It is commonly known that cigarettes and tobacco are very harmful to people’s health. Constant smoking leads to diseases such as coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease, various lung diseases and many others (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). In addition, smoking is as addictive as the drugs. Also, smoking is harmful not only to the smoker. Under the harmful effects of cigarettes also fall the non-smokers who inhale the smoke from a cigarette. It is because of these negative effects of smoking there are many people who believe that cigarettes and tobacco should be illegal in the United States. And this suggestion really makes sense, since such a ban would help reduce the death rate from smoking, make people healthier and no longer cause the non-smokers harm of tobacco.
However, there are people who think that smoking tobacco and cigarettes are not necessary to prohibit. The main arguments of these people are a personal decision how to live and the presence of immediate economic benefit for the state as a whole. Many people consciously begin to smoke, as they are aware of their dangers. Therefore, many claim that it is their personal matter and the laws should not interfere with it. Supporters of smoking also argue that poor diet and an unhealthy lifestyle harm the body just like a cigarette, but only tobacco is going to fall under the prohibition. Alcohol is also not a very healthy drink, however, people do not offer to make it illegal. A person should have freedom of choice, they say. In addition, many assert that smoking has a calming effect. Moreover, if we are speaking about the state, the tobacco market brings great income, including taxes, and also provides many people with jobs (Debate.org, n.d.). Furthermore, the drug example shows that people who want to poison their body to get the necessary effect, which cigarettes exert upon them, will do it regardless of the legality of this. Also, the prohibition of cigarettes and tobacco can contribute to the black market. And this, in turn, will contribute to an increase in crime (Newman, 2009). These arguments lead opponents of the prohibition of cigarettes and tobacco.
Summing up, we can say that the prohibition of cigarettes and tobacco will do the society more good than bad. Tobacco dependence is the same as cocaine. However, smoking is not prohibited because of the allegedly less harm to the body. But this addiction annually claims the lives of thousands of people. Cigarettes are harmful to health not only to the smoker but also the people around him. Therefore, it's not personal; it applies to society as a whole. Making cigarettes and tobacco illegal, the state may reduce the number of smokers, and people falling under the influence of tobacco smoke. Mortality will be reduced and the number of healthy people will increase. Prohibition of smoking can make our society better and healthier. And in such society people will be happier than in a society where the part of the nation dies of useless addiction on each year. The healthcare costs will decrease. This money can be used in the promotion of healthy lifestyles and in the health programs for people who are not to blame for their illnesses, unlike smokers. That is why cigarettes and tobacco should be illegal in the United States.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.gov,. (2015). CDC - Fact Sheet - Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking - Smoking & Tobacco Use. Retrieved 29 February 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/effects_cig_smoking/index.htm
Debate.org,. Should smoking cigarettes be illegal?. Retrieved 29 February 2016, from http://www.debate.org/opinions/should-smoking-cigarettes-be-illegal#!#!
Medicalfaq.net,. Why should cigarettes be illegal? answers. Retrieved 1 March 2016, from http://www.medicalfaq.net/why_should_cigarettes_be_illegal_/ta-90251
National Cancer Institute,. (2011). Secondhand Smoke and Cancer. Retrieved 1 March 2016, from http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/tobacco/second-hand-smoke-fact-sheet
Newman, T. (2009). Commentary: Why not prohibit smoking? - CNN.com. Edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 1 March 2016, from http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/07/30/newman.tobacco.ban/index.html?iref=24hours
