Smoking in public places... what do you think?

Question

I am writing a research paper for my English class that involves reading some polls and whatnot. I wanted to find out from Answers people what they thought. Here's the question: Do you think smoking should be allowed in public places? If you do, should it be restricted or not restricted? Why? If you don't think that smoking should be allowed at all, why?
Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Answer 1

im a non smoker and i believe that smoking should be banned from public places because i do not want to put myself at risk for second hand smoke. i also hate coming home from a club and my clothing and hair reek of smoke.smoking is banned in ny from public places and i believe more and more states are hopping on the band wagon. good luck with your research paper.

Answer 2

Yes, smoking should be allowed in public places; I think that restrictions should be used (restaurants: not during the 'lunch' or 'dinner' hour; all smokers should be seated no further than two tables away from a window or public access doorway to allow for ventilation, etc.). Smokers are members of the public, and so should be allowed (especially based on the taxes they pay when buying cigarettes!) to participate equally as members of the public, in using public forums and attending public events.

Later Daze! =)

Answer 3

I say smoking should be allowed in public, but only if you have your own cigarettes.

I believe the tobacco industry and smokers are the scapegoat for the polluters in this country who are the real cause for lung disease. A friend of mine in med school has viewed the lungs of many cadavers and there is hardly a difference between smokers and non-smokers, but a huge difference between city folk and country folk. What would you rather do? Spend 5 hours crammed in a room full of smokers, or spend 15 minutes in a room with a running gas motor?

Answer 4

I smoke. to be continued....
Thank you for your patience. This ONCE I didn't want to post a long answer and have it buried at the end of the third page.
Forgive my ego.
Here in Ohio, smoking has been banned indoors.
I WILL NOT defend my right to expose others to toxic substances, however the bar business is suffering BADLY at the expense of this ban, and this will only worsen as the weather does the same.
BY ACTUAL HEAD COUNT, 68% of the REGULARS in the bar where I DJ on the weekends SMOKE ,and those who attended my shows before the ban never complained about the smoking!
Now, the bar OWNER'S rights to determine what kind of LEGAL (well, legal before this ban was emplaced) activities their PATRONS may participate in have been denied.
Ban smoking in restaurants where one may eat undisturbed and other such places. A smoker may eat, then LEAVE in order to fuel one's habit.
In a BAR scenario, if the smoker intends to spend his entire evening there, does the law NEED to thrust him out in the elements along WITH said majority, for the sake of the FEW who find smoking (rightfully) objsectionable??? I think NOT!

Answer 5

I think that whoever owns the property should make those rules. I think that "no smoking in restaraunts" ordinances are an example of overreaching government. It should be up to the owner to decide.

Answer 6

Smoking is no different then drinking in public. It is up to the comsumer. Some people will think nothing of you, others will think its gross.

Answer 7

smoking in public lets say out in a park or walking down the street etc. etc. should be allowed. When it comes to bars and restaurants, you are going to get people with mixed emotions on this one. Lets say where i live in kansas city, you are able to smoke in most bars and most restaurants have a smoking area. I think it is fine, if people didnt want to be around smoke or people who are smoking, they can go to a place where they dont allow it, dont ruin it for everybody else to satisfy your wants/needs. There are a couple bars here that used to allow it, and just recently banned smoking, i know lots of people who have stopped going to that bar and gone to another one because of it. People want to go to a place and be in a place whether its private or public and feel comfortable. Unfortunately you cant make ends meet for both types of people, the non smokers and the smokers. but i dont think they should ban smoking in public areas. Like i said, if people dont like it, there are 50 million other places where they can go. jsut my opinion :o)

EDIT-those above saying that "we should do it in the privacy of our own homes so it doesnt bother others, or if we want an early grave thats up to us, but dont dont give me one"
again read above. not everybody in the world is going to be happy, like someone else said, if you're at a place that allows smoking, that is the owners decision, not yours. so if you happen to go into a bar or restaurant that allows smoking and you dont like it, dont ***** and moan and be a little girl about it, just go find another place that doesnt allow it, and leave us smokers in peace. im sorry if you guys dont like smoking, but its our decision and our way of life, and there is nothing you can do about it, life goes on, if you dont like it, dont hang around people that smoke. end of story.

EDIT again :o)-for those of you who dont smoke and have a problem with public smoking and who think it should be banned so you non smokers will feel comfortable and not have to be exposed to it. think about that over and over, you are making it all about YOU. we smokers have rights too, not just you guys. again think about it.

Answer 8

I think its definatley wrong. People who want to harm themselves shouldnt do it to others..

Answer 9

I don't have a problem with it
so I think it should be alright

Answer 10

it should be done in the privacy of your own home so it doesn't bother others.