Should we ban smoking in public?

Answer 1

Never mind the very compelling public health arguments. We're basically talking about the "freedom to not be annoyed".

If the majority of people are enjoying something that annoys the minority (like playing loud music in a bar), then the minority cannot claim that since they are "annoyed" the music must stop. They need to go somewhere else.

But wait a minute. What if it's a quiet, upscale restaurant and I walk in with my boombox blaring. Do I have a "right" to annoy everyone else? Of course not. I should leave.

Now what if the guy with the boombox continues to disrupt the majority of people... what to do? Well, that's called a noise ordinance. It's a law that protects the majority from being annoyed by the minority when the annoyers won't stop on their own.

Bottom line...I do not have a right to annoy most other people. I cannot go into a restaurant and produce objectionable noise, odors or behavior that annoys MOST of the people. If I (and others of my self-centered ilk) insist on perpetuating this behavior, laws will be passed.

Sorry smokers, but you are in the annoying minority now!

Want an analogy? Ask yourself where have all the spittoons gone? (see story below)

Answer 2

If you all want to ban something that indiscrimately kills others even if they don't use the substance, why don't we ban drinking?

Out of all the fatal accidents in the US in 2004, almost 40% of all fataltities were alcohol related. So lets ban drinking as well. There were more vehicle deaths caused by drunk drivers than were caused by second hand smoke.

If I choose to smoke in an area designated as smoking, you can also choose to "not" enter that area. But If I go out on a public road, where someone has just left from the local bar (where they have banned smoking) and they cause a death to occur on a public highway because they were drunk, how does that affect us all? Higher insurance rates, higher medical rates, higher legal fees, higher taxes to enforce drunk driving laws, etc.

It's your "choice" whether or not to enter an establishment that allows smoking, while the drunk that just passed you on the road never gave you the choice of them getting behind the wheel drunk...

Answer 3

No, I don't think that smoking should be banned. I think it's a bit ridiculous that it has been banned in some cities.

I think that the establishments that allow their patrons to smoke should have to provide adequate ventilation. Or separate the room with a wall or something to allow smoking on one side and non on the other.

As far as banning smoking outside of buildings? People should definitely be allowed to smoke outside. Just because someone finds it offensive doesn't mean it should be banned. There are things that people do that I find offensive butt they are still allowed to do it!

I'm an ex-smoker. And yes, I am aware of the fact that people don't like the way it smells, don't want to be exposed to second hand smoke and so on. But outside, you are exposed to all kinds of things. Me smoking a cigarette outside isn't going to harm anyone but myself.

Answer 4

No! mind ur own business. and no one really cares about ur lungs, however if u do, stop cars, coz thats y the world is so poluted not coz of smoking, in fact there's a research that prove's what im saying. smoking is just a minor effect. and i think they already r banning it in public places in case u havent heard already, good morning..

Answer 5

Yes. Second-hand smoke is proven to be dangerous to others. We don't allow any other behaviours that are dangerous in that way, so I'd be fine with banning smoking.

Answer 6

Sounds like a perfectly ridiculous measure. Let's start closer to home. Ban cars blaring profanity out of mega speakers.

Answer 7

yes if you wanna smoke do it where no one and i mean no one can smell it or breath it in i know people who have died becuase of second hand smoke and they couldn't help it BAN SMOKING COMPLETLY

Answer 8

yes, because secondhand smoke is deadly too and i don't want to die because some idiot was smoking in public next to me. (i wouldn't die unless it was a long time secondhand smoke inhalation.)

Answer 9

I think it should be up to the restuant owner. And all bars should allow smoking.

Answer 10

Amen!