I just heard a report on MSNBC that some jurisdictions may make it illegal to smoke in your own home?

Question

Do you support that? Are proper food and health decisions that important.

Answer 1

I don't see where anyone in any government can make it illegal to do something within the privacy of your own home. That in my opinion is too much like a dictatorship then a democracy. For any one government to do something like that, that is basically taking away a person's personal rights according to the amendments which is unconstitutional. I can see where they can have more of a say over public places but not Private homes and vehicles.

Proper food and health decisions are always important but some people take it to the extremes so much that they are more then willing to take away someones personal rights, which is totally wrong in my book.

Answer 2

As a former smoker (smoke-free 10yrs+), I think that cigarette smoking should be illegal altogether, because we now know for a fact, that it WILL KILL US. But since it's big business, and the government makes a ton of money off of it, that will NEVER happen.

I don't think that it should be illegal to smoke in your own home, but if you're a renter, you're doing damage to someone else's property.

I've read that there are public-housing authorities across the U.S. that have already, or will very soon ban smoking in all their rental units. I myself, am a renter, but I do agree with the smoking ban for rentals. This would eliminate the dangers of second-hand smoke on neighbors, and preparing an apartment for a new renter is much more costly if the previous tenant was a smoker.

Answer 3

I'm not a smoker, but I don't understand the reasons for banning smoking. Is it the smell, is it the cancer causing thing?
Have you ever smelled the exhaust of a car? Does it smell like "water"? No sir. Ask the government what is in the fumes and, if they give you a straight answer, you'll be suprised.
They just play on the technological ignorance of the average citizen.
Now, I want to see the first asshole legislator who proposes to prohibit the use of cars, trucks, planes, trains, factories, etc.
Oh, also food additives and genetically manipulated meat and grains. Ask them also about those too when you're at it.
Really....

Answer 4

I think you're hearing about the idea from California for those living in apartment complexes to be banned from smoking. I can understand where the landlord would want a smoke-free building and to not have to deal with the tar and smoke damage before moving in a new customer, but it sounds outrageous to make it a law.
However, the argument is that those living next to smokers would also then be able to call the police to make their neighbors never smoke near them. Part of this stems from what is defined as a public place. Ohio is having issues with deciding if apartments and condos constitute as public places.
I think its not a matter of getting people to quit smoking, but this is more about those allergic to smoke and the possibility of secondhand. If smoking cigarrettes only affected the smoker it wouldn't a problem, but secondhand also causes cancer and other health problems. Some could argue the smoker next door is a killer because he/she gave them cancer.

Answer 5

The city of Berkley Ca. passed an ordinace years ago that technically did so. It is unenforceable. Any elected official who trys to get something like this should not be re-elcted. If put to a general vote would be defeated. If enacted would probably be struck down in court.
Just the thought of the proposal should scare the hell out of people, no matter how much you oppose smoking.
What next? If you are fat you should go to jail until you get your weight down?

Answer 6

The are voting on that somewhere in Los Angeles county. The issue is secondhand smoke and no one wants to be subject to that when you do not own your home, so they are trying to make it a law in mulit-unit complexes like apartments, condo and townhome rentals. Many places in California will charge you higher rent if you smoke because of the insurance risk and unit damage from smoke stains, let alone the lingering smell. No one wants to rent a unit that smells of smoke.

Answer 7

After smoking for 35 years I finally quit in June of 06. I swore not to become one of those preachers, that irritate smokers to no end, about quiting.
So, NO, I do not support that legislation!
My father was a lawyer and told me as a child that one mans rights end, where another mans rights begin.
You should be able to do anything you want in your own home. Well anything lawful anyway.

Answer 8

I don't support it because tobacco isn't an illegal substance in the U.S. and until a bill is passed to make it illegal I don't support making it illegal for people to smoke in their homes.

Edit: I'd like to add that I am a non smoker.

Answer 9

Well.. if you are going to make cigarrettes completely illegal, then do that.. because they are just as bad for you as some other drugs that are allready illegal.. But it would have to be a nationwide thing..

Unless they want to go ahead and classify tobacco as an illegal drug "like marijuana" then they don't have any buisness telling people what they can or can't do in their own home.

But if they DO want to make cigarrettes illegal, then I think they do have te right, becuaes they are just as bad for you as some other illegal drugs..and just as addictive..

BTW... if the issue is what you do in the privacy of your own home is not the government's buisness... then what about murdering someone in the privacy of your own home.. what about molesting a child in the privacy of your own home.. is that noone else's buisness????

Answer 10

I could see that happening. It starts with simple things like regulating what you can do outside and ends with controlling every last move a person makes in the privacy of their own home. Goodbye freedom, hello big brother. That's big government for you!