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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You mean after I stopped celebrating? 
That is a really terrible standard.
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
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!
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.
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.
That’s pretty firmly in “cut off your nose to spite your face” territory.
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.
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.