If Cigarettes were invented today, do you think they would be legal?

[Andrew Shaw]

It's clear that tobacco is the only legal substance that, when used as intended, inevitably causes some degree of disease and often death. We do not allow such substances to be marketed these days.

If Cigarettes were invented today, do you think they would be legal?

I'd like to hear some opinions on this topic.

 

[whitebark]

Aspartame is still legal. You are a sucker if you consume it IMHO. It's the next cigarette scam.

Corporations and the money behind them wield great influence. It would be legal. Heck we know the stuff kills you or at least harms you, and yet it's still legal now - even with what we know. It costs health care systems around the world 100's of billions of dollars each year, yet it persists.

Yet making it illegal wouldn't stop it at this point.

 

[lyndonmaxewell]

Well.. How about cigars, pipe smoking then? I guess you cant really stop someone if he wants to smoke a rolled piece of substance (self-made), cant you?

 

[Ian]

With the campaigning against cigarette smoking heating up I think over the past years the number of smokers has slightly decreased (dont ask me for any empirical data). However, no matter how cigarette packs are labeled this surely wont stop smokers from smoking. Such a campaign maybe might help stave away the little ones (elementary and kindergarten) from the act.

 

[Leading Names]

It's clear that tobacco is the only legal substance that, when used as intended, inevitably causes some degree of disease and often death.

What about alcohol?

- Rob

 

[GT Web]

Canada (and the US within 10 years) are legalizing pot as we speak, so no, I don't think Cigarettes would be illegal if invented today.

All drugs should be legal - and the government should tax drug sales the way they tax everything else. Let the drug addicts deal with their own problems and let the cops spend time on more important issues like violent crime.

 

[Dale Hubbard]

What about alcohol?

- Rob

Exactly!

Governments "grandfather in" toxic narcotics which contribute to a country's tax income. These things have been around for a long time. It's double standard nonsense. As Rob suggests, alcohol is one of the most toxic substances known to man. I know 'cos my son has an honours degree in biochemistry :humble:

 

[whitebark]

Canada (and the US within 10 years) are legalizing pot as we speak, so no, I don't think Cigarettes would be illegal if invented today.

All drugs should be legal - and the government should tax drug sales the way they tax everything else. Let the drug addicts deal with their own problems and let the cops spend time on more important issues like violent crime.

LOL spoken like a fellow Greater Vancouver resident to be sure! And I agree fully. Drugs no matter how much you penalize them persist. In fact it seems the more you criminalize it the greater the profit, the worse elements are attracted to it, and the more violent the whole thing gets because of the greater dollars available.

I wouldn't be so sure about the US following Canada in this regard. Some states maybe, but not the feds.

Off topic - but I used to own a LIMO biz in Vancouver and one of the first questions young American tourists would ask - "Where can I get some of that BC Bud I'm always hearing about?" :bounce:

 

[jdk]

The next 5 to 10 years will surely be a change. I believe a city in Utah already has legalized marijuana. I say have at it and let them tax the crap out of it. As long as they have it where you need a license to sell it like in Canada it should be fine. The first year we will see a bunch of high pot-heads roaming the streets, but it will become like everything else that is legal. If it is legal you are less likely to want it to the same degree as if it was illegal.

Brings up another good point. If something becomes legal that was illegal, would all those who may be in prison for a crime dealing with the substance be let free?

 

[Dale Hubbard]

Police couldn't care now in UK for 'personal'. That's the way it should be. I don't use it, but at least possession of a silly obscure drug like pot (in moderation) is not now an imprisonable offence. I say "obscure" relative to tobacco and alcohol which are the real killers. Look at it this way: If you want to get 'off your head' there are many alternatives -- a huge menu of substances. I feel sorry for the police. They have enough crap to deal with, without goofy potheads. Alcohol is the worst thing that anyone commercialised as 'social'.

 

[NavySeals91]

Canada (and the US within 10 years) are legalizing pot as we speak, so no, I don't think Cigarettes would be illegal if invented today.

All drugs should be legal - and the government should tax drug sales the way they tax everything else. Let the drug addicts deal with their own problems and let the cops spend time on more important issues like violent crime.

F($*ing Hippees!

Why don't you look at the crack addicts in the city, selling themselves for drugs? It is sure people like you who push for this stuff to be legal are burnouts. Sorry, don't want to fund terrorist organizations. Don't you know? Don't you ever pay attention? Drug money is used to fund terrorist organizations... Pot be legal. Over my dead body. Heroin be legal? Time to start another revolution. Screw the patriot act, I'll lead a 10,000 man army to overthrough my country if that happens.

