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Gov. Jerry Brown Signs Bills that Raise California Smoking Age to 21
- Thread starter HypnoDarkrai
- Start date
- Status
Enter the Dragon Punch
Banned
smoking tobacco is dumb, good
raise it as high as you can
raise it as high as you can
OrlanisWorks
Banned
That's just great! People living longer as this world becomes more automated! That's just perfect!
aGuyInaBearSuit
Member
Oh, that governor Jerry Brown.
He orders smiles and never frowns.
He orders smiles and never frowns.
darkside31337
Tomodachi wa Mahou
Never get why people associate being able to join the military at age 18 with not being allowed to do other stuff.
Joining the military and willing to serve the country is a selfless act with a positive benefit for the country... so why compare it to something that has no absolutely zero benefits, something that is just a complete negative and a total drain on society in every possible way.
Joining the military and willing to serve the country is a selfless act with a positive benefit for the country... so why compare it to something that has no absolutely zero benefits, something that is just a complete negative and a total drain on society in every possible way.
RastaMentality
Banned
I guess it kinda makes sense for gun ownership but also not really.
Because if you're old enough to make the decision to die for your country, you should be old enough to make the decision whether or not to consume tobacco/alcohol?
If we're gonna go the nanny route, where are the age limits on fatty foods? And soda?
Fenderputty
Banned
I hate smoking, but an 18 year old should be able to choose if they're legally an adult. I really hate smoking though ....
Yeah man the military has been real positive over the past 15 years or so.
On topic though I think we should lower the drinking and smoking age. Smoking is stupid as hell but if you wanna do it go ahead. I'm all for bans in public places though.
J
Jpop
Unconfirmed Member
It has to do with the fact that if you are legally an adult than you should legally be treated as any other adult. You shouldn't have an arbitrary age you need to reach to make certain decisions.
Edit:
Also I completely disagree with you labeling joining the military as a complete selfless act and positive influences on the country.
Yup, this is an ass-backwards law.
Your Entertainer
Member
One angle I could see is that while serving could potentially harm yourself only, smoking places tremendous health burdens on you, those around you and society in general. Second hand smoke kills hundreds of thousands yearly. Effects on babies by mothers during pregnancy and the myriad of diseases it causes lead to a large strain on our healthcare system and by extension all of us by taking up resources and finances. You're much less likely to begin smoking if you don't take it up early. Tobacco companies have put forth effort in trying to market their product to younger buyers.
It's not so much about rights as it is about trying to curb the act itself.
One gives you cancer while the other one gives you the giggles.
darkside31337
Tomodachi wa Mahou
I'm all for discouraging children from eating and drinking inappropriately. Childhood obesity is a serious issue that the government should have an interest in addressing. I don't think thats the "nanny route".
I'm not pro military either, just find it bizarre that a politician of all folks would seemingly state that being able to join the military should enable you to make dumb life decisions that serve no benefit to anyone and is a threat and nuisance to the rest of society.
If you want to smoke in your own private property thats fine but I don't have a problem with just outright banning smoking in public places.
I agree. I don't like this change. I think we as a country have made strong inroads at chipping away at the smoking rate across all ages through advocacy and education. That is the route to take, not changing the age. If you can convince someone to not smoke you are doing way more for them than simply making it illegal, where they can still find a way to do it anyway if they have the will.
I also feel that the moment you can sign up for military service to die for your country, you should be able to do whatever other adults can do, be it smoking, drinking, whatever. But the weird exception clause in this law is a wacky double standard that I do not like.
DiscoJer
Member
Beyond the issue of death and disability, basically in the military you are entrusted with weapons and extremely expensive (and lethal) vehicles.
Someone can be trusted to work on or fly a $200 million airplane or tank or ship, or use a fully automatic weapon, or grenade, but they can't be trusted to take a drink of alcohol or (now) smoke tobacco?
You become an adult when you join the military basically. You are making a decision that could end your whole life and endure hardship that most normal people wouldn't last a second in.
