Bold Contemplations

Please stop the hypocrisy. Lawmakers have taken away our freedom of choice in many areas, supposedly in efforts to preserve the good of the common welfare. We can't ride in a car without a seat belt. We can't eat trans-fats. We can't partake in recreational drugs. However, they have consistently back peddled regarding cigarettes. What's worse? French fries with lunch or 2 packs a day?

R.J. Reynold's recent press announcing a new line of cigarettes meant to attract more women smokers to the Camel brand really annoyed me. Why are such blatant dangers to public health allowed such public press and advertising? The legality of promoting such a lethal drug makes no sense. If I don't wear a seat belt, I am the only person who will suffer the potential consequences. However, lighting-up indirectly affects me as well as all those around me.

Obviously, the answer to my questions is money. But how can those who directly and indirectly profit from the sale and advertising of cigarettes not consider their gains to be blood money? How can one morally choose financial gain by knowingly abetting a deadly addiction? I don't think I would be able to sleep at night if it was me.