[PASSED] On Tobacco and Electronic Cigarettes

[Anni Triatia]

I think it is a good idea to protect workers and other people from Tobacco and Electronic Cigarettes.

[Cosmosplosion]

I think it is a good idea to protect workers and other people from Tobacco and Electronic Cigarettes.

So far Ambassador, the assembly agrees as well.

[Vygarm]

The Republic of Vygarm approves of this proposal. We do not find this proposal in contravention of our own beliefs regarding freedom of choice and the right to personal and social freedom and believe the benefits of education to the populus at large regarding the dangers of tobacco and nicotine products may prove beneficial to our nation's overall health in the long run with very little financial investment required on the part of our government.

[Kenmoria]

This is an issue best left to individual member-states. Therefore, we vote against.

However, tobacco is already illegal in Vrama (Sec. 602-F Code of Conduct), so this really doesn't apply to us.

(OOC: In my opinion, the WA should intervene in domestic affairs only when there is intentional utility or the case of a basic human right. There isn’t much of a case, though one could argue there is, for international influence, but there is a fundamental right at play. Namely, the right to life and the right to the truth are both very present when dealing with cigarettes. This is OOC since my IC character will, in my opinion wrong fully, completely agree.)

“I fully agree, there is no international utility in restricting, unjustifiably, the activities of lawful organisations.”

[Cosmosplosion]

This is an issue best left to individual member-states. Therefore, we vote against.

However, tobacco is already illegal in Vrama (Sec. 602-F Code of Conduct), so this really doesn't apply to us.

(OOC: In my opinion, the WA should intervene in domestic affairs only when there is intentional utility or the case of a basic human right. There isn’t much of a case, though one could argue there is, for international influence, but there is a fundamental right at play. Namely, the right to life and the right to the truth are both very present when dealing with cigarettes. This is OOC since my IC character will, in my opinion wrong fully, completely agree.)

“I fully agree, there is no international utility in restricting, unjustifiably, the activities of lawful organisations.”

"Respectfully Ambassador, there is an international utility. That international utility is the right of every citizen in member nations to know what they are putting in their bodies. This assembly has already established labeling requirements for ingredients in items like food. This is no different. Tobacco is dangerous, nicotine is addictive, and you definitely should not be drinking vape juice. There is no reason that people do not have the right to know that, period."

[Cosmosplosion]

OOC: While it is still early, I would like to give some thanks to some of my biggest supporters for even making it possible for this resolution to be in the position it currently is.

Obviously, my co-writers, Akohos and Courelli helped with a lot of this proposal. Huge props to them for that.

Pallaith/Ghost has been my mentor in this game for a long time, taking me under his wing in The Versutian Federation years ago, giving me new opportunities I never really could have imagined. He's taught me a lot and I am very thankful.

Further, I would like to thank the International Legislative Coalition (ILC) for their support. We are a young and growing WA coalition, so if you are interested definitely check them out. Specifically, I would like to thank Ivory Rhodes, Goncar, New Arkados, Burninati0n, and Asairia, the delegates of each of the regions within the ILC. This wouldn't be possible without their support.

I would also like to thank every single delegate and nation who cast their vote in favor of this resolution - that means a lot to me. And big thanks to each and every one of you who gave feedback, both positive and negative, in this thread.

This is my first WA Proposal to ever get this far and I really am thankful for the opportunity. There's still work to be done to make sure this gets passed and I'm excited to make sure that happens.

[Bear Connors Paradiso]

Tobacco's as addicting as the internet, coffee, pimple-popping videos, getting tattoos, and none of those things have a giant warning on them.

BCP doesn't need to regulate what people want to do with their own time/money.

[Kowani]

Tobacco's as addicting as the internet, coffee, pimple-popping videos, getting tattoos, and none of those things have a giant warning on them.

BCP doesn't need to regulate what people want to do with their own time/money.

And how many of those things kill people?

[Elyreia]

And how many of those things kill people?

Not enough to do studies on, but I have seen cases of child neglect resulting in death due to video gaming binges/additions, and Hep C is prevalent among shady tattoo dealerships, infections, too.

So the number isn't Zero, but they are there.

[Cosmosplosion]

And how many of those things kill people?

Not enough to do studies on, but I have seen cases of child neglect resulting in death due to video gaming binges/additions, and Hep C is prevalent among shady tattoo dealerships, infections, too.

So the number isn't Zero, but they are there.

Tobacco's as addicting as the internet, coffee, pimple-popping videos, getting tattoos, and none of those things have a giant warning on them.

BCP doesn't need to regulate what people want to do with their own time/money.

