Should tobacco companies be forced to take the poisonous additives out of cigarettes?
Smoking tobacco alone is full of carcinogens, but tobacco companies add up to 599 other things, including cyanide and ammonia, to tobacco.
While I wouldn't argue that cigarettes ought to be illegal, should the poison in them be made illegal?
Yes
Side Score: 19
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No
Side Score: 8
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3
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Additive free cigarettes are not quite the tasteless item one might think they are. Both Winston and American Spirit make a additive free cigarette and they're both good smokes. I usually roll my own and I use additive free tobacco for my needs and have no complaints whatsoever. Side: yes
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If Tabacco is what people want to smoke, then what is the need for all the additives? If it is just the companies's way of making money off the ignorance and health of people, then this is a malicious action and it shouldn't be allowed. Smokers have the right to a good smoke. ;-) Side: yes
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If there were less additives to cigarettes then it would not be as addictive and people could be social smokers. The reason I want to quit is because when I am a smoker, I am addicted and CAN'T quit without a lot of effort. It would be nice to be able to smoke a pack and then not smoke when I run out.. like drinking. I like to drink but I don't HAVE to drink. Also, without all the additives it wouldn't be as unhealthy so again, people would not be forced to quit for health reasons so often. Side: Yes
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No, for the same reason drugs shouldn't be forbidden. Each human being is responsible for his/her own life. As long as we are all well informed about the addictive or poisonous effects of a substance, it's up to us to decide wether or not to consume it. The problem is that while there is a lot of propaganda about the bad effects of other drugs, it's harder for people to notice how bad cigarrettes really are. The simple fact that they are legal is enough for a lot of people to think they are not so bad. So what happens here is that we are not well informed. Side: No
2
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"Each human being is responsible for his/her own life" - I personally have higher hopes for the nature of human beings as being able to exhibit some care for each other's lives, other than their own. People by themselves do not go out and put the poisonous additives alone, they were led into making this "choice" because this is the tabacco that was made available by the companies. The harmful product is put out there by someone who wants to make money, and then we make the "choice". Its not like people went out and asked companies to put the additives in. It is an artificially created demand. There are more than 600 additives in cigarettes, which are not regulated and are used in order to make the product more addictive and that make it easier to start smoking or continue smoking. Most of this additives are unknown. Currently in Europe the European governments don't even have the right to demand information about the addittives from the companies. This makes it "being well informed" almost impossible. Tabacco companies cater to a demand, which companies have taken advantage off by adding substances that the consumer initially didn't ask for. I do not see why it is acceptable that Companies behave in ways that are careless to the consumers to whom they cater a service or a product. Side: yes
You totally changed the meaning of what I said, sorry if I didn't make myself clear. What I meant is that when it comes to our own lives, we should be given the freedom to choose how we want to live. I share with you the ideal of people being more caring towards others. I just think we disagree on how this should be achieved: you seem to rely on laws, I rely on proper education and information. It's just unfair when we are not provided with proper information. Powerful companies use psychological tricks in adds, carefully choosing images and wording in order to blind us from the true addictive and destructive nature of their product. As you said, we are an easy prey. And it's not hard to realize that the only reason why these things are still out there is because they are a huge source of money. What you fail to see is that companies are not the only ones gaining in this game - the government also is. One of the most ridiculous arguments for the legalization of drugs is "Let's tax it!", which shows the real nature of a government which is not there for the people, but for money and power at any costs. Should tobacco companies be forced to take the poisonous additives out of cigarettes? No. Who would force them, the government? Who is gonna force the government, us? I don't thing that doing things by force really solves anything, we've got too used to fighting. We fight for our health, governments/companies fight for their power. Can you blame them in this horrible selfish world we have created? I think that problems like this, or of companies polluting the environment or exploiting employers won't be solved by simply "forcing" them to do good. We need to make people aware (this includes those in power), to inform and educate them about how a less selfish world is better for all of us, and stop relying on laws and governments. Side: No
The problem is that educating people about the consequences of cigarettes costs time and money. Also, some people are stupid or self-destructive and will continue to smoke anyway. Cigarettes are a useless drain on society. If criminalization of drugs was effective, I'd be for it, but since it's not, strong regulations are the next best thing. Side: yes
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Maybe it is made to the government health standards to help control the population growth. By killing off people every year through the use of tobacco companies. Why else wouldn't they be shut down they are under government protection. Evil government conspiracy lol yes this is only a joke so don't think I really believe it. Side: No
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2
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To play Devil's advocate for a moment, we have the FDA to regulate that all items available for consumption are safe enough for us to use. Why should companies be given the choice to add addictive substances in an effort to hook people for life, instead of being forced to use tobacco alone? Shouldn't the FDA protect smokers too? Side: yes
The FDA is corrupted. They pass what they want and ignore what they want. They pass alcohol and that stuff ain't healthy either. Plus, there ARE products that are just tobacco... they're mostly known as cigars. Smokers know they have the option of other tobacco products over cigs... and pretty much every cig smoker is aware they're addicted to them, and they're aware they're addicting from someone else's verdict when they decided to smoke some anyway. I really don't think the FDA is responsible for it all. Everyone likes to blame the FDA for the countries troubles with drugs and even FOOD. HA! Side: No
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