Ban smoking in public places?

slaton11

I know of no reason that it should not be banned. Sure people have rights to do things but, when it is hazardous to others it should be banned.

Jeffrey S

I do not smoke and I do not like cigerette smoke. I think that not allowing people to smoke in designated areas is unAmerican though. I do not think laws should prevent people from smoking at all. I think that there are too many laws robbing people of their freedoms as it is and they are thinking of ones to pass day after day. I think that people should be able to smoke at the bar or the beach. The smoking ban is trying to take things a little too far.

This Is Me Being Grumpy

How about alcohol? Yes, I know they've tried it, but in my opinion it is much more dangerous than cigarettes. Not because I smoke (I haven't for over a year,) and not because I don't drink (I do drink on occasion,) but because people are too stupid to know when to say enough is enough.

Tobacco does cause many health problems, for smokers and others, but they are not always immediate and can be avoided. People can avoid places where other people smoke, and there are a lot of nice smoke-free restaraunts, bars, and whatnot out there. It's often harder to find a place where you can smoke than one where you can't.

On the other hand, you could be driving down the road with your children in the back seat, and some drunk driver could come plowing into you. I'd consider that affecting someone's health.

Yet you don't hear too many people complaining about second-hand death from alcohol.

How about when a mother or father gets drunk and goes home to beat their spouse / kid / or whoever else is in their home.

I'd rather be around a smoker than a drunk. Smokers are often very aware of the dangers that smoking causes, and they are also usually very considerate of people who don't smoke.

Drunks on the other hand are just plain stupid.

Smoking, in my opinion, is a lot less dangerous than some of the other vices out there, yet it is the most demonized of them all. How can one explain that?

Rorshach4u

First, second hand smoke while suspected of causing health problems,(which I believe) has not been prooven to cause them.

Now that I have said that I will answer the question. I have no problem with a ban indoors for government buildings. Anything else is and infringement of our rights as American citizens.
For private businesses it should be up to the owner of the company as long as they are not directly taking tax money (IE government contracts, or grants) I someone doesn't like that smoking is allowed in a business then they should not patronize that business, not make the business change, If enough people agree and stop patronizing the business then the business will either die out or change its policy.
Making Smoking illegal outdoors is just stupid. If it is so dangerous that we have to ban smoking outdoors then they should just make it illegal all together.

Bert T

I find it odd that so many people seem to think that little white tube is so DEADLY, but there are 400 million cars out there spewing MUCH worse crap into your air and its a helluva lot more prevalent than the 1 in 5 people who still smoke cigarettes in the US.

Ban the internal combustion engine, THEN come to me with second hand smoke studies.

Dan from Omaha, NE

The idea is to ban smoking in public places because of the effects on the people around the smoke. If smokers have the right to smoke were ever they want, then non-smokers basically have zero rights. Smokers still have rights, in their homes and in the out doors. The difference between smoking and drinking is that you can't get any "second hand" alcohol from simply being near a person. There are so many arguments for and against this issue, but it is my opinion that non-smokers should have the right to breath in clean air while in a public place like a restaurant. I even know smokers that agree with me on this one.

photogrl262000

While I understand what you're saying..what happened to a smoker's rights? Everyone seems to forget that the person smoking should have rights just as the non smoker.

smellyfoot â„¢

Should there be a ban on McDonald's? It is a proven health hazzard. What about bringing back prohibition? Alcohol kills lots of people too! Maybe we should be banned from going outside during daylight hours - to prevent skin cancer of course.

I just don't like the government telling people how to live there lives, and making decisions for me. If you don't want to smoke, then don't. If someone else does, that is the decision that they have the right to make.

missanglgrl

Here in Seattle, WA you are not allowed to smoke inside any public place and you have to be 25ft from the door to smoke or else you could get a ticket for it.

BeachBum

You are right if the public place is indoors. Some ppl want to take it to the extreme and include the outdoors... I think that is taking it too far.

docscholl

I tend to agree with you, for several reasons.

1. being an ex-smoker, I'm aware of the health risks.
Limiting smoking areas will force smokers to re-think their habit.

2. Many (if not most) smokers treat the world (outdoors) as their own personal ashtray. They drop their butts anywhere (and typically is the reason we have grass fires, this time of year).
A ban would curb unsightly butts in public (of course, it won't curb overweight, unsightly butts in public, but that is another tale...er, tail!).

3. I don't like government telling me what to do, but a ban in public places may be good since it will prevent non-smokers from smelling/breathing second-hand smoke.

*cough - cough*

Timothy M

Tobacco should be a scheduled drug, the same as marijuana.
It should be illegal.

Steve E

If you're gonna keep banning it just go all the way and criminalize it. I used to smoke, but quit so I don't care one way or the other.

beccaliciousx

I agree! Smoking is bad for everyone, and if someone wants to smoke they can go alone, but to smoke in a public place is just plain rude! Sure, smokers have rights and all that- but what about people with asthma? They have rights too. My friend had an asthma attack today in gym and her mom smokes daily. It's sad really. Smoking should not be permitted in public areas.

bfcookie2002

I think it is a great thing! Leave smoking for outside, or don't smoke at all!

BUTCH

I agree100%//

Butterfly

I totally agree. You know, the weirdest thing I encounter at restaurants is that the smoking section is near the bathroom. I guess when they're deciding where to put the smokers, they figure the best place is one where children, pregnant women and all the other non-smokers would have to pass. That's crazy! I hope the cities and states take a stronger position in implementing the smoke ban, too! :)

Spoiled

It's a dirty, nasty, stinky habit, but if people want to continue killing themselves I guess that's pretty much their business. What I hate is when people stand right outside the door (like within 3-4 feet) of a restaurant and smoke. There is no way you can get around the filthy smell entering or exiting the restaurant. And them when somebody does enter/exit the restaurant, the smell from the cigarette smoke invariably finds its way inside the restaurant. It's just gross!

Leogirl0804

Write or email your local state representative to find out what initiatives your state is taking in that direction. I love the smoking ban in public places. It's great.

Someone eating McDonald's does not stink up my clothes nor does it make me cough.

Prideful

Smokers DO have rights - in the privacy of their own homes, not one another's lungs (if you get what i mean).

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