# If cigarettes or tobacco became an illegal drug tomorrow, what would you do (poll for everyone). **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 24, 2011, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cigarettes-or-tobacco-became-an-illegal-drug-tomorrow-what-would-you-do-poll-for-everyone/583074 "2011-05-24T21:57:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Dave\_Hartwick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@Dave\_Hartwick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave_Hartwick)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cigarettes-or-tobacco-became-an-illegal-drug-tomorrow-what-would-you-do-poll-for-everyone/583074/41 "2011-05-25T14:39:26Z")
> [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > Because we don’t need another black market for violent gangs to take over? Because the state shouldn’t dictate lifestyle choices for people? > > I do support laws restricting where people can smoke, to protect others from second hand smoke. But I think people should be free to use tobacco on private property or in designated outdoor areas. I think pot should be legal and regulated too. Um, democracy? Tobacco is useless so far as I can tell, and the majority hates it. Why should it be legal when marijuana isn’t? At least pot gets you high, the buzz from tobacco is trivial. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cigarettes-or-tobacco-became-an-illegal-drug-tomorrow-what-would-you-do-poll-for-everyone/583074/42 "2011-05-25T14:57:39Z")
> [@Dave\_Hartwick](#): > > Um, democracy? Tobacco is useless so far as I can tell, and the majority hates it. Why should it be legal when marijuana isn’t? At least pot gets you high, the buzz from tobacco is trivial. Some people like it, or it would disappear on it’s own. Why shpuld your dislike–or “Democracy” whatever that means-- prevent them from enjoying it, under reasonable restrictions to protect people from second hand smoke? Would it really be better for tobacco to be a black market prduct enriching violent gangs? Would it be better for democracy to lose the tax revenue that tobacco brings? Would it be better for democracy to go to the expense of jailing people for violating this stupid ban? ---
**Author:** ![Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swords_to_Plowshares)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cigarettes-or-tobacco-became-an-illegal-drug-tomorrow-what-would-you-do-poll-for-everyone/583074/43 "2011-05-25T15:01:38Z")
I don’t smoke and I hate the fact that people do smoke, but I would be abhorred if it became illegal. Our prisons are crowded enough, thanks, and we don’t need to waste cop’s time busting people for cigs. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cigarettes-or-tobacco-became-an-illegal-drug-tomorrow-what-would-you-do-poll-for-everyone/583074/44 "2011-05-25T18:26:58Z")
Non smoker, “meh”. Which isn’t really what I think - I think “what a BAD idea!!”. As repulsive as I think tobacco is… there are more people addicted to that than to alcohol , since anyone who smokes regularly has some dependence going on, while most people who drink regularly don’t do so to excess. And banning alcohol didn’t work out all that well. Banning tobacco is likely to create a HUGE mess. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cigarettes-or-tobacco-became-an-illegal-drug-tomorrow-what-would-you-do-poll-for-everyone/583074/45 "2011-05-25T18:42:16Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > I don’t smoke, but since I work in a prison, I’d be unhappy about the increased workload due to all the new incarcerations for nicotine drug crimes. Do inmates truly use cigarettes as currency? If yes, what do you think would replace them? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cigarettes-or-tobacco-became-an-illegal-drug-tomorrow-what-would-you-do-poll-for-everyone/583074/46 "2011-05-25T19:45:03Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Do inmates truly use cigarettes as currency? If yes, what do you think would replace them? Our prisons have been tobacco-free for years. I don’t know what they use for currency, and I don’t want to know. ---
**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cigarettes-or-tobacco-became-an-illegal-drug-tomorrow-what-would-you-do-poll-for-everyone/583074/47 "2011-05-25T20:02:30Z")
I’d quit. I said grudgingly because even though I want to quit, I don’t want the law making me do it. And I don’t like smoking enough to jeopardize my license to practice law by continuing to do it. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cigarettes-or-tobacco-became-an-illegal-drug-tomorrow-what-would-you-do-poll-for-everyone/583074/48 "2011-05-25T20:25:07Z")
I don’t smoke, so meh. But I would be pushed further down the road towards crankyness in my old age, seeing the government becoming ever more controlling in our daily lives. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cigarettes-or-tobacco-became-an-illegal-drug-tomorrow-what-would-you-do-poll-for-everyone/583074/49 "2011-05-25T20:26:31Z")
You mean after I stopped celebrating? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cigarettes-or-tobacco-became-an-illegal-drug-tomorrow-what-would-you-do-poll-for-everyone/583074/50 "2011-05-25T20:56:51Z")
> [@Dave\_Hartwick](#): > > Um, democracy? Tobacco is useless so far as I can tell, and the majority hates it. That is a really terrible standard. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cigarettes-or-tobacco-became-an-illegal-drug-tomorrow-what-would-you-do-poll-for-everyone/583074/51 "2011-05-25T23:20:08Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I don’t smoke but I’ve only been off it since the beginning of Feb. > > Honestly? I’d be most worried about the tax revenue lost from cigarettes. I’d then also be worried about all of the new crime that comes from it. > > I would work to repeal the laws. I would not do anything illegal, though - it’s not THAT important. I agree 100%. A new enforcement disaster in the making. I cannot understand why libertarians do not lobby for repeal of the drug laws. Talk about a nanny state! ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cigarettes-or-tobacco-became-an-illegal-drug-tomorrow-what-would-you-do-poll-for-everyone/583074/52 "2011-05-26T00:34:17Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > I agree 100%. A new enforcement disaster in the making. I cannot understand why libertarians do not lobby for repeal of the drug laws. Talk about a nanny state! Some of them do. It is one of many reasons they don’t have much support ---
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cigarettes-or-tobacco-became-an-illegal-drug-tomorrow-what-would-you-do-poll-for-everyone/583074/53 "2011-05-26T01:07:26Z")
I hate tobacco. Can’t stand the taste or the smell of it. But people should have the right to make their own choices concerning smoking, or using other forms of tobacco. So I would not be opposed to getting involved in any potential marketplace. But none of my friends smoke. So getting involved in the racket would be difficult. Hey, ya gotta have connections, man! ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cigarettes-or-tobacco-became-an-illegal-drug-tomorrow-what-would-you-do-poll-for-everyone/583074/54 "2011-05-26T01:43:52Z")
I don’t smoke and would welcome it. I would no longer have to cover for the smokers at work who go out for a ‘ten minute’ (ie up to 20 minute) smoke break every hour or so. ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cigarettes-or-tobacco-became-an-illegal-drug-tomorrow-what-would-you-do-poll-for-everyone/583074/55 "2011-05-26T02:18:46Z")
> [@jabiru](#): > > I don’t smoke and would welcome it. I would no longer have to cover for the smokers at work who go out for a ‘ten minute’ (ie up to 20 minute) smoke break every hour or so. Yes, I had a co worker at my old job who wouldn’t take her scheduled coffee break but go out for a couple of "Quick 5"s. The non smokers would say “Lacey is out for a slow 20”. Times about 6 a day. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cigarettes-or-tobacco-became-an-illegal-drug-tomorrow-what-would-you-do-poll-for-everyone/583074/56 "2011-05-26T02:24:05Z")
> [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > Some people like it, or it would disappear on it’s own. Since it’s addictive that isn’t true; hating it doesn’t mean people won’t use it anyway. Smoking is not a free choice that people make; they are compelled. Develop a cure for addiction and I expect the American market for tobacco would drop to a trivial level. > [@kayaker](#): > > I do not use tobacco, but I would start. That’s pretty firmly in “cut off your nose to spite your face” territory. ---
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cigarettes-or-tobacco-became-an-illegal-drug-tomorrow-what-would-you-do-poll-for-everyone/583074/57 "2011-05-26T03:21:56Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Smoking is not a free choice that people make; they are compelled. Not only is the choice to start smoking up to the freedom of the individual, but people can choose to quit. It may not be easy, but they certainly are free to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Hartwick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@Dave\_Hartwick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave_Hartwick)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cigarettes-or-tobacco-became-an-illegal-drug-tomorrow-what-would-you-do-poll-for-everyone/583074/58 "2011-05-26T08:40:43Z")
People are galloping off to the conclusion that possession or sale of tobacco would be a felony. That’s not necessarily so. Could make it a civil infraction, as marijuana possession was/is in Ann Arbor, MI. Even in places where the law is stricter about marijuana, possession or even selling doesn’t have to mean jail time. The “oh noes more prisons” line is a phony. Yes, criminals would profit if tobacco were made illegal, no getting around that. Criminals profit from the existence of many laws, not just drug laws-- copyright laws come to mind. Laws should be based on what the majority want and think is right, not on the risk that criminals will have greater opportunity to make money. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-cigarettes-or-tobacco-became-an-illegal-drug-tomorrow-what-would-you-do-poll-for-everyone/583074.md?page=2)