<i>If tobacco had been discovered in 2011, it’s unlikely that most developed countries would legalise it.</i>

Typical nanny state nonsense. Do you really think anyone would pay attention to the fact that it hadn't been "legalised"?

Can you think of any other plant that grows freely but nobody uses because it hasn't been legalised? Me neither.

Fact is smoking has been legal for so long one can imagine the outcry if there was a call for a ban.

I am not sure it is necessary in any case, smoking harms individuals but the act of smoking does not create harm for others unless via passive smoking and current laws have addressed those aspects. You can't legislate against personal decisions to take on risky behaviours, that comes down to individuals.

I am sure if smoking had been discovered today it probably would not be legal, advanced medical and research technology would have revealed the dangers early on.

Making something illegal does not stop its use, some people would still smoke behind closed doors in the same way some people pop pills or smoke dope, but it will be far fewer. Now, some kids who might try smoking would not try dope, because smoking is socialised as more acceptable.

But it is what it is. No turning back now, just hope the message gets through and smoking take-up is reduced in younger people.

Well! Arnt members avoiding this thread like the plague. Iam Australia....I'll give it a go;\ Yes people, smoke all the dope you can.
Fry that brain until your a hafted witted zombie.

Seriously though, to smoke anything.....your an idiot. The facts on contaminated lungs are as clear as a topless bear.

The lung for the chain of events that leads to pot smoking is tobacco.
Just to inhale smoke of any kind ( just ask any fire-man ) is extremely painful. ( had a few nasty BBQ's :)

I think what the Andrew Leigh is getting at is, (You can do it, but at your own risk). Well thats the price of freedom we all pay, so dont complain. In a free society, No-one holds a gun to your heads, but you know by commonsensical out-rights, Its you that has to be reasonable.

So! You can have this system, and pay a few fines...or do the right thing, if not for you, but your body.
Getting back to dope.....and they call it DOPE for a very good reason....:)....its IMO a classificatory drug that has some beneficial uses, that only qualifiedly sound personal, for such reasons as cancer etc. REC use....well.... Canadians function quite well on DOPE....so this conservative point of view (in this No-where mans-land) can be only concluded with a QUESTION MARK>

Of course Iam dodging every hurdle you can imagine:) I like the top! and nothing else will do for me, however I'll play for the player's that play so well. The Government needs money, and all you see around you is their job to deliver, and if their not doing whats best for all Australian's..........Then their not working for what their paid for.

But if you can do a better JOB!....Put your hand up now!

LE

Quantum
While I don't like being around smoke filled rooms, it is a bit harsh to call people stupid for smoking. It would be hard to name one person who does not undertake some risky behaviours or who indulges in habits that might not be healthy including over-eating, drinking too much, parachuting, abseiling, car racing, drinking too much coke, biting their nails (all those germs), not washing hands after the toilet, smoking dope, too many panadols, not going to the dentist often enough, not rinsing store bought vegies of pesticide residue, driving too fast, eating while driving, applying lipstick while driving, using public toilets - the list is exhaustive.

Nobody puts a gun to anyone's head but humans are human. The yardstick IMO is the effect on others and I don't mean the cost to the health system, all humans do something that will cost someone else money at some point, unless we ban every possible dangerous or risky activity and that is unreasonable.

Pelican...not really, but change it to foolish plus. Tobacco smoking leads to dope usage which in turn is topped off with alcohol as a mixer, and name one person that dont takes risks....the pope:) So as lexi has suggested, then everyone knows the risks involved with all we see, is that right? Well, if thats the case, most drugs especially Dope should be decriminalize.

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1893946,00.html

Your right about people having their choices, and I guess the health system will just have to take up the slack.

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1001849--war-on-drugs-a-flop-global-panel-says?bn=1

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/jun/03/teenage-girls-smoking-more-than-boys

The futures new-borns Pelly. Our society in times to come are going to be a sick poor lot indeed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBAuM1fLKRk

Its a legal Drug sold by our governments and no-one goes to jail....funny that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfiaC-2K1LM&feature=related

So whats fair? Alcol and smokes do far more damage. I dont like it, but billions do. $$$$$$$$$ and thought the government was on the ball:)
People are far more peaceful on this drug, No car accidents No domestic violence, however Big tobacco and big alcohol will block it for loss of profits, not to mention the pharmaceutics company's.

Its a funny old world, isn't it?

LEA

If we are to close the life expectancy gap between rich and poor, and between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, then cutting smoking rates is vital. Along with higher cigarette taxes, subsidised nicotine patches and anti-smoking advertisements, plain packaging should help reduce cigarette consumption. It may be too late for my family friend, but there’s still time to make smoking an ugly choice for today’s youth.

The problem is, the liberal and Nation parties members are very happy to except donation from tobacco company's.

You know the corruption motto...."you can do it, but dont get caught".......and of course my favourite one...." you need to break a few egg's to make an omelette.

"but there’s still time to make smoking an ugly choice for today’s
youth."

Andrew Leigh....how's the weather on your planet:)

Well the sun comes up here tomorrow and the legal drug dealer's start at nine am:)

LEA