So how about this:?

Question

First: Congress passes a law that underage smoking is illegal

Second: Congress passes a law that, once every year, the legal smoking age goes up by one.

So eventually, smoking will fade out.

I know. Tobacco lobyists will never let it happen. And there will be some underage smokers. But humor me.

I use to run track and cross country (and I still would be if my school has a team). Sometimes, on practice 2-miles and 3-miles, I would run by some smokers. And I hated it; it was literally painfull. And I hate the smell and walking by it when I go from class to class. So that's why I'm very anti-smoking.

And of course, somebody will say its that persons right to smoke. But my - and everybody elses - right to good health and peace of mind IS more important than somebodies whim to smoke.

So would you support congress if it tried this?

Ok, how about this:

No public smoking. Smoke in a house, but not in public.

Don't impose sick habits on to me. I demand the RIGHT to not have to deal with it. It's my health. And I'm fed up.

Giving smokers the right to smoke in public is like giving the right to suicide bomb.

Answer 1

The smoking restrictions that our states have passed are a good thing for many people in general. But in my town, which is fairly small, our small business failure has gone up 300% in the last two years. Why? Because of a local law that restricts even taverns from allowing smoking in their establishments. Smokers are staying home or going the next town over to enjoy a cigarette with their beer. The town tried to recover by amending the law to state that taverns and restaurants who serve alcohol could pay a fee of $50/year to resume allowing smoking in their establishments but it was too late. Many of them lost their businesses. Our town realized it had gone too far in accommodating the constant drumbeat that nonsmokers pound out. I'm a non-smoker myself, but I think that some of this has just gone too far.

I'm sorry but I find it over the top and a bit hysterical sounding that you claim it was actually PAINFUL to pass by smokers when you were running. If you were running off track why didn't you just run far enough away so their smoke didn't reach you. If you were running on a track they'd have to be standing ON the track and making you run through a cloud of smoke for your body to react painfully. You hate the smell? Oh well. I hate when someone wears so much perfume I can't breathe when they walk by or stand there talking to me but should we pass a law that regulates the amount of perfume someone can put on? Your peace of mind, especially when it's concerning an attitude more than a hazard, isn't the government's job to kowtow to and protect. Are you the sort of person who would support the government passing a law to stop people from smoking on their own property? In their homes, in their own cars, in their own backyards? If so, you are the one with the problem. That means you have an elevated sense of your own importance in the world and a propensity for controlling other's lives.

Don't get me wrong, it's excellent that you don't smoke and that you hate the thought of smoking. I wish myself that the world never heard of tobacco. But I stop at trying to control the lives of others simply because I feel self-righteous about what they do and think I have the right to control everything I happen not to like. Until the government makes smoking illegal and cigarettes are purchased like drugs from drug dealers smokers do have rights. I feel we have gone as far as we dare in restricting smoking without resorting to becoming a police state. I think people have gone off the deep end about smoking. Just my opinion.

EDIT: No one is imposing anything on your health, just on your attitude. There are already enough smoking laws in effect for you to go through your entire life not having to be around it. Walking by a group of people outside smoking cigarettes isn't going to jeopardize your health. If you think it does you need a whole lot more education about smoking and need to stop buying the b.s. that nonsmoking zealots spread that has no basis in scientific fact. It is your senses that are being offended, not your body. Try to understand the difference and for God's sake try not to grow up to be a self-righteous Nazi who thinks your personal irritation is something that laws should be made to accommodate.

Answer 2

absolutely not. smokers were reasonable when it came to banning smoking is airplanes, hospitals, etc. but now people are pushing too hard and need to back off. there's already too many laws and too many freedoms being lost. smokers today, something you like tomorrow. you should make a consious decision to defend freedom, and not worry as much about exactly which freedom is under assault so you can pick and choose when to "fight back". just leave the smokers alone.

Answer 3

You know, I'm also offended by people that obviously have colds and cough in public! That is obviously a health hazard and I shouldn't have to put up that. I mean their freedom ends where my nose begins. And, come to think of it, I may be allergic to the cabbage my neighbor cooks in the apartment next door!

(This is sarcastic but you get the idea, right?)

Answer 4

Congress won't try to pass a law to end smoking. the government takes in too much tax dollars from cigarette sales to end it.

Answer 5

Nope. One more place the government doesn't need to be.

Let them go ahead and smoke. Have a good time. If you want to kill yourself feel free.

There's enough air outdoors for all of us.

Answer 6

Naw, let them smoke if they want to (adults that is.) I dont smoke but if they want yellow teeth, bad breath, cancer etc that should be their right.

Just ensure they carry their own health insurance that doesnt burden American tax payers.

Answer 7

Yah, because we know youngsters always follow the drinking and smoking laws.