Answer Man: Why do Ingles, Publix sell cigarettes? Dog in lap while driving legal?

Today’s batch of burning questions, my smart-aleck answers and the real deal:

Question: I was recently shopping for groceries at my local Ingles supermarket. The person in the checkout line ahead of me clearly had some significant respiratory problems and was purchasing some cigarettes. As a nonsmoker and someone who worked in a health-related field, I am aware of how dangerous tobacco products are to human health. I was pleased to see when the major drugstore chains decided to no longer sell them. I am curious as to why supermarkets are still selling a product that is clearly a health hazard?  

My answer: I am eternally grateful to my mother for smoking Kools when I was a kid. I sneaked one of these menthol nightmares once, and suddenly I was cured of all desire to smoke. Or to be cool.

Real answer: Let's be honest: Of course profitability is going to play a role in this, as all stores have to make a profit. I did not expect the supermarket spokespersons I contacted to address profit, and they did not.

But cigarettes are still big business. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that in 2016, "about 258 billion cigarettes were sold in the United States — a 2.5 percent decrease from the 264 billion sold in 2015."

That's still a lot of smokes, though.

Ron Freeman, chief financial officer of Ingles Markets, said the Black Mountain-based chain, which has about 200 stores in six Southeastern states, wants to "provide products desired by our customers and to comply with all regulations regarding their sale."

"Every tobacco product sold is kept in a secure area and requires purchase assistance from one of our associates," he said. "Sale of tobacco products has decreased over the years, resulting in less product carried by our stores and resulting in safeguards to ensure these products are not purchased by minors."

Kimberly Reynolds, spokeswoman for Publix, said the chain is "committed to satisfying the needs of all of our customers."

"We evaluate the sales and movements of our products to determine how many customers have a desire to purchase each item," Reynolds said. "Products that do not have sufficient demand are eliminated."

At this point in the world, everyone is well aware that smoking causes cancer, heart disease and other serious health problems.

"While Publix does not advocate smoking, we realize that the expectations of our smoking customers are no more or less important than the expectations of our non-smoking customers," Reynolds said. "There are a significant number of our customers who choose to smoke and who expect to buy their tobacco products at Publix.  At this time, Publix will continue to offer tobacco products to meet the expectations of these customers."

Based in Winter Haven, Florida, Publix operates 1,151 stores in seven Southeastern states.

Question: It seems wherever I go around Asheville and the rest of the U.S., I increasingly see motorists with dogs perched on their laps while driving, sometimes with the dog hanging part way out the window. I know people love their dogs, but this has to be illegal, right?

My answer: Now, if the dogs were smoking, I'd be really outraged.

Real answer: "What the reader is describing is actually legal, although an unsafe practice," said Christina Hallingse, spokeswoman for the Asheville Police Department. "The Asheville Police Department does not encourage motorists to drive with pets in their lap, as this can cause the driver to be distracted."

Hallingse noted that the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety says taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles your chance of a crash.

"It would only take two seconds for a frightened or excited pet to suddenly climb up on your chest or attempt to jump out the window," Hallingse said. "Earlier this year, in February, House Bill 73 was introduced which would have prohibited driving with an animal in one’s lap. The bill, however, was withdrawn from committee shortly after introduction."

This is the opinion of John Boyle. Contact him at 828-232-5847 or jboyle@citizen-times.com.