Spring Break
Cutting Down on Smoking
Cigarettes and their Effects on Others
Matthew Crawford
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: Opinion
About a year ago, Andy Moriarty wrote an article titled, "Smoke 'em If You Got 'Em," in reference to cigarettes. I respect those wanting to protect the rights of smokers, but there are ways to cut down on smoking and ways in which some smokers could be more considerate.
434,000 people are killed annually by tobacco-related diseases and cost the United States $96 billion in health care costs. The CDC estimates that 21% of U.S. citizens smoke, totaling about $45 million people.
Still, I am not arguing against smoking. It is an addiction that cannot easily be solved. So, if you are already addicted, you can "smoke 'em if you got 'em.' I myself do not smoke. Nevertheless, my mom does, and plenty of other people who I know do as well. I do not mind being around smoke. Sometimes it even smells good to me. A few people I know consider Erin's Pub their least favorite Main Line bar just because it allows smoking. I myself don't mind it. I'm used to people smoking. All my life I have witnessed it; mainly in my immediate family. The only time I say something about a person smoking is if that individual is someone I care about so much that anything is worth trying to get them to quit the dirty habit.
The sad thing is none of this would have to be said if nicotine were not added to cigarettes to make them even more addictive. Young smokers initially think smoking is just the cool thing to do, but eventually develop an addiction. Imagine the effect it would have on society if it was no longer legal for tobacco companies to add nicotine to cigarettes. It is indisputable that there would be a lot less people smoking, not to mention less health problems.
I recently wrote a paper about anti-tobacco legislation currently waiting to be acted upon in the Senate. The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Act would create regulation over the tobacco industry, which is surprisingly subject to much less regulation than food, medicine, cosmetics and even dog food. The legislation would prohibit flavored cigarettes, other than menthol. Advertising, labeling and ingredients would be regulated to make sure the companies are not marketing their products to children.
434,000 people are killed annually by tobacco-related diseases and cost the United States $96 billion in health care costs. The CDC estimates that 21% of U.S. citizens smoke, totaling about $45 million people.
Still, I am not arguing against smoking. It is an addiction that cannot easily be solved. So, if you are already addicted, you can "smoke 'em if you got 'em.' I myself do not smoke. Nevertheless, my mom does, and plenty of other people who I know do as well. I do not mind being around smoke. Sometimes it even smells good to me. A few people I know consider Erin's Pub their least favorite Main Line bar just because it allows smoking. I myself don't mind it. I'm used to people smoking. All my life I have witnessed it; mainly in my immediate family. The only time I say something about a person smoking is if that individual is someone I care about so much that anything is worth trying to get them to quit the dirty habit.
The sad thing is none of this would have to be said if nicotine were not added to cigarettes to make them even more addictive. Young smokers initially think smoking is just the cool thing to do, but eventually develop an addiction. Imagine the effect it would have on society if it was no longer legal for tobacco companies to add nicotine to cigarettes. It is indisputable that there would be a lot less people smoking, not to mention less health problems.
I recently wrote a paper about anti-tobacco legislation currently waiting to be acted upon in the Senate. The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Act would create regulation over the tobacco industry, which is surprisingly subject to much less regulation than food, medicine, cosmetics and even dog food. The legislation would prohibit flavored cigarettes, other than menthol. Advertising, labeling and ingredients would be regulated to make sure the companies are not marketing their products to children.
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