SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
Hawaii is considering a bill that bans cigarette sales to anyone under 100
(CNN) "The legislature finds that the cigarette is considered the deadliest artifact in human history."
So begins the text of a new bill introduced in Hawaii's State House, calling for a phased ban on cigarette sales in the state by 2024.
Hawaii has some of the most restrictive cigarette laws in the nation. In 2016, it became the first state to raise the age to buy cigarettes to 21. Now, its new bill calls for raising the cigarette-buying age to 30 by next year, up to 40, 50 and 60 in each subsequent year, and up to 100 by 2024.That would effectively clear Hawaii's store shelves of cigarettes, although tourists could still bring them in.
And curiously, Hawaii would offer its centenarians the chance to buy cigarettes near the end of their life -- if they could find them.
Can't we instead simply restrict kids under 100 to designated smoking areas?
(Score: 5, Insightful) by boltronics on Tuesday February 05 2019, @02:24AM (14 children)
I've never been to the USA, but Hawaii seems to be one of the most progressive states the country has. Just recently they were in the news for taking charge on getting loot boxes in video games labelled as gambling. Good on them!
It's GNU/Linux dammit!
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 05 2019, @03:49PM
That's because they were annexed by force. It's the willing state members that are all the crazy gun nuts.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by slinches on Tuesday February 05 2019, @05:37PM (10 children)
FYI, in the US "progressive" isn't necessarily a compliment. It's a political perspective that promotes the supremacy of collective rights over those of the individual. That is antithetical to the premise of individual liberty that the US was founded on. Many in the US, including me, still firmly believe that it is individual choice that allows a person to prosper on their own terms and that should never be restricted as long as they are not impeding others from doing the same. From that philosophy, this ban is abhorrent as only the minimum necessary restrictions should be in place. The existing restrictions on smoking in public are sufficient to ensure that those who do not want to be exposed to second hand smoke are not excluded from other areas of public life. The ban proposed in Hawaii eliminates the choice entirely. Even though I am not a smoker myself, I will defend the rights of those who do because I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to choose how they live. If a similar bill is proposed in my state, I will do everything I can to ensure it does not pass.
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Tuesday February 05 2019, @05:47PM (8 children)
At least in Hawaii, the assholes littering everywhere with their god-given entitlement to throw their cigarette butts (often with half the tobacco left) don't start major wildfires.
Instead, those butts just end up in the ocean, where the filters take their 5-10 years to degrade (according to Phillip Morris) polluting the reef and the fish.
Freedom ... At least pot people tend not to waste, and pollute a lot less.
(Score: 2) by slinches on Tuesday February 05 2019, @06:11PM (3 children)
What's your point? It is already illegal to litter and start wildfires. If you have a problem with the lack of enforcement of those laws, so do I.
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Tuesday February 05 2019, @06:19PM (2 children)
Hawaii is enforcing the littering law by making the filters illegal. A bit like plastic bags, straws, and bottles, but with a lot of lost tax revenue.
And you know that if politicians give up on established tax revenue, it must be that they have a significant problem they have to address.
(Score: 3, Informative) by slinches on Tuesday February 05 2019, @06:34PM
Except they aren't making filters illegal, they are making cigarettes illegal which may or may not include a filter. It's a ban on the most popular form of tobacco product because of the health concern to the user and it is stated that way in the text of the bill.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday February 06 2019, @08:20PM
so you admit they are dishonest cowards/thieves. good to know.
(Score: 2) by DeathMonkey on Tuesday February 05 2019, @06:39PM (3 children)
Littering actually harms the public.
Smoking on your own back porch, doesn't.
I say we regulate the first, not the second.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by dry on Tuesday February 05 2019, @06:56PM
There's been talk of having a deposit on cigarette filters here. At least it would give the homeless a source of income.
The worst litter I see walking around my neighbourhood is Tim Horton's cups and McDonald's crap, as well as beer cans. 6 miles to the closest Timmies and stupid jerks have to throw them out their window.
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Tuesday February 05 2019, @07:10PM (1 child)
Any smoking harms my insurance rates. We should make Big Tobacco pay medical expenses for all the lung cancers that are not caused by coal, household products, Big Agriculture and its suppliers, ikea, container ships, asbestos, and smog... Easy solution, really !
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday February 06 2019, @08:23PM
if it weren't for slaves like you people could have cheap and high quality private health care. insurance? what a bitch.
