STORM: Controversy breaks out when Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York City passes a law that raises the legal age to purchase cigarettes to 21.
By Valeria Gutierrez, Staff Writer
Which do you prefer: a cloud of lies or the “ugly truth?” It is no secret that smoking causes nearly 44,000 deaths in America every year. Regardless of the proven negative results, people still choose to smoke. Since facts do not seem to be enough to minimize smoking, New York City mayor Michael R. Bloomberg decided to take matters into his own hands. Bloomberg’s new law states that all types of cigarettes, including electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) that run on vapor and nicotine, can only be sold to those 21 years old and over. Mutiple states, such as Massachusetts, have already raised their smoking age to 21, and states that have not run advertisements on television to promote their seemingly impossible goals, like California’s dream for “tobacco free California.”
Before November 6 of this year, anyone age 18 or older could purchase a cigarette. From now on, New Yorkers must obey Mayor Bloomberg’s new law that not only raises the age requirement by three years, but also adds a $10.50 minimum price for a package of cigarettes. The goals of this new law are to stop young smokers, reduce sicknesses caused by first and second hand smoking and prevent the imminent death caused by inhaling from a small paper tube. Considering that the percentage of legal smokers is at an all-time low of 14 percent and the percentage of underage smokers is at 7.2 percent, these goals are within reach. Unfortunately, laws are not always followed.
Although Mayor Bloomberg’s new law is a perfect addition to the city, not everyone is onboard. The controversy tends to crop up among younger adults who will be unable to take the breath of death. The main argument stays the same: if 18-year-old Americans can go and die for their country, why shouldn’t they be allowed to make their own life decisions? The answer is simple: cigarettes don’t just affect the smoker. While rights such as voting and fighting for our country positively affect American society, other activities such as drinking and smoking negatively affect it. Just as too many drinks can injure the liver, too many lit cigarettes can cause serious medical conditions such as asthma and cancer. So although you may feel old enough to make your own decisions, you do not have the right to make life decisions for other human beings. Nevertheless, the dispute continues.
Before cigarette research was conducted, there were plenty of commercials encouraging everyone of all ages to buy cigarettes because famous actors and actresses such as Marilyn Monroe inhaled this toxic air. Now, the exact opposite takes place. Nationwide, new advertisements about “The Truth” raid television sets and question which cigarette truth is the ugliest. In California alone, Tobacco Free California runs commercials that encourage the end of smoking. These eye-opening commercials include disturbing facts about cigarettes and their companies, former smokers with voice boxes advocating a tobacco free life and heartwarming home videos. By the end of all these television advertisements, the point is clear: smoking is bad for the smoker and everyone around him or her. Although the cigarette box is unable to warn the consumer of possible consequences, such as cancer of the lungs, larynx (voice box), oral cavity, sinus, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, cervix, kidney, bladder, ovary, colon, rectum and acute myeloid leukemia, I think we all know deep down inside that smoking just spells trouble.
The best strategy to protect is to prevent. Although a tobacco-free state is a hard vote because of all the extra sales taxes on cigarettes, these limitations may create a compromise between tobacco proponents and anti-tobacco advocates. Young smokers believe that e-cigarettes are a better alternative to tobacco and are used as a step down from addiction, but any step used to get down can be a step used to get up by others. By keeping the age limit 21 for all cigarettes, younger adults are forced to refrain from engaging in any smoking activities whatsoever. Through the higher age requirement, not only will the number of smokers be at a record-breaking low for decades to come, but those who suffer from secondhand smoking may have a respite from the smoke.
So next time you go to New York City, take in the fresh air. With Mayor Bloomberg’s new smoking laws, the pure ocean breeze will benefit everyone from the veteran smokers to the young children entering school. Even if smoking is not a part of your life, tobacco that is constantly shoved up your nose can slowly start to hijack your body. And smokers, realize that everyone breathes the air around you; be considerate and thoughtful, because every puff takes seconds, minutes, days and years out of life. Open your eyes to the ugly truth beneath the smoke.