The Red Embers of Death

Greetings!

I wish to bring to your attention today a problem that exists within our community. This problem seems to go unnoticed by our local constablitory. This problem is all but a plague that has been with us for nearly a hundred years. Many have warned of the consequences of ignoring this problem, and yet none have lifted so much as a finger to stop its spread. My fellow Galactic Citizens, this problem is nothing but teen-aged smoking!

Yes, yes, I know. It's been going on for years, hasn't it. There has been studies and lawsuits and blah blah blah. There are laws preventing the sale of tobacco to persons under the age of 18 throughout the country. There are laws preventing persons under the age of 18 to purchase tobacco throughout the county. Does it not follow that it is illegal for persons under the age of 18 to possess tobacco? Does it not follow that it is illegal for persons under the age of 18 to consume tobacco? These teens, and pre-teens, are getting there cigarettes from somewhere. If they are not buying them, then they are either stealing them, or being given them. In either case, another crime is being commited.

Every morning I witness school-aged children waiting for their busses while sucking down their morning cigarette poisons, the glowing embers red in the cold darkness. Once the weekend arrives, the restaurant and mall parking lots are dotted with teens hanging out, trying to look so cool while puffing away at their Marlboro's and GPC's, before heading inside to catch a movie. Inside many of the restaurants, these teens blatantly sit in the smoking areas, cigarettes in hand, as if untouchable by any law.

Now, I understand that most of our police forces have many other things occupying there time on the job, and enforcing laws over non-violent, non-destructive crimes does not rate very high on their list. As a citizen, and father, I want the law upheld. I demand that the law be upheld. Any person under the age of 18 using or in possession of tobacco products is in violation of the law and sould be arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Parents would have to come bail their children out of jail for smoking, and would hopefully take an active role in punishing the child within the family circle, as should be done in the first place. Maybe this would help deter teens from becoming life-long users of tobacco, and eventually dying agonizing, costly deaths under the choking claws of tobacco.

We could always prosecute the parents, but that would not stop the spread of the addiction. We could forbid the sale of the product all together, but the states rely so much on the taxes generated from the sale of tobacco that they would never ban its sale altogether. Lawmakers want teens to get addicted. They are the future consumers of the product that generates the taxes that pay for their Lexus' and private schools and gated community homes and trips to the Bahamas. No matter what they say at election time to get your vote. Make them live up to their promises. Make them earn that money we give them.

Think well about it, my fellows, and do the right thing with your children, for your children's future.

Fare ye well.