by Marie Garner

Created on: February 23, 2007   Last Updated: April 18, 2007

Absolutely not! It is a testimony to the selfishness of people that laws have to be made to keep someone from infringing on the rights of others. Unless you are a smoker in denial most would agree that there is sufficient evidence proving that second hand smoke is harmful. If this were not true the tobacco companies would have had an aggressive campaign to prove otherwise. Instead they are using their resources to "hook" the young into this harmful addiction.

Smokers will argue that their rights are being infringed upon, that it is their right to smoke wherever and whenever they want. The problem with this narrow minded view is that in smoking around others (in some cases this includes their own children) they are denying others the right to breathe cleaner air. When our actions affect the health and rights of others it is no longer our right to engage in that activity without restrictions. Just as we have the right to own a dog we do not have the right to let it bark excessively keeping others awake or allowing it to run around at large possibly endangering other people. We have the right to own the dog within certain parameters. We have the right to drink alcohol when of legal age, but not the right to drive while impaired and jeopardize other people's lives. All "rights" come with responsibility and common courtesy.
It breaks my heart when I pick up a child and smell their hair laden with smoke. Who is standing up for the child's rights if the parents refuse to provide a healthy environment? I as a nurse have been administering emergency care to an asthmatic child while the parents leave the child and go out for "a smoke." They need a cigarette to help "calm their nerves." I can smell smoke on the child. Do these parents have the right to smoke around their asthmatic child when study after study proves there is an increase in upper respiratory infections and diseases when children live in a smoking environment? Personally I think not. They are responsible for the wellbeing of that child.
It breaks my heart when I visit my friend dying from lung cancer. She never smoked a cigarette in her life yet lived for forty years with a spouse who refused not to be allowed to smoke in his own home; maintaining it was his right to smoke. He is now extremely remorseful and will carry the guilt to his grave. That does not change the fact that he undoubtedly contributed to his wife's early death and took away what many would feel were the best years of their lives. Ironically, since her diagnosis he has quit smoking; ever hear the phrase too little, too late.
My aunt, a smoker much of her life, argued for many years that there was not enough proof that smoking was bad for you in order for her to quit smoking. This of course was a "smoke screen" because she was unable to quit smoking. She now has emphysema and is dependent on oxygen. My mother, her older sister, never smoked and is enjoying wonderful health.
As a member of humanity we are all responsible for the welfare of our fellow man. Our choices should not jeopardize others and if we are unable to abide by this directive then laws must be made for the common good. People should not be allowed to smoke in public places.

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