The difference between the internet, coffee, pimple popping videos (?????), getting tattoos and tobacco is that only one of the above is known to cause cancer and other serious health issues on such a wide scale. Yes, you are right, we don't put warnings on every addicting thing or everything that can kill someone. There is no warning label on front of buses saying "Do not run out in front of me", because it is clear that doing so would result in injury or death. With tobacco, that isn't as obvious. A little stick that burns and you can inhale it. Not so obvious that it will result in shorter life spans. That's why it's so important.

[Greater Slavil]

Greater Slavil agrees with all points made in this resolution, with exception to point 6, which demands governments to educate citizens on the "dangers" of tobacco usage.

Greater Slavil finds it puzzling that the WA would mandate governments to take on this responsibility when a NGO non-profit would suit this purpose far better, and would prevent impoverished member nations of the WA from being forced to spend valuable funds that would be better spent on human-development programs.

Until this point is addressed, Greater Slavil will regrettably vote NO on this resolution, but commends the noble cause of said resolution.

[West Phoenicia]

West Phoenicia has chosen to vote against this bill on the grounds that Tobacco companies if they are adding health warnings to all packets of cigarettes and tobacco also have a right to advertise their product.

It is a product just like anything else, and if fast food can get away without health warnings on their product that reads "this may make you fat" than we don't see why we need to damage the tobacco industry in West Phoenicia which is a major export for us.

Our own international baseball team is actually sponsored by West Phoenicia Gold, a popular brand of cigarettes. This bill will affect our economy and other tobacco growing economies. And we won't support it.

We strongly encourage the nay camp to work on a repeal. And the writers of this bill should declare any monies donated or funded to them by anti-smoking lobbyists organisations .

Ambassador Baroness Margarita Too-Rak lights up a cigarette in protest.

[Arasi Luvasa]

"Baroness Too-Rak, there is no hones on your nation to prohibit tobacco ads, it is merely urged."

[West Phoenicia]

"Baroness Too-Rak, there is no hones on your nation to prohibit tobacco ads, it is merely urged."

Urges to Prohibit today. Ban it or else tomorrow. We will not risk that slippery slope of the WA telling nations what they can and cannot advertise.

[Dirty Americans]

I have registered my vote against this resolution. I really feel that this is too nit picking and micromanaging. It also makes assumptions that might actually prohibit a small number of safe products. But since I appear to be in the minority I will abide by the dictatorship of the majority (or is that the regions).

[Cosmosplosion]

I have registered my vote against this resolution. I really feel that this is too nit picking and micromanaging. It also makes assumptions that might actually prohibit a small number of safe products. But since I appear to be in the minority I will abide by the dictatorship of the majority (or is that the regions).

While we do indeed have a lead in terms of GCR delegates and delegates as a whole - individual nations favor this proposal by roughly 3,500 votes at this time. It is a popular effort.

[Capitalist Producers]

Attention WA members

There is a new WA Resolution called: "On Tobacco And Electronic Cigarettes

We in Capitalist Producers are AGAINST this invasion of national sovereignty on the following grounds:
— This is a purely internal matter to the individual nation states. The professional busy bodies of the WA have no reasonable cause to believe this matter has any effect on international neighbors or the world as a whole.
— What a person does to their own body is purely on them. We do not need anyone, especially politicians that would be far happier running an upscale homeowners association running our individual lives.
— Outlawing vapor cigarettes is counter productive to the stop smoking efforts on both an individual and an institutional scale. I am personally aware of seven people that quit smoking using vapor systems. While there have only been a couple studies, both show a significantly higher success rate with nicotine withdrawal using vapor systems and gradual step down of nicotine content.
— While vapor systems are not great, they are significantly better then inhaling smoke from burning tobacco. For those unable to kick the nicotine habit, vapor systems are better for the user and those around them.
— Did we learn nothing from Prohibition? The only thing this resolution will do is create some spectacularly successful black markets. See the war on drugs, cocaine, crack, meth, pills and illegal marijuana use for current examples of how real world economics and human nature work.

Never forget that it is unreasonable to assume that reasonable people will respect and follow unreasonable laws.

We strongly urge a vote against this attempt to micromanage us like children.

