If smoking generates external costs should smoking simply be

If smoking generates external costs, should smoking simply be outlawed? How about cars that pollute?

Solution

It\'s a known fact that smoking generates external costs. The government now spends over 500 billion dollars a year on Social Security benefits. From smoking to car exhaust, all endanger humans. We have to keep in mind before smoking being outlawed that millions of people from farmers to employees of Altria and US Tobacco will be devastated if smoking is outlawed. Besides, the auto workers and dealers will be impacted by the ban on automobiles. There is no doubt that these industries bring in huge tax revenues. The society always espoused freedom and restricting someone would really require a social legislation that would eventually bring in a kind of control that no one would want it. Government bodies should take action to discourage smoking in public places. Unless adequate public transportation systems are provided polluting cars cannot be outlawed. Government bodies has to address the issue by regulating the make-up of gasoline and emission devices on vehicles.

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