historical reasons. it was a massive cash crop that underpinned the southern economy dating back to when we were british colonies.

alcohol has the same cultural standing for thousand+ years in the western world.

unfortunately sweet beautiful cannabis did not have this in the western world so it has been demonized wrongly.

if tobacco did not have the historic and economic linkage to the US, I wouldnt be surprised if it was illegal (say if it only started to gain widespread use in the last 100 years).

Gosh, has no one ever sat in a traffic jam on the Beltway in the summer with the window down? worse to me than walking by a guy on the corner smoking a fag.

Obesity is a greater problem in this country than tobacco use - it and it's related problems are also one of the largest drains on our healthcare system and cost. I worry more about that than cigarette smoke.

All you people comparing smoking to sugar, carbs, car accidents, etc. -- just stop. It just makes you look stupid. Do you really not see the differences? If that is the only pro-smoking "argument" you can come up with, just don't post anything.

Anonymous wrote:

OP, what are the benefits of alcohol (spare me the red wine thing, speak to all alcohol)? What are the benefits of sugar? What are the benefits of fast food?

I am not the OP, but is this a serious question? Assuming it is, then here is an answer.

Sugar is an essential source of energy for the body. If you don't consume it, you will die. So there's the benefit.

Along the same lines, fast food, although not the healthiest option, is still food and has many essential nutrients, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, etc. that your body needs to function.

Alcohol, depending on which kind, has different benefits. Beer has been shown to boost milk production in lactating women. You say "spare me the red wine thing" as if it's a myth, but the truth is that red wine (actually all kinds of wine, and beer too) in moderation can reduce your risk of certain cancers and heart disease.

But more importantly, none of those things is carcinogenic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see no good in it.
I would allow the present smokers to smoke their brains out, but it should be illegal for anyone under 21 to smoke or ever pick up a cigarette.

Know what else is no good for your body?

1. Sugar
2. Carbs
3. Anything processed
4. Anything that is not a whole food
5. Alcohol
6. Fast food

Need I say more?

None of the things you mentioned are class A human carcinogens. Also, when used in moderation, they are not harmful to the extent that tobacco is. Finally, most of the things you listed (arguably all of them) have benefits.

In contrast, tobacco smoke is a known carcinogen, has only adverse effects and no benefits, and is harmful even when used in moderation. So, there are huge differences between the things you listed and tobacco smoke. There is no valid or meaningful comparison between these things and tobacco smoke.

OP, what are the benefits of alcohol (spare me the red wine thing, speak to all alcohol)? What are the benefits of sugar? What are the benefits of fast food?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see no good in it.
I would allow the present smokers to smoke their brains out, but it should be illegal for anyone under 21 to smoke or ever pick up a cigarette.

Know what else is no good for your body?

1. Sugar
2. Carbs
3. Anything processed
4. Anything that is not a whole food
5. Alcohol
6. Fast food

Need I say more?

None of the things you mentioned are class A human carcinogens. Also, when used in moderation, they are not harmful to the extent that tobacco is. Finally, most of the things you listed (arguably all of them) have benefits.

In contrast, tobacco smoke is a known carcinogen, has only adverse effects and no benefits, and is harmful even when used in moderation. So, there are huge differences between the things you listed and tobacco smoke. There is no valid or meaningful comparison between these things and tobacco smoke.

Anonymous wrote:I see no good in it.
I would allow the present smokers to smoke their brains out, but it should be illegal for anyone under 21 to smoke or ever pick up a cigarette.

Know what else is no good for your body?

1. Sugar
2. Carbs
3. Anything processed
4. Anything that is not a whole food
5. Alcohol
6. Fast food

Need I say more?

Anonymous wrote:Automobile accidents result in 40,000+ deaths annually. Why aren't cars and trucks and SUVs illegal?

There are many reasons, but two of them are: Because they have positive benefits. Because when used properly, they are not deadly.