[Arasi Luvasa]

Attention WA members

There is a new WA Resolution called: "On Tobacco And Electronic Cigarettes

We in Capitalist Producers are AGAINST this invasion of national sovereignty on the following grounds:
— This is a purely internal matter to the individual nation states. The professional busy bodies of the WA have no reasonable cause to believe this matter has any effect on international neighbors or the world as a whole.
— What a person does to their own body is purely on them. We do not need anyone, especially politicians that would be far happier running an upscale homeowners association running our individual lives.
— Outlawing vapor cigarettes is counter productive to the stop smoking efforts on both an individual and an institutional scale. I am personally aware of seven people that quit smoking using vapor systems. While there have only been a couple studies, both show a significantly higher success rate with nicotine withdrawal using vapor systems and gradual step down of nicotine content.
— While vapor systems are not great, they are significantly better then inhaling smoke from burning tobacco. For those unable to kick the nicotine habit, vapor systems are better for the user and those around them.
— Did we learn nothing from Prohibition? The only thing this resolution will do is create some spectacularly successful black markets. See the war on drugs, cocaine, crack, meth, pills and illegal marijuana use for current examples of how real world economics and human nature work.

Never forget that it is unreasonable to assume that reasonable people will respect and follow unreasonable laws.

We strongly urge a vote against this attempt to micromanage us like children.

Did you read the resolution? because honestly it doesn't seem like you did.

[Cosmosplosion]

Attention WA members

There is a new WA Resolution called: "On Tobacco And Electronic Cigarettes

We in Capitalist Producers are AGAINST this invasion of national sovereignty on the following grounds:
— This is a purely internal matter to the individual nation states. The professional busy bodies of the WA have no reasonable cause to believe this matter has any effect on international neighbors or the world as a whole.

okay

— What a person does to their own body is purely on them. We do not need anyone, especially politicians that would be far happier running an upscale homeowners association running our individual lives.

This resolution does nothing except educate people on the potential dangers of tobacco and encourages a switch to vaping.

— Outlawing vapor cigarettes is counter productive to the stop smoking efforts on both an individual and an institutional scale. I am personally aware of seven people that quit smoking using vapor systems. While there have only been a couple studies, both show a significantly higher success rate with nicotine withdrawal using vapor systems and gradual step down of nicotine content.

This resolution does not ban vaping.

— While vapor systems are not great, they are significantly better then inhaling smoke from burning tobacco. For those unable to kick the nicotine habit, vapor systems are better for the user and those around them.

The resolution says, and I quote "Acknowledging the popularity and lesser health risks of electronic cigarettes as an alternative to tobacco based products;".

— Did we learn nothing from Prohibition? The only thing this resolution will do is create some spectacularly successful black markets. See the war on drugs, cocaine, crack, meth, pills and illegal marijuana use for current examples of how real world economics and human nature work.

Yes, that would be an okay argument against a bill that bans tobacco or e cigs - something this bill doesn't do.

Never forget that it is unreasonable to assume that reasonable people will respect and follow unreasonable laws.

We strongly urge a vote against this attempt to micromanage us like children.

Thank you for your vote Ambassador.

[Akohos]

This is a purely internal matter to the individual nation states. The professional busy bodies of the WA have no reasonable cause to believe this matter has any effect on international neighbors or the world as a whole.

Except that the World Assembly does have reasonable cause to believe this has an effect on the world as a whole. The resolution's purpose, in which I believe there lies a misunderstanding, is not to prohibit or regulate the sale, quantity, or production of tobacco products, but to regulate the packaging on the products to notify consumers of its harmful effects. This is something that has already been widely implemented domestically and, in improving the standard of public health on an international scale, it is fully within the scope of the General Assembly.

Did we learn nothing from Prohibition?

Sorry, whom are you addressing? Who is we? What is Prohibition? Akohos has never had a period in its national history known by that title. I am also confused by the logic of this; how would this resolution create black markets, and "spectacularly successful" ones no less? What kind of black market would sell cigarette packs that specifically do not have warning labels on it? In what situation will someone be so disgusted at their country's initiative to put warning labels on packaging, that they go underground to find tobacco products that do not have this warning on them?

Respectfully, I do not believe that you have considered the proposal in good faith and to its most accurate degree, and would ask that you reconsider, or at least clarify your argument against this resolution. Thanks

[Bear Connors Paradiso]

Nicotine isn't what gives people lung cancer - it's literally the thousands of carcinogens they fill cigarettes with. Ecigs probably have a different form of hormone disruptors and other pathogens that would eventually lead to some kind of cancer, but big tobacco is shutting down the small organic ecig productions by saying they promote children smoking.

[Lord Dominator]

On Tobacco and Electronic Cigarettes was passed 14,396 votes to 2,960.

[Cosmosplosion]

Thank you to everyone who voted for this proposal and to everyone who offered feedback throughout the way. GAR #459 will hopefully be just the start of my involvement in this great assembly!