Smoking bans....... your thoughts????

[Camelot Farms]

Stepping onto soap box, knowing I will be knocked off. lol

Yes. Smoking should be banned in public places. Cars should be considered public places and people who smoke while driving with children in the car with the windows rolled up should be tarred and feathered.
OK...maybe not tarred and feathered but you get the idea.

If it is illegal to both SELL alcohol to a minor and to PURCHASE alcohol as a minor then the same should be true of tobacco.

We ex-smokers are the worst arent we?

 

[Carols Clucks]

We have had no smoking laws for so long here, that I forget when I go to another state.

The experience of going to a 7-11 and watching the L O N G hanging ash off the employees cigarette as she poured my cup of coffee will last a long time. Thankfully, it fell off as she took my money and after I had my cup of coffee

 

[desertdarlene]

I have asthma and smoke also bothers my eyes. For a long time, I felt "locked out" of certain establishments because there was so much smoking that I would have an asthma attack. Now, I can go out and enjoy the things that other people enjoy. I am reminded of how it used to be when I visit Arizona and Nevada.

However, I have noticed that it's not always enforced in a smoke-free state like California. If you go to certain small towns in my state, you will find many establishments where people are smoking and nothing is being done about it. Their attitude is that if the 400 or 500 people in that town don't have a problem with it, then why should they care about what visitors think or feel. Often, the law enforcement of these towns are smokers and don't care, either. So, I have to be careful what restaurants I visit in some towns.

 

[love-my-wolves]

I am actually doing an essay on smoking.

Did you know that even having a "closed" off smoking room will still be unhealthy to EVERYONE else in the building?? Second hand smoke is distributed throughout a building by the ventilation systems, even if not running!!! Also, smoking outside doesn't quite cut it either, wind will make smoke travel, and the smoke enters your blood stream within 5 minutes! So even walking past a smoker will potentially harm your platelets. Also, the smoke that is left on clothes and furniture will still enter your bloodstream by touch or if close enough by inhaling it. With all that said, my husband and I are children of smoking parents. My husband and I don't smoke, but my kids are still allowed to visit the grandparents. Do I worry about their health? Yes and no. No, I don't want them to smoke, no I prefer the grandparents don't smoke in the house while they are their. Yes, I know they are going to be exposed to smoke. Yes, I know there are other, BIGGER things I worry about, like teenage pregnancy for my girls, whether they will be well rounded adults when they grow up. To be honest, there are very few things that are completely healthy in our world. The air is full of pollution, the water is full of heaven knows what, food can have salmonella, mad cow, disease, rot, etc. In the grand scheme of things, I am totally for the ban, but it really is just apples and oranges. Once smoking is banned completely, what else will we ban? What will be the newest "health scare"? Just my 2 cents.

 

[Laurajean]

Quote:
It's legal somewhere in the U.S. for a minor to buy tobacco?? I thought we did away with that a long time ago.

 

[Spookwriter]

Smoking bans suit me, and I'm a smoker.

People should consider the other people who are around them.

I enjoy not smoking with my meals...I tend to eat my meals with
my family. They don't smoke. But that doesn't mean other people
shouldn't enjoy a smoke after dinner.

I wouldn't dream of smoking in MOST of my home. I smoke in my office,
nowhere else in the house. I spend a lot of time in this room. Maybe weird,
but I can only smoke with my left hand. Doesn't feel normal in my right hand.

Neither do I smoke in "her" car, the family sedan. Ashtray has never been used.
I do smoke in "my" pickup, but only when I can ride with the window down. And I
smoke in the big garage...not in her attached garage.

I've come to realize I might not like the smell of cigarettes. Don't smoke in the
mornings at all. Sometime around 11 or so. I do smoke more late at night.

But do I agree with a total smoking ban? No, not really. I still think people should
be held to a standard of being considerate of those around them. If it looks like a
reasonable place to not smoke, don't light up. If you need to smoke...walk away, find
a spot to smoke where you aren't forcing other people to breathe it.

 

[cassie]

Quote:
In our area it has been pretty much the opposite. That said, smoking is optional, breathing is mandatory. And there are serious health concerns for people who work every day all day in a smoke filled environment.

 

[TinkleTurkey]

I went to visit my grandmother in north carolina and I'm from california and also washington where smoking is banned in all restaraunts. i was just appalled that I could not grab a bite to eat. Non smoking section, you say???

having a smoking section in a restaurant is like having a peeing section in a pool. No thank you.

Oh also, I am particularly bothered by smoking during work time. Ok you are entitled to your breaks blah blah. But I had a job where I ended up taking on considerably more work than my co-workers, who would be around the corner having a cigg, and give me a shrug when stuff came up, like, "I'm busy smoking, can't you do it?" But then, I'm pretty sure theres a law about that people will always break the rules. I know not all smokers are inconsiderate.

Although I have nothing against an individual's rights to smoke if they choose, just rather where they aren't interferring with other folks breathing space. Not in front of an entrace to a public building or store, not in a restaraunt, not in a park.
It should be common courtesy, not law.

 

[Teach97]

I don't like the bans. Figure if a person owns a business they should be allowed to call the shots. If they want to attract the patrons that want a smoke free environment then they should advertise as such. If they want smokers and those that don't care then great. Really can't understand the argument that folks feel like they have a right to tell folks how to run a business. Figured if they want my money they will cater to me...if not..I ain't missing out on any of that.

Government buildings and places you have to go because you just don't have any alternative....I don't see an issue with a ban there. Plenty of oflks have reason to not want to be around smoke. So if you are gonna make folks go there....don't have the smoking.

And no....I don't smoke, never have smoked, and I don't go where there is smoking. I have plenty of friends that smoke and they don't do it where I have to breathe it.

 

[redhen]

Quote:
Goood point! I agree 100%! If its MY business..i should get the say if folks can smoke or not,..yep! Makes 100% sense to me... and people have the free choice to go there or not... as they wish.

ETA: i dont smoke either... never have.