Is it right for states to prohibit smoking?

I think that it has gone a bit too far. I can completely understand not smoking in the vacinity of a nonsmoker because of an infringement upon their rights. However, to smoke outside in the open air being restricted is insane. There are many pollutants in the air causing respiratory illnesses and many large corporations knowlingly bypass EPA laws and standards and are rarely even given a slap on the wrist.

I heard on the news recently that they plan on banning all smoking in any public area or on the streets. Which makes me mad because Thats what designated smoking spots are for. I myself am a very cautious smoker, I am near someone who is not a smoker I always make sure its ok that I light up and if there not I'll move to another spot.

This is a good discussion. Personally I don't have a problem with them limiting it when it comes to public buildings. For myself I think businesses such as restaurants and bars should have the right to make their own choices on it. They, more then anyone, know whether or not their customers want to have smoking there. If a place decides to have a smoking section then customers have the right not to go there. It's their choice then. My thought is if they start to limit it what will be next? Who decides what is bad for us and what should be removed? I think having to smell the fumes from beauty parlors should be avoided because of all the harm it can cause but I don't see them banning acrylic nails or perms any time soon do you? Let alone when you think about perfume, and yes it can cause health problems including cancer, but again I don't see the government banning. If they did yes I might be grateful since I'm allergic and it causes asthmatic problems for me but I would be the first to say they shouldn't. It should be up to each person to choose to wear it or not. The same should be about smoking. If one wants to smoke they should have the right to an if one wants to allow smoking in their business again they should have that right. They should also have the right to say they don't want to have smoking there.

Freedom is the ability to do what is right at the right time at the right place. I think outlawing smoking in all public streets is good for the people in general. I don't think they are stepping on a person's freedom. They are just doing it for the people. If people wants to smoke, they can enter their own home and smoke as they want to!

I can understand banning from public facilities, but taking it to the streets is a little too far. When I'm in a restaurant, I respect the people around me and wait until I get outside. I personally as a smoker don't like smoke in my face while I'm eating. They are getting a little carried away with the banning though. It's enough that the taxes are increased what seems to be all of the time, but telling us we can't smoke while walking down the sidewalk is ridiculous.