The new smoking ban in enclosed public places in England is coming into force next year- I think it doesnt make sense...\nIf people are addicted to nicoteen they will smoke- Its never going to banned completely (The government enjoys the revenue too much!) \nBut non smokers are still going to be inhaling smoke! I hate smoking in restaurants and near people who dont smoke so why am I still being made to smoke anywhere near them? Surely it makes more sense to have completely isolated rooms or public areas which are not staffed and are ventilated properly and ban smoking in the open air in public places? Ive spoken to non smokers and they agree- over to you....\nPlease respect my right to kill myself- not other people!
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.
26152
I support non-smoking areas, but if you want to smoke, then I think you should have your own areas. I do however feel that smokers face discrimination every day and state wide bans don't help.
544799
I'm not in Ohio, but I definitely have an opinion.\n\nThe government has NO right to force private institutions to do anything.  Yes, smoking is bad for your health.  But so is doing a million other things that are perfectly legal- you make the decision when you go into a bar that has smoking allowed.  You take the risk of second hand smoke.  If you don't want it, don't go.\n\nI, for one, hate smoking and would never do it, nor do I want to be around it (expensive, stinky, stupid,etc.), but I respect the rights of everyone to do what they want with something they OWN.
497717
I am not a smoker, but have no problem with people smoking in designated areas in restaurants, or public places like hospitals, malls, etc. I expect people to be smoking in bars, clubs and such. I know there are people that are on oxygen, allergic to smoke, have lung problems and the smoke increases their difficulty to breath. However, everyone has the right to do what they want to as long as it does not hurt someone else. I believe their is a common ground and solution without totally banning smoking and coming down so hard on people who choose to smoke.\n\nAs for taxation, the government has that go in' on....They tax the vices they know people won't quit....gambling, Alcohol,......that's the way it goes.
512739
I will assume you mean a government-enforced ban on smoking in your question.\n\nTo whom are such government decrees fair?\n\nAre they fair to the smokers: definitely not.\nAre they fair to the non-smokers: definitely not.\nAre they fair to the bar owners: definitely not.\n\nSuch bans are not fair to the smokers because they should have the right to smoke in any place where the owner allows them to smoke.\n\nThey are not fair to the non-smokers because the ban removes the choice to go to a smoke-filled bar or a smokeless bar.  These environments may have very real differences in price and quality, both of which are lost in forced homogenization.\n\nFinally, such bans are most unfair to the bar owners, who have their private property (and thus their freedom) infringed upon by bureaucrats who have no financial stake in their business.  Just as your home is your property if you own it, so would your bar be private property. The government has no more right to control your business than it does your home so long as you are not violating anyone else's rights.
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.
551566
Well I for one will definitely be purchasing "on line" if this ruling is ratified.\n\nGordon Brown will just have to raise his taxes elsewhere, and that will include the members of this society that do not smoke or drink.\n\nAs smokers we have subsidised the "non smokers" in our society with the extortionate amount of tax we have had to pay (£4.03) per pkt of 20 fags, for far too long.\n\nIt"s about time they had to pay their share, because rest assured the amount of revenue raised on duty, is spent for the benefit of everybody, not just the smokers who paid the tax.\n\nIt might also let those miserable b"stards at Custom & Excise concentrate on catching the real criminals i.e. drug smugglers, and leave the average citizen alone. ( the ones who bring in an extra sleeve of fags)\n\nHe, Gordon Brown that is, must have heard about this, thats why he is telling us the World will end if we don"t pay extra "Green Taxes, got to get the lost revenue from somewhere.\n\nThese Politicians are so bloody devious, you can"t believe a word they say.
416269
I smoke too, and my daughter wants me to stop as well...personally I do not agree it is harmful for EVERYONE that is living with her, because my personal stance on second hand smoke is that it's FOOEY!  You will be exposed to more harmful contaniments sitting behing the automobile in front of you than you will EVER suffer from my cigarette...but....\n\nTo answer your question, cigarettes are LEGAL, and it is your mother's CHOICE to smoke.  As for a law being in existance to make it harder for your Mom to smoke, they have those already...that's why you can't smoke in restaurants, bars, or within 30 feet of a doorway anymore.  I live in a city that has made it so bad you cannot even be OUTSIDE of your home and smoke.  If you want to smoke, you have two choices, smoke in your home or in your car.\n\nYou might object to your mother's smoking, but she might not have a choice, as I have none.  You might want to find out what your town has done on it's smoking ordinance first, before you think you're mom is intentionally putting you in harms way.\n\n-Em
352323
Actually, I don't think they should stop to prevent people from smoking. That should be a personal choice that the person should make on their own behalf. This is a free country and people jump down tobacco product companies throats for what reason? Because the smoking population spends their own money on cigs. So personally, I am no smoker but I am not tempted to buy cigarettes no matter what the commercial says. If that's what an individual wants to do w/ their then so be it. If that's the case then we should stop making alcohol, we should shut these fast foods joints down, etc.... so really, smoking and lung cancer is a matter of choice.
