shakran

Wrong on both counts. Frankly I think that in consideration of other drug laws cigarettes should logically be illegal. Seems kinda stupid to say "all these drugs are bad for you and so they're illegal, but cigarettes are bad for you too and they're not illegal." It just doesn't make sense, and I feel laws should be logical.

Realistically I think ALL drugs should be legal. If you want to kill yourself by overdosing on meth, hey, go to town. That's your decision, it doesn't effect me, and I don't think the government should be in the position of legislating stupidity when that stupidity only effects the one being stupid.

So yes, I absolutely think cigarettes should be legal, and it's not because I secretly want to be an evil overlord controlling every aspect of Pan's paranoid life. It's because I think if you want to smoke, that should be your choice.

As far as the taxes generated, if we dropped cigarette taxes, we'd just tax something else to make up for it, so that's a pretty weak argument.

But I said the government shouldn't be in the position of legislating stupidity when the stupidity only effects the stupid. But when you're being stupid and it puts me in danger, the government absolutely should step in. That's why there are reckless driving laws. That's why there are laws against digging pit traps in sidewalks. And that's why there should be laws restricting YOU from harming ME with your cigarettes.

Now, I've said my piece. . .Go read Lasereth's post again, and think long and hard about what you're actually doing when you decide to light up near nonsmokers.