Everyone hates tobacco companies because they are trying to expand their market in the most effective ways possible. People wonder why the tobacco companies can't demonstrate some business ethics. If they where going to demonstrate ethics don't you think they would just shutdown their companies? Give tobacco companies a break. Nobody forces you to buy their product, you choose to do it.
Oh, did you say their advertisements target children? They used to, this is true, but why should it be wrong for tobacco companies to target a specific demographic if other companies are allowed to do the same. The Army is a business for adults, but they target youth. Shut down the army then. It is total bullshit.
And you should be allowed to smoke in any outdoor public place. I can slightly understand the arguements for resturaunts and bars, but lets put it this way: the actual effects of second hand smoke are unknown. Any evidence or studies pointing to second hand smoke causing cancer are rely predominately on circumstantial evidence. You can't run an ethical test to determine for sure that second hand smokes causes cancer in full grown adults.
I would like to live in a world where we are responsible for ourselves rather than asking other people to do it for us.
And all these arguements come from an non-smoker who is resolved to stay that way.
Although the camel crush are freaking cool. Crush the filter, boom, instant menthol cigarette. It is awesome.
Oh, and tobacco does have some mind altering effects. Cigarettes are just such a low dosage it doesn't effect most people. Try to smokeless tobacco, pipes, or cigars for the full effect.
Also oftentimes tobacco is a plant cultivated in places where they could really use the space and effort for growing food plants?
I read that and laughed. In the Midwest of the United States corn farmers are paid by the government NOT to grow corn to control the price. If the land in the midwest of the Midwest of the United States alone was used for its full potential you could feed the world.
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both."
-Benjamin Franklin[This message has been edited by Jeffrey (edited 08-24-2009 @ 04:52 PM).]