The Ferengi and Tobacco

[Yuri Nikolayev]

And the Grand Nagus had a beetle snuff habit.

I don’t think the beetles had nicotine or tar…

 

[AtheistAntony]

It might have been more interesting if Quark initially had an unusually positive reaction (i.e., Ferengi find the smell of tobacco incredibly irresistible) before eventually expressing surprise when he learns that smoking is a hazardous recreation.

I think there would have been pushback. Anything that may have been seen as positive endorsement even in passing would have likely got pushback from the powers that be.

 

[AtheistAntony]

I don’t think the beetles had nicotine or tar…

They never said. But it was established they were damaging.

Also it might be fun for you and me, but it's not fun for the beetles.

 

[Ragitsu]

I think there would have been pushback. Anything that may have been seen as positive endorsement even in passing would have likely got pushback from the powers that be.

It would certainly have been a more realistic depiction (and isn't DS9 - aliens aside - all about mirroring reality?): showing why there is an appeal, but then hammering home the point about it being acutely deleterious. Compare Trainspotting to Requiem for a Dream.

 

[Toril Toran]

I think it is very likely that the Ferengi probably did sell drugs in the past.
However, if you sell a product that kills your customers, you no longer have customers.
Simple economics.
Besides, they probably make more money selling weapons ( probably to both sides) than any drug could produce.

 

[Ragitsu]

I think it is very likely that the Ferengi probably did sell drugs in the past.
However, if you sell a product that kills your customers, you no longer have customers.
Simple economics.

It sure opens up profits in the medical industry.

 

[kkt]

I think it is very likely that the Ferengi probably did sell drugs in the past.
However, if you sell a product that kills your customers, you no longer have customers.
Simple economics.
Besides, they probably make more money selling weapons ( probably to both sides) than any drug could produce.

Sure, but as the tobacco companies showed you can make a ton of bricks of latinum as long as long as the drug kills slowly and it's very difficult for people to stop taking it.

 

[AtheistAntony]

It would certainly have been a more realistic depiction (and isn't DS9 - aliens aside - all about mirroring reality?): showing why there is an appeal, but then hammering home the point about it being acutely deleterious. Compare Trainspotting to Requiem for a Dream.

Maybe but you're in a show where they debated how many of Nog's legs to blow off and what was the appropriate amount.