Isnt tobacco smoke a class A carcinogen, along with asbestos? ok, its not as bad as it sounds but just because the risk of getting cancer with small contact with second hand smoke is not likely, one in a million chance happenings happen every day. by its very nature smoking infringes on more civil liberties of people who don't smoke than not smoking around people in places like resturants etc.
Lots of people say 'Its my choice to smoke - you cant force me to stop', but in reply to that its MY choice not to smoke, so why the hell sud i be forced to breath in other peoples second-hand smoke everyday? Also, I think its absolutly disgusting wen ur sitting try to hav a meal or sumthing n sum1 next to u is smokeing - that happened to me in a cafe the other day, sumone sat down next to me and started smokeing, and I had to move cos I litterally couldnt breath. I mean, I have freinds who smoke, and I think its fair enuf if they choose to do that - but is it really fair to cause so much disscomfort to other people, to the extent they cant even breath? Personally I think they should ban it in enclosed public spaces, such as cafes and shops - but if people want to smoke outsde, fair enuogh.....but maybe there sud be measures to stop people dropping their butts all over.
I disagree with people who are rude enough to just sit there and light up without asking you especially if you are eating. I am very respectful I always ask people if they mind me smoking and if they do I will be respectful and go out side or wait. But not all people are that disrespectful to just sit there and be ignorant lighting up whilst people are eating. As I see it more and more places are becoming non-smoking/designated smoking areas. Me living with my grandmother whom is a non-smoker I have learnt to respect non-smokers wishes. Where as if I had stayed with my mum/dad I would not of learnt to repect non-smokers as both my parents are smokers.
You know what? I am sick and tired of hearing that the government is taking away the rights of the smokers. It is not the government it is society that has voted the bans into law. We live in a democratic country and have the right to vote on issues that are put on a ballot. If your state has put an issue out there and the public votes for it then it is the people that have banned smoking not the government. The fact of the matter is that there are more nonsmokers than smokers and we are tired of having our right NOT to smoke pushed aside. When I walk through a cloud of smoke and have no choice then the smoker has violated the right of the non smokers. How would you like it if I came up to you, and got right in your face, or kept touching you with out your permission. I would be invading your personal space. I see passive smoke as a invasion of my personal space. The smokers are either not aware of the invasion or simply don't care that they are doing it. Back in the 1980's the states stepped in to make drinking and driving a crime because it was a threat to the health of innocent people. Well so is smoking! I don't think smoking should be illegal, I just think that the health risks of second hand smoke are real and that people should not smoke where it could cause harm to others. EVEN IN BARS!!! Think about your waitress. She needs the job and has no choice but to keep working in your second hand cancer causing chemicals. Think about it!!!