Smokers rights. Do you think they should ban smoking in bars and restraunts?

Question

I'm doing a debate in my comp class and would love to have other peoples opinions for pro-smoking in public.

Answer 1

I think it should be left to the discretion of the restaurant or bar owner. If they want to create a smoke free environment, then they should be free to do so.

If a large amount of their customer base consists of smokers and they want to cater to that crowd, they should be able to allow smoking in their establishment.

If a non-smoker doesn't want to be affected by secondhand smoke, they could choose to go to a smoke free establishment.

Answer 2

They only started all these bans and encouraging people not to smoke when the law suits against tobacco companies started rolling in. I don't think that is a coincidence.
I'm a smoker. I know it is bad for my health and others around me. I don't mind in the least bit if someone I am with doesn't want to be around my smoke. I respect that.
But, if they banned smoking in restaurants (they haven't yet where I live) then to tell you the truth, I would not be going out to eat.
My favorite thing is to kick back after a big meal and have some coffee, a cigarette and a chat. If I can't do that at a restaurant then I will just stay home where I can do it.
It would be nice if restaurants could accommodate both smokers and non-smokers. If they had a completely seperate room for smokers then in my opinion that would solve a lot.
So, I would have to say NO to bans. But, YES to trying to accommodate both parties.

Answer 3

I'm a smoker...and yes smoking should be restricted or banned in confined spaces where others may inhale the smoke.

The troubling part of all this is that a man's business is his own, and the business owner should be the one making this decision rather than the Nanny State. The free market would take over from there, if the owner allowed smoking, those that objected would not trade there. Similarly, if smoking were not allowed by the owner, then smokers could decide if they wanted to trade there. It's called freedom, and young people these days apparently can not grasp that.

Answer 4

I am a smoker,and have no problem with not smoking while I am at a restaurant. I can wait to have a cigarette until I get home. I don't go to bars,so that one doesn't apply and I don't feel comfortable answering that for others.
I do feel though,that a smoking ban should be left up to the owner of that particular place. It shouldn't be up to the government. Smokers and non smokers can chose to patronize the establishment that adheres to their wishes.
Now,if the government tells me I can't smoke in the home that I am paying for,that I would have a problem with. I feel that would be pushing it too far.

Answer 5

I have no problem with going outside at a restaurant but bars are a different thing. People who dont smoke usually dont go to bars that often. We have a smoking ban and it is only 2 months old but many bars are laying off employees and not hiring bands as they have lost business. The non somkers who said they would come out and make up the lost business have not shown up. A bar owner should be able to decide that on his own.

Answer 6

This is a tough one if you are going on "rights", because a smoker's rights clash with non-smokers rights, so what is the "RIGHT" thing? (whoa too many rights). I would say yes that smoking should be banned in bars and restaurants, because it harms the other nonsmokers in there. Secondhand smoke is more harmful than firsthand because it's not going through a filter. The "right" to smoke is not being taken away, it's just more of a common courtesy to those who do not smoke.

Answer 7

I'm a smoker, but I'll give points to the argument that my habit should not infringe on other's rights. Meaning, a non-smoker shouldn't be forced to deal with the 2nd hand smoke from my habit. 2nd hand smoke is just as dangerous, I made my choice, but I have no right to force it on other people. With that being said, there's little argument against banning smoking in public places, unless you can absolutely isolate the 2nd hand smoke.

Answer 8

Smoking has been banned in restaurants and some bars in CT for a while now and going out is so much more pleasant.
Phillip Morris admits on their own website that there is enough evidence to justify regulating smoking in public places. It increases your risk for cancer and heart disease and aggravates symptoms for people with asthma. I don't want to subject myself or my children to that risk. On top of all that it smells!
It should absolutely be banned.

Answer 9

yes! the smokers can jsut as eassyly walk outside, without harming the heath of the others around them. If the smoker doesnt want to walk outside because he is either just too lazy, or he doesnt want to get cold, then he can quit. I believe this law would help reduce the number of smokers in the country, and help those non smokers who like to hang around in those areas

Answer 10

i dont know where you are from but i am from NJ and it has been baned for some time in NJ and NY and i dont like it. cant even smoke in public parks; have to go to "designated areas"
There is the freedom, in one little corner where you can have second and first hand smoke at the same time.

Generally people smoke while waiting or after meal to digest food. I just take my time ordering going out coming back eating half the food, going out again.....