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| Yes | 39% | 2233 votes | Total: 5735 votes | |
| No | 61% | 3502 votes |
Yes
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Add to FavoritesThis is easily the most, for me at-least, annoying and frustrating debate I have ever seen. If people are not allowed to smoke indoors nor in public places, where are they supposed to smoke? At home? So this idea fundamentally goes against what I feel it is to be a human citizen - the right to make my own choices about my health and well-being.
The argument is pretty much governed by the non-smoking population that do not like smoke. This makes sense in a densely populated, enclosed area, such as a bus or a train, but outdoors on the street? Seriously, grow up, there are bigger things in life than a tiny puff of second hand smoke. The time non-smokers take to write their debates, has wasted more life than if they had just put up with it. It's not even something to 'put up' with anyway, its an enjoyable pastime, and is part of so many people's lives.
You cannot simply stop people smoking in public places, it is such a breach of human rights. The worldwide plans to stop smoking have already caused their negative effects. For example, hundreds of pubs and clubs in the UK are having to close down, as a massive percentage of their clientele are smokers. (Amendthesmokingban. com). This is even indoors, so outdoors is a totally different story.
Being a smoker of about 15 years, there is no amount of government garbage, or 'shocking' imagery that will ever make me stop smoking. There is no sentence or story that will ever affect me enough to stop smoking. So, with this in mind, what am I meant to do if I am no longer allowed to enjoy one of my favorite parts of life anymore?
This 'law' is taking away such a massive part of my life, that it's like passing a law that makes it illegal to show affection in public - this reminds me of past, failed relationships, and causes me heartache. This hurts me more than a puff of passive smoke will ever hurt. While we're at it, lets make it illegal to drink and eat in public, that's about how this law makes me feel.
If you're so intent on hating smokers making you passively smoke, maybe you should stop driving a car, or using public transport, as it causes much more harmful emissions on the environment, and also on you. On-top of that, driving a car is extremely dangerous in comparison to inhaling second-hand smoke.
All-in-all, it's the most ridiculous debate ever, and leaves me so angry I can't even put it into words.
Learn more about this author, Fred Gosnell.
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No
People have the right to do whatever makes them happy, as long as it is within the law and not infringe upon someone else's rights. So, why the big to-do about smoking? It is a personal choice and it is not illegal except for safety purposes. But does it infringe on someone else's rights?
What about the right to breathe clean air? I heard someone say once, "your right to smoke ends where my lungs begin." Steve Martin was once asked by a smoker in a restaurant, "Mind if I smoke?" to which Martin replied, "no. Mind if I fart?" I agree whole-heartedly with both. I don't care if you smoke, I just don't want to breathe or smell it.
But should smoking be allowed in public places? Smoking in the open air gives the smoke a chance to dissipate, and if it it a windy day, it seems a moot point. However, where does the smoke and the smell dissipate to? While waiting for a traffic light to change once, I was enjoying the fresh air through my open window, when I suddenly began getting a strong cigarette odor. The person in the car in front of me was puffing away, and billows of smoke were coming from his window and wafting into mine. Certainly, he had the right to smoke in his own car, but my right to breath fresh air was violated. Both of us had the right to have windows open. Did he have the right to pollute my air? Under current laws, yes. Was that fair? I don't believe so.
Smoking is banned from workplaces in my state. The result is that smokers go outside and stand near the doors to smoke, so that non-smokers must walk through a cloud of smelly smoke to get into the workplace, making everyone smell like an ashtray. Cigarette butts litter the brick walkway even though there are several trash receptacles and ashtrays around the area. With the smell and the litter, is it any wonder that people want smoking banned altogether?
New studies about second-hand and even third-hand smoke causes more health issues. Not only adults, but children are exposed to this smoke. I believe if smoking is to be allowed, it should be contained. Smoke should be filtered to prevent toxins and foul odors from polluting other's air. Special smoking rooms with smoke being recycled into the room may even allow smokers to "smoke" without lighting up. The ventilation system could cycle to filter the air at certain levels, releasing clean air into the atmosphere and mixing in fresh air in the room keeping smoke at a safe level.
Is this a viable option? Probably not. But if smokers refuse to stop smoking, and non-smokers continue to fight for clean air, it may be something to consider.
Learn more about this author, Liane Laskoske.
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