My smoking habit affects me alone. His drug trafficking affects thousands at least. It leads to death, poverty, theft and others crimes an addict will do to get his hands on some of that. How can you say that death penalty for that 'incredibly harsh'?
And how can you feel sorry for someone who's gonna die for choosing to get involved in life-threatening activities?
so you're trying to exclude yourself from the circle that is black market drug trafficking even though you stand firm on the fact that you enjoy illegal substances. furthermore you pay good money for it, which further fuels and encourages the dealers. if there's no market, there is no dealing. i'm not trying to blame
you for international drug trafficking, but it does seem mildly hypocritical of you to have such an ambiguous stance on it.
i believe the death penalty is incredibly harsh because he is supplying for a demand which is there. people want to get high and if it isn't legal than it will be acquired legally - disclaimer: i do not want to turn this into yet another pro / against debate for legalizing drugs.
furthermore the example at hand here is of some personal significance for a poster so i think it would suit you to at least wrap your views up in a slightly more sympathetic package.