Should smoking be banned in public parks?
By sareel
@sareel (13)
United States
July 15, 2007 7:55am CST
I am not a smoker and was happy to see the the public parks (playground areas) have put a ban on smoking. I don't think kids or other parents should have to be objected to someone's secnd hand smoke while they are trying to enjoy the fresh air. What do you feel?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@sunkissed (4330)
• United States
15 Jul 07
I was a smoker for over 30 years, ut I am happy to say I quit smoking over 5 year ago. But to answer the question, No I do not think that smoking should be banned in a public park,You are in a wide open space, so the smoke is going in the air, people are not being influnced by second hand smoke there, it is not like they are closed up in a building. They are getting carried away with the smoking bans.I do not agree with smoking, but those that do chose to smoke, should have rights too.As long as they are not endangering othes I see no harm in it.
@beckish (641)
• United States
15 Jul 07
If a person is outdoors, unless they are sitting right on top of the smoker they are not at much risk from second-hand smoke. The cars all around the park, however, are polluting the air so that breathing actually "fresh" air in a city park is probably fairly impossible.
@sareel (13)
• United States
15 Jul 07
Not all parks are in the city and many are located in areas where "fresh air" is possible. Do you have someone's exhaust pipe blowing directly in your face? Actually with a little research you will see that you are at a high risk from second hand smoke outdoors.
There are many people (especially children) that are highly likely to have allergies to smoke. Not to mention that smokers tend to discard their butts directly on the ground instead of in nearby trash containers.
1 person likes this
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
16 Jul 07
I think it should be banned at parks with childern because even though when I smoked I wouldn't smoke around kids many people do. The kids are running around and could get burned from bumping into a smoke or people not butting out the smoke but leaving it on the ground to burn out. Which I have seen happen many times. Also smokers go in packs and when one lights up it is almost like it give permission for others to light up and then you don't have one odd smoker, you got a pack of smokers and if your not a smoker you can smell the smoke and you don't have to be sitting right on top of them. I know I smoked for 17 years I would light up if others were and I can smell a smoke from a good 20 feet away. So if I can smell it then that is second hand smoke. And that is around the kids too. As a smoker it is annoying to not have many places that you can smoke but as a non smoker it is annoying to smell it. And until smoking is safe, you should go with what is better for most people not what is harmful. It sucks but what is right. Vicki
@kimthedane (945)
• Denmark
15 Jul 07
If so, what would be next. Ban dresses and sneakers? Dont see what harm smokings are doing to want them banned
