Hasn't the time come to outlaw the sale of tobacco products?

[marions ghost]

104. I watched my mother die

for 10 years. In and out of the hospital, several surgeries and respiratory collapses. Gasping for breath, sucking on tubes. Struggling every minute of every day for 10 years. Have you ever watched somebody who desperately wanted to live, die an agonizing death? I knew when I was 12 that she was so addicted she would die of it, and she did. Far too young.

Yes, tobacco should be a controlled substance. Sorry if you're offended. Consider the cost--just as bad as any serious drug addiction. I don't compare it to alcohol, which is not necessarily addictive, like certain drugs and tobacco always are.

So I'm not saying to outlaw it, to criminalize it. No. I am saying to make it available as a controlled substance, to those who need it (for a cheaper price than over the counter). This would do a lot to discourage children from taking it up. (And do the same for heroin--no jail time for users, just help to overcome the addiction).

I believe in mandatory seat belts and banning texting while driving too. Stuff like that. Call it what you want.