We have countless data proving the objective harms of smoking. We have anti-smoking ad campaigns lasting generations. We have brought civil actions against tobacco companies for hiding cancer risks and harming individuals…. why WOULDN’T the american public support a complete tobacco ban?
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America still remembers the lessons of prohibition.
At the time an outright ban on liquor sales was actually fairly well supported and the drinking culture in the US was very different than it is today.
However the ban of liquor sales had the exact opposite effect than what was intended.
People started to drink MORE and since it was illegal the booze industry fueled organized crime.
Banning cigarettes arguably could have the same effect with smuggled and illegally grown tobacco becoming a rampant black market item. While consumption make actually increase, particularly among minors.
The same argument can be said about drugs. The War on Drugs and outright ban on drug use has done little to curb drug use in the US. If anything it’s made things far worse.
The drug trade is massive, black market drug sales are rampant and it fuels organized crime.
Canada un-banned marijuana use a few years ago. Consumption didn’t increase significantly, it was already so common place that people just started admitting to it. It created an entire new legal industry worth millions a year, and generates tons of tax revenue. Meanwhile the government runs ad campaigns warning people of the dangers of using pot.
People have a choice, it’s better they make an informed decision because if you take that choice away they’ll still do it but in a dangerous and illegal manner.
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