Do you think the age increase to 18 to buy cigarettes on 1st of October is a infringement of liberty?

Question

This won't affect me but I believe that we should have the CHOICE to do such things because I am a true believer of liberty except murdering, stealing etc (obviously). Please don't keep saying that it's not healthy we get the picture.

I'm in the UK

Answer 1

I believe that the answer to this question lies in the "eye of the beholder." I was a smoker in the U.S. from age 12 on. When I turned 16 years old (1994) my state passed a law that banned minors under the age of 18 from the sale and possession of cigarettes.

At the time I felt that it was an infringement of my liberties - I had the money, I was making the decision to smoke, and I was old enough to make this decision.

The rationale behind this imposed law was to regulate the health and well being of children - and to stop the epidemic of children smokers.

This plan has not been successful, as many children under the age of 18 still smoke and will continue to do so. Now it is a matter of "the forbidden fruit."

I agree that everyone should have the right to choose to smoke - and this is especially vital now that smoking facts are openly discussed and there is no more "smoke and mirrors" from tobacco companies.

Additionally, the more parents and others complain about smokers and the problems they cause for society, the more children will continue to smoke. When people stop placing a stigma on smokers, kids will actually be willing to listen to the facts about the subject and not see it as a way to irk their parents.

Answer 2

I agree with everyone else when I wonder what state/country you live in. My state (New Jersey), changed the law to 19 about a year ago or so.

I personally do not believe it is an infringement of our liberties to have an age restriction on cigarettes, because I don't think we want to see 10 year olds smoking. I am aware that this still does occur, but I think the likelihood of young children smoking would be much greater if the law did not exist.

Answer 3

What state are you in? Its 19 here and has been for many years. I do not believe that minors should have the right to choose to mess up their lives with cigarettes, they are not old enough to understand the concept of the problems smoking can cause.
I say this as a smoker of many years. I regret the choice I made to start smoking, when I started it was legal at 16 to purchase them and over the years the age has risen by three years.
Yes it is each persons choice, and i get very ticked off when someone tells me that I am not allowed to do something that me and many like me have been doing for probably longer than some have been alive. But it is not a childs choice. I hate that smokers are treated like some disease in some places, that local laws weed us out and put us in a hazardous group of people, and I detest someone telling me that smoking is bad for me. I know this already but it is my choice to quit, even though i regret ever starting, It is my vice and I choose to keep it.
I am respectful when being around non smokers, my choice. I am respectful when my chlidren are around so that they do not think it is a good thing to do, I tell them everyday that what I do is not good for me and they shouldnt ever start. I encourage children to take a stand against those who offere cigarettes to them and to say no to them as they would drugs.
It is the parents responsibility to keep their children from smoking and discourage such, and state laws help do this by not allowing minors to purchase them.

Answer 4

Nope don't think it is an infringement because the detrimental facts now found from smoking are that great you should be 18 to be mature enough to make the right choice of freedom. Much like an 18 film with loads of sex and killings. Laws must change with the world as well as yrs ago we didn't know how bad smoking can be.

Answer 5

Well M put it quite enchantingly when he said "it will help eradicate an entire generation of scum".

But anyway, im not sure whether what your saying is true, and frankly i could care less, unless it was a ban on smoking nationwide alltogether. Personally, when i see someone smoking, i think its the nastiest thing ever. I usually tell them too. You see, I would have no problem with letting people make their own choices as a right. But the fact of the matter is, people throughout american history have already proven themselves (the majority), to be lacking in responsability and decency, and judgement most importantly. therefore by giving a younger group of people cigarettes, it is a fact that the effects of those cigarettes that are unpleasant ( inhaling it, makes you cough, its bad smell, and second hand smoke) will subsequently by distributed by thosewho bought them, to those of us that want nothing to do with it. I cannot walk down the street to my house across from school, without having to brave a 50 meter cloud of cancer fumes, because ignorant kids and their addictions. This should not be allowed. Harm yourself, but once you show your inability to limit the harm to yourself and yourself only, The Right should be taken away. Its really more of a priviledge that you even can smoke even.

Answer 6

Perhaps it is an infringement, to have the law period, but the culture of our society does not allow for this type of behavior. If you want the right to smoke you may have to leave the country.
On the other hand...
By increasing the legal age to smoke it is assumed or at the very least hoped, that the individual will make a more informed decision.

Answer 7

Not an infringement of liberty, but it is illogical.

School kids that choose to take up smoking nowadays, after they've learned all about the consequences (health, finance, social), and been told consistently from a very early age that smoking is bad, are obviously completely demented.

It would make sense, therefore, to keep it at 16, to help eradicate an entire generation of scum, earlier than we could have hoped.

Answer 8

It's not that it's just not healthy:
(1) It's REALLY unhealthy. Cigarettes are the only product sold on the market that will kill you if you "use as directed."
(2) The earlier you start smoking, the greater likelihood that you become addicted and can't stop, leading to the health problems recognized in No. 1.
(3) It also is unhealthy to those around you. Secondhand smoke kills. Teens are around their friends, and aren't going to say "eew smoke." Keep their lungs clean, too.

Answer 9

Yes, it's definitely an infringement on that liberty. All laws infringe some liberty. The question, is whether or not it's an acceptable liberty to infringe upon.

Answer 10

I think it is a bit of an infringement to be honest, we're all capable of making grown up, important decisions from the age of sixteen so I don't see why it's the government's buisness to infringe on that.

I suppose there's the arguement that under 18's aren't adults yet, and they shouldn't be allowed access to something harmful. But with that way of thinking under 18's wouldn't be allowed into MacDonalds!