by Rob Purifoy

Created on: March 24, 2009

I always disliked the word "allowed" when it comes to personal privileges. However, in the case of smoking, the reason that laws seemingly tread on personal freedoms is because smoking treads on others' freedoms. The current decade has been spent smoking outside office buildings, however little or no provision has been sought outside the building. So now that we have a smoke free work place, we have to walk through a smoke screen during egress and ingress as smokers huddle just outside the doors. This is better how?

It is a shame that we have been reduced to laws due to the inconsideration of others keeping carcinogens to themselves. But we have been, and if that's what it takes to keep my lungs clear and un-irritated then so be it. Don't get me wrong, this is not a smoker bashing article, I had just rather not smell it or be forced to do so. A comparison to what I believe is a mutual but less controversial annoyance might be the booming bass coming from the car next to you at a red light, or even from the person living next door. How is this different that being exposed to the annoyance that is second hand smoke? This is why we have ordinances against both noise pollution and smoking (pollution of humanity) alike, because it annoys the public.

The basic parcels of area available for smokers has diminished since the 1950's, this shows how society has rejected a practice that was once on the increase. It's a great study in sociology itself in that what is deemed an annoyance, unhealthy or otherwise unstylish will fade from popular fashion or acceptance. The act of smoking has transitioned from the majority to the minority, and we all know how the saying goes about which class rules. One quarter of the population will whole-heartedly disagree with me, but surely they can see the point the other side of society is making even so.

I do feel sorry seeing the huddled masses in the winter just outside the office, I'm only human, and it does seem degrading. But it's also a testament of what an addiction will do to someone. it will make them brave a blizzard, freezing rain and torrential downpours, but as long as a lighter will make some fire, they'll somehow be happy. I'm not holier than thou however smokers, for if I decide I want a beer I'd brave the same, but the difference is I don't force anyone else to drink it.

The day may be coming that smoking in a car may be prohibited as well. Smoke not only affects it's passengers, and kids in the car, but smoke travels a long way. I've been sitting at a red light or in traffic and the odor of a cigar was so overwhelming that even putting the windows up made no difference. What's worse is that it did not appear to be coming from any of the four cars in the immediate four directions. Further, I enjoy a good Tex-Mex restaurant with a patio so as to bask in the sun while I enjoy lunch or dinner. Smoking on the patio, even though it's outdoors, will travel into my nose as I eat, not cool. Smoke does travel, and inside or outside make hardly a difference if it's in close proximity. If the wind is wrong, I'd venture to say that smoke smell can travel an eighth of a mile.

Someone jokingly once told me they were going to bring a bowl filled with manure and light it up in the smoking section while he sits there. If anyone asks what he's doing, he'll just calmly remind everyone that it's legal to smoke. I'm pretty sure he'd be asked to leave but it's one heck of an example.

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