Should smoking and overeating be illegal to keep people from killing themselves? And a smoker and an overeater

Question

are sickening to watch, so shouldn't the public be protected from the agony of having to see them in action?

Answer 1

Yes and Yes! Reasons why: Smoking affects other people (AKA Second hand smoke) Overeating creates uneven distribution of food in the world, where people are starving.

Answer 2

Not all overeaters are fat (see, also bulimia). Not all fat people are overeaters ( see the effects of medication on metabolism). It also depends on how you define "fat." I am 20 lbs overweight. Should I be hidden away? What is your number? Who is going to track the weight of everyone in the society? Are you willing to pay the extra taxes to fund the fat police?

As for smoking, smoking is banned within 50 feet of a doorway in some cities. There are smoke-free cities. The only place a smoker can smoke in some towns in in their homes.

Yet alcohol is consumed in every social situation in America. No one has ever been killed because the driver smoked a cigarette before getting behind the wheel of a car.

Answer 3

The function of government is (1) to collect and disburse general funds for the general well being and (2) to protect your rights. Unless the smoking or overeating is infringing on your rights in a fairly direct way, the government has no justification for interfering in these people's private decision to engage in these behaviors.

Adults have the right to make foolish choices, including foolish health choices. It isn't a function of government to "make people behave", only to prevent them from violating the rights of others.

Why am I not surprised that such an intrusive suggestion comes under the heading "religion"?

Answer 4

I quit smoking 3 years ago. I'm so glad I did. I am overweight and I don't cook much. Usually eat out. I agree that smoking and obesity kills. But only smoking can become illegal. Same as alcohol. To help people to eat healthier, the govt should stop manufacturers from making processed foods and only add additives and preservatives to foods to make them last one week. A Twinkie can sit on a shelf for 7 yrs and still be "ok' to eat. I think people in the East are much healthier because they buy enough food for one day's meals. Fresh fruit, veges and meat. We have been allowed to preserve our foods and that makes them fattening.

I don't mind looking at fat people. I don't like smelling 2nd hand smoke. Your last sentence is rude.

Answer 5

There has already been action against over eaters and smokers. You just need to look for it. Many health and life insurance companies are charging extra money per month to smokers and over weight individuals.

Answer 6

Smoking should be made illegal, but that isn't going to happen because of economic concerns. It is terribly addictive, and not good for anyone. Now chubby wubbies, that's another story. I see no way of controlling that other than having more public gyms or something.

Answer 7

We all have the freedom of choice. Whatever we do to ourselves is our choice and therefore, our fault. The government can not prohibit smoking and overeating. People who smoke and overeat should blame no one but themselves if they become sick and die before their time.

Answer 8

No. They should be free to do those things if they want. This is called liberty. In a decent society people are free to exercise this liberty, and that liberty should be extended to drugs (many of which are much less addictive and harmful than cigarettes and alcohol).

Answer 9

Prohibition has never worked. It would be nice. Sorry. You have to show people the long term effects of their actions. It's the only thing that works.

Answer 10

Don't stop there. More people are killed in automobile accidents than they are from smoking or overeating and have you ever seen how gross it is to see severed limbs and bloodied bodies strewn across the freeway?