Why does the government care about tobacco?

Question

The public has the information about tobacco why does the government have to distort our choices.

Chocolate and Sex both are dangerous to varying degrees but government doesn't regulate them.

If people want to smoke and know the dangers (likewise for drugs) let them. They are paying the costs.

Second hand smoke is a separate issue. So please ignore it or pretend it does not exist in terms of your answer.

What I am trying to get at is is it the role of government to tell us what to do and not if we are the only people affected. If you say yes then perhaps we should make sex (not for procreating) illegal unless a condom is worn. Or chocolate should be taxed since it is bad for you as well.

Answer 1

the government has no business screwing with the tobacco industry and smokers like it is. it should stay the hell out of the way and let people do what they want to do, but as is the case with so many other issues, the government has to stick it's deformed nose where it doesn't belong and screw things up. the reason why it's interfering the way it is is because we're going socialist, and socialist governments control or try to control everything. many average citizens support this abuse of power in the name of safety and health, but safety and healty should be stuck riding b*tch in the back seat, and freedom should be driving the car.

Answer 2

Why does the government care about tobacco? The principal reason is money. Health problems caused by tobacco cost billions of pounds/dollars every year. The national health service has to provide care and help to the sufferers.

This has a secondary effect...if a person is suffering health problems because he or she smokes it is hard for the doctors and medical support staff to justify continuing with treatment when they know the cause is being perpetuated by the patient.

On the other hand, of course, is the huge amount of tax and duty the government (in particular the UK government) gains each year from the sale of cigarettes.

There's no easy answer to your question. One side says 'don't smoke' the other (more silent, but probably more powerful) wants the money from the sale of tobacco to fund other government policies.

Why not ban sex and chocolate? Well, principally, sex is not (normally) practised in public and other than the possibility of disease and pregnancy arising from unprotected and random sex, it can never harm other people. Chocolate is pretty much the same...if you eat ten bars of chocolate each day it will not harm MY health (though would, perhaps cause jealousy from some) whereas if you smoke in my company I will get the harmful 'benefits' and toxic residues of your habit and they CAN harm my health.

Various governments have taken steps to prevent the effects of second-hand smoking from affecting others...in the UK now it is illegal to smoke in any enclosed public place or workplace. Spain has also introduced (fairly non-effective) controls over smoking in bars, restaurants, etc. In addition the tax and duty paid on cigarettes has risen to a very high level. particularly in the UK.

Why government cares would be answered differently depending on which side of the argument the particular minister you ask stands on.

Government does tell us what to do...it makes laws to protect people from the actions of others (and sometimes from themselves) you may resent this, but at least on the smoking front you ARE allowed to smoke in your own home or in public in the open air. What the new laws have tried to do is to protect those who do not smoke from the poisons you emit by indulging in your habit.

I can understand why you may feel 'picked on' but without laws anyone would be able to drive at any speed they wished which would create a higher risk to you, your children, etc. fron injury or death. Smoking may be a slower and more insidious way of causing injury or death towards others, but in the government's eyes this is just as likely as you speeding in a motor vehicle.

We have been told what we can and cannot do for centuries...every facet of our lives is governed by law. This latest one is one that affects you and fellow smokers so, naturally, you resent it more.

Cheers,

BobSpain

Answer 3

Chocolate is regulated. There has to be a certain amount of cocoa for it even to be called chocolate. Also, there is sales tax.

Maybe if so many people had not jumped on the tobacco settlement bandwagon, the government would be less involved, except for wanting that $$$$

When people start suing Hersheys for making them fat, the government will step in.

Answer 4

Prison's have banned smoking for the most part because of the expense related to medical care of long term smokers, "Its well documented.' AS taxpayers we pay this bill. The public at large is also plagued with smoking ailments , especially with the elderly, they have major medical issues alot of times without proper insurance.,,,,,,,,,,,, again a taxpayer burden, This is a major problem.

Answer 5

One chocolate bar or one time having sex are not dangerous in and of themselves, quite unlike one cigarette. Besides, I don't really understand your point. Big Tobacco got in trouble for lying to consumers and aiming their advertising at young audiences, not simply for selling a harmful substance. Otherwise, the government is totally behind them. Leaders of large corporations have a very loud voice in Washington.

Answer 6

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