Aren't recent bans outlawing smoking in public places cutting off basic freedoms?

Question

I'm originally from Oregon and in the past year they passed a law to ban smoking in all public places, restricting places that you would expect to smoke (sports bars and the like).

Would you consider this the first of many of Big Brother forcing it's rules down our throat and cutting off our freedoms?

Personally I don't smoke but I just don't want to be the one who’s left saying, “First they came for the smokers, and I didn't speak up, because I wasn't a smoker. Then they came for the drinkers, and I didn't speak up, because I wasn't a drinker. Then they came for gamblers, and I didn't speak up, because I wasn't a gambler. Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up for me.”

I'm not saying people don't have the right to clean air, but those who wish to go to specific places to smoke, shouldn't be denied that

Buttfor2007: In my mind, if there's a place that caters to people who like to vomit on each other, more power to you! I certainly won't go, but you can. Additionally, I don't smoke

Young Entrepreneur: What happens when they ban alcohol, caffeine, fattening foods, unregulated sex, or violent TV programs in the name of "my health?"

Among my unalienable Rights is the pursuit of Happiness, under it's intent, if I so choose, can open a business where I can cater to smokers, gamblers, and drinkers and you can choose not to go.

Answer 1

Your very right, and as a smoker living with that ban, I'm just waiting until all the fanatics find out how it feels.

Right now the fanatics are getting upset that we smoke outside in the open air and give us a hard time. When they confront me I say, if you had left us alone in our separately ventilated smoking rooms which were out of site and out of mind, we wouldn't be outside where everyone can see and be exposed to smoke.

The next step as you say will be alcohol and the gov't has already eluded to that. Our bars and restaurants etc have lost so much business they are going under now, we have had the non smoking ban in place for a couple of years now.

First they forced establishments to build specially ventilated rooms at great expense to themselves then a year later they said oh well, your out of luck now, you can't allow smoking any place that is covered or within 6 metres of any building.

A lot of establishments spent a lot of money to build these rooms to protect non smokers and then lost it and when they lost their smoking crowd their customers went down to 25% which was a lot of lost business. They ended up going under.

Yes I agree that they need to be seperated to respect the rights of the non smokers but not totally banned. As long as cig's are legal they should not be banned in areas set aside and properly ventilated.

Eventually we won't have any rights and then the fanatics will complain because it will be their rights taken also.

I couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you for seeing the big picture that a lot are missing.

Answer 2

Sounds like your getting it, but turn on the TV or pick up a News Paper, do you ever see or hear anyone talking about freedom?
Every time a new Ban or restriction proposed they cheer for it like it came down from All Mighty God himself.
"It's for the children", or, "It's the right thing to do" is the mantra they use.
Maybe you say "Vote um out", but who is there to vote for?
They are all the same, Its all about power, for them!
Maybe an Anti establishment revolt (like in the 1960s) could happen, but that's a big maybe. And remember the people making all these "New Laws" were part of that revolt.
Not a very pretty picture is it?

Answer 3

You have raised several issues:
- Smoking in Public.
- Forcing of Rules.
- Erosion of Freedom.
- Freedom of Expression.
- Key issue, Basic Freedom.
- Speaking Up
- Time to Speak Up

Smoking in Public. (infringed onto the Basic Freedom to Live)
It has been few years since smoking started (I think sometime in 1700s), the Science is out, and the numbers stack against Smoking.

Thus is someone can prove that, Smoking has little to not harm to people.

The Basic Freedom to Live out weight that to Smoke.


Forcing of rules/Erosion of Freedom/Freedom of Expression.
Not sure what society or country you are in. But need to exam the way Rules are created and executed, and how can it be effectively done.

If you can even raise this issue, and still live to see a reply, I dare say that your society is doing fine.

Some society worry about stuff that is heavier than Smoking, Staying Alive (Iraq).


Key issue, Basic Freedom.
Freedom that will affect the well being of one's life. i.e.
- Lack of Food,
- Lack of Water, human may expired within 48 hours.
- Lack of Air, slightly faster, minutes.
- Lack of a Car, some society have never own a car, and they have been living for hundreds if not thousands of years.
- Lack of Smoke, withdrawal symptoms are not fatal. Smoking is not a Basic Freedom. Staying Alive is.


