Smoking in public: What do you think?

I was a smoker for a very long time and I always thought it was acceptable to smoke in public places and now when I go out as a non smoker and I am forced to inhale other peoples smoke I think it is disgusting, I dont think that it would be a bad thing to bad smoking in public places at least then we dont have to put up with it! I always thought as a younger person that I looked cool smoking and now I realise how uncool it really is

I agree somewhat. I was a smoker. I respected others in a sense that I always smoked away from people, unless they were smoking with me. But what always bothered me was going into my doctors office. The designated smoking area is right outside the building entrance. I hated it. I understand the need for nicotine and for all those hard working nurses needing their break. But it really hit me how many people suffer with second hand smoke all at this one place.You have elderly people with oxygen tanks trying to get inside fast without getting too much. You had newborns only a week old coming to their first check up. And that is their first week of air. Sick people of every race age and color with different ailments had to suffer so these few could enjoy their habit. I quit not too long after witnessing this. I think there should be deignated smoking areas in public away heavy foot traffic. Rain or shine. It is not fair to those of us who are looking after our own health or that of our families and suffer so a few can keep up their habit. I almost want to say the majority should rule but I do not know the statistics.

I am totally for having smoking zones where people can smoke, but at the rest of the places, smoking should not be allowed. Especially public places where other people not interested in smoking become passive smokers because of smokers. It was interesting when I was answering another discussion where in a group of smokers felt that they were being targetted by non-smokers, but what they did not seem to understand was that they do cause harm to others when they enjoy their smoke. Most smokers don't accept this because smoking is such a difficult habit to quit, it is easy to reject the fact, than accept it :) Cheers! Ram

I really dont like it when there are people smoking in public. I believe it is very insensitive of smokers if they see people getting so irritated of the second hand smoke they're blowing out, and that they even seem to like it that way.. Grr.... Here in the Philippines, laws against public smokers are very weak, if not inexistent. The truth is, public smokers should be sanctioned big time because they do not only endanger their own lungs, they also damage the lungs of those who could only inhale their smoke.

In my country smoking is banned in public places.So i don't find many smoking in public.Also people tend to ask whether they can smoke.In my place many knows about the dangers causing to a non smoker from the smoke.But still one should always discourage smoking in public areas as smoker has no right to risk other peoples health.

As a smoker, Ill agree...I do not smoke in busstops or train stations where espeecially children are around. And smoking points defeat the purpose anyway as the wind carries it to other areas where non smokers are

Smoking is just gross and I think that it should be outlawed.

In our locality in public place and everywhere.It is very dangereous thing for our health therefore we should avoid this and try to ban not only in our locality but in the entire world.

it is a great public nuisance and i would be very happy if the govt and the police takes some serious steps to prevent it from continuing... only time will answer... such smoking in public should be banned altogether... it results in passive smoking....

Where I live, in Scotland, you are not allowed to smoke in indoor public places. Here, smoking is seen as horrible and unhealthy. Passive smoking is a big thing and smoking where there are other people is often seen as rude.

hi! smoking in public is not good. because if anybody smoking in public ,it will disturbance to others.in india the government produce a new law as anybody smoke in public,may be that guys are arrested... so the smoke in public is not good

I completely agree with you! some smokers are so insensitive and selfish not to mention how they smoke... I dont like smokers that smokes even though they know that others just can't stand inhaling it, and I can't understand their reason which is to realieve their stress...

smoking is public is not a good thing because in pulic place there r many people in these people there r sum of them is old and sum r children the effect of smoke is not good for every one..... please people who smoking the cigrates not smoke at public place........

I agree that smoking in public is not right. This is because there are other people there who do not smoke and who may get to inhale the smoke and therefore suffer a health risk as well.

I am not a smoker but I can't say that it should be banned. I would say people should respect other's rights and avoid smoking in public places.

I'm not a smoker, and I don't agree with smoking just so you know before I respond. I think that if a said person wants to smoke, to inturn damage themselves and the people around them. Then they should do as they wish, just as we choose to eat, sleep, or drink. However I think that there should be designated smoking places or areas that they can go to smoke in public places. For instance: In several resturants in america you have a smoking and non-smoking section, this should be applied to places like walmart, the mall, parks and other public places. I wouldn't feel so strongly about this if it wasn't for the amount of smokers that will light up right beside me and blow they're smoke my way. I think that if your going to smoke you should be polite enough not to do it around people that aren't smoking, or at least step away from others when doing it. I see very many discussions here, and news shows about banning smoking in cars and in other personal areas. Smokers you smoke how ever much you want in your personal space, I don't agree with the smoking while driving bans trying to be passed or the ones they're trying to pass about smoking in your home. I think that if you want to do it, by all means do it; just please be curteous to those of us who don't. Amazingly enough you do more damage to others than yourself in smoking, the second hand smoke can kill us faster than us lighting one up beside you. We choose not to smoke for several reasons, as you choose to smoke for several reason. Just please give some common curtousy to us non-smokers, I support your cause smokers and support your freedom to do as you wish. So please at least be curteous to me, if you are aware we're there at least. Thank you, I hope my response sheds some light on how non-smokers don't all feel the same about public smoking.

I live in India and here smoking in public is banned.....but thats for namesake...there are still many people here who smoke in public and they dont give a dam about what others think... I think they should frame stricter rules...

hi it is not good to smoke in public as it can cause problems to people around