Why are some people so ticked off by the smoking ban?

Question

First of all, let me say that I have nothing against smokers. However, I have to say that, like a lot of other people, I don't enjoy having my eyes or my nostrils burn thanks to secondhand smoke. Of course, that's not to mention the fact that studies have conclusively shown that secondhand smoke causes cancer. And anyway, it's not as if people have been completely forbidden to smoke. Rather, it's only in certain public places. I understand that the smoking ban probably inconveniences a lot of people, but can't smokers understand the fact that some of us don't want to breathe in their smoke?

Answer 1

People are upset over smoking bans because they feel that business owners should have the right to decide which clientele they would like to cater to.

Answer 2

We are against the government mandating it. If a restaurant chooses to ban it or if a bar or other place wishes to allow it should be entirely up to the owner of that business.

If we do not like his decision we can go elsewhere. If bar patrons do not like smoke, they will flock to a bar that bans it. I really hate having the government dictate legal behavior. If cigarette smoking and second hand smoke is actually as damaging as they claim, then it should be outlawed entirely.

If you do not see the necessity to ban it, then it cannot be all that dangerous. If your decision is, instead, based on some people finding it annoying, there are plenty of other things that are annoying, too. Shall we start banning loud speakers in cars? Shall we ban bad breath? Shall we ban unpopular speech?

If the concern is really the health of the employees, then offer the employees respirators. That is what any business with hazardous fumes does. The employee has the choice, wear the respirator or not; work there or not.

No, I am not a smoker.
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Answer 3

sure, smoking is bad for you... however, the line needs to be drawn... people go from one extreme to another... Alcohol is bad for us also, and what about the innocent that are killed by a drunk driver? well, sure there are laws, but I may not have an option about being on the road at the same time as a drunk driver, whereas I have the option to be around a smoker or not. Courtesey is needed by a lot of smokers, however, all should not be punished because of the few.

No one seems to care about all the diesel exhaust I breathe during the day (construction site) nor do they care about the toxic fumes that I have to breathe when zinc or galvanized steel is being welded... but if a building inspector sees me smoking a cigarette in open air on a construction site.. anywhere on the site, near or away from people, I can be cited and fined.

People, the witch hunts ended long ago

Answer 4

I see where you're coming from. But, there's a little more to consider, in my opinion. It's by no means a simple question to answer.

I think some people rightly believe that broad governmental restrictions to an individual's day-to-day activities should be avoided if at all possible. Smoking is a disgusting habit, I grant, and it affects everyone in the proximity. But consider the precedent one is setting if, say, the US Supreme Court suddenly decided that all smoking is unconstitutional, as it infringes upon the right to privacy of those it indirectly affects (frankly this isn't entirely out of the realm of possibility). It just seems too draconian. What else might they decide to restrict? Loud music affects all around us. So does harsh language. (Granted it doesn't cause cancer, and is hence less dangerous.) But nonetheless consider the precedent.

The principle here, which I agree with, is that the government should only minimally be allowed to impede upon simple freedoms.

I don't disagree that there should be restrictions on smoking, like what is already in place: no smoking areas, dedicated smoking sections in restaurants, and such. But to tell someone they simply CAN'T smoke is pushing it, to me. If I want to allow someone in my bar to smoke, that's my business.

Answer 5

I'm for most smoking bans in public locations. But there are some I consider ridiculous. There are a few state beaches that have banned smoking. The reason? Some people got together and said it's disgusting to step on cigarette butts and that they trash the beach. I wonder if they know what else they're stepping on? As for the trash aspect, I see litter all the time. Perhaps a ban against drinking and eating on the beach should be in effect, too.

Answer 6

The ban takes away the rights of business owners. It should be their decision whether or not to allow a fully legal activity on their premises.

As for public areas (ie. sidewalks) again no ban should happen. Public land belongs to all people-that includes me and other smokers. Now I agree that blowing it in people's faces is not ok-I make sure to smoke away from non-smokers and am careful about where my smoke goes. If someone isnt, then arrest them for that, dont punish all of us. If someone wants to be that rude, feel free to give them an attempted murder charge (via second hand smoke causing cancer) for all I care, but dont punish me because someone else is a jerk.

Answer 7

As a former smoker I can say that I think smoking bans are a little too much. If the clientele of a establishment is so against smoking that they are willing to not patron the place, then the owner/management should and would change the rules about smoking in their establishment to keep the business there.

Answer 8

I can understand people who dont want to be around smoke, but here is my take on the smoking bans.....

I fully support bans in some public places, such as malls, restaurants and venues where small children may gather, BUT I do not support bans in bars, I feel that is taking it a little too far. I feel it should be up to the bars owners to decide whether or not to allow smoking - that way you can have places you can go and not be around smoke and there are places I can go where I can smoke.

That said, I always try to be courteous when around others - I do not smoke around children - EVER - when around other who do not smoke, I always ask if they mind (and yes I have been told they rather I woudlnt, so I refrained until later on).

Answer 9

It is not the ban per say that is upsetting. If a restraurant or bar owner wants to ban smoking in their place of business that is fine, it is THEIR business. And you as a consumer have the same right to choose whether you want to frequent a smoking or no smoking place. What isn't right is the government deciding for the business owners that they can not allow a perfectly legal activity to take place within their place of business.

Answer 10

it's not so much the ban that smokers are upset about... it's just the continual bombardment of actions against those that smoke... raising cigarette taxes... the ban of smoking in public places... restrictions on how far you can be to a public place to smoke.. just seems as though smokers are being singled out for their bad habits. isn't drinking alcohol as bad? or how about eating 4 bic macs in a sitting? i don't see a heavy tax on greasy fries.. or making people who drink sit in a designated section... my point is, people wanna single out a certain bad habit.. but only when it suits them... let's see how many put up with paying an extra 1.00 in taxes for a meatlover's pizza from Pizza Hut....

Answer 11

I can agree with nonsmoking areas. there should be places where smoking is allowed. Ismoke and I try not to inconvienience nonsmokers in any way. Even when I'm outside I tear the filter off when I'm finished, put it in my pocket to put in the trash later. That way I'm not littering roads, streets, parking lots and so on. I do feel that it's unfair that the nonsmoker benefits from the taxes levied on the purchase of tobacco products. My feeling is that any and all taxes levied against those who smoke or chew should be used soley for their benefit especially now with the new laws. Even before these latest bans most nonsmokers had minimal to no contact with tobacco smoke. They more than likely had quite a lot more contact with exhaust fumes and thats alot more carbon dioxide. T4