Smokers Or Not, Readers Offer Unfiltered Views On Tobacco
Before she quit 14 months ago, Katrina Martin of Spokane had smoked “off and on” for six years, even though it had lost its enjoyment for her.
So, when “Bagpipes” asked for views about government restrictions on teen smoking, her reaction was: “You’ve got to be kidding! What about smoking by anyone?!”
Said Martin: “The last few years I didn’t even enjoy the act, the head rush, any of it. In fact, I could feel it making me sick. I suffered terribly from headaches and heartburn. But, I could not quit.
“My stand on tobacco - it should be illegal for anyone to possess tobacco just as it is illegal for anyone to possess marijuana or any other drug.
“Think about it: Tobacco is the culprit behind the number-one cause of preventable deaths among Americans, and it is allowed to legally continue.”
Michelle Gilbertson, Spokane, on the other hand, has a different attitude.
“Personally, I think it’s none of their business because they’re getting the (tax) money that we buy our cigarettes with. So as long as they’re getting the money, they should be happy.
“Even if they do have other methods or decide to enforce more laws on teens, we’re more likely to find out different ways to get our cigarettes.
“Yes, I am a teen smoker, I’m 16, but still they can’t stop us.”
They’d better try, urges Spokane physician Dennis W. Biggs Jr.
“Nicotine is definitely an addictive drug. In fact, it is more addictive than cocaine and heroin. Since tobacco production is subsidized and closely regulated by the government, targeting kids for tobacco sales should be stopped by law.
“Stronger laws with more severe penalties for sales to minors are needed. Increasing funding for the Washington Liquor Control Board is needed, so that its efforts in controlling sales to youth may be increased.
“The Washington Department of Health should be given more money for its tobacco control activities. Education of retailers is a must, and there is no better teaching method than a stiff fine for a clerk and a manager when a tobacco sale is made to a kid.”
And maybe the question isn’t as simple as merely whether government should be involved. Maybe it depends on which government.
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