Smoking in Politics

So it seems that Obama (a president who is known to smoke — but has yet to be photographed doing so) has signed a smoking prevention and tobacco control bill that allows the FDA to control packaging, ingredients and advertising of tobacco and cigarettes.

Hit the jump to learn more about the bill and hear my side, there’s a really awesome poll too, so hit it, it’s worth it

The law allows the FDA to reduce nicotine in tobacco products, ban candy flavorings and block labels such “low tar” and “light.” Tobacco companies also will be required to cover their cartons with large graphic warnings.

The law won’t let the FDA ban nicotine or tobacco outright, but the agency will be able to regulate what goes into tobacco products, make public the ingredients and prohibit marketing campaigns, especially those geared toward children.

So here’s my 2 cents — I’m not a smoker, so this doesn’t effect me right out. On the other hand, I know many people who do smoke, including my boyfriend and friends who spend a lot of time at my place. I’m very vocal about my dislike of the habit, so to me I’m hoping that maybe by regulating the tobacco industry, maybe it would either a) not fulfill smokers needs so they wouldn’t need to spend so much money on killing themselves or b) at least make the act of smoking less impactful on health.

My stepfather recently came out of the hospital for having a collapsed lung, he’s been a smoker since he was 15, he’s got the raspy voice and intense smokers cough and has just been diagnosed with emphysema, he’s not really that old, he’s not even over 65 (Okay I forget exactly how old my step dad is, so shoot me, haha) But the point here is that his smoking has given us all a fright. It’s very real that his habit has consequences. I don’t think my mom wouldn’t be able to handle losing him.

I just really hope this law will help smokers everywhere and not piss them off too much. There are too many non smokers out there who are very effected by those they know/love who do smoke.

I want to hear what you think, vote here in the poll and then please elaborate in the comments

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