Why does everyone make such a fuss about cigaretts but yet say nothing about all the drunks that kill people?

Question

They have taken away most of the smoker's rights but they keep promoting drinking. if ANYONE doesn't think the teenagers won't get an adult to get them beer or liquer they better think again! I don't drink and I don't like sitting with people that do while I'm trying to enjoy a meal or any other time. They should make drinking and no-drinking areas. I could smoke a whole pack of cigaretts and go out and drive a car without my senses being impaired but there are people who drink a few drinks and get in a car and cause an accident and some kill people. Why don't they put sky high taxes and resrtictions on booze like they do on cigarettes? This makes no sense to me.

Answer 1

You know what? It doesn't cause me grief when I hear about tobacco users getting cancer, emphysema, or any other disease as a result of their tobacco use. I figure they made the choice to use tobacco, and therefore they decided that they didn't care if they died a painful and horrific death. I can't feel sorry for them, because they chose to do it to themselves. It's their own fault that they got cancer or whatever disease.

I feel the same way about alcoholics. They chose to drink, so if they get cirrohsis of the liver, or whatever, it's not my problem.

My problem is when either of these groups, or any other group such as drug addicts, do something that affects my life.

I don't being around second-hand smoke, and don't think smokers should be allowed to smoke when there are others around. If they want to kill themselves, fine. Just don't force your habit upon me.

I don't like having people drink and drive. I think that, if someone is arrested for DUI, the punishments need to be much more severe. They need a mandatory 1 year jail sentence, community service, and a lifetime requirement that any vehicle they drive be equipped with an interlock device. Every vehicle in their household should be required to have special license plates that let the police know that a member of that household was arrested for DUI. The police can stop that vehicle at anytime to check the driver. If the person with the DUI drives without that interlock device, they will pay a fine of several thousand dollars, even if they weren't drinking at that time. If there get arrested a second time for DUI, there will be a prison sentence of 5 years.

If someone kills someone while drinking and driving, the sentence should be a death sentence or a life sentence in prison. There is no excuse to drink and drive.

Yes, this would increase the prison population, but we'd have fewer people drinking and driving.

Answer 2

I don't thing that anyone is ignoring drunk driving. Go watch the old cops shows from 30 years ago, where the cops pull over a drunk driver, pat him on the back and tell him to drive slow and careful or they drive him home.

Things are not perfect, but they are improving in both areas.

And as much as hate to say, because alcoholism destroys families, cigarette smoking affects many more people.

I was raised in an alsoholic house, I drink on occasion, but am not an alcoholic. I am also an asthmatic, if I walk through cigarette smoke, it can trigger an attack. The dangers of cigarettes are much more pervasive.

Answer 3

There are sky high taxes on alcohol, as well as cigarettes. And restrictions on selling to minors. The difference with cigarettes, is that while you enjoy them yourself you are also affecting those around you - with the bad smell and dangers of second-hand smoke. Alcohol doesn't have such an impact on others in the same room.

That's why you are also restricted to where you can smoke more than where you can drink.

As for smoking and driving - AFAIK there are no laws against it but there are against drinking and driving, so again, it seems the law properly differentiates between the two.

It all makes sense to me.

Answer 4

Well I hate cigs but I also hate when people are drunk. However, I have no problem having people at my house (who are 21 or older), drinking a few beers. Why? because nobody is going to get seriously dunk and drive home and kill someone. However, I dont allow smoking in my house because i do not want the stench and the secondhand smoke in my house affecting my ability to breath. Drinking alcohol only effects other people when they are drunk and being idiots or trying to drive. Cig smoke effects everyone around you! Sorry but I would love smokers not to be allowed to smoke in public!

Answer 5

they do say things about the drunks that kill people. But because cigarettes kill people in different ways, and over a longer period of time, they just don't deal with them in the same way. Drunk driving is a law enforcement issue. Smoking is a public health issue.

Answer 6

A drink of alcohol, in and of itself, does no harm, and actually appears to have health benefits. A cigarette, in and of iteslf, is unhealthy.

And people make plenty of fuss over drunk drivers. There was an accident in my town a week ago, and the news is STILL talking about it.

And, oh, by the way. YOU SMELL LIKE AN ASHTRAY.

Answer 7

Because the people who make the laws are generally lawyers and there's a lot of money to be made in defending drunk drivers.

Because the tobacco industry has deeper pockets than the alcohol industry.

Because drinking is socially accepted.

Answer 8

as a drunk driving victim, i agree. i have no problem with drinkers,just stay were your at till your sober. if your a mean drunk, get help. if you smoke, don't do it in places with kids or were it will bother alot of people. to non-smokers in bars, i will not smoke around you if you go home and be drunk.
i'm sorry if you don't like the smell and second hand smoke side effects ARE bad. but it's not just drunk driving. it is teens binging and dying, domestic abuse,not feeing your kids because you needed a bottle,what it does to you emotionally,and many other things.

Answer 9

This will get the left-wingers all fired up...the attack upon smokers started when Clinton was President. They went after them because the tobacco companies are a big supporter of Republicans. Who do you think the liquor lobby supports? Democrats...makes you wonder huh?

Sad that BOTH parties have been bought and paid for...

Answer 10

Yes I agree with you.Drinking is also a hazard to ones health,liver disease! Which is on the rise! People complain about the smell of smoking,I wonder if those of you that spend time in a pub drinking,have ever smelt yourselves?? No I thought not! Well as a non-drinker,the smell of alchohol is also discusting!Kettle calling the pot black comes to mind here!!