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One of the prime crops and economic powers of this country was and is tobacco. George Washington had thousands of acres growing tobacco and his economic well being rested on the changing weather in Virginia and the availability of Spanish tobacco in the English marketplace. The tobacco companies of today have had to re-invent themselves in order to survive and prosper. One of the most powerful lobbies in our nations capitol is the tobacco lobby. Tobacco is a legal product in the United States, it has acquired restrictions as to the age of the user and place of use, but it is legally grown, and manufactured into products which are intended to be smoked, chewed and put between the lip and gum.

Tobacco is used and valued world wide. It brings pleasure, relief and relaxation to millions of users. It is also addictive and has arguable effects on the human body. It is a dirty habit in that smoking it produces ashes which cover everything around with ash and smell, chewing produces prodigious amounts of expectorant which is disgusting to everyone but the one expectorating.

This is an extremely difficult issue for me as both of my parents died as a result of 55 years each smoking cigarettes. Dad from lung cancer and mom from the effects of emphysema. Both my parents were aggressive smokers. They believed that the decision was theirs and they resented anyone telling them differently. When the state of Vermont outlawed they drove around that state in their travels. They smoked in my house when they visited and I valued their company more than not seeing them. So we tolerated an occasional smoky weekend. As their car left the driveway my wife and I opened the house to fresh air no matter what the season.

We rightly value our individual rights in this country and this issue brings into conflict those of the smoker and those of the non-smoker.

Part of me says no to smoking in public places. I have never smoked and resented having to smell and taste burned tobacco in restaurants and bars and having my clothes stink. In my state it is no longer legal to smoke in those places.

The part of me that believes in our constitution says yes. Smoking is legal. Our government subsidizes the growing of tobacco. If a smoker willingly takes that risk, it is their right.

The moderate part of me says let's define public places. Places where it is unsafe as everyone is trapped breathing the same air I believe should be smoke free. Expensive smoke filters do not operate effectively enough to remove the smell of burned tobacco. Restaurants, bars, workplaces, hospitals, courtrooms and such should be equally good air for smokers and non-smokers.

Government has become too intrusive in our everyday lives. There is nothing in the constitution that guarantees a totally risk free environment for American citizens. There are those who want that, but there are also those of us who do not want that.

I do not think that smoking should be forbidden in parks, on sidewalks, or in similar open spaces. My personal feelings that it is a disgusting habit aside, people have the right to slowly kill themselves if that is their wish.

If we are going to live in a free society then we need to make sure that everyone has the freedom to take the risks with their health and lives that they want. Infringe on my health and life and I must assert my rights.

Common sense must prevail on the issue of smoking in public places, let's find some common ground. In the mean time let's not take away the freedom of smokers to kill themselves.

Learn more about this author, Allen Williams.
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