Smoking in the U.S

[BlazeTheVampire]

First off, here is the article I'll be referring to. I'll try to paraphase but it still may be better to read the page.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/06/12/obama-congratulates-congress-stiff-new-tobacco-regulations/

Basically, congress has passed (and Obama will sign) a bill handing over tobacco regulation to the FDA. What this means for us smokers is this:

1) Nicotene levels in cigarettes will be reduced.
2) Flavored cigarettes will be taken off the market (including Clove cigarettes).
3) Advertisements will be restricted to black-and-white only ads and certain descriptions such as "light," or "low tar" will no longer be acceptable, as these have not been proven to reduce the risk of lung cancer or other tobacco-related illnesses.

Points 2 & 3 are mainly for the protection of children, making smoking cigarettes virtually unappealing. Which I don't necessarily mind altogether, but it is a lot to suddenly look at all the adults of the nation and say, "Okay you can smoke, but you're not going to like it."

Now, as far as I know, the bill does not include things like cigars, pipe tobacco, or sheesha (the tobacco/molasses mixture used in smoking hookah).

I'm solely a hookah smoker myself, so I wanted to get other thoughts on this bill. Or, if applicable, hear about any activism going on against the bill.

 

[fedpayne]

Can't imagine this going down particularly well... But I like it!

 

[Legion]

I don't understand why flavoured ones would be taken off the market.

That seems weird, do they have some extra damaging ingredient or something?.

 

[BlazeTheVampire]

No, the fear is that flavoring cigarettes will make them more appealing to a younger audience.

"What's that?"
"A cigarette."
"Why does it smell like grape?"
"Because it tastes like it too."
"Can I try?"

... and so on and so forth. I can actually see where the idea's coming from, but flavored cigarettes aren't really advertised anyways. A lot of kids don't even know they exist, as far as I've heard.

 

[AdmiralWolverineLightningbolt]

meh

uk for the win
(besides, who smokes only baccy anyway?)

 

[Varchld]

I don't see it as all that bad or all that good.

I think reducing nicotine will help people who intend to cut down or quit, but won't it encourage some people to smoke more or at least more often?
I think flavoured cigarettes are rather silly, but other types like clove cigarettes are a good idea. This middle ground thing of mine is really annoying :/
I think ads should be dropped completely though. I don't really see any benefit in them being around despite the influences on the different tobacco companies market dynamics.


I guess it's just another step to where things are headed with smoking. I'd rather see it fade and die with time then be pushed out by legislation. For it to fade it'll probably need to be crippled a little more then it is now though.

 

[Legion]

No, the fear is that flavoring cigarettes will make them more appealing to a younger audience.

"What's that?"
"A cigarette."
"Why does it smell like grape?"
"Because it tastes like it too."
"Can I try?"

... and so on and so forth. I can actually see where the idea's coming from, but flavored cigarettes aren't really advertised anyways. A lot of kids don't even know they exist, as far as I've heard.

I hate them kind of laws with anything: "It's only meant for adults,but because kids somehow get a hold of it we shall change it to stop kids using it/to make it kid friendly, despite the fact it ruins it for the target consumer".

 

[BlazeTheVampire]

Depending on your region and the laws governing it, clove cigarettes are actually MORE addicting than regular cigarettes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clove_cigarettes

In America it seems that there's slightly less nicotine and tar, but the numbers in Canada are higher.

EDIT: It's a shame, because I enjoy Kreteks much more than cigarettes. It's like a field day when whoever I'm smoking with has them.

 

[Cxizent]

Doesn't lowering the nicotene make them more harmful?
The brain has a certain level of nicotene it needs per "hit", and a smoker subconciously will drag on the ciggy until said hit has been acheived. For a lower nicotene ciggarette, this means that they'll smoke them faster, with longer drags, meaning more tar.
Correct me if I'm wrong, of course.

 

[BlazeTheVampire]

Doesn't lowering the nicotene make them more harmful?
The brain has a certain level of nicotene it needs per "hit", and a smoker subconciously will drag on the ciggy until said hit has been acheived. For a lower nicotene ciggarette, this means that they'll smoke them faster, with longer drags, meaning more tar.
Correct me if I'm wrong, of course.

No, I do believe you're right, which is sort of the point that Varchld made. It won't necessarily make them more harmful because they'd take in the same amount of tar and nicotine either way, but it will increase cigarette sales. Which, depending on how you look at it, can be good or bad. We need more sales here in the U.S to help us out of the recession, and the cigarette companies will need the extra revenue lost when they took flavored cigarettes off of the market. For smokers, however, that makes the habit more expensive than it already is.

 

[FROGGEman2]

I think it's a good thing, if only because whilst fucking my mum, my dad decided to have a bloody cigarette and give me asthma. /still bitter

 

[Nmil-ek]

Why are they reducing the nicotine its the insidious amounts of tar in commercial brands thta cause the majority damage.

 

[MelziGurl]

I don't smoke anymore, so I don't mind. I just hate seeing someone smoking in the same vacinity as children such as cars. I don't necessarily want other people smoking around me. I quit in 2007 and apparently my body is not going to be rid of it for another 40 years.

 

[The Infamous Scamola]

I have to say, Greece has it worked out on this one.

 

[DazZ.]

Glad I live in the UK.

Flavoured ciggerettes are not overly popular here, only Menthols is smoked rather often by people ive met out and about. Id love the novelty of smoking a grape flavoured cancerstick, but I doubt id smoke it instead of my regular brands.

Edit:

I have to say, Greece has it worked out on this one.

Whats Greece do?

 

[sirdanrhodes]

As a non-smoker, I like this. As a Brit, it does not affect me...

 

[Kiutu]

No, the fear is that flavoring cigarettes will make them more appealing to a younger audience.

"What's that?"
"A cigarette."
"Why does it smell like grape?"
"Because it tastes like it too."
"Can I try?"

... and so on and so forth. I can actually see where the idea's coming from, but flavored cigarettes aren't really advertised anyways. A lot of kids don't even know they exist, as far as I've heard.

I hate them kind of laws with anything: "It's only meant for adults,but because kids somehow get a hold of it we shall change it to stop kids using it/to make it kid friendly, despite the fact it ruins it for the target consumer".

Would be nicer if there was NO target consumer as it was a non-existant product.

Honestly though, what they should tyr to do atleast, is somehow make cigarettes not make smoke. I dont know if it is possible, but if it is, would be so much better. My main problem with smoking is second hand smoke. Killing yourself is your own problem, dont make it mine.

 

[Summerstorm]

Banning false and misleading advertisement = good.
Restricting peoples right to choose to pump themselves full of stuff = bad.

As long as people say: here, buy my stuff... well maybe you die, and it takes its toll on your lungs... and you will feel strange... and you will get addicted, they can sell that stuff.

But yeah... i am not american either...so... i have my own problems here with all that trying to ban videogames and censor the shit out of everything. Damn ignorant masses.