....Oh but you can't drink or smoke while there are people who don't go through 1% of that who can do all of that. How is any of that at all fair?
Yeah, this.
J
Jpop
Unconfirmed Member
People tout the military thing as an argument, but that is besides the point.
The essence of the argument is that if a country legally sees you as an adult, then legally you should not be limited by an arbitrary age limit limiting your actions as an adult.
Also you say you aren't pro military but just posted this.
Familienoberhauptvogel
Banned
Good, starts at 16 where I live and it's stupid and me and my friends were all stupid enough to smoke. Personally only when going out for a drink though, urgh the taste next day.
darkside31337
Tomodachi wa Mahou
The point was because serving in the military is supposed to be a positive thing for the country and smoking in any shape or form is not.
I don't think tobacco has any place in society at all but people can make whatever life decisions they want in the end. I'm just all for banning it totally in public or more feasibly restricting it as much as possible.
Once pot is legal you'll start to hear more stuff like that. And smoking isn't the only way to consume pot.
Don't delude yourself, inhaling any particulate matter into your lungs chronically will give you cancer.
Username1198
Member
As someone who has smoked for many many years then quit, I would just like to say smoking is awesome and I miss it and wish it didn't try to kill me.
Electric Eye
Banned
I second this. They're trying to keep smoking away from young people further by moving the goal post and that just makes it more intriguing to young people like sneaking alcohol before 21.
J
Jpop
Unconfirmed Member
Is being in the military positive for the country? We have a lot of issues with mental disorder, and poverty that effect a lot of ex-service men and women. I wouldn't call that positive or constructive. Banning things and prohibiting things does not work. Look at prohibition, look at Marijuana, it will only create situations where people are punished for doing something that they are addicted to.
A better solution is to put money into programs that help educate and raise more awareness of the side-effects of smoking, inhaling second hand smoke ect...
Banning things does not work. It only creates an opportunity for people to be punished for something they grew up doing, or are addicted to.
Electric Eye
Banned
Yes he's an idiot bring back Arnold and the republican mojority under him right?
*Insert Dead Kennedys reference here*
Because that works so well for other drugs, right?
darkside31337
Tomodachi wa Mahou
I agree with all of this? Outright banning tobacco is an impossible thing to do for the reasons you stated but restricting access to it and trying to steer people away from it isn't the same thing as that. More public awareness is obviously a good thing as well.
If they're willing to believe citizens can function without the government's babysitting thier every move, maybe?
davepoobond
you can't put a price on sparks
ghostofsparta
Member
Nahhh not liking this. 18-20 year olds getting fined for smoking is a bit ridiculous.
The Lone Courier
Member
You can be old enough to work and be responsible for a nuclear sub but your not old and responsible enough to buy a pint of beer. Its ass backwards.
Don't agree with this law one bit.
WanderingWind
Mecklemore Is My Favorite Wrapper
The point is that we, as a society, agree that 18 years of age is an age where you will be treated as an adult. You can sign legally-binding contracts. You can take out loans. You can sign up for the military. If you commit any crime at this age, there is no chance of you being tried as a juvenile.
Except for these two things, because the type of morality policing that everybody agrees is wrong when it comes to nearly every other issue is suddenly "+1 I support, good for the government." Funny how it's "my body" when it comes to nearly every other issue, but alcohol and smoking still draws out the old-school conservative in even the otherwise staunchest "liberal." Go back to your pulpit, english, and leave the rest of us the fuck alone.
In this instance. Not all instances.
J
Jpop
Unconfirmed Member
No it wont.
Username1198
Member
Exactly, if there's grass on the field, smoke it.
VendettaRed07
Member
Stupid pointless gesture. Just invest more money into D.A.R.E or something.
adamsappel
Member
And if alcohol is prohibited for anyone under 21, I have no problem with restricting tobacco use as well. Marijuana legalization will be 21 as well.
Do you support raising the voting age to 21 as well?
We need to pick an age at which one is legally an adult and stick with it.
A Fish Aficionado
I am going to make it through this year if it kills me
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