I am a smoker of 37 years and have tried many times to quit but I always start back. I believe the only way to really quit is to get rid of the tobacco companies.
2006-10-02 12:29:12 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
Sorry, you're on your own on this one, no help from big brother. Yes, tobacco is bad for you, so is alcohol for that matter, but you're going to have to take responsibility for your own life and kick the habit without government intervening and banning everything to save you (and millions of other smokers) from yourselves).
Now, nobody will tell you it's easy to quit, some people will say that it's harder to stop using heroin than to stop smoking (hard to find evidence either way for that claim, but it may well be true). The average smoker has to quit 7 times before quitting for good, but I guess I don't have to tell you all of the health problems you are raising your risk for by continuing.
You also don't have to quit alone, there are medications, programs, organization, you name it to help you. Talk to your doctor about the options, but though it's great that you want to quit, I'm afraid that you're not going to get legislative help to do so.
Best of luck.
2006-10-02 13:20:07 · answer #1 · answered by The Doc 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, tobacco has been an economic staple of this country since shortly after the Jamestown colony was established in 1607! Tobacco does not have immediate mid-altering properties like cocaine and marijuana so they will not declare it an illegal substance. The tobacco companies do provide much revenue for the government and they have been cooperative with compromises ie agreeing not to advertise on TV and to print warning labels on their packages. Tobacco lobbyists also are very successful in influencing individual lawmakers. They attempted prohibition with alcohol and it only succeeded in making the Mafia rich. Perhaps the biggest reason, and this is evidenced by the backlash against Washington's law against smoking within 25 feet of a public place, is that many people WANT to smoke and they will defend their right to do so very strongly. It is also a sad fact that many health insurance companies do not fully back the effort to quit smoking by denying or limiting which stop-smoking products they will cover. I support your desire to quit and encourage you to keep trying.
2006-10-02 19:49:26 · answer #2 · answered by Jim 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even if the government banned it,there would be boot leg tobacco for those of us who are convinced that we can't quit.
After smoking for 36 yrs I am now trying to quit with the use of nicotine gum.
1st attempt I made it for 46 days then screwed up.
I started over again the next day and made it for 30 days before screwing up again.
I am starting over again and this time I will use the nicotine gum I still have and after that is gone I will finish this thing cold turkey.
I think the previous efforts have convinced me that I really do want to quit smoking and that I can.
Good Luck in YOUR efforts.
2006-10-03 00:10:14 · answer #3 · answered by Just Q 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Money will keep the tobacco companies in place.
I was a smoker too-and trust me, it's easier to change yourself than it would be to change such a large business institution. And truly, I don't want that much regulation. Better for me to decide not to pollute my lungs than for the government to decide they won't let me. What would be next, french fries? No thanks.
Quit relying on the government or tobacco companies to make your choices for you-do it yourself. Andif you start again, well, then just quit again.
2006-10-02 23:15:33 · answer #4 · answered by hoodoowoman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have no idea, it definitely doesn't make sense to me that tobacco and alcohol are legal and marijuana isn't. Even though tobacco and alcohol are just as, if not worse than pot. And there are ways for you to quit smoking! Get a friend to help you, come up with a plan of action, such as having consequences if he/she ever catches you with a cigarette. Be extreme....like getting tasered if u start up again. hehe.
2006-10-02 19:40:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
because they make a lot of money off of tobacco products
2006-10-02 19:33:40 · answer #6 · answered by Greeneyed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess you never heard of taxes.
2006-10-02 19:37:12 · answer #7 · answered by Dyce 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Money........the tax revenue is in the billions.
2006-10-02 19:32:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