The solution to smoking!

Heineken Helen

Until we come up with a vaccine for the smoking addiction, we need to find a way to prevent people from starting. Yes, in this day and age, there are STILL people taking it up every day all over the world. Sooooo I have come up with what I consider to be a pretty simple solution... 'smoking permits'. You need a license to fish, own a dog, have a fucking tv... if you have a license to smoke and can't smoke without one, you can't buy them. Everyone who ALREADY smokes can apply for this permit and shops will still sell them, but only to people with a permit. If you don't have a permit, you can't buy them. If you can't buy them, you can't START smoking.

What do yas think?

Hitch-Hiker

I had that same idea regarding SUV's in urban areas.

Heineken Helen

Hitch-Hiker wrote:

I had that same idea regarding SUV's in urban areas.

not a bad idea

eMMI

actually, that's not a bad idea.. obviously there'd be the problem of people with smoking permits buying/giving/selling cigarrettes to those people who don't have them.. but I suppose that's pretty much like it is now with people buying cigs to underaged kids.. and I reckon there could be something that could be done to at least try and prevent that.

Skitch Patterson

I came into this thread ready to be pissed off...

But i posted a similar idea about two years ago. What would need to go along with this is a significant reduction of Cigerette Taxes- and a decent, large yearly cost of like $150.00 for the smoking "permit"... With some sort of endorsement added to your ID/Drivers Lic.
It would make it harder for kids to buy them, it would keep the revenue stream open for local governments, and also, it would slow smoking among the lower/lower middle class (which has a higher rate of smokers).... Putting out $150 at a time would make it much harder for those without disposible income to continue to smoke.

Hitch-Hiker

My main problem with this iudea would be not allowing people to buy them. Because to me that amounts to a gradual ban. The permit should be available to everyone over 18.Smoking would probably still fall off though, because most people, by that age just wouldn't be bothered starting.

Heineken Helen

Hitch-Hiker wrote:

My main problem with this iudea would be not allowing people to buy them. Because to me that amounts to a gradual ban. The permit should be available to everyone over 18.Smoking would probably still fall off though, because most people, by that age just wouldn't be bothered starting.

but what would be wrong with a gradual ban? there aren't really any advantages to smoking, unless you're addicted then it's filling your craving. It's just bad!

And yes there would be the problem of people giving/stealing cigarettes... but if that person then can't buy them, they're really not worth it.

eMMI

Heineken Helen wrote:

but what would be wrong with a gradual ban? there aren't really any advantages to smoking, unless you're addicted then it's filling your craving. It's just bad!

indeed! what should be done is stop making and selling cigarettes altogether! just like that! just stop the stupidity, no ciggies to anyone, permit or no permit!

it's all just not good. the only people getting anything good from smoking are the owners of tobacco companies!

thousands of people die of lung cancer caused by cigarette smoke even though they don't smoke - it's all secondhand smoke!

ban cigarrettes, I don't wanna die cause someone adopted a bad habit that they can't get rid off!!

ok, sorry about the rant, I was just reading some other thread about smoking and it pissed me off.

Scratchin a Letter

It's an idea, but youngsters would still find a way to get hold of cigarettes, just like they would if the legal age were to be upped. I had no problem buying them when I was 15, but even if not there was usually a friend or a bystander who could go in and buy them for me.

I agree something needs to be done about people starting though. When I started it was a peer pressure thing, but if I knew that six years down the line I'd still be hopelessly hooked I may have had the guts to have said no.

even flow?

I have a pin that I purchased years ago that is now on our fridge that says, "cancer cures smoking". That is a solution.

lalalalaaaaaaaa

Heineken Helen wrote:

If you can't buy them, you can't START smoking.

What do yas think?

No good...I couldn't buy cigs when I was 15, but that's when I started smoking.

even flow?

Heineken Helen wrote:

Until we come up with a vaccine for the smoking addiction, we need to find a way to prevent people from starting. Yes, in this day and age, there are STILL people taking it up every day all over the world. Sooooo I have come up with what I consider to be a pretty simple solution... 'smoking permits'. You need a license to fish, own a dog, have a fucking tv... if you have a license to smoke and can't smoke without one, you can't buy them. Everyone who ALREADY smokes can apply for this permit and shops will still sell them, but only to people with a permit. If you don't have a permit, you can't buy them. If you can't buy them, you can't START smoking.

What do yas think?

But my friends and I used to take our parents cars out without them knowing before we had a license. Sooooooo, this will not fly.

Plus I always think that the girls I see smoking must be at least eighteen to have purchased those ciggies. They look so mature and sophisticated.

puremagic

Here's a better idea, designate the production of smoking products such as cigarettes, cigars, blunts, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, snuff, etc., as "illegal" drug products. If your going to punish the users, go the distance and punish the manufacturers of the products.

Pearl Jam and toast

Commie. Don't tell me what I can't buy. I love my cigarettes.

pearl jamm_n 4-life

Heineken Helen wrote:

Until we come up with a vaccine for the smoking addiction, we need to find a way to prevent people from starting. Yes, in this day and age, there are STILL people taking it up every day all over the world. Sooooo I have come up with what I consider to be a pretty simple solution... 'smoking permits'. You need a license to fish, own a dog, have a fucking tv... if you have a license to smoke and can't smoke without one, you can't buy them. Everyone who ALREADY smokes can apply for this permit and shops will still sell them, but only to people with a permit. If you don't have a permit, you can't buy them. If you can't buy them, you can't START smoking.

What do yas think?

I gotta tell ya, there are enough facts out there as to why not to start. Logic and will-power should be enough. Other than that, once you start, you'll need both of those to stop. As with most other things, its a choice. Be educated, be smart and live healthy. I appreciate the empathy towards the situation, but really, this is nothing more than good or bad decision making. no different than deciding whether to get behind the wheel of a car after pounding a 30 rack.

Heineken Helen

pearl jamm'n 4-life wrote:

I gotta tell ya, there are enough facts out there as to why not to start. Logic and will-power should be enough. Other than that, once you start, you'll need both of those to stop. As with most other things, its a choice. Be educated, be smart and live healthy. I appreciate the empathy towards the situation, but really, this is nothing more than good or bad decision making. no different than deciding whether to get behind the wheel of a car after pounding a 30 rack.

I agree it's bad decision making... everyone makes bad decisions though but most don't affect your life the way THIS bad decision does . The only other one comparable would be unprotected sex. Yes, it's a stupid thing to do... but it doesn't make the people who DO it stupid. We all do stupid things.

And emmi... that won't work.

Ok... well maybe if you have a permit AND a ration... you're not going to be giving them away to kids or anything.

eMMI

Heineken Helen wrote:

And emmi... that won't work.

I know it won't.. but a girl's allowed to dream, eh?

Pacomc79

Prohibition and Bans are a proven failure.

Early education and treatment are the only tried and true preventative methods.

If logic and reason and will power fail... that's just too bad really.


Tobacco farming is still subsidised by our government while the tobacco companies are paying billions to educate the public on the dangers of the use of thier products.

At some point if Americans want to remain a "free" country, they are going to have to take some accountability for thier own actions, failures, will power and ambition or lack therof.

tybird

Heineken Helen wrote:

Until we come up with a vaccine for the smoking addiction, we need to find a way to prevent people from starting. Yes, in this day and age, there are STILL people taking it up every day all over the world. Sooooo I have come up with what I consider to be a pretty simple solution... 'smoking permits'. You need a license to fish, own a dog, have a fucking tv... if you have a license to smoke and can't smoke without one, you can't buy them. Everyone who ALREADY smokes can apply for this permit and shops will still sell them, but only to people with a permit. If you don't have a permit, you can't buy them. If you can't buy them, you can't START smoking.

What do yas think?

Great idea.....very creative solution. I would also suggest an age limit and an educational class similar to what one must attend to get a boating license.

blackredyellow

Pacomc79 wrote:

Tobacco farming is still subsidised by our government while the tobacco companies are paying billions to educate the public on the dangers of the use of thier products.

Yeah, once again our government is feeding both sides of a problem (like terrorism). We pay for the tobacco to be farmed and sold, then pay for prevention programs, and all of the health care problems that tobacco causes.

We waste so much money going in circles in this country, that it's mind boggling.

jlew24asu

Heineken Helen wrote:

Until we come up with a vaccine for the smoking addiction, we need to find a way to prevent people from starting. Yes, in this day and age, there are STILL people taking it up every day all over the world. Sooooo I have come up with what I consider to be a pretty simple solution... 'smoking permits'. You need a license to fish, own a dog, have a fucking tv... if you have a license to smoke and can't smoke without one, you can't buy them. Everyone who ALREADY smokes can apply for this permit and shops will still sell them, but only to people with a permit. If you don't have a permit, you can't buy them. If you can't buy them, you can't START smoking.

