What is your opinion about public smoking and do you agree with the recent bans placed on society? I for one am not a smoker and I can not be around smokers for medium to long periods of time without severe effects on my breathing...both of my parents smoked when I was growing up and I developed asthma due to it. Do you believe that we would be a healthier nation if smoking were made illegal or do believe it would actually increase useage do to rebellion? Serious answers only please....
123057
My motto tends to be "live and let live". In this case, I oppose public smoking. Second-hand smoke has been shown in numerous studies to be harmful, and quite frankly, I hate breathing the filth myself :(\n\nOn the other hand, I see no reason for a total ban on smoking. If you want to smoke in the privacy of your own home, or somewhere else where you're alone, well, it's your choice to harm yourself, but atleast you're not harming anyone else.
317647
the lowest legal age for tobacco is 16 in alaska. the cop can take it away. he probobly gave a choice of fine or forfeiture. the damned 'forbidden fruit' scenario. we're always going to seek what we cant have. in other parts of the world ive been to im shocked at how young people get into things. but then, its not (drugs, drink, tobacco, ect) popular because its not restricted. my truck for instance, the envy of all who are without one. i couldnt wait to get old enough to drive legally. now, i can drive anywhere but choose not to because its no big deal & am sick of driving every damn day.
100072
I do not smoke, but I think that it is one's right to do so! I do agree with banning it from certain places(due to ppl. like me who are allergic!), but if you want to smoke outside...that's your deal!
474572
ever notice that hardcore non-smokers never complain about industrial smokestacks, car exhaust fumes, diesel fumes, or cow farts!  not the smoke from a stove or fireplace.  not the local chicken processing plant or the paper mill??  just about the rights of a smoker.  we're in training by our government & a few "i think i'm perfect" people.  kinda' like Pavlov's dog.
233231
Smoke free patios are the next wave, although the smokers will claim their rights are being violated (what else is new?)  I would like to enjoy the outdoor patios during the summer, but with the smokers flocking to them and puffing away on their dirty, smelly habit, it makes them an unattractive location to enjoy a meal or some drinks.\n\nAmazes me how smokers don't get it.  Smell your closets on a nice rainy day.  Will you ever understand that blowing your smoke in public places is inconsiderate and subjects others to your unpleasant odor (and rudeness).\n\nSuccessful lawsuits against smokers and establishments are just a matter of time.
521486
Until we pass a law in this country that infringes upon a smokers freedom to smoke, you have no right to do anything....violent or otherwise, to a smoker on the street.  In public, people are allowed to do certain things.  You are no better and no worse.  I am sure you have some habits I would like to do something about...walking too slow, spitting, dragging your feet, not looking where you are going.  But I don't have the right to trip you because of it, do I?  This is still America and a democracy.  Talk to your elected officials in your town and state about your concersn.  That is the only legit way to attempt to protect yourself from smoke.  Meantime, maybe you should also be worrying about the environmental pollution that is affecting your lungs as well.  Keep your hands to yourself in the meantime.  Unless you want to be harrassed right back.
471964
What good is having had a job when you die of cancer?\n\nWhatever makes you think that smoking bans hurt small business? In Ireland the pub owners griped like mad about the prospective smoking ban -- but once it was in place their business increased!\n\nThat might not happen in bars in America -- I haven't seen statistics or reports; but it seems to be happening in upscale restaurants in France and the USA.\n\nThe tobacco industry does not have anyone's sympathy. As far as I know, it's not lost significant sales domestic or foreign -- or if it has the latter has compensated for the former. And it's among the most highly mechanized industries anywhere. And the smoking ban is a long time coming and has been discounted in the market place and in the employment plans of most kids. I hope.\n\nI knew a tobacco farmer who despised his crop, but depended upon his quota in Georgia. Until he died. Of lung cancer.\n\nThe loss of jobs is due to globalization. The jobs went not to Mexico as Ross Perot predicted, but to China. The effects were compounded in the past 6 years by tax laws favoring the very rich and hurting the middle classes. What people complain about is that they can't raise families on the wages on offer for the jobs left: minimum wage (a minimum unchanged in ten years) jobs that are of interest only to illegal aliens who live an austere lifestyle crowded together in barren apartments so they can support families at home. Their jobs on the farms in Mexico were destroyed by NAFTA and American crop subsidies -- US crops are dumped in Mexico and Africa. (The African cotton farmers head to Europe. Or starve.)\n\nSo: don't take these issues out of context. Smoking has little or nothing to do with your premise about jobs.
9857
I am a non-smoking, smoker. figure that one out! \n\nSmokers are a complete contributor to the health service. \n\nThe NHS could not survive without such a donation as tobacco sales, and cigarette merchandise. Society has made the media give mixed messages on this time after time. They invent treatments, they come up with causes, they say it's highly unethical and unhealthy to smoke, yet they advertize it all at the same time. Why is this such a conflict? I'll tell you why. \n\nA) They advertize this because they know that smokers are one of the biggest donators to the treasury, over 10,000.00 is spent on tobbacco daily. They fear getting sued, so the media makes up for the advertisements, by smashing down smoking economy, and making smoking legal only for people of the ages, 18 and up.. I'm sure though that if 16 year olds could legally start a career at that age, they would lower the smoking age. \n  \nThink about it, 18 and up. Adulthood, where choices can be made, career choices open, college dues must be payed, so on, so forth. \n\nThey just fear getting sued. Honestly, as much as the Health administration would like, NOT to admit it. They would crumble without the daily tobbacco sales.
