Honestly, we see where banning things gets us. Millions of people in prison and or killed over these things because there's black markets for them because people want them.
this post was submitted on 26 Apr 2024
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Or y’know ban the sale and don’t criminalise it?
Funny how a lot of countries are starting to crack down on cigarettes and the health issues they pose without mass locking people up.
Even if you do that you risk creating a black market that will be served by organised crime. In Australia it's an issue where tobacco shops get firebombed, and that's with just expensive cigarettes, not outright bans.
Here in Canada, we have a loophole in the law where indigenous have the right to use tobacco without taxation due to tradition. Which is totally fair - but it also applies to modern mass produced cigarettes for some reason.
As a result of ever increasing taxes on tobacco, I would reckon that at this point 80% of cigarettes smoked in my community have been smuggled off of a reserve. The black market is booming with "Rez smokes" selling for $5-10 a pack while legal cigs go for ~$30.
The federal government recently introduced a regulation mandating a health warning printed on every cigarette. Most agree it's a transparent attempt for the police to spot an illegal smoke in your hand, as Rez smokes don't have warnings on them. They are losing a ton of revenue to the black market, and are trying to crack down with heavy fines for even possessing a pack off of a reserve.
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But then you're hurting the corpos bottom line. And thats the one real law.
The system is working as intended, support ticket closed.
Joe biden loves the police state and would like to see it expanded... again.
The system is working as intended, support ticket closed.
SO DAMN TRUE!
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So glad this meme isn't going to become useless.
Brother's outside smokin on a new port
Heard about his sister headed to the forecourt
Ran right over the dude from the shoe store
Rumored that he jumped down two floors, ooh, Lord!
Came right up behind him
The kid didn't see him
I never seen that look on another human being
after warnings that it could push away some Black voters.
Just Biden and the DNC being casually racist and completely out of touch with Dem voters...
Again.
This...this is literally them listening to their voters?
They wanted to do something, and their voters said "we don't like that", so they stopped.
So many things to complain about this president, but this little story is good news if we want the president to listen to voters.
This…this is literally them listening to their voters?
No, this is them trying something most Black.people don't give a fuck about.
But stereotypes say they do.
So they do this, rather than something real people actually want, like:
Healthcare
Student loans
Taxing the rich
Not funding a genocide
Holding the wealthy accountable
Etc...
No, this is them trying something most Black.people don’t give a fuck about.
Way to admit you don't know any Black people rofl
This is literally about saving black ppls lives dude get a clue. Google how many black ppl die every year from smoking and then Google what percentage of menthol smokers are white and then sit down and shut the fuck up.
So if they banned malt liquor on the grounds of saving black lives, that wouldn't be racist? What about fried chicken? Fried food causes cardiovascular disease. Orange soda causes diabetes.
But that's not even the point. The point is, he was going to ban them because they're bad for you, but decided not to for the votes because black people smoke newports or something. he's letting them die so he can get reelected
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Who the fuck cares if someone is smoking, menthol, or regular, like what’s the point?
Menthol makes tobacco more addictive, so it's more harmful than without. That's the point of the ban in the first place
Menthol makes tobacco more addictive
That's just straight up not true.
And who cares. Let people have their vices. Stop trying to police people's bodies.
I'm not a proponent of banning drugs, just trying to find some reasoning behind it.
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Could you explain?
I assume that they are a white conservative who has never talked with a Black person or they don’t know anything about US Black culture. In reality, menthols are super popular among Black smokers. I assume they think it’s a racial stereotype instead of reality.
Totally! Here's a quote right from the article:
"An estimated 85 percent of Black smokers use menthol cigarettes, according to federal statistics."
I mean why ban JUST menthol cigarettes. Yes they're not good for you. No cigarettes are. It seemed to be an odd move unless they are somehow out and away much worse. That and yes. Bans are often useless. Money would be better spent addressing the factors that make people want to smoke and provide better alternatives. It'd be cheaper and more effective. I think the only down side to it is a threat to corporate profits. Which is a good downside to have if you ask me.
Because they’re the only legal non tobacco flavoring left. The idea is that flavored tobacco encourages smoking. I disagree regarding menthol, but I see it and I’m open to being swayed by data.
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Not every Black person likes menthol, and lots of people of different ethnicities smoke the hell out of them.
This says it was done explicitly to win over Black voters...
Like, if Biden wanted to make up for his border comments by mandating Taco Tuesday at the White House.
Or since he didn't decriminalize cannabis federally, he gives every American a coupon for a free slushie from 7/11.
Or gave advocoda toast to everyone over 30 that can't afford to buy a house in America.
Like, fried chicken and watermelon isn't racist, it's delicious. But if you daughter is dating a Black man and that's what for dinner the first time he comes over. It's questionable.
But if you tell him you made it to win him and over and prove your not racist....
By saying the reason is to win over specifically that demographic, it means you're so out of touch you don't realize that makes it more racist. You're throwing away any plausible deniability.
Even if it's good intentioned, it's a racial stereotype you're just voluntarily telling everyone you believe in.
My brother in christ, you just said that literally everything is racist. Take a step back and think about that.
Since when listening to black voters is racist?
out of touch with Dem voters…
I see you're speaking from experience.
I’m a dem voter and non-smoker, but this issue was pushing me away. I also felt that this law disproportionally targeted black people, and I’m glad that it isn’t going anywhere.
So I guess he wasn’t completely out of touch.
Just tax it more.
That's racist against black folks
Your comment sounds racist.
Menthol cigarettes are purchased disproportionately by African-American smokers, with 80% of African-American smokers consuming menthol cigarettes primarily.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menthol_cigarette
Is Wikipedia racist?
Are facts racist?
They know, they’re a racist.
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As per moderator request, a unique comment for yall. Enjoy.
Screw the prohibitionists.
There will come a moment when humanity triumphs over the war on drugs, granting individuals the autonomy to decide what substances they consume.
And when that day arrives… will you witness drug users discriminating against those who choose sobriety?
Will you observe prisons constructed for those who opt to remain drug-free?
Will individuals be branded as criminals for abstaining from substances?
Will drug users advocate for the militarization of law enforcement and the erosion of our constitutional rights in an attempt to impose their lifestyle on others?
NO.
Who would inflict such harm on others? Prohibitionists.
And we stand against them.
Legalizing marijuana alone won't address the most severe repercussions of the war on drugs.
Full legalization of all substances is the ultimate harm reduction strategy.
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