Snus or cigs?

[Kindrd]

Wow, someone who has it right. Personal freedom has taken hit after hit lately, its getting scary.

[darkwing]

From Adamsmith.org:

Cigarettes or Snus? They decide...
Written by Philip Salter
Sunday, 13 January 2008
Richard Tomkins article in last weekend's Financial Times makes explicit that the various assaults on the act of smoking have not stopped people from lighting up. The article goes on to map out the various problems facing policy makers in trying to obstruct people from smoking.

The problem with the article is that it falls into the trap as many others on this issue. It follows the illogic of the public health agenda in assuming that the government is best placed to determine whether an individual should decide to smoke. This thinking echoes the Communist paradigm of false consciousness, in its belief that the people are blind to the "truth" and must therefore have their lives decided for them. Whereas, in the real world people smoke for a plethora of personal reasons and should be allowed to continue without a government led financial and moral tirade. Personally, I smoke to relax each month upon learning how much tax the government is taking; then once more to cope with the level I‘m taxed on my cigarettes.

In the same article, attention is also drawn to the potential of Snus, a moist powder tobacco product that is consumed by placing it under the upper lip for extended periods of time. It has been shown conclusively to be a healthier intake of nicotine than cigarettes. So, will the market offer consumers the choice of a healthier nicotine intake, if they so wish? Alas, no. The reason being that it is banned by European Law in an attempt to stop people smoking. Once again, the individual is being refused his or her right to choose how to live, healthy or unhealthy.


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written by Dr Eamonn Butler, January 13, 2008

At least stuff is still legal. And sales are rising fast. My grandfather used to snort McCrystal's by the tin and I've discovered the merit of it myself. A snuff bottle (I think they're designed for illegal substances but they work well for snuff) gives you just the right dose.

Meanwhile it's interesting to see how many bars and restaurants have put outside tables under awnings and have installed patio heaters to keep their customers from freezing as they sit and drink and smoke. I can see their point: damn the planet - this is our basic freedoms we're talking about here.