341791
Issue 4 would allow smoking in bars, bowling alleys, bingo halls, racetracks, enclosed areas of restaurants and some other buildings. \n\nIssue 5, would ban smoking in nearly all buildings outside the home.\n\nMy husband and I just recently purchased a bar and we are very concerned that the people, (may I remind everyone one that their name is not on our promissory note with the bank.) Can decide if I can allow smoking in my establishment.\n\nI'm pissed. It's suppose to be effective December 8, 2006. And since Issue 5 passed, the only place smokers can smoke is outside. That's it.\n\nI posted a similar question, about possible loopholes. There is a clause in the issue 5 regarding private clubs and you would have to get a D-4 permit to do so. But, to get a D-4 permit you have to be Non-Profit and an established "club" for at least 3 years. \n\nSo basically, the voter's told us how to run our business. Which to me is not fair. \n\nI guess the bright side is that there is no evidence that it actually decreases business, it may possibly increase business because the people who don't like cigarette smoke may be more likely to frequent bars now, since they won't have to deal with the smoke. and since it's for the entire state and not just a city/ward . It's not like our patrons can go around the corner and give there business to another bar because you can't smoke there either.
138170
They tried the smoking ban by my place.  They said the smoke made the bars smell bad and people were dying from second hand smoke.  They made it out to be this huge deal.  When the ban went through the bars went empty.  3 bars shut down, and there were tons of cigarette butts in the streets.  However, once again the pink lunged turd burglars got there way and they were able to drink their cranberry and vodka drinks.  Now, why doesn't the tobacco company make cigarettes smell good?  Just think of how easier life would be for everyone.  They could smell pretty things as they die.
291092
It should be decriminalized.The states would save so much money and time if it was. I smoke everyday, and have for years. It is so much better for you than ciggys or alcohol.
357070
I'm with you.  People will smoke no matter.  We all know they're bad, but we'll keep smoking if we want.  Friggin hippies.\n\nAnd i'm with the cigar thing mm...  although you can develop lip cancer.
448956
Is that for real? Either that or patients should only be allowed to smoke outside as they are everywhere else. I'm sorry though, if that is for real, he helped a lot of people I know through his books. Bless his soul.
133229
good. I really appreciate your  support for banning Smoking in public places. I hope every smoker thinks the same way.\n\nIt will be a difficult decissionfor any government to ban smoking entirely, as it brings huge tax revenues. (my personal opinion is that everything that is bad brings huge tax revenues if it is regularised by any government. It dosent mean governments shoud support bad things in the light of tax revenues.) \n\nA similar example :  Alcohol is banned in many countries in Arab world, even Alcholol brings huge revenues to the governments. It all depends upon the governments moral policies.
274211
Bad argument, as there are probably ample numbers of  accidents by people driving while high.\n\nThe better argument is why did the country decide that it needed to be illegal in the first place? Is there anything in the Constitution that gives them this power? [no]\n\nThis is what happens when you let do-gooders make laws that limit your freedoms, for your own good, of course. Like making it illegal to smoke tobacco in 'public' places. These are areas that no level of government in the US has the authority to go, yet they do it, because enough people have given those corrupt idiots the power.\n\nI don't smoke it, I don't want to smoke it, but by god, the Constitution as written gave me the freedom to choose to if I did want to. \n\nThat's what the real problem is. Our government's abandoning of the principles of the Constitution.
34378
20% of the population smokes.  I think once the cost to society, where corporate healthcare and government healthcare costs are increased substantially, are fully accounted for, people who are educated will come to understand that smoking should be banned in the United States all together.  There are simply no benefits to this drug for society and only substantial costs, suffering, both directly and through second-hand, that make smoking an antiquated behavior.  The CDC shows that as one's education level increases, the rate of use decreases.  So this drug simply preys on the uninformed and should be outlawed.  A 5 year plan to allow smokers ample time to quit followed by the erradication of production of tobacco would be the way to get rid of this epic problem.  Why should someone else have to pay for another's bad, adult decision to begin smoking?  Should someone who works for a company with a shared healthcare plan for its employees have to pay the increased premiums do to the neccessary treatments for directly-linked cancers associated with smoking?  I think not. At some point, the American government found marijuana, cocaine, and acid to be a detriment to society and passed laws to get rid of them.  Tobacco is even worse in some ways, because second hand smoke causes cancer, certainly not a fair state of life for children or other people.  Think outside the box, consider the society effects, and make a plan to get rid it.
363523
I voted against it. \n\nWhen i started with the Army we could smoke anywhere. Now we have alot of reg covering it. We have soldiers that can not smoke in their homes. But hey it's the Army i keep telling myself. So now all of my fellow citizens get a taste of what it is like to be in the military.\n\nI don't mind smoking outside. I do so at home anyway. But i do so because i have been asked to by my wife. Not ordered to.\n\nI don't mind going outside at work. I get a mini break away from everything, and it has turned all of the smokers on post into a little club. All the smokers know each other. No prob.\n\nI don't mind not smoking in Airplanes. Ok i understand that we will be quasi recycling our air when we are in the plane. So that's cool. I pledge not to smoke somewhere that has less life support than 10 billion people. No prob there.\n\nIt's just that i do all of these things because i am considerate of others. It would seem that with modern education we can not get people to be civil because we have stripped it from our schools and homes. \n\nSo now we regulate it.\n\nWhat is next.