Do you think all this smoking hype is discrimination?
357264
YES!  Smokers are discriminated against daily.\n\nBen Franklin once said : "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."\n\nSo, all you people who belive it is right to restrict the rights of others are out in left field.  If you do not like smoke, you should exercise YOUR freedom and choose an establishment that does not allow smoking.....the gov't shouldn't enact laws that make a business owner be non-smoking.  Where is the freedom in that?\n\nIn the words of HL Mencken:\n"I believe that liberty is the only genuinely valuable thing that men have invented, at least in the field of government, in a thousand years. I believe that it is better to be free than to be not free, even when the former is dangerous and the latter safe. I believe that the finest qualities of man can flourish only in free air – that progress made under the shadow of the policeman's club is false progress, and of no permanent value. I believe that any man who takes the liberty of another into his keeping is bound to become a tyrant, and that any man who yields up his liberty, in however slight the measure, is bound to become a slave."\n\nAlso, I am sure that most of you are familiar with the last part of this quote....the front of it is equally important.  Patrick Henry: "Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"\n\nAnd I think most importantly, Clarence Darrow stated it quite well..."You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man's freedom. You can only be free if I am free."  In other words....watch out.  If you let the gov't restrict my freedom, it will be knocking on your front door tomorrow - taking away your ability to do something that is dear to you!
421617
Cause Gambling Doesn't effect the general health of the nation, Smoking is a disgusting habit and fools that cant hold a few pints are a drain on A&E Departments..I live in Ireland and the smoking ban is the best thing to hit this country in years, To be able to go out and enjoy my few pints and come home NOT smelling of smoke is a dream come true..............And yea i do like a flutter here and there, took a few quid from the bookies this morning if Scolari takes the job....
409257
The Nazis launched a major anti-tobacco campaign that is so clsoe to the current anti-tobacco campaign in America that it is scary.  Propoganda everywhere and the complete disregard for individual liberties.  America seems to be headed down a dangerous road with this one.\n\nSee, freedom is freedom....even if it is a freedom that you don't exercise - or more important one that you disagree with.
795049
Not at all. Younger workers cop discrimination as well. It could be due to their appearance (tattoos/piercings/hair colour etc). It could also be that an employer doesn't think that younger generations will stick around & wind up costing them extra in the future with employee seeking costs etc. Some employers might think that younger people fool around too much & in the end will be a liability with compensation & or law suits. Younger females might be discriminated against because the employer thinks they will leave th company to start a family or have an unplanned pregnancy. Thats all I can think of for now, if I come up with more, I'll be back :o)
917053
It does seem discriminatory.  But if you suggest this your boss will more likely just cancel the cigarette breaks.  Then you won't be any better off and your co-workers will be worse off.\n\nSo I'd leave well enough alone - you knew how much leave to expect when you took the job
345818
I think that it is indeed, out of control.  Recently some cities in Minnesota have begun enforcing smoking bans.  There are many businesses, bars/restaurants specifically, that are losing business now.  If I owned a business that was affected by such a law I would be outraged.  And there are many that are just ignoring the law, and paying the small fee to allow patrons to smoke.  They are making more money from these smoking patrons than they are losing by paying a fine. Last I checked cigarettes are still legal to buy and own.  I would have a serious problem with BIG BROTHER (and all of these lobbyists) telling me how to run my business.\n\nAnd by the way I am not, and have never been a smoker.
694581
Why does it seem like the non-smokers of the world are trying to make cigarettes illegal?  No matter where you go someone is trying to or succeding in banning smoking...\n\nDo you not remember that tabacco was the first cash crop of the US?   Do you not remember that it is the smokers that are paying for your new stadiums?    Is it too much to ask that the owners of bars and resturaunts decide what goes on in their own stores?  Why do you worry so much about smoking when there is so many other more important things for you to worry with?  \n\nHow about worrying about the abused children?  How about taking care of kids with special needs...making sure they get the finest educations they can have?  What about your local schools..do they have enough text books?  Do they have adiquit heat in the winter?   Are there enough good buses to get your kids to and from school?\n\nWhy harrass me with my one bad habit in life.  It is my choice to light up.   I don't drink, do drugs, cat around on my husband...I work, pay taxes, volunteer with Girl Scouts and at school.  I also go to school myself...as well as take care of my family.  Why can't I smoke?   Is it too much to ask?   I don't smoke in a non-smokers home or car,  I don't throw my butts on the ground,  I'll sit in a non-smokeing section if I go out to dinner with you.  I respect your right to not have smoke in your world...why don't you LEAVE ME ALONE with my cigs?
