T

he point about tobacco and illegal narcotics has been made innumerable times before and while there is certainly validity in it, the main contention remains a fact, sadly: that tobacco is a legal substance whereas narcotics and non-prescribed prescription drugs are not.   

A major difference between illegal narcotics and tobacco, apart from the current higher death rate from tobacco because of its greater accessibility, is that narcotics are generally radically mind- and perception-altering whereas tobacco is not.

The mind-altering properties of narcotics can lead to violence, crime and other types of virulent antisocial behavior. Uncontrolled access to narcotics would lead to increased addiction (often intentionally induced), higher crime rates and almost certainly large increases in violent behavior, all in addition to the cost to society in terms of additional large-scale deaths and healthcare provision.

Most parts of the world have now completely banned tobacco advertising and also have active antismoking social programs. Indonesia certainly doesn'€™t fall into the mold of being tobacco-advertising free, let alone have any real social programs aimed at stopping young people from taking up the habit.

So, yes, a lot more could be done along these lines to stop the obscene profits that continue to be made by the tobacco companies and fat cats that you mention.

If tobacco were discovered only today it probably would be banned outright and quite rightly so. Nicotine is after all a relaxant and mild stimulant, let alone that tobacco also contains harmful properties and carcinogens that can affect both active smokers and those around them.

Getting back to the point of narcotics and the death penalty, however, if the smugglers stopped all attempts to ply their trade then there would be no need for the death penalty for this crime in the first place.

They do what they do knowingly. They know the penalties for getting caught. Being repentant and rehabilitated in prison after the fact and following sentencing is one thing but nothing of the kind crossed their minds preceding the act, did it?

I too would like to see the death penalty abolished.

So all you drug smugglers and potential drug smugglers out there, please resist your nasty trade and the death penalty for drug smuggling can finally be done away with. The choice to cease illegal drug dependence and pursuing the civil act of annulling the death penalty rests in your hands.

Start taking personal responsibility and maybe you can avoid getting the bullet and commentators wouldn'€™t have to waste so much time on these ongoing ultimate-sanction arguments.

May Ling

Jakarta