I used to smoke cigarettes. I quit as I was learning the lies of the Watchtower organization.
I used to smoke between 1 and 3 packs a day depending on whether I went drinking or not.
I didn't really quit for the religion, but as I was learning it.
I swore to quit when cigarettes got to cost me more than a buck a pack.
I was in the military, so they were cheaper for me, but round about 1985 they broke a buck a pack. I quit.
My mother quit for the JW campaign to rid the cult of cigarettes, but when disfellowshipped she did smoke again.
I know it's all lies, I know there's no Bible command to refrain from tobacco. The principles applied by WTS would apply to junk food and fried food and too much of anything deemed bad for you in food. So I know it's not legit to insist on people smoking quit to please God.
Still, as a JW, I learned that smokers would be killed right after the murderers and thieves as Armageddon came about.
Here's the thing: Smoking is bad for you and those around you, subject to various opinions on HOW BAD, but it is bad.
JW's love to think how Jehovah has banned such a bad thing and saved millions from the evil of cigarettes.
I am thrilled to be smoke free since 1985, no falling off that wagon. But how far can we go in hopes of others quitting?
We cannot say God insists on it. Can we ban it? Can government ban it? Is it right to ban it in OUTDOOR public places?
Is it okay to tax it by a gizzillion percent? What will the government tax next like they got away with for cigarettes when the smokers die off?