New laws are being passed all the time. Most of the time, we are entreated to “think of the children” when considering our support for these laws.

Here are some examples:

safety seats in vehicles (until children are at least 45 years old, I think)

reducing calories of school lunches (presumably to stave off childhood obesity)

banning ice cream trucks

setting age limits for legal use of a gas pump

The list could go on and on.

Most people will support new laws that purport to keep children safe. However, there are always sacrifices of freedom to be made in exchange for this safety, which is never guaranteed by the passage of new laws.

At this time, instead of thinking of the children, I would encourage you to think of the birds.

You see, it has been discovered that birds are using discarded cigarette butts to help keep their nests free of pests.

Scientists at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City examined the nests of two bird species common in North America. They measured the amount of cellulose acetate, a component of the paper filters at the end of cigarettes, found in the nests and discovered the more there was, the fewer parasitic mites were present.

So before we take too many steps to reduce tobacco consumption (like banning outdoor smoking, levying huge taxes, etc.), we might want to form a committee on behalf of the birds.

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Related posts:

1. Feed the Birds, Go to Jail
2. Minors in Tanning Beds
3. The Stuff That Laws Are Made Of
4. Forced Medication
5. There’s a Law for That