Academic Writing

One of the most harmful effects of smoking is its link to cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (2020), tobacco smoking is responsible for at least 30% of cancer deaths in the US. Moreover, around 80% of lung cancers are directly associated with smoking. In the US alone, tobacco smoking accounts for at least 1 in 5 deaths each year. Furthermore, cancer is just one of the many detrimental risks and effects of smoking on humans. Other diseases such as CHD (coronary heart disease) and type-2 diabetes also pose major health concerns. With this matter in mind, it leads us to think why smoking in general isn’t prohibited anywhere in the world.

There seems to be no definitive answer as to why lawmakers don’t push the total ban on smoking anywhere in the world. However, one obvious aspect of the continuity of tobacco production is its direct link with the economy. According to Statista (2022), the total revenue from tobacco tax in 2021 reached a whopping $12.14 billion in the US alone. The US government forecasts this to reduce at least $11.28 billion by 2027. Nevertheless, the irony lies on the surface since policymakers appear to focus on the minimal regulations against smoking rather than prohibiting it to promote a healthier population.

Interestingly, the New Zealand government pushes to be smoke-free by 2025. As McClure (2022) states in her article in The Guardian, “New Zealand has introduced a steadily rising smoking age to stop those aged 14 and under from ever being able to legally buy cigarettes” (para 1). Moreover, this law reduces the number of stores - from 6,000 to 600 nationwide - that can sell tobacco products legally. This also prohibits the selling of cigarettes to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009. Taking effect in 2023, New Zealand might be the first-ever country in the world to ban tobacco use for the next generation.

With this information in mind, it’s not impossible to create a healthier environment for our countrymen. But if monetary value is at stake, then the rest of the world will remain at risk of the negative effects of smoking.

American Cancer Society (2020, October 28). Health risks of using tobacco products.

Statista (2022, September 30). U.S. tobacco tax revenues and forecast, 2000-2027.

McClure, T. (2022, December 13). New Zealand passes world-first tobacco law to ban smoking for

next generation. The Guardian.