WASHINGTON — Imagine if cigarettes were no longer addictive and smoking itself became almost obsolete; only a tiny segment of Americans still lit up. That’s the goal of an unprecedented anti-smoking plan being carefully fashioned by U.S. health officials.
But the proposal from the Food and Drug Administration could have another unexpected effect: opening the door for companies to sell a new generation of alternative tobacco products, allowing the industry to survive — even thrive — for generations to come.
The plan puts the FDA at the center of a long-standing debate over so-called “reduced-risk” products, such as e-cigarettes, and whether they should have a role in anti-smoking efforts, which have long focused exclusively on getting smokers to quit.
Humans have enjoyed tobacco and other herbs for thousands of years on this planet. Anyone that thinks laws or any sort of regulation will stop that is ignorant of human nature.
There are many things that might hold the potential to be hazardous; such as climbing a ladder, driving an automobile, ice skating, consuming alcohol or becoming a certified electrician.
Imagine if people were in hysterics over banning those for a couple of contrived reasons.
And if I don’t want to? Overpopulation is a greater threat to the planet than is the tobacco plant.
My grandmother smoked 2 packs a day most of her life. She died peacefully, last year at age 98. Would she have lived to 100 had she not smoked? Not likely. GENETICS is the key. Stop this propaganda with cigs or may they go after your damn beer and wine next. I hope they take your beer away for superbowl parties. Maybe you will wake up then to what dictatorship has been going on!
I agree
Leave my cigs alone. I’ll smoke as much as I want, I don’t do a damn thing else. If I get sick from it, and die, it’s my own fault. Don’t even start with the cost of treatment if I happen to become ill, because there will be no hospital, surgeries, or medication for me, I will just stay at home and die! So take that and stick up your smoke stack FDA, and anyone else who wishes to comment on my post. Stay the HELL out of my LIFE!