Smoking tobacco is not illegal, and in a free society that which is not prohibited should be to individuals to decide how they would like to approach it.
There are a number of things which are potentially hazardous for your health which are not illegal that people can chose to do or not do, such as eating junk food, over eating, sky-diving, race car driving, etc.
Personally, I believe that people have the right to smoke if they choose, but I find the habit nasty. I don't like my clothes or hair to smell like smoke. I had a grandmother who died of lung cancer who never smoked a day in her life, nor did anyone in her home. I hate having to walk through clouds of smoke going into a store or stadium. I'm thrilled that smoking is not allowed in restaurants and bars. Second-hand smoke is more dangerous than smoking: if I wanted to take those risks, I would smoke myself. It upsets me beyond words to see a parent smoking in the company of children.
Smoking makes one's face age more quickly and turns the fingers that hold the cigarette yellow. It yellows the teeth. It upsets me beyond words to see a parent smoking in the company of children. I do not appreciate any ads that promote the "cool" image of smoking, and am very pleased that spoking is rarely seen on television. (Chewing tobacco is also nasty.)
The only positive thing I can say in support of smoking is that it is a right people have; I would prefer it not affect those who choose not to smoke. Smoking is a right, like anything else, but not everything we have the right to do is good for us. It's hard to see a positive side to something I find so distasteful.
I would have to say that a person is entitled to treat his body the way he wants to even if it means smoking cigarettes. I guess it is similar to people who drink alcohol. It is not a beneficial substance to give to the body, but, people want to get drunk so they do it. I guess the more rights we take away from people, the less personal freedoms they have. Hopefully, if they are also educated, then perhaps they may think twice about smoking, due to its negative effects on health.
I agree that it is hard to support smoking. Giorgiana1976 makes a great point about all the health issues. I would like to point out the health risks for those exposed to second-hand smoke especially those who live in the same house as a smoker, especially the children of those smokers who have no say as to whether they are the victims of second hand smoke or not. Have you ever ran a glass wipe over the inside of a smoker's car window? It comes away gray and grimey with the residue of smoke. Imagine the lungs of the children who have to live with smokers.
#3: I would not go with this argument, because it is one that anyone who does anything illegal and harmful to others could use. For example, farmers of poppy in Afghanistan could say that banning opium could eliminate one of their only viable sources of income.
The argument should be more in line with a person's freedom to consume something that is not banned and the ill-effects of which are well known and are supposed to be displayed prominently on each pack of cigarettes. If a person would still like to endanger his life by using it they should be allowed to, though only in an area where they are alone.
#2: Cigars being less of a hazard than cigarettes is a myth. Though the fact that you only consume it responsibly(!) in a way does reduce the risks.
I would add to the economic argument by discussing how much revenue in sales tax is generated from cigarettes. Most states levie a very high tax on cigarettes and alcohol because these products are considered non-essential/luxury products which can generate a lot of revenue for state supported programs.
I think the only real way to support it is based on the idea of personal freedom. If you want to do something that is harmful, but which only harms you, then there is no reason not to. It is your body and you should have the freedom to abuse it if you like.
To support smoking, I would have to approach the debate on behalf of those whose livelihoods are based on growing tobacco and production and/or sales of cigarettes. Reduction in the number of people who smoke would impact the income level of those people employed in the "smoking industry" through no fault of their own. An argument could be made that this negative economic result for those individuals might be a justification for supporting smoking.
I smoke several cigars each day, and I support the right of people to smoke tobacco if they choose. I also support the laws that restrict smoking in public areas, and I entirely sympathize with people who do not want to breathe second-hand smoke. However, as long as tobacco is legal, I can't condemn people for wanting to smoke. One reason I smoke cigars is because they present less of a hazard for getting lung cancer, and I have to question the wisdom of people who smoke cigarettes regularly for this reason. Many smokers enjoy tobacco for its calming effect, and many people believe that it helps to curb their appetite for food. Admittedly, the negative effects of tobacco far outweigh the positive, and its addictive quality is unquestioned, but like alcohol, it is a legal vice that many people continue to enjoy.
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