Smoking

Smoking, particularly of cigarettes, is a major cause of death and therefore loss of income. Nicotine is known to be as or more addictive than the hard drugs that come across the border from Mexico, the drugs that hundreds of people lose their lives for. Why is it legal then? Tradition is the key reason that tobacco is legal, while it is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the U.S. The banning of tobacco would have far reaching effects; people would suddenly be more productive, people would live longer, and people would have more money in their pockets. This is also a place where the United States could prove that it still has some leadership value in world politics. The United States has the highest minimum age of all the worlds countries (except Bhutan, a small Himalayan nation who has banned tobacco with the exception of foreigners and diplomats) (The vaults of Erowid-tobacco). If our politicians can step up to the plate, quit bickering, and ban tobacco, the U.S. could gain immense political face on the world stage. Not only would our government be better respected, our workforce would find ways to drive the economy forward and put us far beyond that of China, despite our severe population disadvantage. Savings rates would jump, and retirees could live their lives in relative luxury. Banning tobacco is an excellent option for boosting our slipping country out of recession and into leadership.

Teenage fatherhood

The side of teenage pregnancy most often overlooked is the emotional stress put on the father. While it is seen as "macho" to be sexually active to teen guys, it is extremely bad for the image to get a girl pregnant. Teen boys often joke around about sex, and they make it seem normal. Sex is almost a necessity for teen guys to maintain popularity. For a girl, the pressure is usually from one person, a boyfriend. This is a result of guys wanting to achieve or maintain the macho image that teen guys think is so cool. The pressure gets even higher when drugs and alcohol are added to the equation. Drinking causes a lack of inhibitions, making the possibility of sex much higher, and when a person does something once, it becomes expected of them. Decision making is an important part of the entire process, as the decision not to be in a situation where drinking is an option can lead to a whole string of better life choices. By letting your decisions be made by habit, you become a follower. You become the human guinea pig, because you have lost your self-esteem. When you actively think about how your decisions will affect you and your life, the chances that you will make a better decision skyrockets. When you decide not to be like the rest of the macho guys, and lead rather than follow, you avoid drugs and alcohol, you avoid premarital sex, and you increase your quality of life.