Sure on a global scale, but on a more macro level, the war on drugs failed because people want to buy and consume drugs.... if there is no legal, regulated, safe method to buy them then the black market will fill that gap... same under rationing, same under prohibition, same with drugs and in the future cigarettes....!

[–] Shiggles@sh.itjust.works 10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

The war on drugs succeeded, because it was actually a war on black people. It was never meant to stop drug abuse.

[–] squiblet@kbin.social 13 points 1 year ago

Don't leave out hippies and hispanics. Cannabis is called 'marijuana' in the US because it stoked anti-hispanic racism. It was also a convenient way to attack liberals in general.

[–] Gork@lemm.ee 9 points 1 year ago

I would like to congratulate drugs, for winning the War on Drugs.

[–] SheeEttin@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

True, but the want of cigarettes is much lower than recreational drugs. One of the reasons they're still so popular is because they're legal and easy to get.

I don't smoke and never have, but I can't imagine anyone starting smoking in order to get some effect like with marijuana.

[–] TheWoozy@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

Yet, the addiction of cigarettes is much more powerful than non narcotic drugs & every day new people are starting smoking.

[–] Pips@lemmy.film 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

There is a legal, regulated, mostly safe method to buy cigarettes. It is inaccessible if you are under a certain age, but only the seller/provider is punished for violating regulations. It's okay to have restrictions on what children can consume.

While current laws on illegal drugs do not work, arguing against any regulation whatsoever is similarly silly, the laws obviously work. Smoking rates have dramatically declined since those laws and public education campaigns began.