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There ain't to laws when you cracking claws.

I sort of feel like this is the equivalent of banning white claws or even everything other than IPAs. During the summer I have a cigar most days. Once the temps drop below 60, I'm done with tobacco for six months or so. I don't smoke flavored cigars, but I don't like it for those who do.

Welcome to the 'all drugs are bad unless I do them' mentality.

Yeah, it's unfortunate. I understand it. The flavours do make smoking more enticing to young people, who might not limit themselves to one cigar a month like you do. But it does suck to ban something outright just because some people will misuse it. Mind you, nicotine is addictive, which is a pretty critical facet to this (though I don't think anyone starts smoking without knowing this risk).

I dislike smoking in general and do want things that are good for society as a whole. But the logic of banning stuff like this seems similar to, say, banning fast food because some people will overeat (or more extreme, having calorie rationing so that people can't overeat on any kind of food). It's admittedly always a balancing act for how much danger is acceptable before we just ban it for everyone. Some bans using this logic are very reasonable, some aren't, and many are extremely debatable.

I think I currently prefer the sin tax approach, especially since that best accomodates occasional usage. A hefty tax makes the dangerous thing less accessible to impressionable young people and helps pay for the social cost (though IIRC, smokers actually cost society less because they die younger, reducing the many medical costs of old age). Price influences people's choices, too. If healthy food is cheaper than unhealthy food, that encourages buying healthy stuff. But even sin taxes are imperfect, especially in a vacuum. They can make the cost of living higher for a vulnerable population. They need to be planned carefully.

Ironically nicotine doesn't kill, bud. Smoking does. I get what you mean but there's no downside to nicotine other than addiction strictly speaking

You know, I don't really care what you smoke, but I care that it's communal. Somebody drinking wine, beer, a white claw, etc a few feet away doesn't immediately negatively impact my existence by depriving me of clean air ... or cause a friend with breathing issues a panic attack.

Plenty of adults "decide" to smoke for kids by smoking with the kids around.

Plenty of adults "decide" to smoke in the entrances of buildings, on busy sidewalks, in an outdoor mall, etc.

Plenty of adults have "decided" to smoke because it's "safe" per some anecdote that they heard about a family member that smoked 3 packs a day and lived to be 90.

It's actually all pretty freaking infuriating. One of the best things that's ever been done is banning smoking inside of most buildings.

At the very least the age should be raised to match alcohol.

I think it will. It will drive menthols underground and they'll become more dangerous just like alcohol during Prohibition.

Is it really, though? My country banned menthols ages ago, because it made cigarettes less nasty and thus easier to get into. Makes sense to me. We don’t have the amount of segregation here like in the US. At least not racially-based. Not saying there isn’t any, but it’s definitely not on the same level.

Have you run a marathon this week? No? Your medical insurance rates are 2x until you resolve this problem.

Didn't know I was black.

The only reason I ever smoked menthol was because of the rumor that they got you higher after smoking.