What do yas think?

AMEN SISTER. i'm with ya. now how bout that vaccine already. hurry!!

baraka

Pacomc79 wrote:

Prohibition and Bans are a proven failure.

Early education and treatment are the only tried and true preventative methods.

If logic and reason and will power fail... that's just too bad really.


Tobacco farming is still subsidised by our government while the tobacco companies are paying billions to educate the public on the dangers of the use of thier products.

At some point if Americans want to remain a "free" country, they are going to have to take some accountability for thier own actions, failures, will power and ambition or lack therof.

My thoughts exactly........Just look at the failure of the 'War on Drugs'.

I do, however, find the vaccination idea interesting.

1970RR

tybird wrote:

Great idea.....very creative solution. I would also suggest an age limit and an educational class similar to what one must attend to get a boating license.

There all ready is an age limit - 18. If its such a serious problem, why not jail underage smokers?

baraka

1970RR wrote:

There all ready is an age limit - 18. If its such a serious problem, why not jail underage smokers?

If I remember correctly, in Tybird's state, the legal age to purchase cigs is 19.

tybird

baraka wrote:

If I remember correctly, in Tybird's state, the legal age to purchase cigs is 19.

I think that you are correct...........I don't buy them, so I don't really pay that much attention.

I see no problem with fining or arresting underage smokers..........or even fining their parents/guardians. This process does occur if parents knowingly allow underage drinkers to party at their house, and someone rats on them.

jeffbr

Pacomc79 wrote:

Prohibition and Bans are a proven failure.

Early education and treatment are the only tried and true preventative methods.

If logic and reason and will power fail... that's just too bad really.


Tobacco farming is still subsidised by our government while the tobacco companies are paying billions to educate the public on the dangers of the use of thier products.

At some point if Americans want to remain a "free" country, they are going to have to take some accountability for thier own actions, failures, will power and ambition or lack therof.

Sanity! Nice to see a post which isn't proposing more government restrictions or intrusions

Skitch Patterson

jeffbr wrote:

Sanity! Nice to see a post which isn't proposing more government restrictions or intrusions

I only like my idea because part of it says "reduce the taxes" which in my state are like $2+ per pack. Which adds up to more than $150 a year.

hippiemom

Skitch Patterson wrote:

I only like my idea because part of it says "reduce the taxes" which in my state are like $2+ per pack. Which adds up to more than $150 a year.

I don't know about where you live, but I live in a middle class area (median household income around $40k), and just about every kid I see wears $100 sneakers, quite a few of my daughter's friends carry designer handbags, they get manicures and pedicures every two weeks, they're all buying prom dresses worth hundreds of dollars ... it would have to be WAY more than $150 to slow these kids down, and they're not rich.

I'm all for reducing your $2 per pack tax though

ThumbingMyWay32

Heineken Helen wrote:

Until we come up with a vaccine for the smoking addiction, we need to find a way to prevent people from starting. Yes, in this day and age, there are STILL people taking it up every day all over the world. Sooooo I have come up with what I consider to be a pretty simple solution... 'smoking permits'. You need a license to fish, own a dog, have a fucking tv... if you have a license to smoke and can't smoke without one, you can't buy them. Everyone who ALREADY smokes can apply for this permit and shops will still sell them, but only to people with a permit. If you don't have a permit, you can't buy them. If you can't buy them, you can't START smoking.

What do yas think?

If you're serious about getting people to stop smoking then just ban it. I'm tired of the government taxing the hell out of something they tell us we're addicted to. Doesn't the government have any morality left? No.

Talk about being raked over the coals...

yield2me

I think we need a permit for fat people...you have to have the permit to eat at Mcdonalds etc...after all that is the real killer in this country.

Alex_Coe

Heineken Helen wrote:

Until we come up with a vaccine for the smoking addiction, we need to find a way to prevent people from starting. Yes, in this day and age, there are STILL people taking it up every day all over the world. Sooooo I have come up with what I consider to be a pretty simple solution... 'smoking permits'. You need a license to fish, own a dog, have a fucking tv... if you have a license to smoke and can't smoke without one, you can't buy them. Everyone who ALREADY smokes can apply for this permit and shops will still sell them, but only to people with a permit. If you don't have a permit, you can't buy them. If you can't buy them, you can't START smoking.

What do yas think?

I think you're high. The gov't shouldn't be telling people what to do, even if it is dangerous.