Anticonsumption

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UK Prime Minister to create ‘smokefree generation’ by ending cigarette sales to those born on or after 1 January 2009 (www.gov.uk)

submitted 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I think it was the prime minister (or spokesperson) who made this very clever argument: (paraphrasing) “we are not taking away choice… cigarettes are designed to inherently take away your choice by trapping you in an addiction.”

I’m not picking sides here, just pointing out a great piece of rhetoric to spin the policy as taking away something that takes away your choice. Effectively putting forward the idea that you don’t have choice to begin with.

(sorry to say this rhetoric was not mentioned in the linked article; I just heard it on BBC World Service)

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

To me, the difference is the level of addiction. Nicotine is infinitely more addictive than weed. So, the inhaling of carcinogens in weed smoke has far more consent of the consequences imo. More so, I'm yet to meet a cigarette smoker in real life who wishes they never started.

Unfortunately, we can't ban carcinogens from cigarettes. It'll be like trying to ban blue from the sky.

I mean, I presume you would have to be pro full decriminalisation with the stance you're taking or it would very much come across as you just not liking weed but liking the ones that are legal now.

[–] timbuck2themoon -1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (2 children)

I'm sure I could find plenty of drinkers or weed smokers who wish they never started either. I just fully disagree with banning the vices and making carveouts based on personal preferences. That and I question the addictive difference in marijuana vs. cigarettes but I have no data at hand to say either way.

And for the record I am completely fine/in support of full legalization of marijuana. Same way I don't think we need to ban smoking, vaping, alcohol, etc.

I just found it easier to point out that people make excuses for marijuana (which again, will have health impacts regardless) but not cigarettes. Hell, I don't even smoke!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I think you're being a little unfair by dismissing it as just personal preference. I live in one of the largest cities in the world. Weed's legality has no bearing on my ability to get hold of it, if I wanted it. Like lots of people, I could have it arrive sooner than a pizza.

I mean, nicotine is top tear addictive. It far out strips alcohol and weed combined. Its easier to become addicted to nicotine than heroin. Although, heroin is far harder to come off of, of course.

Idk, to me, as an ex smoker and former wreck head, I felt that I at least got something out of the other drugs I took. Nicotine was only ever to keep a monster at bay and nothing more. Thats why I think they might have a point. They can still vape. If the trade off was only edibles for weed, then I think most people would take that.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

That and I question the addictive difference in marijuana vs. cigarettes but I have no data at hand to say either way.

There’s a world of difference. One is both psychologically addictive and chemically addictive (iow, has withdrawal symptoms), and the other is purely psychologically addictive (like anything else.. e.g. chocolate).

I’ve never been an addict but there’s plenty of credible research finding nicotine to be the most addictive substance in the world, even more than hard narcotics. MJ addictions are laughable in comparison, like addiction to waffles.

Cocaine has no withdrawals. It’s often said to be the most psychologically addictive substance. MJ is also in the purely psychological category and it’s nothing like cocaine’s stranglehold.