by Samuel Hitchens

Created on: June 10, 2008

I'll be honest, when I think of anti-smokers, I reflect upon all the people I am not, thankfully. Anal polar bear huggers and endangered fish protectors. Saviors of the Mission Blue Butterfly, maybe I'm wrong. Any who, while I agree with lawful self affliction, whether that be riding a bike with no helmet, not wearing a seatbelt or turning your lungs into robust sunless coal, I believe second hand smoke is not a choice. I don't subscribe to this theory of second hand smoke causing emphysema or enormous gaping holes in the ozone. Frankly it doesn't matter what second hand smokes causes, as long as it causes unwanted discomfort in a public area it warrants accountability. Whether the repercussions are a fine our a stern talking to, it must be addressed.

What I would be interested in is why anyone would take the opposite view on this issue. Is it some how right to infect a public area with a questionably dangerous substance? I could see if your very obese you might give some child the idea that it's ok, but that's what snide remarks were invented for.

In a privately owned establishment, however, that is where the line should be drawn. When an American citizen is living the dream it is his or her right to cater to the smokers or not. We don't pay their bills or buy their groceries, when we do maybe we could say something. The one legitimate concern of tobacco addicts and libertarians is where does it stop. As proven by many liberals, once something takes precedent, they exploit it to run riot on our freedoms. For instance, will the government tell us not to smoke in our homes? Cars? Who knows.

Public areas should be respected by all. If you want to endanger your own existence that is one thing, smoke up. However, when you put other people in jeopardy, that is inexcusable. Public places are exactly as advertised, public. Our tax dollars ( Those of us who work ) provide the funding for those areas. Some people will complain that we should have designated places in public areas for smokers. But, that takes away space for the rest of the people who choose not to smell like an ashtray.

Like with anything else, we should use our common sense and do the right thing. There are much more pressing issues to attend to, like finding out what any semi-rational human being would be thinking if they support Barack Obama. Although I am quite sure that one of his most memorable achievements would rank right up there with the rights of non-smokers in public places.

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