opposition for raising the legal "smoking age" to 21?

Question

Designing a law and we have to address the opposition
what are the cons?
what might the opposition ay to a law such as this?

Why are you making this difficult for me? Just answer the question strait out!

Answer 1

more people trying to get it illigally??

Answer 2

I think that raising the age will even make smoking more unmanagable. Its 18 now and it seems like kids like breaking the law. I think by making it legal at 16 will make more people not want to smoke. The fact of the matter is Americans like breaking rules, and raising the smoking age would encourage more teens to smoke.

Answer 3

All it would do is increase the number of "illegal smokers" and cause a decline in legally-puchased cigarettes, also causing a decline in tax revenues.

How much more effort is the government going to put into regulating a legal activity? They're already making it illegal to do a legal thing (smoke) by establishing public places that must ban smoking.

Answer 4

The more you regulate something and try to keep young people from it, the more they seek it out.

It further criminalizes something that is a personal (albeit unwise) choice. (yes, yes, I know, second hand smoke, etc.)

It takes less responsibility out of the hands of parents and into the hands of law enforcement.

Isn't the fact that they smoke punishment enough for them?

And then there's always the, "Well, we don't like something, so let's ban it!"

Answer 5

The legal age of adulthood is 18 for most items. At 18 you can vote. You can get married. You can join the military and die defending this country. You can be tried for a crime and face possible execution. And whether we like it or not, an 18 year old has the right to make bad decisions and act like a complete idiot. It is not the duty of the government to protect idiots from themselves. If an adult wishes to consume a legal product, then the government has no authority to stop them.

Answer 6

Well my only issue is that it isn't solving the problem. The drinking age is 21, but so many people underage drink, they just have to be more cautious. The only true way we can prevent young people from starting to smoke is education.

Answer 7

That's bullsh*t. In New Jersey you have to be 19 and it doesn't stop 18 year olds from getting them. Plus if an adult wants to smoke, it's their right to and you cannot take that right away.

The drinking age shouldn't have even been raised. It isn't fair that I can get drafted and go fight in Iraq but I cannot have a drink with my friends.

Answer 8

Most people begin to smoke well before they are 18. I am not sure if such a law would have any effect on underage smoking. I really don't see any benefits to such a law. Personally, it doesn't matter to me as I am over 21 and don't smoke.

Answer 9

If they can vote they can smoke, it should be 19 not 18.
In the military is different as well. It should be 19 and that is it.

Answer 10

I do not feel that raising the age of smoking will help anyone. But I do feel that banning smoking in public places will help curb smoking.

Answer 11

umm...biggest issue with that, there's too many people that will do something just because it IS illegal. how many people do you think smoke pot? how many people drink underage? do you think they wait until 18 to smoke now? so, really, what's the point in changing it? you saw what happened when they banned alcohol altogether (if you've ever read a history book.)