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Originally Posted by Hentaikid
Also it's a dirty little secret that smokers actually contribute to healthcare in a net way through their taxes on purchased tobacco, and don't cost that much when they pop off young due to lung cancer (Or so my doctor friend once told me)
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$60B over the next five years from tobacco tax pays for 10 Million under-insured children...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Libertine
Actually, the legality of cigarettes is based on the right to self-determination. Just like your right to eat unhealthy food, or get less exercise than is healthy.
The true question is why other drugs are illegal.
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That is the question... IMO it's not the government's job to protect people from themselves... Helmet laws, seatbelt laws, these things should not be in existence. I always wore my helmet and leathers when I owned a bike and I always wear my seatbelt but I don't agree with the laws. For minors yes, but not adults...
All drugs should be legal and be taxed... For so many reasons it's not even funny. It's easier for children to get illegal drugs than alcohol but what it really comes down to for me is that the priority should be protecting innocent people from drug related crimes. If the black market disappears then so does much of the gang violence. People no longer need to steal, mug, burglar, kill, or whatever to get their next fix as the cost comes down so much. Instead, let the tax on drugs pay for treatment for people. If someone has a heroine addiction they can go to a clinic and get clean needles, clean drugs, and reduce the spread of disease while getting help and NOT hurting other people to get their fix.
Monies used from drug sales to fund terrorist cells (while not a lot I'm sure it still exists) or even all the drug lords which hire hundreds of armed thugs all dry up. When your profit margin shrinks to virtually nothing there's no reason to continue doing what you're doing. Prohibition doesn't work...