Libertarian Response to Vermont Law Raising Tobacco-Buying Age and Drug Laws

Today the new tobacco laws go into affect here in Vermont prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to individuals under the age of 21…

The Libertarian Party believes that government force must be limited to the protection of the rights of individuals to life, liberty, and property, and governments must never be permitted to violate these rights. Laws should be limited in their application to violations of the rights of others through force or fraud, or to deliberate actions that place others involuntarily at significant risk of harm. Therefore, we favor the repeal of all laws creating “crimes” without victims including all laws related to the use of drugs for medicinal or recreational purposes for adults. Meaning that an adult at the age of 18 should not be prohibited from using any drug of their choice. Here is the Libertarian Party Platform for more info.

Some selected viewpoints below:

Libertarian Party Position on the War on Drugs:

Libertarians believe that the War on Drugs is ineffective, unfair, and immoral. We advocate ending it.

The War on Drugs is ineffective at limiting access to dangerous drugs and, instead, empowers dangerous gangs that make incredible fortunes on the black market for these illegal drugs.

The War on Drugs has imprisoned millions of non-violent people. This is unfair to these people and also uses up resources that would be better spent prosecuting and imprisoning people who are violent.

The War on Drugs is largely responsible for the militarization of police forces in America. It has pitted police against citizens and this is unfair to both. Police need to be able to focus on protecting the American public from violent offenders and fraud.

Lastly, Libertarians believe that it is immoral for the government to dictate which substances a person is permitted to consume, whether it is alcohol, tobacco, herbal remedies, saturated fat, marijuana, etc. These decisions belong to individual people, not the government.

Because of all of these things, Libertarians advocate ending the War on Drugs.

For more information on the pro-liberty approach on this topic, we invite you to watch the following videos from Learn Liberty: