Smoking Solution

I understand that addiction is a difficult matter to overcome and I think the evidence is pretty clear that nicotine is addictive. As such, I agree with the prevailing wisdom that the best strategy for reducing the prevalence of smoking is to prevent teenagers from ever gaining the habit.

In considering possible approaches to this, I am not in favor of sweeping regulation that would outlaw smoking (such regulation could never be passed anyway) and cripple an entire industry that employs many. Often times, new regulations create an enforcement conundrum that cannot be overcome without more funds than the regulations were designed to save. Frankly, that would likely be the case with any all-out ban on smoking. Here's my suggestion.

We know from extensive research that the major reason (practically the only reason) anyone begins smoking cigarettes is to embrace an association with independence, adulthood, and rebellious maturity. How about an economically-innocuous law that requires cigarettes sold in the US must be orange (or bright lime green, or obviously "uncool" in some other physical characteristic). I suspect that such symbols of disparagement might drag fewer teens, desperate to add some trace of hipness to their persona, to the rebellious brotherhood of smokers. If we could focus the public imagination on just how uncool smoking is, and pass on a little well-meaning mockery toward those who choose to do it, I think we could knock down the adoption rate a bit.

I guess what I am saying is that people who want to smoke (or are addicted to nicotine) will certainly smoke. But let's not allow the enduring image that smoking is cool to continue attracting teens to the tobacco lifestyle.

Freedom to Smoke

I love freedom. I support freedom. Freedom is fun.

I think everyone should be free to do any thing they want, even if it is harmful to themselves, as long as two conditions are met. First, the chooser of the freedom in question must have reached an age when they can make the decision responsibly. Second, they must be able to enjoy the chosen freedom without harming others or disrespecting others' freedom.

To choose smoking and meet these conditions, smokers obviously need to be sure they are not harming the health of their children and/or family members via second hand smoke. Difficult but manageable I would think.

More difficult and less manageable is how to choose smoking without consuming more than one's fair share of health care expenses. We know smoking is very unhealthy and that it leads to many costly medical conditions. The burden that smokers put on society to pay for their poor health is enormous. I know that medical insurance premiums are higher for smokers but "smoking habits" are one of the most famously misreported lifestyle choices in the history of the medical insurance industry. Let's be honest; non-smokers pay for the majority of smoker-related health care problems and, since smoking is a choice, those who choose it impinge on the freedom of those who do not.

I support freedom but smoking is not free and is difficult to do freely.