Arguably, smoking is among the most dangerous behaviors that cause harm to human health. Just, like the use of drugs and alcohol, smoking is not exceptions on its effects to health. As a matter of fact, debates have been there for a long time on the legalization and criminalization of smoking based on health issue. In the 21st century, the number of minors smoking is increasing tremendously. Therefore, the law enforcing agencies and health care practitioners should look into the issue critically. Through critical analysis, the criminalization of health related conduct should take place.
Undeniably, on a personal level I believe that underage health-related behaviors been criminalized are a course that will fail. The society in the contemporary world has changed; many people emphasize on issues that are more personal. Regardless of the penalty imposed on minors who smoke, they will continue to smoke just like illegal drug use as well as underage drinking. For example, if a minor is charged with cases of underage smoking, the entire issue will fall back to the parent. The entire process of criminalization should be implemented by all concern stakeholders, which include parents, law-enforcing agencies, health care practitioners, as well as cigarette producers (Wolfson, 2001).
In fact, the entire process should focus more on health issues. Parents in one way or another are the most important socializing agent of minors; hence, they should take responsibility and educate their children on harmful effects of smoking. Certainly, parents need to induce morals to their children, so that the teenage peer pressure will not overwhelm them (Wolfson, 2001). Probably, at this age minors rarely follow what their parents say or do, the society still has impacts on them. The due course of criminalization will be in vain, if not all stakeholders cooperate. The ultimate objective of criminalization of minors smoking should be based on the health-related issue.
Conversably, parents have an obligation on minors smoking behaviors. In fact, parents are not only socially obligated to their children, but they also have legal responsibilities to fulfill. If parents do not fulfill the legal obligation, then they can face the law. The obligations of the parents should always go beyond the legalities; they should psychologically, socially, and emotionally, invest on their children (Wolfson, 2001). Parents obligations are to provide appropriate and fair discipline that will help the minor overcome the challenges of smoking and other bad behaviors. Parents also need to respect their children, and should not smoke in their presence. The commercials affected the behaviors of parents in the year 1962. In the current society, the commercial could still influence the behavior of parents, but due to changes in behaviors and perceptions its effects could not bring many changes.
Smoking in most cases is a personal preference. But in most cases the law has been implemented to prevent smoking in some specific places. For example, state of Colorado has banned smoking indoors in all establishments (Wolfson, 2001). The criminalization of minors smoking may sound ridiculous, buy it is becoming a concern and a legal issue in society today. Furthermore, Colorado has also become strict in the selling and supply of tobacco to minors. In the year 200934, Tobacco Free Weld County carried a research in 43 stores, only two locations failed. Moreover, measures have been taken to prevent theft of tobacco products. The society nowadays is in support of the law on criminalization of minors smoking; this is because many people are health-oriented. Minors smoking expose themselves to various health problems at a very early age.
Reference
Wolfson, M. (2001). The Fight Against Big Tobacco. London: Wiley.
