Do you think the smoking ban in public places should be lifted?

Question

Smoking is a right, and by no means should be impeded upon by the government. What do you think, do you agree with it or disagree?

Answer 1

Smoking is not a right, it's a choice that people make. Kinda like, drinking, drugs and the like - all choices not rights.
I work in a medical facility and we have a resource centre with actual lungs etc. from non-smokers vs. smokers and let me tell you, once you see that you realize just how much smoking really affects your health, you might not feel the effects right away but over a prolonged period of time it can do some serious damage. However, I have known older people who smoked all their lives and died of totally natural causes, nothing to do with smoking at all. Which seems strange to me. But anyways, back to your question: what about all those people who don't smoke but are exposed to it on a regular basis because a smoker doesn't respect that they made a choice not to smoke??? Make sense?
The government is only involved because they want people to lead healthier life styles and smoking has been proven to cause health problems, I don't think they're making any money on it, more spending it on the campaign against smoking.
Get this: I'm a 'closet smoker', one of those people who smokes when I'm super stressed out or pissed off. I know it's not good for me but my stupid a** still does it every once in a while, although I am considerate of people who don't smoke and respect them for the choice they made so I'll find somewhere that permits smoking before I light up.
Ultimately what I'm saying here is that I don't agree with the words you used to ask the question - smoking was never a right it was a choice.

Answer 2

Even as a smoker, I find smoking indoors around non-smokers to be just plain rude...not everyone likes the smell while they are trying to eat.

However, at the same time, I think that it should be up to the business owner and property owner as to whether smoking should be allowed in the establishment or not. That way, non-smokers would be attracted to the non-smoking business, while smokers would gravitate towards where they are accepted.

Having said that, non-smokers need to remember only thing...you can get lung cancer even if you've never been around any kind of smoke. There are many causes of it. The chance of getting cancer from second hand smoke alone is 2.5 in 1,000,000.

Answer 3

I do not believe any public smoking ban should be repealed. I also do not believe you are correct in stating that smoking is a right. There is no guarantee in the Constitution to smoke unless you argue that it is a right to life (shortened) liberty and the pursuit of happiness. You have an entitlement to smoke and you can smoke as long as your smoking does not interfere with someones "right" not to inhale your second hand smoke. While I agree it should be an individuals choice whether to smoke or not it seems that some of the rudest people in public are those who think everyone else should be subjected to the harmful, cancer causing, smelly second hand smoke that smokers think they are "entitled" to inflict on anyone within 20 feet of them.

Answer 4

I smoked for over 30 years, and I agree they shouldn't ,since now they know for a fact the second hand smoke in more dangerous than the smoker experiences. Plus children that are exposed to second hand smoke have a higher rate of ear infections and asthma. I think as a smoker if your want your right to smoke you should be considerate enough to respect the rights of people that do not want to be exposed to it. A good example is drinking alcohol, you cant drink in public. But at at the same time I don't want to see anybody lose their right to drink it.

Answer 5

My husband is a smoker and I don't want to take away his rights, but what will he do if I get lung cancer from second hand smoke and die an early death? He would blame himself and then decide that smoking in public and exposing others to the same fate as mine would be wrong. So what is the answer? Go ahead and smoke, but not around others and not in confined places like your house, a bar, a store, etc. they become toxic.

My husband wants to quit sooooo bad, but the addiction is extremely strong. He is one of the most considerate smokers I know and he will quit, but patience is a virtue right now. It's too bad that the government has to step in, but with addictions as bad as they are someone has to step in. I must agree with the bans, because what is happening now will affect the future with our children. We are setting it up for our future generations to be healthier and educating them before they start... is a great start. It will take quite a few years to see the effect of all the education, but it will be worth it.

Answer 6

I absolutely disagree. The old rule is that your rights stop at the end of another man's nose. There is no credible question about the dangers of second hand smoke. For you to smoke in public is an assault upon all the people who do not smoke -- many of whom fought long battles to quit. It effects their health and well being. It's just like punching them in the nose.

The bans should NOT be lifted.

Regards,

Reynolds
[e-mail]

Answer 7

Completely disagree. Why subject children (of all ages) to second hand smoke and not give them an option. As opposed to drinking which by law does limit it to 21.
Always think of the best interest for the little people.

Heck, I wish all states adopted the "smoking in the car while your kids are in it" law. The tobacco companies profit from this in the future from these poor kids growing up in that type of environment.

Answer 8

Rights are extended to the individual only insofar as they do not impede on the rights of others.

Smoke at home or outside.

And yes...I am a smoker.

I have a right to smoke, but not to make other people inhale my smoke.

I actually prefer not smelling smoke in resturants, etc.

And I don't smoke in my house, cause it stinks and is not good for my cats or dog, either.

Answer 9

Yes. It should be.
The law hurts bars and clubs.

If you don't want to be around smoke. Don't go to bars that allow smoking. It's that simple. There are plenty of bars that don't allow smoking.

And the myth that second hand smoke is worse for you then smoking is ridiculous.

Answer 10

Oh my gosh, NO> We have a public ban in our city
and it is working out just grand. Us non-smokers
don't have to breathe second-hand smoke anymore.
I read where they may ban smoking in private cars...
now I don't know how they'd ever enforce that...kinda
rediculous.