http://reason.com/archives/2016/11/30/anti-smoking-paternalism-infantilizes-ad
We rarely speak here about public policy but having read this article today, I was literally blown away!
It's appalling to me that folks from this camp don't recognize the Addictive nature of Nicotine or the societal cost of Nicotine Addiction!
Supposing that I'm a libertarian and think that you and I have the right to do whatever we want no matter how personally destructive, there is still the protection of the rights of other citizens and the hidden costs to society as a whole!
I'm thinking of the friends of teenagers who have not yet formed the decision making ability of an adult or to understand the true consequences of the decisions that they make - neurologically speaking.
I'm also thinking 10 Years down the road after the teen has become addicted and is no longer capable of realizing what they now young adults are doing to their children.
And I'm thinking of their neighbors and other complete victims of their second hand smoke! We all know that a hard core Addict is likely to expose innocent victims to their smoke. It happens to me every time I am in a public parking lot, for example.
Then there is the cost that the individual doesn't pay for their own smoke related health problems - from medicaid and medicare to increased insurance costs and employer costs - we all pay!
I'm sure there's plenty more to be said about this subject that I can't think of right now but I want to open it up to the Community to think about and contribute.
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/tobacco/what-are-extent-impact-tobacco-use
