• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy Team Biden’s war on cigarettes will only end in tears
Economy

Team Biden’s war on cigarettes will only end in tears

by November 25, 2023
by November 25, 2023 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

One of the most enduring lessons of American history is that the banning of liquor sales and consumption (‘the noble experiment’) was a colossal failure. Drinking didn’t go down much, but the profits ended up going not to legitimate businesses but bootleggers and the mob, while the murder rate soared to all-time highs in American history. It was the policy that made America’s most famous gangster, Al Capone, famous — and rich.

I was reminded of this when I saw recently that the Biden administration’s Food and Drug Administration wants to ban menthol cigarettes. Menthol flavorings account for approximately 37% of cigarette sales. That demand will not disappear but it will be driven underground, creating more significant risks to consumers.

Ninety years after the failure of Prohibition, we are going to try it again with smokers. Ironically, many of the same liberals who campaigned for three decades for the legalization of marijuana and other soft drugs (something I generally support) now want to effectively ban smoking.

The FDA’s proposed rule would ‘prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes and all characterizing flavors (other than tobacco) in cigars.’ The government justifies its action because it has ‘the potential to significantly reduce disease and death from combusted tobacco product use.’
That sounds a lot like a reprise of what the temperance league told us about alcohol prohibition: ‘Alcohol prohibition will save lives, reduce crime, cure social ills, and improve the nation’s health.’

But even if all these virtuous results were true, since when is the United States government empowered to regulate the health and riskiness of America’s personal habits? Don’t we have a right as Americans to do things that are bad for us? Or do we slouch toward a nanny state?

There are a lot of dangerous activities that Americans take great pleasure in and choose to do even though they are risky — rock climbing, parachuting out of airplanes, driving a motorcycle and eating too much sugar (a sin that I am definitely guilty of) are prominent examples. Remember when New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg wanted to stop obesity by banning Big Gulps? Reading the misinformation in The New York Times is bad for you — but I wouldn’t ban the newspaper.

We should have learned from the mostly failed war on drugs that the main impact was to enrich drug dealers. Instead of the government getting funds by taxing pot (as many states do now), the money went to the drug cartels, crime syndicates and street corner drug dealers.

I’m not a smoker; I don’t smoke; and I don’t like it when people smoke around me and I have to inhale and smell the cigar or cigarette smoke. I taught my kids not to smoke or use drugs, and smoking cessation programs in schools make a lot of sense. 

I have friends who died far too young because of their chain-smoking habits. On the other hand, I do, on rare occasions, smoke cigarettes, especially when stressed out. It relaxes me, just as I sometimes take chewables at night when I am having trouble falling asleep. I don’t want a government official yanking the cigarette out of my mouth.

The strangest and most illogical thing of all about this call to ban menthol is that it comes at a time when smoking is rarer today than at any time in at least 100 years and probably since the founding of our country. In the last 60 years, smoking has fallen by more than 60% in virtually all age groups, especially among the young. Anti-smoking education campaigns are working. Don’t change a winning strategy.

An FDA prohibition could backfire by making smoking ‘cool’ and ‘sexy’ again. When I was in high school and my friends and I would occasionally head to the beach and puff on marijuana joints, part of the thrill was precisely that it was verboten. We were teenage rebels without a cause, and we were acting like James Dean.

We should also consider that the government is also collecting billions of dollars of tax revenues from smokers. Driving cigarette sales underground puts the money into the hands of the criminals.

Yes, keep cigarettes out of the hands of kids. But let adults, not the government regulators, make their own decisions about the risks of smoking.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Down and out: What went wrong with Ron DeSantis’ run for the Republican presidential nomination?
  • DeSantis blasts Biden for prioritizing Gaza aid that will be ‘commandeered’ by Hamas over rescuing hostages
  • Two Republicans want to force Biden admin to release all the records on COVID-19’s origin
  • ACLX Stock – Get All The Latest Information About It
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
How RRG Helps To Find Two Pair Trading Opportunities
next post
Biden unsure when American hostages will be freed by Hamas: ‘We don’t know’

You may also like

New report highlights ‘booming’ transgender surgery industry that is raking...

July 2, 2024

Biden repeatedly dodges questions about whether he’d take neurological test:...

July 6, 2024

Former Afghan prosecutors hunted down, killed by Taliban 3 years...

August 17, 2024

Kansas Gov. Kelly issues partial veto of GOP education plan,...

May 19, 2023

Federal judge strikes down Kentucky’s ban on sex-reassignment surgeries, cross-sex...

June 29, 2023

Ethereum is rising to a new weekly high this morning

October 15, 2024

Trial underway for Kansas man who threatened congressman, claimed to...

January 17, 2023

RFK Jr. challenges Trump to debate after ‘Democrat plant’ accusation

April 28, 2024

Biden’s Cabinet has few words about Biden fitness concerns post-debate

June 28, 2024

House resolution condemning ‘From the River to the Sea’ chant...

April 17, 2024

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Krispy Kreme stock plunges after doughnut chain pauses McDonald’s rollout, pulls outlook

      May 8, 2025
    • Don’t Buy Robinhood Stock… Until You See This Chart Setup

      May 8, 2025
    • UnitedHealthcare sued by shareholders over reaction to CEO’s killing

      May 8, 2025
    • The Unpredictable Stock Market: How to Make Sense of It

      May 8, 2025
    • AMD CEO calls China a ‘large opportunity’ and warns against strict U.S. chip controls

      May 7, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,633 views
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,339 views
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 2,321 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,303 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,186 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,066)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,530)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Krispy Kreme stock plunges after doughnut chain pauses McDonald’s rollout,...

      May 8, 2025
    • Don’t Buy Robinhood Stock… Until You See This Chart Setup

      May 8, 2025
    • UnitedHealthcare sued by shareholders over reaction to CEO’s killing

      May 8, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,066)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,530)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    What NBC’s Ronna McDaniel debacle reveals...

    March 28, 2024

    Democrats divided over ICC prosecutor seeking...

    May 20, 2024

    Biden repeatedly dodges questions about whether...

    July 6, 2024
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here