4 ms·

I totally agree that tobacco is a harmful substance. I'm not sure if I agree that a government should try to legislate citizens' habits.

by allears 6mo ago

deleted 6mo ago
[deleted]
Pooge 6mo ago
Including for heroin or other hard drugs?
BLKNSLVR 6mo ago
I look at it, not as legislating people's habits, more as a private company wants to sell these things in our country, but there is a clear, measurable negative effect on society as a result (and in the case of cigarettes there is no positive effect whatsoever that may offset the negative). I would call that an easy ban. You can't sell that shit here legitimately. I'm a little surprised the attempts haven't been more widespread. I wonder what possible gap there is for things that can be illegal to sell, but you can buy them from international sellers and use them in the privacy of your own home? (and health insurance won't cover related complications).
inheritedwisdom 6mo ago
In the US I tend to agree (given the current pay to live system is constructed) but in the UK with single payer insurance this seems more palatable. I’m curious if a “free society / libertarian” middle ground would be limiting access to NHS for those that choose to continue to use known harmful substances. I’d posit that many would object to that the way “death panels” were politicized when the Affordable Healthcare Act was passed though.
TheChaplain 6mo ago
It depends? AFAIK healthcare in UK is tax funded, and smoking with its long list of damages to the body, takes a portion of that taxpayer money which could be used on something underfunded, like mental healthcare.
bombcar 6mo ago
This is the country that legislates butter knives and naughty words.
joe463369 6mo ago
Do you live in the United Kingdom?
theshrike79 6mo ago
Americans want to legislate bathrooms. You can still get addicted to nicotine, they're just banning a very specific delivery mechanism.

I totally agree that tobacco is a harmful substance. I'm not sure if I agree that a government should try to legislate citizens' habits.

by allears 6mo ago

I totally agree that tobacco is a harmful substance. I'm not sure if I agree that a government should try to legislate citizens' habits.

deleted 6mo ago

[deleted]

Pooge 6mo ago

Including for heroin or other hard drugs?

BLKNSLVR 6mo ago

I look at it, not as legislating people's habits, more as a private company wants to sell these things in our country, but there is a clear, measurable negative effect on society as a result (and in the case of cigarettes there is no positive effect whatsoever that may offset the negative). I would call that an easy ban. You can't sell that shit here legitimately. I'm a little surprised the attempts haven't been more widespread. I wonder what possible gap there is for things that can be illegal to sell, but you can buy them from international sellers and use them in the privacy of your own home? (and health insurance won't cover related complications).

inheritedwisdom 6mo ago

In the US I tend to agree (given the current pay to live system is constructed) but in the UK with single payer insurance this seems more palatable. I’m curious if a “free society / libertarian” middle ground would be limiting access to NHS for those that choose to continue to use known harmful substances. I’d posit that many would object to that the way “death panels” were politicized when the Affordable Healthcare Act was passed though.

TheChaplain 6mo ago

It depends? AFAIK healthcare in UK is tax funded, and smoking with its long list of damages to the body, takes a portion of that taxpayer money which could be used on something underfunded, like mental healthcare.

bombcar 6mo ago

This is the country that legislates butter knives and naughty words.

joe463369 6mo ago

Do you live in the United Kingdom?

theshrike79 6mo ago

Americans want to legislate bathrooms. You can still get addicted to nicotine, they're just banning a very specific delivery mechanism.