No drugs are legalized in America in any state, it is against federal law.

Prohibition, alcohol was banned.

 

[jdk]

You may want to read up on that NavySeals. There was an article a while back about a city in Utah legalizing it. Or in other words they wouldn't bust you if you had less than a few joints.

 

[NavySeals91]

That's probably the crooked cops. Many cops do drugs themselves, wouldn't surprise me if they didn't persecute. Trust me, drugs are not legal in any state. If a non corrupt FBI agent was stationed in Utah and caught someone with marijuana they would be charged.

Also, marijuana is the starter drug. People start on marijuana and when it's not strong enought they go to cocaine then heroin. My best friend, use to say oh yeah I'll never buy pot, I just smoke it when its givin to me. Now he buys pot all the time. Use to do okay in school, now hes on the verge of staying back. Sad part is, he is driving while being high. Lol, legalized, like I said that's the true demise of this country when frigging junkees control the white house and the law. So people will be killed so people can get high?

Look at this, pot makes people lazy. Drugs make people lazy. We will become like draft dodging hippies if that happens. What will we do when we need to defend ourselves? Go up to Canada and smoke some weeeeeeeed?

 

[dcristo]

Canada (and the US within 10 years) are legalizing pot as we speak, so no, I don't think Cigarettes would be illegal if invented today.

For medicinal purposes or generally speaking?

 

[NavySeals91]

He meant general speaking, recreation.

 

[dcristo]

Also, marijuana is the starter drug.

Marijuana isn't a gateway drug. It's the drug of choice for most drug users because of the belief that it's a soft drug and is relatively cheap and easy to get. There are many clubbers every weekend on E , coke and amphetamines who wouldn't think twice about using pot. The problem is, marijuana when used more then occasionally can actually have devastating effects. There is an alarming colleration between repeated marijuana use and depression/psychosis. The sooner that marijuana loses it's soft drug label the better. I am all for legalization though as it will increase drug purity and remove the black market.

 

[JMJ]

Over 60% of the US prison population is being housed for non-violent drug related charges. The government spends at a low estimate of $40 billion per year in the "war on drugs" but some estimate it's more along the lines of 100 billion http://www.drugsense.org/wodclock.htm . All of this to house the above 60% prison population at a rough average of $35,000 a year, per inmate with pretty much a 100% return rate or 0% effectiveness. In addition to no tax revenue being made.

The alternative would be legalizing, taxing, and treatment. As you can see we are spending ALOT of money and getting no results by it not being legalized. In adddition to the fact treatment costs are around $5-6000 a year with a much higher rate of effectiveness.

"August 19, 2006

BOGOTÁ, Colombia — The latest chapter in America’s long war on drugs — a six-year, $4.7 billion effort to slash Colombia’s coca crop — has left the price, quality and availability of cocaine on American streets virtually unchanged."

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/19/world/americas/19coca.html?ref=americas

As far as drugs funding terrorism. If you can follow the money trail then you know where it leads. If everything is done under the table so to speak, as it is now, then those groups are easily funded.

 

[Dale Hubbard]

Legalise the whole lot of it -- make the illegal trafficking worthless -- let the individual decide. Again, like alcohol and tobacco. Humans should not in principle be separated/banned by law from naturally available substances -- now there's a whole new debate.

 

[jasdon11]

Ashaw,

Congratulations on starting this killer thread!

Ciggies - if they were just invented, and the side effects were known - no, I don't believe they would be legal - but there would still be a percentage of the worlds population that would seek them out and pay over the odds for them.

Other drugs - (taking heroin and crack out of the equation), millions of people enjoy drugs on a regular (usually weekend) recreational basis, without harm - either to themselves or others. If so, fair play - why should they be stopped or criminalised?

Some people are dicks and don't know when to stop - I don't believe anyone takes heroin or crack without knowing what the possible consequences are - therefore I have no sympathy for them.

I believe all things in moderation - enjoy yourself, but not to the degree it impacts on anyone elses life.

Jas

 

[GT Web]

Legalise the whole lot of it -- make the illegal trafficking worthless -- let the individual decide. Again, like alcohol and tobacco. Humans should not in principle be separated/banned by law from naturally available substances -- now there's a whole new debate.

Exactly...I agree 100%

I love how I hijacked this thread from cigs to marijuana...fun stuff

And don't assume just because I am a teenager living in Vancouver I am a pothead...I hate when people sterotype.