by Ronnie Dauber

Created on: May 28, 2008

Before we can answer that question, we need to establish just what the controversy is over smoking in the first place. This will determine whether or no smoking should be allowed in public places.

One of greatest concerns, which is the first part of the controversy, involves two major health issues.

Firstly, it has been medically, politically and environmentally determined and established that second-hand smoke is deadly to the body. This is not just an assumption or an excuse of why certain afflictions attack the lungs, the blood system or any other part of the body.

These are documented, proven and real life facts with an incredibly long list of victims to confirm their validity. And there is a warning of this danger printed clearly on each cigarette pack, because it is a fact.

Secondly, there are other health issues such as allergies and asthma, both which can be life threatening, and both which are gravely ignited by the presence of cigarette smoke.

Then, there are the legal issues.

The law says that when you offend someone deliberately, and with the understanding of the negative impact of your actions, that you will be made accountable for your conduct. We are taught that killing, stealing and violence against other people are legal offences and worthy of punishment.

For example, if one person attacks another one physically and injures the first person, the attacker will be charged for his crime against that person. Should someone who attacks another person with cigarette smoke, giving them cancer, be treated any differently?

Then there's the offence against the environment.

People are taking a global stand against polluting the environment, and yet cigarettes are still being sold and smoked in places, leaving a stench and a cloud of deadly smoke in its path. How does this help to keep our breathing air clean?

And lastly, there is the invasion of privacy.

Many people like their clothes to be clean and smell clean, but when the "smokers" exhale their smoke, it comes onto the people who choose not to be covered in or reeking with cigarette smoke. This is a violation of their right to stay clean.

So, the answer to the question, "should smoking be allowed in public places", would have to be, NO.

No person, who chooses to be contrary to the natural way of life in this world, has the right to violate the rights or jeopardise the lives of those who choose to live.

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