I'm a lifelong non-smoker, but let me play devil's advocate for a moment:
If smoking is such an unmitigated evil, why pussyfoot around -- just make it illegal. Well, last year North Dakota tried to do just that. The retailers thought it was a good idea (it would save them having to deal with all the legal hassles around the sale of tobacco). But the anti-smoking lobbyists argued strongly
against the measure. Why? Because it hadn't been tried before, and hence was not a proven strategy; and because they stood to lose the funding for the battle against tobacco use. Among those anti-tobacco groups were the North Dakota Medical Association, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, North Dakota Public Health Association and North Dakota Nurses Association.
The measure passed in committee, but
failed in the House. Ok. No surprises there. Big money in taxing tobacco, after all, and those governments need to balance their budgets. Lots of big money behind lobbying against tobacco use, and helping smokers quit; win the battle, and you're scrounging for cash again... and maybe even out of a job.
So if it's still legal but risky to smoke, we could look at slightly less dangerous cigarettes, maybe? Cut the chemical soup of additives; stop the sugar curing... How about making better use of some of that new and powerful air cleaning technology? Provide grants to help small businesses put in those expensive smoking rooms, with good air purifiers installed. No, it seems to be more fun to throw smokers out into the street and sneer at them...
In passing: a well-know maverick doctor has released a new book on
The Health Benefits of Tobacco He claims: "Drinking too much water can cause a serious condition... The same goes for smoking. Too much, can seriously affect your health. However as you will see, light to moderate smoking can actually improve your health and in some cases alleviate diseases."
And finally, a study released in March 2002: "Obesity is a greater trigger for health problems and increased health spending than smoking or drinking, according to a new study released today by the journal Health Affairs. The problem is significant given the fact that obesity has increased dramatically in the past 25 years and is now approaching epidemic proportions... Obesity, smoking, and heavy drinking are known behavioral causes of such chronic health conditions as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Yet according to the study, the
[color:"orange"]effects of obesity on the number of chronic conditions a person has are significantly larger than the effects of current or past smoking[/color] or problem drinking. Those who are obese have 30% to 50% more chronic medical problems than those who smoke or drink heavily."
More here. 
