Why is everyone always blamming the Tobacco companies for their problems?
914188
You hit it right on the head when you said that no one wants to take responsibility for their actions...after all, no one held a gun to their head and said here, smoke this.  People probably figured that since they are addicted to it, they may as well as try to get some money.  It's called extortion.  And unfortunately you can do that and sometimes get away with it in America.  Aahh!  The justice system of this country.
178824
Because they want to b1tch about something.   Seriously, smoking outside isn't going to give anyone cancer any more than that car they drive.  It's getting completely out of hand.
798894
they smoke because they are ignorant of all the bad health effects on them or else they don't care or they are having a really hard time quitting the drug
622510
Making it illegal will make the dealers rich. We should educate the public more effectively on the adverse effects of tobacco use.
694086
It's happening, but I think it's a violation of free speech.\n\nFurther, I think it is government intrusion into private enterprise.\n\nIt should be up to private businesses to determine their own smoking policy.\n\nThe States are over-stepping its bounds and using their "general welfare" clause to do it.
857164
That's because chewing tobacco never gets to the lungs.\nNicotine causes the addiction but not the cancer. What causes the cancer is all the other crap that tobacco companies mix in with the tobacco to make the cigarettes and cigars taste better and burn better. I have read that the American Native people who smoke only dried tobacco leaves have a very low incidence of lung cancer.\nOf course today we also have all the wonderful polution in the air from chemical plants and car exhaust plus the pollution of the water by chemical plants who produce chemical fertilizers for golf courses and farms and people's lawns. Smoking is only one way to get lung cancer. My next door neighbor never smoked a day in her life but died of lung cancer. She used to commute to New York City everyday for many years because that was where she worked. Sucks doesn't it?\nLL
1164352
growing tobacco is good for our economy and many southern states depend on it, if you have a problem with tobacco dont smoke...i used to smoke and i quit but i dont blame the tobacco industry for anything...the money is given to the tobacco industry in the form of subsidies...
923613
Because the government makes a lot of money from them. Alchohol actually has some health benefits in moderation. Tobacco is just a big money maker
206751
Frankly, I don't think either of your choices adequately describes smokers.\nEveryone should be held responsible for their choices in life; so, the fact that tobacco companies make a dangerous product does not excuse smokers from suffering the effects of using it.  No tobacco company is forcing anyone to smoke.  Even though I have never smoked, and think it is the filthiest habit around, I also think that freedom is infinitely preferable to living in a nanny state.\nNicotine is an extremely addictive drug.  Some say it is harder to kick than heroin.  Those who use it need patience and understanding to kick the habit, not constant derision and insults.  Irony and sarcasm are OK, though...;)\nThe way to stop tobacco use is through education and patience, not laws and ill will.
264358
Because the last thing this country needs is a bunch of Pot Heads walking around smoking that stinky marijuana. This country already has enough problems and does not need anymore. They could ban smoking cigarettes from restaurants and bars.
8745
Not only them, but the media is to blame to. In movies, you find actors smoking as if it's a "cool" thing to do. Also the ads that are all around!
1143110
Because the government gets a cut of the money from the tobacco industry!!!  Not only that but it's the 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S.... Without people killing ourselves off the country would be over-populated!!!!  How sad huh???
431131
2 reasons:  1) History.  2) Momentum.\n\nIn regard to history, we already prohibited alcohol once in this country and it failed miserably.  For that reason, the prohibition was lifted.  Instead, we do have strict laws that greatly restrict when and how we can consume alcohol.  \nThose laws are designed to protect innocent people, even though people don't always follow the laws and people still get hurt.\n\n2)  The anti-tobacco campaign, however, is gaining huge political momentum.  The tobacco companies have lost big law suits because they lied about knowing of the harmful chemicals they were putting in cigarettes.  The tobacco industry had to shell out billions of dollars to states in a settlement and they have very little lobbying power right now to stop the local laws that are going into place.  The laws themselves don't prosecute a person for smoking per se, they only prosecute a person for smoking in a way that jeopardizes someone else's health.  So, if you are in public smoking a cigarette and someone else can breathe in your harmful smoke, you can be prosecuted... just like you can be prosecuted if you ram your car into someone when you are drunk.\n\nThe real question is... if we are holding people legally liable for polluting our air with cigarettes, why aren't we holding manufacturers strictly liable for dangerous smoke that they put into the air when there are things they can do, although more expensive, to lessen that degree of smoke?
26617
I am a non-smoking, smoker. figure that one out! \n\nSmokers are a complete contributor to the health service. \n\nThe NHS could not survive without such a donation as tobacco sales, and cigarette merchandise. Society has made the media give mixed messages on this time after time. They invent treatments, they come up with causes, they say it's highly unethical and unhealthy to smoke, yet they advertize it all at the same time. Why is this such a conflict? I'll tell you why. \n\nA) They advertize this because they know that smokers are one of the biggest donators to the treasury, over 10,000.00 is spent on tobbacco daily. They fear getting sued, so the media makes up for the advertisements, by smashing down smoking economy, and making smoking legal only for people of the ages, 18 and up.. I'm sure though that if 16 year olds could legally start a career at that age, they would lower the smoking age. \n  \nThink about it, 18 and up. Adulthood, where choices can be made, career choices open, college dues must be payed, so on, so forth. \n\nThey just fear getting sued. Honestly, as much as the Health administration would like, NOT to admit it. They would crumble without the daily tobbacco sales.
1037177
I think that many people are finally getting the message. Cigarettes are very expensive and it's very hard to smoke in most places. The restaurants and bars in my county have forbidden it. Cig. smoking costs everyone money because of the costs of the illnesses they cause. Ins. rates go up for everyone to cover it.
47629
Because they are just inconsiderate and lazy.\n\nI laugh at the ones that try to excuse themselves by bringing up the exhaust from cars:\n\n1) Many people NEED their cars to get to and from work (I know where I live using public transportation to get from my house to my job is impossible) whereas smoking is not NEEDED to get to and from work, actually it is not NEEDED at all, except by those to weak to cope with day-to-day life without a crutch\n\n2) Do these smokers that make that comparison NOT have cars?  Do they walk everywhere?
429493
I am on your side.  All these sniveling little fairies can go to hell.  We have a right to smoke.  The worst of the group are these little assholes who used to be smokers and now feel the need to dictate to us where we go, what we do, and how we live.  People like you are what we need to make this country great again.  Thank you for taking the time to educate the morons that have replied negatively.