Thank you for NOT smoking
By infobyaj36
@infobyaj36 (907)
United States
April 27, 2007 1:42am CST
I am sure there are many smokers and non-smokers on this site how do you feel about the smoking bans that are raining over the States? How would you vote? I am really in the middle on this because on one hand I understand the awareness of second hand smoke but on the other hand if they are going to keep it legal where do you think smokers should go to smoke. I mean think about it there are campaigns that people should never smoke within their home if they have people who live with them that are non-smokers, your insurance goes up if you smoke in your vehicle and most don't even come with ash trays anymore. There are now non-smoking areas outside of buildings. Even bars have banned the smoker. Do you feel these things will work if smokers are alienated from socializing will they stop smoking? Is it even right to thank someone for not lighting up even before they get a chance to think about satisfying their addiction. I am confused on how people feel that you can keep something legal but refuse to let it be used. What are your feelings on this topic of buy but don't use?
2 people like this
6 responses
@infobyaj36 (907)
• United States
1 May 07
Thanks for posting. You really don't feel your rights are being violated? I mean say you went on vacation and the hotel you stayed at is nonsmoking along with the property around the hotel plus every bar or resturant you attend. Now what? Wouldn't it bother you then?
1 person likes this
@mishkamouse (6)
• United States
29 Apr 07
My husband is a smoker. I don't understand why he can not step outside away from people and smoke. How much smoke can pollute the air outside. If you smoke you will find a place to hide to do it. Even if it is 2-3 puffs and then put it out. I hear thay are trying to pass a law that you can not even smoke in your own car while driving down the sreet. That is going to far. I feel you smoking in your own car driving down the road could hurt anyone but the smoker. It is kind of getting crazy out there.
2 people like this
@infobyaj36 (907)
• United States
30 Apr 07
Thank you for posting I agree that things are getting pretty crazy when it is only your right to purchase but not to use. It just does not make sense.
Thanks again
@angelface23 (2494)
• United States
27 Apr 07
I live in Pittsburgh and they are trying to get this ban started. I think it's ridiculous. I am a smoker so maybe I am just being biased but why don't they just have smoking only places and non-smoking only places. As for the air you can't really tell people they can't smoke outside. No one owns the air do they? Well maybe the government owns it, I don't know. I just don't think it is fair to discriminate against smokers. No on the other hand if I were a non-smoker then I would love this idea!
@infobyaj36 (907)
• United States
29 Apr 07
Thanks for responding I guess I was not looking at it from a smoker non-smoker prospective but rather a fairness in general. I agree with you that offering smoking places and non-smoking places instead of just banning smoking all together would be the best solution. I know there is an argument about the people that work there being exposed to second hand smoke but wouldn't that be their decision if they wanted to work there or not? As far as the air goes I guess some places feel they do own the air outside of their buildings because they are posting signs that you cannot smoke on their property even outside the doors. To me that is taking it too far even a non-smoker can relate to this I mean where should they go if they cannot even step outside anymore. I understand wanting them to move away from the door but then give them a place to stand and leave them alone or make smoking illegal all together. But the government really likes the money they make from the taxes so that is'nt going to happen so on top of smokers having to pay outragous taxes they will now have to pay fines for smoking outside on a specific property. Wow that is going to far. Smokers should have some rights! Sorry didn't mean to get on the soap box...but some things just don't make sense to me.
Best wishes....
1 person likes this
@emarie (5442)
• United States
2 May 07
well, i know both sides but where i stand has always been the same since i was young. if it came on the ballot to ban smoking in anyway i was always for it. i rejoyed when they banned smoking in indor areas. the laws are in place to protect EVERYONE ELSE not to piss of the smokers and give them no rights like they think. its not always about them. if they want to smoke and kill themselves, then they can do it in their own time and not bring everyone else down with them.
1 person likes this
@uniquenorthern (932)
• United States
29 Apr 07
Thank you for opening up this discussion, I have a somewhat similar but different discussion going, but you have a different spin on it. :) I think society cannot ban all of us smokers from smoking everywhere and still keep it legal. It is ridiculous that they are trying to ban smoking inside of vehicles and homes and all of this non sense now. Smoking has been around a lot longer than anyone that I can think of that is still alive and it will still be long after we all are. It amazes me that we have all fallen for the scare tactics of the government. I found an amazing website that explains how to read the studies that they send out all the time trying to scare us with what harms us and what we should and shouldn't do all the time, it is really enlightening. http://www.davehitt.com/facts/ JMO
