Tobacco and alcohol are drugs that cause addiction and health problems. Should they be made illegal? Or should all drugs be legalized?

Tobacco and alcohol are drugs that cause addiction and health problems. Should they be made illegal? Or should all drugs be legalized?

There are calls for proscribing of tobacco and alcohol, since consumption of these adversely affect well-being, and may induce dependence on such substances. This essay shall delve deeper into this issue, and elucidate a clear stand.

Products such as cigarettes and intoxicants, like whiskey, have never been favourably viewed due to an umpteen life-threatening consequences, for instance, cardiovascular issues, causing contraction of veins, weakening of heart, and pulmonary diseases. Developing a habit of consuming these is not only expensive, in terms of health of direct users but also the others; their bodies are not habitual of this constant inhalation of toxins. In light of these reasons, consumption of such substances should be banned, or at least be severely restricted. 

Additionally, while one is intoxicated, the decision-making is exponentially impaired, leading to the loss of motor skills, blurred vision, often leading to road accidents, thereby harming people and property. For example, most road mishaps are caused by inebriated drivers, and over one million people perish, world over, every year as  per WHO, and  loss of property runs into several billion dollars. Thus, this justifies demanding regulations that are more stringent than ever before.  

As far as allowing other substances is concerned, no plea should be entertained; this will erode the prevailing civic order. For example, streets of Canada are filled with puffs and butts of marijuana, every nook and corner pungently stinks. Youngsters are losing their prime youth to menacing narcotics. A study at Cornell University reveals, irreversible brain altering effects and long-term ailments arising from substance abuse.

Overall, tobacco and alcohol should be treated like drugs, and should follow the same suit; these substances not only hamper the  health of those engaging with these but also jeopardize well being and  safety of others surrounding them.