(Score: 2) by edIII on Tuesday February 05 2019, @08:19PM
Bull-fucking-shit.
You're talking about a behavior that spreads known carcinogens (CANCER). Fuck the smokers up the ass with a 100ft telephone pole, sideways. Last week I saw something I'd NEVER seen before, and that was some asshole that was smoking in public in his truck, take his cigg and throw it in the back. The rest of my life, those fucking assholes throw the butts on the ground. It's a goddamned menace and a disaster for the environment. The existing restrictions are wholly ineffective. They're the most entitled fucking children on the planet. They will smoke outside within 20ft of a building and not give a fuck, nor do they give a fuck where they throw the used butts. I can't escape those bitches either, the smoke is everywhere in my city, and the only thing that makes me feel better, is that it is highly likely they will die horribly. Good.
I like your libertarian attitudes and freedom of choice, as long as that freedom of choice includes ZERO PERCENT of the public spaces. You can't smoke within 1000ft of a building, 5000ft of a school or playground, and zero smoking in, or around, public buildings. That's not enough because they RUIN the hiking trails and outdoor spaces we try to enjoy. Nothing ruins my day faster than smelling cigg smoke. If Chuckles McFuckFace has to have a cigg, then he go to the fucking parking garage and get in his/her car to smoke. Or smoke at home. You shouldn't even be allowed to smoke outside in a parking lot, or especially directly outside the arrivals area at an airport. Those selfish sons of bitches expose the rest of us to possible cancer because they can't wait till they get home, or to a smoking room.
None of it makes any goddamn fucking sense, because you have vaping now. When I smoked MJ in public, I went out of my way to find the most remote areas so that nobody would be put out. Do smokers do the same? Fuck no. Now, both MJ and tobacco smokers can use vapes that are far, far, far less intrusive in outside public spaces.
No. Hawaii is doing a wonderful thing and fuck every smoker everywhere up the ass with a cattle prod. Repeatedly. American concepts of freedom do NOT mean to me that I get to spew carcinogens in public, or around people. There is ZERO redeeming features of those nasty fucking pieces of of literal shit those assholes put in their mouths.
Fuck smokers.
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Tuesday February 05 2019, @06:27PM
More like, they only want good press, since most of their income comes via tourism. Stop selling cigarettes, when the vast majority of the USA doesn't smoke anymore, sure thing! Label loot boxes as gambling? Yes, please! Doing that will only give them positive press, if you've been paying attention. It's a real easy think of the children, consumer friendly practice.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 05 2019, @08:20PM
Progressive? This is just authoritarian. As an actual progressive, I have no interest in interfering with people's personal affairs to such an extent.
(Score: 0, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 05 2019, @02:30AM (8 children)
What can you expect? Trample on a minority so that their group can appear all virtuous about themselves.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 05 2019, @02:34AM
End stage free market capitalism.
(Score: 4, Informative) by PartTimeZombie on Tuesday February 05 2019, @02:38AM (6 children)
Just like the way those Democrats have been suppressing minorities in the Deep South.
Oh, wait. That's Republicans, isn't it?
Yes, yes it is.
(Score: 0, Troll) by Captival on Tuesday February 05 2019, @03:03AM (5 children)
You haven't kept up on your news lately. The only politician who's actually wearing KKK robes anymore is Virginia Governor Northrup (D), and his sex offender Vice Governor (D). Neither has resigned as of yet.
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 05 2019, @03:18AM (2 children)
I haven't figured this one out yet and why there is such an uproar (by all the snowflakes? butthurts?) The picture was taken around 1983, not that long ago. The 'Get the next click of outrage!' news media has portrayed it as the guy was at a real KKK rally or something.
But actually, if you look at the picture and the context of the others, it seems to be from a Halloween or dressup party, two guys(s) as a pair in their costumes, one as a smiley black guy in a loud musician costume, and the other guy a KKK costume hanging right next to him in a pose almost embracing, it is an interesting pair, and kind of cute, sort of like those 'pimps and hookers' costume balls or 'Pirates and Prisoners'..etc.
Is this country so sensitive that this even matters at all? Its a freaking dress up party?! [and if it is such a big deal, why no outrage everytime I hear the word 'nigga' daily in some rap song on those rap radio stations?]
P.S. this is how those dytopian radical islamic countries got the way they were..by too many butthurts along the way and trying to accomodate them all..
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 05 2019, @05:25AM
Because it is funny to point out the lefts own insanity. I like seeing them justify this guy when they say that braiding your hair is racist cultural apropriation.
