I think its possible with the proper advancements for cigarettes to be made with non toxic ingredients, rendering cigarette smoke to not be physically addictive, or cause any unreasonable risk of health problems. It has only been in the last decade that cigarettes have been become toxic. Part of the existence of "smokers" is that it is simply a cultural pastime, just like with alcohol, hence the age old saying "drink and be merry" we are all aware of the social and health problems associated with consumption of alcoholic beverages yet intoxicating ourselves has been a constant in society for ages! I think prohibition is simply the wrong approach to the realization that an addiction to these substances can cause harm to the body. The people's choices shouldn't be in question (because really these people are only seeking happiness) its the products themselves and how addictive and unhealthy properties within these substances should be erraticated. Preventive measures within society need to be taken to ensure addiction is medically treatable, and not punishable and avoided at all costs, My main suggestion for this problem is a national health-care system so that people can be properly medicated instead of feeding their addiction in a life of crime. There also needs to be proper drug education. Moderation is a very important lesson that people need to obide by early on in order to effectively avoid becoming physically addicted to substances. But this is just all things a scared shit-less society would fight, because its more important to separate everything into "wrong" and "right" in order to justify criminalizing normal "sinful" human behavior. I just figure that too much of the tax payers money goes toward fighting human nature instead of finding solutions to our society's problems. Its like... throwing the baby out with the bath water. too many people are just afraid that they are getting older and the world is still not what the bible tells you its supposed to be. I'm just so sick of this stubborn agenda, so afraid to take the risks humans need to evolve. but there I go... thinking about the bigger picture again.
What about if they legalize marijuana... what if the stores started selling marijuana cigarettes? Do you know how many people would be harping about that... not to mention sending their kids to programs for acquiring any. But the fact that humans have been partaking in the same rituals for centuries, it just makes no sense that these things would be so bad now a days. Ill be the first one to recognize that drugs, and problems related to alcohol and other mind altering substances have spiked in the last 50 years but we cant just assume its because its wrong to do.... its because it has been criminalized, the topic censored and the fear of addiction over exploited, benefiting only to the opportunistic and sometimes criminally inclined "drug dealers". Put that shit on the market, study it, regulate it, and see how it would go. Advance growth in the industry and promote change in society's outlook and preparation for legal drug usage and you would have very few mentionable problems with "drug use" and those that CHOOSE to partake in them. There is nothing bad about weed, or alcohol or many other substances if used in a responsible manner, the problem is people choose to over indulge and through their own decision making create problems for themselves. That's when and only then do drugs become a problem. I tend to think its possible to make enough social and medical advances that these problems can be prevented, drug use can be regulated and the crime and health issues that destroyed the lives of millions of people can be drastically reduced.
But I'm sure they'd all rather sit around and point the finger, judge and condemn anyone who doesn't decide to completely abstain out of fear, basically who doesn't practice a prudent, "christian" way of life. I'm more inclined to think that's the real agenda here.
