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Personally, I don't agree with concepts of age discrimination.
If you are an adult at 18, if you are held responsible as an adult at that age, then you should be able to reap the benefits which includes being able to drink and smoke.
I don't agree with changing the age rules, up or down, because someone thinks there is a greater benefit to it. This includes crimes and trials.
I have no issue with this. There is no right to smoke tobacco than there is to smoke marijuana or crack.
Will this stop all 18- to 20-year-olds from smoking? No. Will it lower the rate of those that do? Almost certainly. There's a reason that the smoking rate in the United States has steadily declined over the 50 years since it was first tracked in 1965. U.S. Smoking Rate Hits Historic Low
Restrictions on purchases (ex: no more cigarette vending machines in unsecured areas), increased taxes, informational campaigns, and so forth have steadily reduced the smoking rate.
And why did Hawai'i do this? Because it is a law that costs very little, and it will save significant sums of money. The societal costs of smoking in terms of health care and lost productivity due to various smoking-related illnesses and deaths is tremendous. Every little bit the smoking rate ticks down saves a lot of money both in the private sector and in taxpayer money.
I have no issue with this. There is no right to smoke tobacco than there is to smoke marijuana or crack.
Will this stop all 18- to 20-year-olds from smoking? No. Will it lower the rate of those that do? Almost certainly. There's a reason that the smoking rate in the United States has steadily declined over the 50 years since it was first tracked in 1965. U.S. Smoking Rate Hits Historic Low
Restrictions on purchases (ex: no more cigarette vending machines in unsecured areas), increased taxes, informational campaigns, and so forth have steadily reduced the smoking rate.
And why did Hawai'i do this? Because it is a law that costs very little, and it will save significant sums of money. The societal costs of smoking in terms of health care and lost productivity due to various smoking-related illnesses and deaths is tremendous. Every little bit the smoking rate ticks down saves a lot of money both in the private sector and in taxpayer money.
No, to be P.C. is all.
Has the age restriction for alcohol worked yet? Has any law on tobacco worked yet? No. what's worked on tobacco, it's become socially unacceptable to smoke (ciggs). Propaganda did that not laws against it...
Now will they DARE apply it to weed??? I'm now taking bets.
No, to be P.C. is all.
Has the age restriction for alcohol worked yet? Has any law on tobacco worked yet? No. what's worked on tobacco, it's become socially unacceptable to smoke (ciggs). Propaganda did that not laws against it...
Now will they DARE apply it to weed??? I'm now taking bets.
Sorry, but this kind of thinking is way too simplistic/binary.
silly statists. How many people actually support the drinking age being 21? Most people I know think 18 is fine. Why must politicians be such freaking nannies all the time? News flash.. I'm gonna let me kid drink beer when he's 18. I don't give a crap what you think about it. Go suck a lemon.
He can smoke a joint too for all I care, and experiment with other 'illegal' drugs like young people do, as long as he doesn't get addicted to them or make it a habit that destroys his life.
So... Hawaii wishes for kids to not smoke. Understandable, most people frown on it. But their thought is, what, let's raise the smoking age for... No, seriously, what's the train of thought here?
I don't get it. A 16 year old who is smoking when the law for tobacco use is 18+ is not going to go, "Oh no, the age for smoking went up! I better stop!" Said 16 year old (or other applicable underage smoker) was illegally smoking before, and raising the age is not going to do anything to deter them, just make legal smokers criminals come January 1st. Let's look at that 20 year old (who yes, if they are smoking chances are they started before 18, but that's neither here nor there now that he is 20) who has been legally smoking for 2 years, and is now addicted. All of a sudden, this person who is old enough to go out and take a bullet for the country, is more than likely about to become a criminal because he will more than likely not want to give up his habit, and will find someone who disagrees with the law to buy the cigs for him. Or, you know, he will stock pile as much as he possibly can on or before December 31st.
All that raising the smoking age is going to do is create criminals who are going to find ways to get around the law. It's not going to stop the people who are already smoking while underage, and it's certainly not effective against underage drinking so they already have a precedent that shows them how stupid it is. But go ahead Hawaii, create more criminals in your state, enjoy that increase in underage smoking. For the children and whatnot.
As a side note, prepare to see a drop in tourism as well, all those 18 to 20 year old smokers will be taking their vacation elsewhere. I know it doesn't seem like much, but I'm sure it'll leave a noticeable dent in tourist revenue.
Sorry, but this kind of thinking is way too simplistic/binary.
You're right, how about something even more simplistic for you, at 18 I can be handed a rifle/rocket launcher/pistol/bombing controller/drone control and KILL/maim and destroy up to hundreds at a time but heaven forbid they have a beer or a smoke 'cause THAT my friends is illegal,immoral as they're just wayyy to young to make THAT kind of choice...
Gimme a break. Keep up the propaganda aka advertising about the negative effects of tobacco/alcohol/drugs as it's been the most effective thing so far. Way more effective than passing some law thinking you can arrest your way out of this behavior...
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Keep up the propaganda aka advertising about the negative effects of tobacco/alcohol/drugs as it's been the most effective thing so far. Way more effective than passing some law thinking you can arrest your way out of this behavior...
