Get a Widget for this title
RSS FeedShould smoking be allowed in public places?
Title endorsed in part by:
Results so far:
| Yes | 39% | 2230 votes | Total: 5725 votes | |
| No | 61% | 3495 votes |
Yes
Write now
Print
Invite a writer™
Add to FavoritesI'll start first with the obvious, I smoke. I've enjoyed smoking for all of my adult life. I smoke about 1/2 a pack a day on average. I don't drink, I don't take drugs, I don't abuse my kids, my friends or anyone else. I have one vice I enjoy, smoking.
I've watched the price of a pack of cigarettes go up so much that at times I wonder why I'm being targeted for extra taxes for health issues when they don't tax candy for the making people overweight, and they don't tax alcohol that people drink so they can go drive and kill someone one. Both these have just as many devistating affects on society as smoking. Although I have to say the death of a loved at the hands of a drunk driver is certainly more devasting than being overweight. It amazes me when I'm told I can't smoke outside somewhere becasue of my smoke while the people telling this are inhaling the same air that thier cars polute, the ground that is filled with lead from all the leaded gasoline we used for years, and the toxins put in the air by all the factories. Even if I didn't smoke I would still be inhaling all of this, just like everyone else is.
Honestly, if you're going to say anything to anyone about their smoke when you're outside please make sure that nothing you do (drive a car in a public place, run your heater where the exhaust goes into the public air, run your boat in public in the water, dump your oil out behind your house, fart in public, need I go on?)is putting any type of toxins in the air I'm breathing. Tit for tat, right? Extreme thoughts, perhaps, but accurate none the less. Everything we do is done in public and affects the public air.
Now for public places. I understand no smoking inside buildings where people work, even I can agree it can be annoying and overwheleming to work in a smoke filled area. Been there, done that. But, how does one group of people decide what can or can't be done in public places (besides the obvious things not meant for the public)? If a bar wants to allow smoking they should have that choice and then you, as a concerned educated individual, should decide whether or not you want to enter a bar/restuarant that allows smoking. Just, as I, an educated/concerned person chooses not to go to bars where people are drinking. I'm uncomfortable with that situation so I make a concious choice to stay away and find somewhere that I will feel comfortable. MY choice.
I won't pretend to know all the laws in so many states, but it is getting to the point where the only place I will be able to smoke is in my home. I don't throw my butts on the ground, but I watch as people throw their beer/soda cans, candy wrappers all over the public places. If we continue to allow all these choices to be made for us it will come to the point where it will be decided how short your skirt will be allowed in public, or what kind of foods you can eat in public.
I don't want to sit at a table next to you in a restuarant and blow smoke all over you, in fact I don't smoke when peole are eating, but I should get to sit in the same public park as you do and smoke my cigarette while your car is running.
Learn more about this author, Lisa Elliott.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
No
Smoking should be banned in enclosed public places because passive smoking by non-smokers is proven to lead to lung cancer. Comon sense prevails that a ban will lead to a decrease in people smoking. Health statistics prove that in Ireland in 2006 the precentage of people smoking (30%) remained unchanged, however those who avoid smoke filled atmosphere have been given due consideration.
Irelan d led the world in banning smoking in public places some three years ago. The legislation was introduced out of concern for the numbers of young people taking up smoking. Ireland did not carefully define what a public place means. It was sufficient to determine that places where people assemble socially could suffice as a loose definition of a public place.
The combined direct result of reducing the legally acceptable blood alcohol in Ireland and the creation of separate smoking sections for smokers, usually outside the licensed premises, has effectively limited the licensed premises business also known as pubs. The general public welcomed the new legislation. The Irish Vintners Association challenged the unexpected reduction in business and attempted to modify the combined legislation, to no avail.
A cigarette contains some 106 substances which when lit, inhaled and then exhaled expels some known carcinogens into the general atmosphere. Second hand smoke inhaled by non-smokers may cause lung cancer. Presently there is no legislation to protect non-smokers from inhaled carcinogens or passive smoking.
At present Ireland is introducing legislation to protect children in cars under 16 years of age where cigarette smoke is 26 times more concentrated than in a normal sized room.
New York introduced a smoking ban in public places with public place clearly defined. The UK introduced a smoking ban in selected public places. Some EU countries visited Ireland to study the effect of a smoking ban in public places. The EU fully approves Ireland's stance. The general health of the population is the prime motivation for introducing ground breaking legislation. Ireland commenced this practice and it has been adopted worldwide as a result. The number of countries banning smoking in public places is increasing exponentially.
Sir Walter Raleigh introduced tobacco to England in the 16th century, people promptly threw water on him. The practice of dousing the smoker with buckets of water has since ceased, regrettably. Smoking, originally a novelty is now a multinational industry.
Smoking has not declined in Ireland where 30% of adults smoke. Young people are regular smokers, unfortunately.
Learn more about this author, Hibernianscribe.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
Difference of opinion? Debate now.
- Government & Policies
- Should the President's spouse receive a salary?
- Should members of Congress be able to use their campaign funds and offices to benefit family members?
- Should the government withhold information about toxic pollutants to prevent terrorists from knowing where hazardous chemicals are stored?
- Should employees of government contractors have the same whistleblower protections as federal employees?
- Should the government's first priority be to protect secrets or to proactively give citizens information?
