should smoking be banned in public places?

Question

make arrguements that support your point of view.mention issues that might work against.

Answer 1

Both smokers and non smokers have a right to be in public. The non smoker has chosen not to subject themselves to something that can cause damage to their health and they have the right to do so. A smoker has the right to smoke, but not the right to subject others to his or her smoke. A polite smoker asks permission to light up and refrains from doing so if anyone objects (without argument). (A polite smoker also extinguishes their cigarette and disposes of them properly, not all over the street.) When someone smokes in public they force others to be exposed to their smoke and can trigger asthma attacks and other health problems. Since many smokers have taken this on as a political right, it is necessary to ban smoking in public places where everyone needs to go such as the grocery store, government buildings and so forth. Only allow smoking in private places where people can opt to go or not to go.
It's banned here in California (public places) and has helped alot. It doesn't keep people from smoking. Just limits the exposure of second hand smoke for those who are smart enough not to smoke.

Answer 2

While I recognize the unfairness to smokers, I must say as an asthmatic and a non-smoker that I support the ban in SOME public places. I'm from the US (don't know if you're talking about the UK), so here one cannot smoke in restaurants, in some bars at the discretion of the owner, and within 20ft of a public building. I personally find it reasonable. While I understand it's an addiction, I feel that the more limitations placed on smokers the better. It's like letting an alcoholic drink and be rowdy wherever they are, they'll obviously bother someone with their addiction as they will effect others around them. Smoking is becoming more taboo because people are bothered by it. Frankly it stinks and it's an extremely unattractive and unhealthy habit. The more lives we can save by banning it the better. Lung cancer is a terrible thing to live through as it oral cancer, emphasema, and chronic bronchitis. I've watched relatives suffer through the adverse effects of smoking and it's unneccessary to die before your time just for a silly ciggarette.

Answer 3

As a smoker (current, not former), I agree that smoking should be banned in ENCLOSED public places. I also believe that an area should be set aside outside those places, that is away from the thoroughfare and be equipped with ashtrays or similar. When I want to smoke (even OUTSIDE) in company, I always check that nobody minds - if they do, I wait.

Here in the UK, we are only just bringing in legislation that bans smoking in public places, I for one, am happy to see that happen - I don't want or need somebody else's smoke wafting over me as I'm about to eat a meal (mother, take note)!

It seems that a lot of people here though, do have a problem with the ban, yet are quite happy to smoke outside while visiting or on vacation in the US - I've talked with a few, while we've been standing outside a restaurant or bar, mutually committing suicide by tobacco (is that evidence of mental aberration or what?).

Smoking around children should never be allowed; parents who smoke should be responsible and do so away from their children, preferably outside.

Here, they (the government) say that eventually, smoking will be banned everywhere - that will never happen - far too much is earned in taxes on tobacco for that. I don't know how much the US government earns in taxes on tobacco (I know a pack of cigs averages about $3-3.50), but here (same pack of cigs is £5.50 or about $9.50) about 8/10s of the price is tax. Adds up to billions every year - no government is going to risk losing that.

Answer 4

I smoke. I don't mind that smoking has been banned in a number of states, including my own, to keep people from smoking in public buildings, work places, restaurants; in general any place considered to be public & enclosed.
I do not think that any business that has provided a seperate smoking area, with good ventulation, should have to bar patrons after they went to the expense of making those provisions for the non smoker.
Now they want to ban smoking in your own car if children are in the car. This is going too far. As the legal guardian of those children & the person who must provide for them; they should not have their right to drive while smoking when children are present interferred with by the government. My daughter rolls down the windows, no matter the weather & makes sure the smoke is going outside of the car. What next, your home invaded because you are a known smoker?

Answer 5

They've banned smoking in public places (i.e. restaurants, bars, bowling alleys) where I go to college. It hasn't discouraged people from smoking in general, but it has lead to an increase in cigarette butts on the street/sidewalk, since most places don't have ash trays outside. Another possible side effect would be a tax increase due to lost revenue from the government's tax on cigarettes.
I believe it should be a personal choice though and think it is an infringement on people's rights and that it could lead to negative repercussions. I also think it should be the establishment's choice as to whether or not they want to allow smoking.

Answer 6

Smoking is a choice, which should not be denied, which is why you're allowed to smoke in private places. Smoking is not allowed in public because second hand smoke is a risk to other people's health, not just your own. But accommodations, like specified smoking places can/are be used.

Answer 7

Yes! It isn't fair for the rest of us non smokers to have to breathe in the fumes which can give us second hand cancer. If they're going to smoke, they should only do it in private where we won't be able to smell it. having a smoking section in a public place is like having a peeing section in a pool!

Answer 8

Hi,

An answer from Europe....

(So that hopfully you don´t make the same mistake in the USA...)

In Europe we are facing a basic ban on smoking...
Especialy this year...

We are listening to all basic arguments,
And they re all true....


Smoking is bad for health...
Smoking kills...
And smoking annoys some people...

BUT our governments make millions... billions with taxes...
they say they lose on health care but they make money with people dying younger...


The worst is...

They don´t want to forbid ...

Why not....

Because they make billions...

Think about it... if it´s that bad, it would be banned....
It is that bad....
So either ban it, and stop making money,
Or stop complaining !

Answer 9

Yes, because non-smokers should be protected from the dangers of second-hand smoke.

No, because... you know what? Too bad for smokers! The trend is for smoking to be banned in public places. Quit smoking already!

Answer 10

Absolutely not.

The government is too intrusive as it is. Secondly, the affects of second-hand smoke has been greatly over-exaggerated. Third, why is it that every time someone else is inconvenienced, I lose more of my freedoms?