Posted on 05/02/2015 2:31:09 PM PDT by Kaslin
“The triumph of persuasion over force is a sign of a civilized society.”
– Mark and Jo Ann Skousen, “Persuasion vs. Force” pamphlet
The governor and the legislature of the state of Hawaii could learn a thing or two from the views my wife Jo Ann and I shared in our pamphlet, “Persuasion vs Force.” Read it here.
Last week, Hawaii became the first state to raise the smoking age to 21. Let’s see, now, you can vote and go to war for your country but you can’t pick up a cigarette? What’s going wrong in this country when we cannot trust young adults to choose for themselves whether to smoke or not?
The law would prevent adolescents from smoking, buying or possessing both traditional and electronic cigarettes. Those caught breaking the rules would be fined $10 for the first offense. Subsequent offenses would lead to a $50 fine or mandatory community service.
“It’s definitely groundbreaking legislation,” said Jessica Yamauchi, executive director of the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Hawaii, which pushed for the bill. “It’s amazing to be the first state in something. That’s very exciting for us.”
Some local governments have similar bans, including Hawaii County and New York City (not surprising).
According to the state’s Department of Health, 5,600 kids in Hawaii try smoking each year, and 90 percent of daily smokers begin the habit before age 19. Meanwhile, 1,200 people die from tobacco use or exposure in Hawaii every year.
Opponents say it’s unfair that a military veteran returning from service could be prevented from smoking.
“It is not right because you are deemed an adult when you turn 18,” said Michelle Johnston, owner of Sub Ohm Vapes in Kailua-Kona.
“You can sign up and be in the military and basically give your life for your country. You can vote,” she said. “Why shouldn’t you be able to choose if you want to buy tobacco products or vaping products, when you’re considered a legal adult?”
Good question.
Exactly right, and then riot and blame the police, the so called jack booted thugs, when enforcement of these ridiculous laws results in someone being injured. Very few people, sadly, seem to believe in liberty these days.
Even worse, the leftists pushing higher taxes to fix human behavior are the same moral busybodies who (falsely) claim the right wants to create a theocracy. America has theocrats to be sure, but they’re on the left and their god is man.
Now put down that cigarette and be a good citizen!
Spoken like a true liberal.
Was it the ECON 101 you didn’t understand? Here I’ll say it slower E C O N 1 0 1.
When I was in HS a lot of kids reeked of smoke. Law is pointless if it’s not enforced.
But, if you increase the tax on cigarettes then it will cause them to be sold illegally on the street...
And some of those illegal cigarette vendors will be black...
And some black illegal cigarette vendors will be hurt while being arrested...
And the masses will rise up and burn down every standing building in the state.
Don't burn down every building in Hawaii... don't increase taxes on cigarettes...
Thread winner!
21? This is better than your neighborhoood libertarian deciding that your kid is old enough to buy smokes, drugs etc.
Actually, the best course of action is to ignore and ridicule the “law” and do as you wish. smoke ‘em and flip the bird to the Lords of the Manor.
Yep. They come back from the bathroom smelling like a bar room.
When I was in HS, there was a designated “Smoking Room” for Juniors & Seniors to go puff in. They needed parental consent and then they’’d get a “hall pass” type of ID and show it to the hall monitor who monitored the room and go puff. It was mostly the “heads” (druggies) back then; the pseudo classy chicks, for example, would never be caught in the “Smoking Room”, but they’d be firing up outside the school as soon as the last bell rang.
Gross. The whole thing.
Now, let’s raise the voting age to 40. I’m actually fairly serious.
Aloha Nanny State PING!
Thanks for the ping!
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