Quote Originally Posted by Julio3000 View Post
I'm not really sure I can go along with that. An unsmoked cigarette is as harmless as an unfired gun. Every time a gun is handled, there is a small but significant (given the stakes) chance that it will harm someone. It's a messy comparison, but "inherently harmless" is a sticking point. My cigarette can kill me, and, if used regularly in the presence of others, my co-habitants over time. My gun can kill me, my cohabitants, my neighbors, classmates, and random strangers. It takes either human intent or negligence for this to happen, but it's all too easy.

A nuclear-tipped ICBM is also inherently harmless, right? If it's properly handled, it'll never hurt a fly.
Perhaps I should have used "purpose" somewhere in there? Guns have positive purposes and are beneficial when used correctly. Cigarettes are harmful when used as intended and have no redeeming qualities.