3/4 of Americans favor raising smoking age to 21 (1 Viewer)

[xdangerousxdave]

So, studies say that youth cigarette use drops during the last years. Logically, raising the minimum age to buy tobacco products could further reduce youth smoking rates. What do you think? Do you support the policy of such restrictions on tobacco sales? Would the nation be less addictive to toxic smoke?

Three out of four Americans favor raising smoking age to 21, study says

 

[OrphanSlug]

Useless, we continually make matters worse shifting around what us an "adult decision" depending on the subject at hand.

 

[celticwar17]

So, studies say that youth cigarette use drops during the last years. Logically, raising the minimum age to buy tobacco products could further reduce youth smoking rates. What do you think? Do you support the policy of such restrictions on tobacco sales? Would the nation be less addictive to toxic smoke?

Three out of four Americans favor raising smoking age to 21, study says

To be honest with myself.... I have a big bias against smoking.

It's something that you affect everyone around you with...that's the problem... I don't want you affecting the air that I breath or you dropping your crap all other the place... otherwise I don't care

Smokers don't realize I can smell a cigarette from like 100 yards away... and it's very displeasing. And it makes the area permanently stink with their own stinkiness.

I think smokers are affecting my liberty to breath fresh air in a public area...not the other way around...



As far as raising the age limit, I'd say go for it as long as most people agree.... it probably won't make THAT significant of an impact, but it will slightly at least. If alcohol can be 21 smoking can be too...

 

[Lukas105]

It's hard to say if this would be a good idea or not. I personally think it would be a failure. Basically a parallel can be drown to the drinking age being set at 21. I can bet that around (50%-75%) of Americans did drink underage, so the whole age limit thing is just what the government is telling you what is best for yourself. The best way to further lower that level of smokers is just to keep the information going on the negatives it can have in your life. "Do I smoke?" No, But I will protect your right to smoke if you so choose to do.

 

[Taylor]

While we're at it, why not do the same with voting?

 

[SmokeAndMirrors]

So, studies say that youth cigarette use drops during the last years. Logically, raising the minimum age to buy tobacco products could further reduce youth smoking rates. What do you think? Do you support the policy of such restrictions on tobacco sales? Would the nation be less addictive to toxic smoke?

Three out of four Americans favor raising smoking age to 21, study says

Yeah, 'cause that worked so well for alcohol. :roll:

No, it doesn't lower anything, logically. It never has. Not ever in the history of humankind. Making things "taboo" does not make them less desirable. That's why Americans smoke more weed than anyone else on the planet. That's why every 16-year-old America has gotten drunk at a house party, regardless of what the law says.

And furthermore, most smokers start before age 18. If they're starting before the legal age now... how does anyone think this is somehow going to suddenly make them care about the law? If they'll break an 18-year-old limit, why wouldn't they break a 21-year-old one?

When will people learn that making something naughty doesn't make people not want to do it? Just stop it. Banning everything doesn't do anything. How about we just continue educating instead? It's given us good results so far.

So why ditch what's working and go to something that's never worked in all of history?

 

[Henrin]

This isn't even news. The majority of the people have held that position for years.

 

[OrphanSlug]

Useless, we continually make matters worse shifting around what us an "adult decision" depending on the subject at hand.

While we're at it, why not do the same with voting?

My point exactly, so why can we go to war at 18 yet drinking and, by proposal, smoking is 21? Why does 21 make a better voting age than 18?

 

[Beaudreaux]

I'm normally a libertarian leaning person when it comes to personal choice and keeping the government out of peoples personal business - but, in this case given the decades of lies told by the tobacco companies, Hollywood praising smoking and just plain societal pressure, then yes we as a society have to counter all that to save lives which in this case is having the government restrict its sale to adults.

However, once you are an adult, the government needs to stay the hell out of it. Whether its tobacco, marijuana, alcohol or caffeine, adults should make their own choices as to what they put in their own bodies, and where they do it (I hate banning the use in public venues like bars).

So, I voted yes.

 

[Summerwind]

So, studies say that youth cigarette use drops during the last years. Logically, raising the minimum age to buy tobacco products could further reduce youth smoking rates. What do you think? Do you support the policy of such restrictions on tobacco sales? Would the nation be less addictive to toxic smoke? Three out of four Americans favor raising smoking age to 21, study says

Americans favor treating people who are old enough to vote and go to war like children. Stupid country.

 

[Ikari]

So, studies say that youth cigarette use drops during the last years. Logically, raising the minimum age to buy tobacco products could further reduce youth smoking rates. What do you think? Do you support the policy of such restrictions on tobacco sales? Would the nation be less addictive to toxic smoke?

Three out of four Americans favor raising smoking age to 21, study says

If there are any age restrictions, they should be allowed to be no higher than 18 years for anything; including tobacco and alcohol.

 

[Henrin]

We need new laws to combat teen smoking even if only 14% of teens smoke.

:lol:

 

[joG]

Useless, we continually make matters worse shifting around what us an "adult decision" depending on the subject at hand.

Grow up!
It is easier to be inconsistent than think things through.

 

[Skeptic Bob]

An adult should be able to smoke, vote, drink, sign contracts, buy a firearm, enlist in the military, and be tried as an adult in a court of law. Whether that age is 18, 21, 16 or whatever, I don't care. But we need to make up our damn mind on what it is. If you are old enough to enlist in the military you are damn well old enough to drink a beer or smoke a cigarette.

Of course the age to enlist will never be raised to 21 because that would seriously harm the military so we should probably just settle on 18 being the age of adulthood, for EVERYTHING.

 

[American]

To be honest with myself.... I have a big bias against smoking.

It's something that you affect everyone around you with...that's the problem... I don't want you affecting the air that I breath or you dropping your crap all other the place... otherwise I don't care

Smokers don't realize I can smell a cigarette from like 100 yards away... and it's very displeasing. And it makes the area permanently stink with their own stinkiness.

I think smokers are affecting my liberty to breath fresh air in a public area...not the other way around...



As far as raising the age limit, I'd say go for it as long as most people agree.... it probably won't make THAT significant of an impact, but it will slightly at least. If alcohol can be 21 smoking can be too...

How about voting or selective service?

 

[Mycroft]

And here we have another useless poll...with two choices: "I do" and "It's useless".

How about a simple "I don't"?

 

[Lursa]

Who cares? You have to be an idiot to start smoking with what is ***commonly known***.

So? They know when they are 13, much less 18. Doesnt stop them.

But now, smoking is so restricted in public areas that they arent as likely to harm anyone else with their 2nd hand smoke. Let them make all the stupid decisions they want re: smoking.

My only concern is for their children, who in most states can legally be subject to their 2nd hand smoke in cars and homes...and while in utero. Some people are idiots but I dont believe legislation prevents that. Not for smoking esp.

 

[PirateMk1]

So, studies say that youth cigarette use drops during the last years. Logically, raising the minimum age to buy tobacco products could further reduce youth smoking rates. What do you think? Do you support the policy of such restrictions on tobacco sales? Would the nation be less addictive to toxic smoke?

Three out of four Americans favor raising smoking age to 21, study says

If you are legal to vote or be drafted or make contracts all of which have far more lasting effects on your life, you should be able to drink or smoke to your hearts content.

 

[DA60]

So, according to this poll, Americans are okay with Americans dying for their country on a battlefield in the middle of nowhere...but they will not allow those same Americans to smoke cigarettes.

Another example of how utterly ignorant and/or stupid the masses are.


If you are old enough to legally die for your country in battle - then you are old enough to do ANYTHING any American can legally do.

 

[HorseLoverGirl]

While we're at it, why not do the same with voting?

Why be that ridiculous? You not want 18 year olds to have any rights?

 

[HorseLoverGirl]

if you are legal to vote or be drafted or make contracts all of which have far more lasting effects on your life, you should be able to drink or smoke to your hearts content.

amen!

 

[HorseLoverGirl]

I'm normally a libertarian leaning person when it comes to personal choice and keeping the government out of peoples personal business - but, in this case given the decades of lies told by the tobacco companies, Hollywood praising smoking and just plain societal pressure, then yes we as a society have to counter all that to save lives which in this case is having the government restrict its sale to adults.

However, once you are an adult, the government needs to stay the hell out of it. Whether its tobacco, marijuana, alcohol or caffeine, adults should make their own choices as to what they put in their own bodies, and where they do it (I hate banning the use in public venues like bars).

So, I voted yes.

I agree with banning it in public because I am allergic to cigarette smoke and gosh darn I do not want to have an allergy attack every time I go outside. However my cousin works for Reynolds American so tobacco keeps her job alive.

 

[Beaudreaux]

I agree with banning it in public because I am allergic to cigarette smoke and gosh darn I do not want to have an allergy attack every time I go outside. However my cousin works for Reynolds American so tobacco keeps her job alive.

RA in Winston Salem?

 

[Glen Contrarian]

So, studies say that youth cigarette use drops during the last years. Logically, raising the minimum age to buy tobacco products could further reduce youth smoking rates. What do you think? Do you support the policy of such restrictions on tobacco sales? Would the nation be less addictive to toxic smoke?

Three out of four Americans favor raising smoking age to 21, study says

Raise the age to 21. Then raise the age to 30. Then to 50. And while we're at it, tax the hell out of them - a dollar per cigarette to begin with.

Does that seem unfair? Try watching cigarettes kill your brother, your uncle, and your mother, and then tell me what you think about the 'freedom' of allowing companies to sell a product that causes so much needless harm, so much needless death, AND is designed to be more physiologically addictive than most drugs that would get sellers a lengthy prison sentence.

 

[Lursa]

Raise the age to 21. Then raise the age to 30. Then to 50. And while we're at it, tax the hell out of them - a dollar per cigarette to begin with.

Does that seem unfair? Try watching cigarettes kill your brother, your uncle, and your mother, and then tell me what you think about the 'freedom' of allowing companies to sell a product that causes so much needless harm, so much needless death, AND is designed to be more physiologically addictive than most drugs that would get sellers a lengthy prison sentence.

Edit: sorry, I somewhat misunderstood your post. But why not focus on ending the industry instead of restrictions on individuals?

Are they not aware of this? It's well-known now that those companies do this. Apparently, the law allows it. (ugh).

However you suggest more laws infringing on people's rights. Do people have no personal responsibility at all? We're talking about when someone may be able to make adult decisions. We let them enter the military and vote...if they dont have the sense not to start smoking, too bad for them.