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Tuesday February 05 2019, @05:18PM
If I had done that, my reaction to the media going apeshit would have been : "Yup, as a teenager I did a stupid insensitive thing 35 years ago. Sorry that it offended people, and I recommend that young people today learn and not do the same. Now, we understand that dumb teens grow into responsible adults. Back to our regular agenda, now, shall we?"
Like so many politicians before him, it's not what he did that bothers me, it's how he doesn't just own it, explain he was dumb, and move on.
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 05 2019, @01:43PM
He didn't even keep up on his history. Democrats were the party of the KKK.
(Score: 2) by PartTimeZombie on Wednesday February 06 2019, @08:11PM
I did a little digging about Virginia Governor Northrup (D), and as far as I can determine:
1: He seems to be a Democrat of convenience only. He voted Republican until he wanted to get into politics. Then he became a Democrat. You guys still need more political parties.
2: Who is criticizing his racist past? Oh, yes. It's the left. (Or what passes for the left in the US).
(Score: 3, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 05 2019, @02:30AM (1 child)
So invest in fake ids of 100+ year olds?
(Score: 2) by kazzie on Tuesday February 05 2019, @04:46PM
Alternatively, table an amendment so that "100" years is binary, then get all the kids hooked too.
(Score: 5, Funny) by MostCynical on Tuesday February 05 2019, @02:46AM (2 children)
Sure. Hawaii, your designated smoking area is.. Texas.
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Tuesday February 05 2019, @06:18PM
Texas oil refineries.
When trying to solve a problem don't ask who suffers from the problem, ask who profits from the problem.
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Tuesday February 05 2019, @06:32PM
Smoking in general, has become more and more socially unacceptable in the United States, even in Texas. Who would think, that a majority of people that don't smoke, also don't want second-hand smoke? I mean, that's just crazy talk. It's obvious, that most of the bad stuff stayed in the lungs of those that are smoking it. So, you're getting doubly filtered smoke!
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Subsentient on Tuesday February 05 2019, @03:29AM (9 children)
You're just going to create a new black market for cigarettes and make criminals out of trailer trash.
Legalizing drugs is the solution, not making more of them illegal.
I don't have an issue with making it illegal to smoke around non-smokers. Secondhand smoke kills a lot of people.
Put those gorey pictures of smoker gums and whatnot on the boxes if you want, that seems like it might help a bit.
"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society." -Jiddu Krishnamurti
(Score: 5, Interesting) by DrkShadow on Tuesday February 05 2019, @03:34AM (6 children)
I agree. Smokers never, ever smoke alone -- if anyone walks within 50 feet of them they may as well gag on the smoke. Do like Japan: no smoking on the PUBLIC way. Or rather, if you do, and someone else is forced to inhale your shit, you're guilty of battery.
I also agree -- don't make these things illegal. Just make the sellers liable for injury and damages. In a couple years, when the cancer lawsuits start, this problem will take care of itself. In fact, I'm surprised this hasn't already started happening, given the current political environment. It's already illegal to receive or sell known stolen goods, and how does it work with something known to be unsafe (recalled)? If you sell a home with known conditions, you're liable to remedy those conditions after sale.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 05 2019, @03:48AM (1 child)
This happens to me but with that axe "body spray", why do people wear that stuff?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 05 2019, @05:40PM
Smoker repellent?
(Score: 4, Insightful) by LVDOVICVS on Tuesday February 05 2019, @03:55AM (2 children)
Then why shouldn't anyone running an internal combustion engine also be guilty of battery?
(Score: 2) by DrkShadow on Tuesday February 05 2019, @02:39PM
In fact, they should be -- especially if they're doing it 10 feet from an entry way and you can smell their crud 50 feet away.
Some things it's acknowledged that a little bit of harm is acceptable in the case of a majority good. Everyone needs to drive (except, maybe, for the odd person who takes a bus -- which just externalizes the cost). To minimize it, cars' exhaust is subject to emissions standards, they're required to reside in designated areas, and they're moving to electric -- you can count on ICE's being essentially banned in the medium future, mostly for aspects of pollution.
(Even so, I'd much rather stand within five feet of the exhaust of a car than within 20 feet of a smoker.)
(Score: 2) by kazzie on Tuesday February 05 2019, @04:47PM
They'd only be guilty of battery if the engine was a hybrid.
Oh, wait: that kind of battery...
