money

and plus - just like teenagers get alcohol, people would still find a way to smoke.

Anna C

TAXES-- the truth is the government are greedy they get so much money from tax on tobacco's that they won't ban it

Mike

In an Economics class I took, I asked the same question. Apparently, the United States of America makes an absolute killing on the taxes of cigarettes. For every pack of cigarettes, about 73% of the price is tax. So, in the state of Massachusetts, where a pack of Marlboro's is $5.25/pack, about $3.83 is taxed. Now think of how many packs of cigarettes are bought in a day. The system has done it again.

Quazwrath

1. Numbers. Far too many people smoke and are very addicted. It would be impossible to get every single person to stop who is addicted.

2. Greed. Taxes. All of that.

3. Freedom. It would be ridiculous to ban something that is harmful to us in our own homes. That should be our choice how we do unhealthy things in private if it doesn't affect anyone else. Why not make fast food illegal too? It's very unhealthy.

smith.w6079

I'm sure they'll get round to it, when they find another way of fleecing money out of people.

Pat

It all has to do with the amount of money that cigarettes bring to the government on taxes. Every time a new item is brought up they add a tax on cigarettes to pay for it.

I read an answer on here that the UN was trying to create a ban world wide. That would cause one of the biggest revolts that you have ever seen.

Prohibition couldn't stop the consumption of alcohol, I doubt a ban on cigarettes would work either.

Just my opinion.

R Dizzle

They are but in small doses, like the bill/law they just passed that will take place soon where there is no smoking in public places. But they don't ban it just for money purposes, it a multi-million dollar industry.

I Bent My Wookie

Lots and lots of money. They have very powerful lobbyist in Washington DC 2nd only to the NRA and big oil.

xuserx2000

As other posters stated..

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$...

ovbiously...they are right

Because it is a major money making industry that is run by big corporate people . This would cause a big financial loss for many in that business and they won't allow that to happen. Not to mention the medical profession will profit on the amount of people it will treat from the direct and second hand exposure that people have with this. It is a big money maker.

Natty-Lea

Because it makes some people lots of money. :-)

friendlyadvice

It's extremely profitable for the tobacco companies so they have powerful lobbyists in Washington that line the pockets of politicians who form the legislation that would ban the sale of cigarettes. The tobacco companies have even funded studies that concluded that smoking saves us as a society money because the premature deaths from smoking keep us from having to spend money on the other illnesses these people would get if they had lived longer.

Sam G

To ban it completely would be political suicide. Anyone who supported a bill like this would lose smokers' votes, and all the money from the big tobacco companies. Also, cigarette taxes are a huge source of revenue for the government, and it's all about the money in Washington. So instead they're starting with banning smoking in public places, and seeing what the political fallout is before they take another step.

Treadstone

U.S. companies still make a lot of money from exporting tobacco & using foreign tobacco in their brands sold abroad.

If the U.S. were to ban tobacco, it would not only cut a source of tax revenue it would make it more difficult for U.S. companies to do business abroad. It would be a very clear case of hypocrisy.

Tobacco is big business and has the money & power to protect its interests. As long as this industry continues to produce profit & generate taxes, it will be available.

gelfling

The tobacco companies have such a stronghold on this economy not to mention the several millions of us addicted to cigarettes. As like any other drug that has been criminalized (including alcohol in the 20's and 30's), it just becomes black market merchandise. Rreally the only winners in this war on nicotine are the big wig tobacco corporations, whom also have ties with certain food companies ie Phillip Morris/Kraft but also pharmeceudical companies as well.

Notreallyhere30

Your right, I smoke, but I think since people "can't smoke here, can't smoke there" anymore, then of course it's bad and should be made illegal.

verybadkitten

Because anything that helps tipping the scale of population control is useful.

BBlicious

Too much money would be lost for the companies/corporations who have stock in the business. And those companies have their hands in the pockets of government officials. So, as long as those cigg companies are content, the government officials keep getting their money to help in their re-election...or election.

Vicious circle.

crimeskid

i dont know where your from but in the uk its simply because the amount of money that the government makes from ciggerettes is astonishing.
On your average packet of cigarettes around 80% of the price goes to the tax man and the shop keeper makes around 5p profit. If the government was to ban smoking completely they would lose a good source of tax revenue.

Also concidering the amount of people who smoke if a government was to completely ban it i believe they would have a revolution on their hands.

what has happened in the uk is that from today the government has increased the age at which you can legally buy cigarettes from 16 to 18

rklee0122

These guy's make a ton of money and line the pockets of the politician's.

wind m

Because of the huge MONEY it contributes to the coffers of the government, and other people. Besides, it can't be banned just for the reason that it's dangerous. Look at other dangerous things out there - automobiles, bombs, guns, plastics, etc. - which can't be banned because society thinks that the benefits and-or convenience outweigh the danger.

sandra k

Because YOU have a freedom of choice. They said it was dangerous not illegal.

Lavrenti Beria

Ask Algore's tobacco-farming family.

Sophie B

Banning something doesn't eliminate it, people want to do it more because it becomes"Exotic"

The way to eliminate something is to make it undesirable,but common place.
And of course, tax the hell out of it....

cUTIE(:

cuz people have the rite to do anythingthey want except like murder and those other bad stuff

iamtheparty

I read somewhere (can't remember where) that the U.N. is trying to pass a global mandate that would ban smoking...

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