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If I get a dollar for each time someone smokes outside in open space just because they can't smoke inside a public building, I might just have enough money to pay for my medical bill when I am 60 another get cancer for second hand smoking. Smoking now has been banned in public places in Queensland, Australia where I now reside. Has it made any difference? I don't think so. Inside of smoking in public places, smokers now all congregate in the 'smoking zones' allowed 3 meters away from public buildings, and designated areas within the city. It just means that instead of having to put up with smoke in the public buildings like pubs and the casino, I now have to put up with it when I am outside and thinking that I would get fresh air.

Ultimately, I think smoking just has too much backing from the tobacco companies. Despite the laws being put in place, people are still smoking in public places, and they are still throwing their cigarette butts wherever they like. It is hard to legislate against smoking in all public 'areas' rather than just places, because the government makes too much money from the tax they generate from cigarettes sold.

Smoking should not be allowed anywhere, except in your own home. What you do in your home, I don't think anyone can interfere, but what you do in the public affects everyone, and so smoking should be completely banned in public areas to ensure that no one tries to bend the rules, and there are no ambiguities about the regulations. Smoke all you want, I won't question it if it is in your home, but when I go into a public building not expecting to inhale second hand smoke, I want to enjoy the same comfort when I step out of a building as well.

And if I get a dollar each time someone throws a cigarette butt on the footpath, or next to a tree...

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