Pubdate: Tue, 21 Feb 2012
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2012 The Ottawa Citizen
Contact: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n131/a09.html
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n138/a01.html
Page: A12
Author: Robert Sharpe

DECLINE OF TOBACCO USE

Re: Crime fixation bizarre in face of Tories' common sense, Feb. 15. 
Tories seeking to emulate the tough-on-some-drugs policies of 
Canada's southern neighbour can expect similar results.

Despite zero tolerance, more United States teenagers now use illegal 
marijuana than legal tobacco. Tobacco use has declined considerably 
in both Canada and the U.S. Public education has proven more 
effective than mass incarceration. The decline in highly addictive 
tobacco use was accomplished without any need to jail smokers or 
further enrich cartels via tobacco prohibition.

The U.S. drug war has done little other than give the former land of 
the free the highest incarceration rate in the world.

Robert Sharpe, Washington, D.C. Policy Analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart