How can one, in good conscience, say that a smoking ban in bars, casinos, etc. is OK?

Question

for the health of everyone who patronizes these places, but then say that government is "going too far" if it passes an ordinance that says one cannot smoke in an automobile if there is a child present, or in a home where children live...It seems to me MUCH more important that the latter locations be smoke-free!

Obviously, Ronin, there would be nothing wrong with smoking in your own home IF children are not living there. If children ARE there, YES it should be against the law!

bubba, the operative variable here is CHILDREN...CAN"T YOU SEE THAT???

Uncle Remus, I see that as a very reasonable point. I wish others would understand that the point is about children.....

Very well put, Jaileen.

NOTE: I never said I advocated a smoking ban in places where minors are not allowed!
ALSO: Those of you with the puny "private property" excuse, you cannot abuse your children on your private property!

Answer 1

I have argued in circles with my brother on this.
I feel that if you own an establishment, you should be able to allow smoking. (I am a non-smoker btw).
He thinks that restaurants etc, since they will have children present, should ban smoking.
We finally agreed that it could be like bars, where minors are not allowed in. If an establishment decides that they will not allow minors. they should be allowed to permit smoking.

Answer 2

As an ex smoker, I don't go to bars or to restaurants that have smoking!

Smoking is a dirty, nasty, smelly, expensive and deadly habit!

I do think that is a problem in the US! There are too many willing to take others liberties away from them for stupid reasons. If you don't smoke, don't go to the bar! It isn't government owned!

In my state their is no such thing as an accident. There is negligent homicide, and if Cheney was in this state and hit someone with a stupid shot, he would have been charged as well!

This country for the last 40 or 50 years has been passing knee-jerk legislation that is poor and probably unconstitutional!

I don't like smoking now, but quit passing laws that are just plain dumb! I thought smoking was legal and the government has no problem loading them up with taxes!

As far as smokers in a car with children! I know it happens, but so does spankings with parents out of control! A car and a home is private property!

Even if I were for a ban on privately owned property that the public uses, how do you rationalize private property? The good thing is a lot of places are changing because far more people are not smoking!

Answer 3

I am getting tired on how the government patronizes and takes a harassing approach against smokers because of the "health issues".
The amount of money spent on this is outrageous!!!
If they were really concerned about health they should focus on far more threatening issues such as dietary habits for general public. The ratio of smokers/non-smokers is far smaller than overweight/fit ratio. (oh, but they don't tell you that. Furthermore, they present you alarming smoking related death statistics that make some, who actually think of them, wonder how is it possible for the population to be increasing rather than decreasing).
I am a smoker (do not smoke around my children, though) but also a mountain biker, squash player, jogger, skater, eater and drinker. I am in way better shape than most non smokers.
I am not saying smoking is not bad, it is, but it also is eating greasy foods, munching chips and being a couch potato.
Is far more hazardous to the heart and body being overweight than a smoker.
With an active lifestyle and moderation in either eating, drinking, smoking, the health issues are reduced dramatically.
How many times I've heard the "smoking is stupid, it'll kill you" etc... stuff from a 5' 7" 190+lb person? Countless!

Answer 4

While I personally feel that smoking should not be allowed in certain places, I do like that the casinos and other place are putting space aside for smokers. (Though I am not one and will NEVER be.) Allowing smokers designated areas allows for everyone to be happy. If you want to go into that area and you don't smoke, then that is YOUR choice. Non-smoking areas are important for those with health problems such as asthma, as well as for children, and even the general non-smoking public. Because the truth and reality is that secondhand smoke CAN hurt others, and I feel that it IS the states' job to enforce any laws needed to keep people safe from this kind of harm. I'm not saying smokers intentionally try to hurt other people..this is far from the truth..but I do feel that people need to be protected from the harmful chemicals in the smoke. No one is telling them that they have to stop smoking..they just have to do it in a designated place. And as for not smoking in a car with a child present, or a house-as a parent you should try to protect your child's health, as well as your own, and either quit or smoke outside or where the children aren't present! Don't they want to be there for their children at a later time? If you really want something, you go for it, and while I can't speak about an addiction, I have to say this: you do what you have to for your kids, and you can at least make an effort to not smoke around them.

On another note, it would be very difficult for the government (whether if be local or national) to enforce such laws that try to protect children from the smoke..at this point in time the recent no-smoking laws will have to do. I think it would be great for laws banning smoking near children to be passed. Who knows, maybe that's next on the agenda.

Answer 5

As the owner of a business, I should have the right to allow smoking in my establishment if I want to. Why is it ok for the government to tell my how I can run my own business? If there is a sign posted identifying it as a smoking allowed establishment why should there be a problem? Non smokers can chose not to work or frequent my establishment. Non smokers get up on their high horse about this, but wait till the government trys to dictate to them what they can or cannot do in there OWN business or home or auto! I agree that smoking should be banned in restaurants as there are children present. But as adults, we should be smart enough that if there is smoking allowed in an adult establishment and you don't like it .....DON'T go there!~

Answer 6

First off, I don't believe the government can tell you what to do in your own home...PERIOD! Unfortuantly, our government is using 9/11 as an excuse to violate out rights as americans. We have no privacy, whatsoever, the Patriot Act took care of that. So basically, we can ***** and we can moan but there is nothing we can do about it. Deal with it or move out the country. I am a smoker ,so yea it pisses me off that I can't have a smoke while having a drink at the local bar/club but what can you do about it? Nothing! (Yes, I know smoking is a horrible habit and I will die...blah blah blah...well being overweight will kill you too and guess what obesity will kill you quicker!)

As far as the banning of cigs completely, it will NEVER happen. The government makes too much money off of cigs.

As far as kids go, no you shouldn't smoke around your kid but thats the parents responsiblity, it's there kid. If they want to ruin their childrens lungs, well then let em. They are grown enough to understand what they are doing.

Answer 7

I have lived in 2 cities where there is a ban on smoking in ALL public places. I smoked for 19 years and couldn't stand this law, now that I am a ex - smoker I love em and the ability to not smel like an ashtray because I went into a bar. It is a double sided sword and you will never get an non biased opinion. All I can say is the business that thought they would be negativley affected, haven't been, there all still here and making money. Most have outside "smoking patios" now.

Answer 8

I tend to agree with the ban as not only Smokers patronize these places but so do non-smokers. and I think the smokers should have the common decency and basic human respect of non-smokers not to "puff" around them. Come on, we all know that second hand smoke is just as dangerous as personally dragging the cig. I also agree that a parent should not smoke in a confined area where their children also occupy the same space.

Answer 9

It is not a matter of conscience, it is a matter of how far will we ALLOW our government to go? Are we a Socialist or Communist Society, no, we are America. I am a mother of 4 children, I smoked for 15 years. I quit 2 years ago. Up until then, I would have been one of the loudest voices for Pro Smoking in public. However, Now...I still feel the same way, I just choose not to take myself or my children to places that allow it. We are all grown ups that have voting rights, but our children don't, so it is up to us to make the responsible decisions regarding their lives, not the Governments. Now, I will get off my soap box.

Answer 10

That's true, they just passed a law that we can't smoke in any building other than a private residence in our town. It's not the government's job to make our choices for us. What next are they going to start outlawing sex unless you have a liscence and clean bill of health, to stop STDs. Or are they going to outlaw all foods with x amount of fat unless you weigh less than xxx pounds. I agree that it's ok to outlaw smoking around children, since they don't have a choice. And I also agree with no smoking in restaurants. Even I don't like to smell smoke while I eat. But in bars, bowling alleys, casinos, etc. those are places where this should just be expected. And it's not the governments job to stop smoking, they have gone too far.

Answer 11

Yes I agree :) yes, the government might be "going too far" but parents have failed at this, they need to get their head out their asses and think for a second on the harm they are causing their OWN children. So the government has to interfere and do the job for them, this may sound harsh but I just hate when people don't care about others specially the ones the say they love.