Why are cigarettes still legal?

Legend

Because it's america's culture and past time.
i totally agree with you though, cigs are drugs.

dogpatch USA

so is arsenic but I don't sprinkle it over my cornflakes !

Boss

why is alcohol still legal

momoftrl

same reason alcohol still is

lawnninja

money. money. more money. sure cigarettes are evil (and this is coming from a smoker...am working on the big quit now) and cause all sorts of problems but they also make huge amounts of money for the growers, manufacturers, packagers, retail establishments, medical field, etc...
Many horrible things exist (take diabetes for example) that could (theoretically) be cured but can't because it would aid in the us economy falling apart.
crappy, isn't it...

The Mr. Pine

Good or bad they don't appear intoxicating.

Jaylaw

Good question, but it always boils down to money....

dano

It would be very difficult if not impossible to force people to stop smoking. Most smokers will also agree that it is a very bad habit. Taxes raised from tobacco are a major source of revenue for states. Last but not least politicians get big bucks from tobacco companies.

Mandy

Cigarettes are still legal because the government is addicted to the taxes.

If we banned cigarettes, there would only be one other need that the government could apply 40 or 50% taxes to - food!

johnny cee

Thank God Almighty I haven't had a smoke since September 1978.
Smoked as many as two packs of Pall Mall(unflitered) a day when I had that addiction. Its a disgusting habit, but its not going away. The best thing you can do is to teach your children to stay away from smoking, any kind.
I Cr 13;8a
10-21-6

pfaith

Cigarettes are still legal because (thankfully) freedom is still legal. P.S. Smoking is bad for you - I would recommend that you educate yourself. Then freely (and gratefully) make your own choice. Welcome to America...in theory anyway (and in fact sometimes!).

goodyisback2010

because the governments have absolutely no problem with people killing themselves off slowly

xquasarx

even i do not understand how such a thing can and still remain legal. i mean, it poses a threat to not only humans but also to the entire world.

i guess some politicians are cigarette-dependent that they do not have the heart to ban something which gives them pleasure. so sad, but true.

ddyk

the same or maybe worse is valid for narcotics/ drugs, but there are certain European countries where it is legal upto a limit..
It's free will, if people want to kill themselves, the governments have to protect the rights of non-smokers by forbidding smoking in public, more of that seems like an intervention to liberty. (at least smokers claim so, and i believe they are right)

Lost in the Sea

money talks

cantcu

Taxes!

shardf

Big bucks cigarette companies, know how to lobby for stuff, and no one will take a stand. It takes time and money to fight city hall, so if you want to do something about it, get out there and start doing something. Picket the places that sell cigarettes, lay down on the ground and say cars can run over you if they don't stop it, get on TV, and let the Police drag you away screaming and hollering. Take people who have lung cancer and let them hold a sign, saying "I am dying of lung cancer", I am not joking, it takes stuff like this to get it started. Go for it.

manyolito

Because it is a business. They have every right to employ Americans and pay them to make cigarettes. Just because some people say it is a bad habit, does not make it a bad habit. Now days everything contributes to your health. these people who want to ban smoking, because it is hazardous to your health, should look into food and what it is doing on fat Americans. Are they going to ban food? It is every Americans right to do what they want to do, and not be told by someone else they can't do it, that is not democracy. Health care costs are not dependent on who smokes and who doesn't, health care costs go up because of greedy heath care providers.

Midnight Runner

It is also good for the government, if no one smoked, people would live a lot longer, can you imagine how much they would have to pay out in age pensions, and that's why they will never ban smoking......
they only put the warnings on the packet so they can say that they care about our health, but they couldn't afford it if they lost the money they make from the sale of cigarettes.........

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: