why should smoking be illegal in the US?

Answer 1

Clinton had it right. It should be a prescription drug .If you can get a note from your doctor you can get tobacco.
It costs the country hundreds of millions every year in health care so it should be controlled.

Answer 2

The primary argument is that unlike just about all other forms of recreational chemicals, smoking producing direct hazardous environmental effects as part of the process of using the substance.

By way of example, someone sitting and drinking alcohol, or eating a marijuana brownie, or even chewing tobacco, isn't spreading those substances to everyone around them. In contrast, someone smoking tobacco (or marijuana) is automatically spreading second-hand smoke to everyone nearby.

Given the dangers already proven for second-hand smoke, the laws basically say that one person is not allowed to force others to be exposed to harmful substances, just to feed their own habit. That's why it's OK to do it in your private home, or in a private club where everyone consents to be in a smoke-filled room, but not in a public place.

While I generally oppose restrictions on personal liberties, the line I usually draw is where those liberties are causing a directly and immediate harm to someone else without their consent. Second-hand smoke qualifies.

Answer 3

I do not think that it should be illegal for adults to smoke in the United States.

Answer 4

I agree with coragryph. While I smoke, when we do a party we offer both smoking and non-smoking areas in our home. There is an equitable resolution to be made with common sense. We've done it. It works.

Answer 5

It shouldn't be anymore illegal then drinking and gambling.

Coragyrp talks about hurting people without their consent. When a drunk driver runs over someone, I doubt that person that's hurt or dead, consented.
When someone destroys their whole family's life with gambling, I doubt the family consented.
Its all in how you see things.

Answer 6

It shouldn't. I personally hate it when people smoke around me. It is gross and smelly, but I have the option to move else were if it bothers me.

If it did become illegal it would just be another thing that we can't do. What will be next we can't chew gum because people do not dispose of it properly?

Answer 7

I dont think it will ever be illegal. Tobacco is what started this country (crop)
It is ridiculous for folks to try to stop smoking anywhere.
There was no trouble when they build the roads and railways
and the workers had a cigarette in their mouths.
This is a bunch of crap and it is communism.

Answer 8

You don't have to make smoking illegal Stop the manufacture & Sale of cigarrettes in The USA . and stop all imports

Answer 9

Yes, and all those that want it banned should be banned from being able to vote.

I'm reminded of a line from the movie 'Demolition Man' (takes place in the fictional future, where a 'touchy-feely' puffbag loser runs the city):
---- "[A]nything not good for you is bad, hence, illegal. Alcohol, caffeine, contact sports, meat . . ."

The government should not be making laws to protect me from myself.

Answer 10

If you can smoke without affecting other, that fine, but in public places, your open burning and those things you pass out is killing everybody.
One day someone can kill you when you smoke in public and claim self defense

Answer 11

Just think of the billions of tax dollars the state and federal government would have to make up if tobacco was illegal.

Maybe they could tax perfume, beer, liquor, candy bars, McDonalds meals, bowling, condoms, viagra - they'd have to tax something to replace all that beautiful cigarette tax money.