America, land of the free? With all the talk of wanting to ban the use of tobacco, I have begun to wonder if our country still believes in the freedom of choice. Isn't it our choice on whether we want to use a product regardless of its health concerns? If people want to ban tobacco then why not ban other things like fast food in which is a leading contribitor to obesity in America. Obesity is fast growing epidemic in America casuing many health concerns and costing the government and tax payers millions every year in health costs. What about the other legal drug, alcohol? Alcohol is far worse then tobacco, not only is it also bad for your health and can lead to fatal diseases like liver disease and ulcers, but plays a bigger role on your brain as well. Most spousal and child abuse is tied to the use of alcohol. Many of the deaths on our road ways is contributed to people driving while intoxicated and that costs insurance companies and local and state police departments millions of dollars every year to either fix or try to discourage people from driving while under the influence. Is it fair that just because tobacco has major health concerns and is easy for underage kids to purchase, that it should be banned?
Allready we have had to deal with new laws, that restrict people from using tobacco products from certain areas, and make them go into a small room with little venitlation in order to have a smoke, which makes them breath even more toxic smoke into their lungs. The tax increase put on tobacco products this last April has also been unfair and un just. You neevr see the government put these kind of taxes on alcohol because they know alcohol is too important to our economy and buisnesses, like restuaraunts, bars, sports, and other events that distribute alcohol.
I feel that anti tobacco companies such as the truth and above the influence are good for our country to inform our youth about the risks of using tobacco, however I feel it is still up to the person on whether or not to use it. it is not up for our government to decide what is best for us, we are not dumb people, we understand it is not good for us, but either is many other things that americans do. I think we should let the tobacco company keep doing what it is doing and only focus more on educatining americans on the use of tobacco products and what it can do to you and others around you. Let the people who choose to use this product decide whether or not they want to use it.