Smoking has been a highly controversial issue ever since the surgeon general warning in 1965. Since the banning of cigarette commercials in 1969, tobacco companies have managed to keep in business without any problems whatsoever. And even though statistics related to smoking have dropped, the numbers of smokers among teenagers are still worrisome. So, Cleveland and 100 other cities raise legal smoking age to 21.
- The surgeon general issues his warning regarding cigarettes in 1965
- Before that, cigarette commercials were present everywhere, including in children’s cartoons, like The Flintstones
- All states raised their minimum legal drinking age to 21 in 1984
- The city council also advised all employers to hire exclusively non-smokers starting with 2017
As concerns are rising regarding the number of teens reported to smoke, Cleveland and over 100 other cities have raised their legal smoking age to 21. This came as a move to hopefully reduce the number of teenage smokers.
By banning the sale of cigarettes, e-cigs, and all other tobacco products to people under 21, the city officials hope to get the numbers of young people who smoke to decline.
Of course, the issue is highly controversial. As it should be. People have the right to talk, and to express their opinions. But what most people tend to forget is how this whole affair actually started way back in 1984, with the raise of the minimum legal drinking age.
People tend to overlook the fact that this is the same problem.
The most prevalent argument against the raise of the smoking age is that if people are allowed to vote, join the army, and even run for mayor at the age of 18, they should be allowed to smoke.
It’s a very reasonable and eloquent argument, and it should totally be given proper consideration. The only issue is that the same can be said about drinking.
So if people want to keep the legal drinking age at 21, they should consider their reasons for that more closely than before. Because overall, cigarettes are a lot more harmful than alcohol, and much easier to come by.
I’m not saying that the legal age for drinking should be lowered, nor am I saying that the legal age for smoking should be raised. All I’m saying is that if the majority of people are in favor of one and not the other, it speaks volumes about a nation-wide level of hypocrisy that should really be checked out by those more introspective among us.
Image source: Wikimediacialis cost 20 mg
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