126504
Largely because the people who decide what should and should not be tolerated are smokers.  There is currently a bill in the NH Senate to ban smoking in all eating establishments.  It passed the House, and the Governor approves of it, but the Senate may kill it.  Why, because they all smoke!  I still hope the bill does pass.  NH is the only state in New England that does not have such a ban in place.  It has not hurt patronage to restaurants in the other states. In fact, patronage has increased.  I know there are restaurants I refuse to go into due to smoking.  I have the same problem you do compounded by anxiety reaction to a nicotine allergy.  I refuse to go into a Blakes, Friendly's or Applebees restaurant because of the smoking.  They would get my business if smoking were banned. \nI find that, generally speaking, most smokers are the most thoughtless, inconsiderate people on the planet.  They don't care if their smoking infringes on the rights of others.  They don't care if it is harmful to others.  They make a huge mess by dumping the butts all over the place because they are lazy slobs.  The worst thing is that they drop them into mulch in public landscaping thinking it is a safe spot, when it is the most dangerous spot to put it.  Mulch is highly flammable and you have no idea how many mulch fires and smolderings I have had to put out over the years!  It is their right to harm themselves, but they have no right to infringe on the rights of others who do not wish to be exposed.  Rights have to be earned, not given.  Furthermore, rights come with responsibility.  If your rights infringe upon the rights of others, then find some other way or place to assert your rights where no one else can be harmed or bothered.  That's my 2 cents!
450575
I am a smoker,but I don't mind the bans.I smoke outside at home because of my kids,and I did it most of the time even before I had kids.I don't like to smell smoke when I'm not smoking.However,I think banning smoking in bars is just crazy.I mean,drinking and smoking just go together,and if you don't want to be around the smoke,you can always stay home or go to a restaurant.Same with casinos.
462827
I feel that city officials have the right to restrict the no smoking policy on city owned property, but have no right to restrict smoking in a privately  owned business. That should be up to the owner.\nI am a non-smoker and I'll decide where I want to go. Smoking or non-smoking.
115966
What customs in both Ireland and the UK is trying to do is to stop smuggling. They will have fixed an arbitrary amount of cigarettes on the assumption that only that amount could be for your personal consumption, any more and you must be selling them. I believe there was something recently in the European Court regarding drinks, which is similar.
348014
I grew up in the 60s and 70s in a family that smoked and none of us, not even one of us has died or gone to hospital for smoking related illness.  There needs to be a compromise on this issue, but when the people with money and nothing better to do than try to force everyone to be like they are set an agenda, the rest of us pay.  Where I live, a ban on smoking was recently passed (by a 7% margin, by the way, out of only 30% of registered voters weighing in), because these whiny, holier-than-thou control freaks couldn't be happy that we already had an ordinance requiring restaurants to have separate smoking sections with separate ventilation systems.  Now all the restaurants that invested all  that money in those separate rooms and vent systems are going to have to give them up to these jerks.  Recent talk shows have aired the voices of business owners saying that their business has suffered from the bans, while cities around them report increases, as those of us who still appreciate the concept of a free country drive to less fascistic communities to dine out.  Restaurants are private businesses and if someone can't stand the chance of smelling cigarette smoke, they most certainly do not have to go into them.  This no compromise attitude is very un-American, in my opinion.  Sadly, people these days usually just roll over when new laws go through and they'll just say, "OK, you took that right from me, at least I can still smoke in my car and house."  I just wonder how long that will be true. Hail Oceania!
513605
I believe the ban is an extreme. Upon the face of it, it may sound healthy by those that oppose smoking, but in reality this sets the precident, and validates the ideation that citizens are incompetant to handle their personal freedoms and respect for their community. It opens pandora's box. Becareful what you wish for, you just might get it. \n\nI wonder if this type of "ban" and social acceptance is how Saddam got his start in Iraq with the peoples blessing?
502132
If you hadn't added all the additional details....  Aye.\n\nAnyway!\n\nThis is a very good question, and goes along with mine about why it's okay to let patients and visitors smoke on hospital grounds.  It's NOT okay. \n\nPeace.
642334
Yes i agree with you, I am so sick of having people who smoke blow their smoke on me, or i have to walk past them to get into a shopping centre and they don't care. And i am SO SICK of seeing stupid people smoking near their children and in the car with their children in the back seat. \nAnd what makes me the most annoyed is all the patients who stand outside the hospital smoking because they can't smoke in the hospital. It's pathetic.