Biden’s Disastrous Cigarette Ban a ‘Gift’ to Cartels on AZ Border

It's hard to imagine what's going through the minds of the Biden administration in the final days of his presidency.

They seem to be pulling out all the stops, and now they're pushing curious, 11-hour legislation that could devastate Arizona's border patrol and law enforcement yet again in their fight against illegal drug cartels coming from Mexico.

President Joe Biden's last-minute cigarette ban might be well-intended. The ban aims to cut down on smoking and targets the reduction of nicotine levels in cigarettes - an effort to make them less addictive.

Get our free mobile app

The ban could, in theory, lower national smoking rates and improve public health. While this might sound good theoretically, this dubious policy could do more harm than good.

READ: Biden's New Appliance Regulations: The Impact on Your Wallet

Banning Cigarettes in Arizona: The Potential Fallout

According to Statista.com, smoking has decreased in the United States from about 42 percent in 1965 to 14 percent in 2019. As smoking becomes increasingly unpopular socially, it's likely the downward trend will continue, so you have to wonder, is Joe Biden's policy really necessary?

The potential fallout could be pretty significant. Critics argue that this move could kill around 150,000 American jobs, according to the Denver Gazette, especially in agriculture and retail and lead to a loss of about $24 billion in federal, state, and local taxes. That’s yet another huge hit to the economy!

But that's not all, folks. People aren't just going to quit smoking overnight. Enter your friendly neighborhood crime cartel to fill the void.

Lowering nicotine levels could push smokers to the black market to get their fix, creating a golden opportunity for cartels and organized crime groups to step in and fill the gap. Illegal, unregulated cigarettes could flood the market and be filled with all kinds of "off-label" hazards, in much the same way illicit drugs are often cut with dangerous drugs like fentanyl and other fillers.

The Direct Fallout for Arizona if Cigarettes are Banned

Arizona could see a direct impact if this policy goes forward. The fight along the Mexican border has already taxed law enforcement in our southern counties; Arizona could become a hotspot for even more smuggling activities.

READ: Arizona Voters Want Something Done About the Border NOW

In addition to the economic hit from job losses and reduced tax revenue, Arizona's citizens will have a non-returnable 'gift' from the Biden administration that will continue long after he leaves office.

Sources: Washington Examiner | New York Post | Axios | FoxNews | Statista.com | Denver Gazette