is this a good thesis for and english research paper?

With so many illegal drugs and alcohol cigarettes seem to be the only drug that is not illegal but kills more people each year who smoke.

prescription drugs are not illegal. Ever go to the doctor and tell him you are depressed, or anxious, or frigidity, or suicidal, or .....

alcohol is not illegal for adults.

No, sorry.

Your thesis statement must include factual information plus your position/opinion/stance. Without your position on the topic, it isn't a true thesis statement. So think of this sentence as the angle you want to take on the topic and what you intend to prove by the end of your paper. (If your statement is simply factual, then there's nothing to prove!)

http://blog.eduify.com/index.php/2009/06/21/5-tips-on-how-to-write-a-strong-thesis-statement/
Read carefully and follow ALL directions.

http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/thesistatement.html
This is one of the very best places I've seen online to help students write good thesis statements. It shows you sentences that aren't thesis statements and how to turn each one into real thesis statements.

The thesis statement you provided addresses a compelling topic, but it can be improved to make it more clear and specific. Here's a revised version that maintains the main idea while making it more focused:

"Despite being legal, cigarettes claim a significant number of lives each year, surpassing the mortality rates caused by illegal drugs and alcohol."

To determine if your thesis is good for an English research paper, you should consider a few factors:

1. Clarity: Your thesis statement should clearly express your stance and main argument. The revised version makes a straightforward claim by contrasting the legality of cigarettes with their significant impact on mortality.

2. Specificity: It's essential to provide more specific information or context to support your argument. Consider including statistics or evidence that highlight the number of deaths caused by cigarettes compared to other substances.

3. Relevance: Ensure that your thesis is relevant to the scope of your research paper. If your research aims to explore broader aspects of addiction, substance abuse, or public health, it might be helpful to expand your thesis to include these elements.

Remember, a strong thesis statement acts as a concise roadmap for your paper, setting the foundation for your research and analysis.