Did you ever wonder why our government doesn't outlaw tobacco products?

By David McClelland

If the use of tobacco products is as harmful as it appears to be, why doesn't our government just ban their use nationally and unconditionally? The Surgeon General of the United States began to require that a strong warning be printed on each pack of cigarettes in 1966.

That first Surgeon General warning stated, "Cigarette smoking may be hazardous to your health." The warnings have become progressively stronger and, in 1985 stated, "Smoking causes lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema and may complicate pregnancy." More recently, the warning added, "Smoking by pregnant women may result in fetal injury, premature birth and low birth weight."

Concerning cigars, the warning states. "Cigar smoking may cause cancers to the mouth and throat even if you do not inhale." And there are others, including, "Tobacco smoke increases the risk of lung cancer and heart disease, even in non-smokers."

Beginning this year, the warnings on smokeless tobacco products include, "…may cause mouth cancer; …can cause gum disease and tooth loss; …is not a safe alternative to cigarettes, and …is addictive."

Several states, including Michigan, have banned smoking indoors in most public places.

One strong reason to ban tobacco products that emit smoke is the danger to nonsmokers who happen to be near to smokers and involuntarily inhale the smoke. Since the Surgeon General's warnings include nonsmokers, one would think that would be adequate incentive to ban all such products.

However, not only has our government not banned these products, it provides tobacco subsidies to about 89,000 farmers to the tune of about $200 million per year.

With all of the negatives about the use of tobacco, why do you suppose such a ban hasn't happened? Could it be that our government simply can't AFFORD to ban them because it collects about $50 billion in taxes from the sale of cigarettes each year? Hmmm.

Also, think what would happen in the U.S. if tobacco were made illegal? We couldn't expect addicted smokers to just quit smoking. They would probably be able to find cigarettes on the black market, even if they have to pay higher prices.

Think about the enforcement issues. Can you imagine the police trying to arrest all of those addicted smokers? That would be a nightmare for law enforcement.

Although banning the use of tobacco products would appear to be the healthy thing for all Americans, I don't look for it to happen in my lifetime. I was lucky to be born of parents who did not smoke. I credit that for the fact that my sister and I never smoked and not a single member of my family has ever smoked. I will just have to count my blessings and continue to watch the unfolding story of tobacco and its products. How about you? Where do you stand on this issue?