Going through some of the old logs of the Debate Forum here, I cam across a similar topic, abot whether or not smoking tobacco should be illegal or not. I figured since there is quite a bit of new blood here, and, quite frankly, a large portion of said debate barring only a small handful of people, was filled with immaturity in general and unsupported positions, not defended by much substance but thrown out as if it were Word of God.
So, here's my question:
Should smoking be illegal?
This, of course, should be broken down further, into more specific details to avoid or at least minimize closed-mindedness on each side of the debate. As for one argument, what is the legal precedent as far as cover-all bans on things considered "drugs" yet are highly ingrained into American society?
As my first point there, I'd like to point out the 18th Amendment to the Constitution. This Amendment banned the production, transportation, and commercial trade of alcohol. As is well known, that ended up a bust, with the ban effectively making it more exciting and thrilling to drink, as well as putting the health of the public is worse potential trouble, as manufacturers of the illegal hooch could easily use fillers of sorts of varying risk to drinkers, and not get caught.
My second point, however, is cocaine. Cocaine was very much a part of American civilization once upon a time as well, becoming quite popular medically in the mid-to-late 1800s. Only being legal until around 1920, it had a rough 40 years of medical, and, by extension, personal use. Arguably, it should have been declared an illegal substance far earlier, as it has cut itself a niche in even today's society, all the more dangerous now as there have been ways to refine and increase potency, and the ever-savvy drug dealer has ways of both getting people hooked on it, and using it as a gateway for leading customers to even worse things.
Another argument that can be brought up is that all it does is harm people, with no positive effects on society whatsoever.
A rebuttal could be pointed out in that fast food is the same way, it harms those who consume it, and, due to supply and demand, makes it a hardship on those who wish to partake of something healthier. It could be argued that all junk food is equally as bad as cigarettes, as both can affect not only the consumer but those in the immediate area, and even worldwide. It would follow that since they are each equally bad and equally dangerous to society, that one cannot be wholeheartedly against one and not the other. As society as a majority accepts fast food, it would follow that, barring hypocrisy, society as a majority should also support smoking, even if they are a consumer of one, both, or neither. As both fast food and smoking can be utilized to relieve a level of stress, that can be further displayed to show how they can be compared.
However, a counterargument can be shown that points out the dangers not just to those who have made the decision not to smoke, but minors who are not mature enough to actually make the informed decision. Clearly, endangering the lives of children is wrong.
However, it should also be pointed out that automobile emissions and school pressures are also unhealthy for them, as teen depression is a large problem in out country already. If one really wanted to cut down the number of people who use drugs, even legal ones like tobacco and alcohol, would not the best route to be treating the primary problem, not the secondary one?
A final point here, and one that is not actually a call for debate but a call for tasteful and respectful treatment of your fellow man or woman. Please do not assume all smokers started uninformed, or are inherently stupid/dumb/deserve to die(or get wiped from the gene pool). Myself, I made a conscious choice to start smoking when I turned 18. I'm not as much addicted as habitual in my smoking pattern (often only 1-2 smokes a week). I weighed the pros and cons myself, and I made the choice that I would rather actually take the risk and do what I want with my own life rather than close myself off to the possibility no matter what.
Note that the points here are by no means the best arguments for or against, nor are they intended to be rigid. I just provided a basis and jumping point from which to start.
So, here's my question:
Should smoking be illegal?
This, of course, should be broken down further, into more specific details to avoid or at least minimize closed-mindedness on each side of the debate. As for one argument, what is the legal precedent as far as cover-all bans on things considered "drugs" yet are highly ingrained into American society?
As my first point there, I'd like to point out the 18th Amendment to the Constitution. This Amendment banned the production, transportation, and commercial trade of alcohol. As is well known, that ended up a bust, with the ban effectively making it more exciting and thrilling to drink, as well as putting the health of the public is worse potential trouble, as manufacturers of the illegal hooch could easily use fillers of sorts of varying risk to drinkers, and not get caught.
My second point, however, is cocaine. Cocaine was very much a part of American civilization once upon a time as well, becoming quite popular medically in the mid-to-late 1800s. Only being legal until around 1920, it had a rough 40 years of medical, and, by extension, personal use. Arguably, it should have been declared an illegal substance far earlier, as it has cut itself a niche in even today's society, all the more dangerous now as there have been ways to refine and increase potency, and the ever-savvy drug dealer has ways of both getting people hooked on it, and using it as a gateway for leading customers to even worse things.
Another argument that can be brought up is that all it does is harm people, with no positive effects on society whatsoever.
A rebuttal could be pointed out in that fast food is the same way, it harms those who consume it, and, due to supply and demand, makes it a hardship on those who wish to partake of something healthier. It could be argued that all junk food is equally as bad as cigarettes, as both can affect not only the consumer but those in the immediate area, and even worldwide. It would follow that since they are each equally bad and equally dangerous to society, that one cannot be wholeheartedly against one and not the other. As society as a majority accepts fast food, it would follow that, barring hypocrisy, society as a majority should also support smoking, even if they are a consumer of one, both, or neither. As both fast food and smoking can be utilized to relieve a level of stress, that can be further displayed to show how they can be compared.
However, a counterargument can be shown that points out the dangers not just to those who have made the decision not to smoke, but minors who are not mature enough to actually make the informed decision. Clearly, endangering the lives of children is wrong.
However, it should also be pointed out that automobile emissions and school pressures are also unhealthy for them, as teen depression is a large problem in out country already. If one really wanted to cut down the number of people who use drugs, even legal ones like tobacco and alcohol, would not the best route to be treating the primary problem, not the secondary one?
A final point here, and one that is not actually a call for debate but a call for tasteful and respectful treatment of your fellow man or woman. Please do not assume all smokers started uninformed, or are inherently stupid/dumb/deserve to die(or get wiped from the gene pool). Myself, I made a conscious choice to start smoking when I turned 18. I'm not as much addicted as habitual in my smoking pattern (often only 1-2 smokes a week). I weighed the pros and cons myself, and I made the choice that I would rather actually take the risk and do what I want with my own life rather than close myself off to the possibility no matter what.
Note that the points here are by no means the best arguments for or against, nor are they intended to be rigid. I just provided a basis and jumping point from which to start.