Speaking Up
Speaking Up is important and key in a Democratic Society, it serves as a Check and Balance to those in Power. Some policy although may look good, but failed to cover all bases properly.

A Balance need to be Struck, as some minorities (Being more vocal) may slew regulations that benefits them and not that of the Greater Public Good.


Time to Speak Up
Anytime, one can Speak up, but will it be effective?

When Can One Voice Shake the World
Election Period,

Gather all the facts and argument properly. If it's an Key matter, the Ones with the most to lose will fight Tooth and Nail. Exam it with a critical eye and unbiased to ensure that it will Stand it's Ground.

Bang Drums, Shouting and Marching maybe dramatic, but it's all just drama (show). Well Crafted Letter/Article changes Mind and the World.

A Good Issue, improperly raise will not attract the attention of the Masses, and maybe sidelined as a crack pot and buried.

Answer 4

As an ex-smoker they are doing the public a favor. There are too many self centered smokers who make it bad for all. I've seen ignorant smokers throw their cigarettes out the window in drought areas and start fires, I've tried to walk in a business and just be accosted by the stench of smokers. They don't care. But I do draw the line at any law that would affect the smokers personal property like their car or home/property. Even if they have kids.

Answer 5

It is an intrusion, for all the non-smokers, you can have your very own non-smoking places, instead of getting every place tailored especially for you. Dont like it, dont go there. Its funny how corporate America wants you to smoke from all the profits they and the medical fields make from it, and then they do stuff like this. Kind of a conflict of interest, isnt it? Same reason they wont ban drinking, too much money.

You people dont want to breathe in my smoke? I dont want to breathe in your ignorance(because stupid is contagious, look at what the breakout has done to the US), BO, perfume, deodorant, nasty fruity lotion you just HAVE to put on in public crowded places, fumes from your SUVs (no i wouldnt ever own one) hair products, body spray, morning breath, and so on. Will you stop those things? If a law was passed saying you couldnt do these things even in your car would you protest? Hmm. Well it makes me sick, so to bad.


Babe, self centered smokers? We cant go anywhere and you can go anywhere, how is that self centered? Planes, busses, fine. I get that. Outside? In ventilated diners? In bars? Who's self centered? I bet you have a bad habit people dont approve of. Maybe they'll ban capri pants and dudes that wear flip flops next. Now THATS an atrocity.

Answer 6

I agree with you this is some crap..All I have to say is that if your a non smoker dont go to the places where you know smoking is going on there are places..So just leave the smokers alone...One more thing I dont smoke but I still stand up for the people who do

Answer 7

unknown friend has a point about the affect it has on the local businesses, especially bars.

they complaint I heard the most is when this law is passed, either it is ignored en mass, or those customers just don't come around anymore, meaning less cash flow.

Here is a little trivia for you.

It is a law I heard that started in California.
Californians leave California to nearby states, to get away from California, but they want to change where they live into Californian policies.

Whatever, doesn't make much sense to me.

Oh and two points for me.

Answer 8

When a private membership club is defined as a public place, the answer is yes. Private Clubs are right of association and the members vote on the rules.

Answer 9

Wow. That's blowing my mind a little bit, because someone just read me that earlier today and I hadn't heard it in so many years...

YES! Thank you. Please. Why is it that we feel we must subscribe to the vice in order to support it? Yes, it is certainly convienient for people to be indifferent about an issue that has gained negative associations when they are essentially unaffected by it.

Sure. I smoke. Must my opinion be discounted simply because I am not disinterested? And, yes, living in poverty, I might stand to benefit from socialism.

I care about things that don't necessarily affect me. Religion. Gay rights. Immigration. Fuel-efficient cars. Decriminalization of marijuana. Prostitution. Foie Gras.

I appreciate someone "outside" of the issue willing to speak up for my right to smoke OUTSIDE of a hospital!

Answer 10

two words: secondhand smoke

smoking in public places is bad for anyone that is surrounded by the smoking, even if they don't smoke. people who are inhaling smoke from other people are at as much of a health risk as if they actually smoked. it is putting public safety first, not taking away rights. banning ciggaretes from a large area would be, even though it would be good for health.