Monday, March 30, 2015

Hsieh Forbes Column: 18-Year-Olds Should Be Allowed to Smoke

My latest Forbes column discusses the latest debate over raising the legal age for smoking: "Smoking Is Bad, But 18-Year-Olds Should Be Allowed to Smoke".

In particular, any debate on this should include the following three questions:
1) Is it the government’s job to stop legal adults from making unhealthy life choices?

2) Is it right for the government to restrict the freedom of adults over 18, because others under 18 might be more tempted to smoke?

3) Whose body is it, anyways?
People don't always make the best choices for themselves.  But in a free society, they should be able to do so, provided they aren't violating the rights of others.