(Score: 2) by boltronics on Tuesday February 05 2019, @07:02PM
Japan isn't a great example. I've never been to Japan either, but I know there are generally designated outside areas to smoke in restricted areas. Unfortunately those areas can be just 5m away from a non-smoking standing area, so their effectiveness is questionable. In any case, my understanding is that the number of streets where smoking is restricted is still not that great.
One of my colleagues went to Japan on vacation a few months back, and he said (as a non-smoker living in Australia) that smoking was one of the worst things about the country. Since it's increasingly becoming socially unacceptable to smoke on the street, everyone smokes indoors. Restaurants often don't have much division between smoking and non-smoking (if any) so most people end up inhaling cigarette smoke much more in many restaurants than if it were more acceptable on the street.
Thankfully, there are many further smoking restrictions being introduced ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games which should at least see better division between smoking and non-smoking areas in restaurants. If I ever visit Japan, it won't be until these issues are addressed.
It's GNU/Linux dammit!
(Score: 2) by Hyper on Tuesday February 05 2019, @10:06AM (1 child)
Do what Australia does? Increase the tax a bit every year on a box of cigs.
The die hard hold outs will eventually die.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 05 2019, @02:29PM
I thought Aussies go to their friendly local supplier with smuggling contacts.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 05 2019, @03:34AM (3 children)
I believe this toothpaste may be making my lips slough off.
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/cosmetics/aquafresh.html [consumeraffairs.com]
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 05 2019, @03:58AM (2 children)
My toothpaste tube and my hemorrhoid cream tube both look the same without my glasses.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 05 2019, @04:07AM (1 child)
That sounds like an accident waiting to happen. Have you contacted your local official or representative about this yet?
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 05 2019, @04:27AM
Yes... Governor Brown said toothpaste works great for hemorrhoids, especially the minty foaming type.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 05 2019, @04:07PM
So, does this affect vaping as well? Or will that be allowed as a "safer" alternative?
(Score: 2) by iWantToKeepAnon on Tuesday February 05 2019, @05:04PM
"Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." -- Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
(Score: 1) by j-beda on Tuesday February 05 2019, @05:33PM
I have always thought that slower acting legislation might be more effective:
Every two years raise the legal age by one year.
Nobody who was of legal age will suddenly be "too young". People below the cutoff age will eventually be legal, but the legal age will gradually be well above the age when people are easily hooked. The system does not have a huge sudden shock, so businesses will not need a major sudden change, but the future is very clearly shown so people can plan accordingly.
Similar things might be done to the minimum wage to gradually bring it higher, or to the hours in a work week or number of holidays in a year (add one extra federal holiday every five years for example). We have had huge productivity gains over the last century, but the lowest level workers are still working almost as hard now as when we first got sane worker protections (40 hour work week, etc.) in the 1920s. If we implemented some system to gradually "share the gains" going forward maybe the average will continue to improve.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 05 2019, @06:00PM
They really need to look at lowering it.
Make the smoking age 12 or 13 or better yet just eliminate it entirely.
Consider alcohol.
Countries that have no legal drinking age (and alcohol is legal) also have greatly reduced binge drinking, alcoholism rates are lower and lower traffic accident rates as a result of far fewer intoxicated drivers.
Why?
Because then this crap isn't forbidden fruit. It isn't a sign of being a cool adult, or looking grown up, or being in rebellion.
It's just dumb and shameful to get so drunk you have problems with it. You just look like an idiot with that bottle of booze in your hand trying to party.
Same thing would be true of cigarettes. Don't ban them, just remove the legal age limits. They call it a status offence and for most youth who are doing it, it really is all about status.
Ban it or raise the age limit and you end up with a black market and all kinds of people who wouldn't normally consider it, trying it anyways just to try and figure out why its forbidden or why you need to be an adult to do it.
I would NEVER have started smoking at 12 if it had been legal for me to smoke. It would have just been some dumb shit my parents were into. But with a smoking age of 18, it made me feel like an adult, an outsider and a rebel with each pack. The legal age didn't bother me either. I would just steal them from the adults the same way I stole booze.
Now I'm 40 something with two bad habits and I'm not even sure I want to quit. But I know this much. I've told my own kids, if you want a cigarette or booze just do it at the house so you don't get caught. I won't stop you and I'm not going to preach (same thing my parents said about pot which I tried like twice and decided I didn't like). As a result all 7 of my kids think smoking and drinking is just some stupid shit their dad does and they have 0 interest in joining me.