685995
Ha, I like this question!  I think it's easier for people to point out someone elses bad habits or faults than it is for them to be critical of their own!  You'll have that person that goes out drinking and driving drunk all the time and they think there's nothing wrong with that, that they're just having fun but then a smoker lights up infront of them and they say how bad smoking is!  Wish more people thought like you about this!
799601
No, I have a problem with a lot of people but not smokers...!\n\nPoor peeps, being victimised because they're exercising the human right to control what they do to their own bodies.
719434
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.
226014
It is a double standard isnt it?
191065
I smoke to wish i could quit but its hard i did for a year, but yes i agree, you know what i cant stand is when your smoking outside and someone has the nerve to complain about the smell for people that don't want to breathe it then stay away from us and everyone is happy. For the record we don't choose to want lung cancer we are just addicted and I'm sure you are addicted to something so GUESS WHAT YOUR NOT PERFECT EITHER......I have a great idea if you people don't like it then you better never leave your house, you cant tell people what they can or cannot do we are humans to and have equal rights
141942
I was in Ireland last year and I loved the smoking ban. I realize that many like to smoke, but the smoke effects all. The pub life was much more enjoyable than previous visits. The smokers that complain the loudest are just not being reasonable towards others. They can go outside and smoke if it is that important to them.
120176
I hate to say this because I smoke a lot. How ever I do respect the rights of others. So my answer is yes. I will give you one reason why I say this. I quit for a year and a half and got my smell back. Cigarettes smell bad. You smell it in the people clothes, their cars, houses and any where some one has been smoking. The ash trays smell horrible. The main problem here is or I should say one of the problems here is that a smoker does not smell all this like a non- smoker. Thats where I learned to respect a non-smoker's rights. Even if it means I can't smoke at the time or have to go some where else. YES.YES.Yes: Ban Smoking in public areas. YES, I WAS CRAZY TO START AGAIN!
215051
The reactionary arrogance of some non-smokers is displayed by some of the "answers" here (To the few polite posters, thanks for not resorting to name-calling just because of smoking). However it is in the UK, I bet it's worse here. \n\nI posted this for a question asking about laws against smoking in cars, bars and open air:\n\nI totally agree- They're not only BS, I think they're bordering on infringement of civil liberties (At least the don't smoke in the entire town thing). Why ban smoking in a car? Who else does that effect? Is it because people throw their butts out the window? Why not make a law against that and not smoking in the car?\n\nI don't understand the self-riteousness and cruelty of some non-smokers. If someone is smoking outside, in the street, please just walk around. In Berkeley (motto: the most fascist liberal town in the world!) I would just be smoking outside of a bar, minding my own business (Because I can't smoke *in* the bar, which i'm fine with) and someone would purposefully walk next to me and start fake-coughing at me or yell things like "Smoking's bad for you!" in a derisive way. Duh. I know that. Do you think I'll quit because you yelled something at me? \n\nIt's just too slippery a slope. What's the next thing that people will tell you not to do? Trust me, the toxic gas that comes out of your car's tailpipe is much more likely to cause cancer than walking by a person smoking on the street. So, yeah, if you've driven/been in a car, don't whine about people smoking in open air. Places like Berkeley want to ban your SUV too. Pretty soon, they'll want to take away something that you like to do.\n\nAs for bars, I understand the intent, but I don't see why they can't allow some licensed smoking bars.
562597
Discrimination exists in every country. BY lumping all Australians together in your question you are treading the same path.
984239
Yes, since it is there home, they have every right to smoke, rather then the customer calling and complaining about you, maybe you should just ask for another job if they are smokers, let someone else take that job and you can take another one! Other than that i dont think its right that people pay for your services in there home and are told they cant smoke!!