Smokers are treated like second class citizens in the US

Well you see, the funny thing about smokers is most of you are quite rude about the whole smoking thing and could care less about standing right next to someone that isn't smoking and blowing it directly in our faces. You can't move from the sidewalk, you crowd doors and walkways because you can't walk a few extra feet away from the door so people don't have to inhale smoke and choke. And then, you can't figure out why people are annoyed with smokers. Well there you go. We're not paying to smoke, we don't want any part of it but smokers must for some unknown reason, be truly rude about it and never care. I'm sure many smokers don't care about people with health problems that smoke can trigger. Oh well, I'll just go ahead and smoke right by the door that people use to enter and exit a building! So what if someone has an asthma attack and can't breathe! I just need my fix! Seriously, chill on the issue. Take it somewhere else. If you don't like the legislation and the complaining, stop smoking. Seems like an obvious choice to me.

Well I would never complain about having to smell a smoker. Now if one lights up next to my children on the sidewalk then yes I will have a problem. I say if you light up on the same sidewalk but aren't beside me or my children to where the smoke gets in their face then I don't have a problem with that. With every issue there will always be the "fanatics" who go raving on and on and truly just make themselves look stupid and aren't helping their cause. But you can't blame a person for not wanting to be near a smoker when they smoke because even if they aren't trying to blow it in your face the wind can carry it in their direction. But like I said if you are walking along a sidewalk and not bothering anyone and you want to smoke go ahead just don't throw it on the ground when you are through. And as a non smoker myself I can say that smokers aren't the only rude ones. Non smokers can be rude just the same. Some will make coughing noises or complain when the smoke isn't even anywhere near them. Smokers can be away from the non smokers and not bothering them but the non smokers will give them dirty looks just because they are smokers. I used to smoke but am glad that I quit so I can sympathize for both sides of the case. I used to get the looks when I smoked even though I never breathed my smoke near anyone. And I also have had smokers who stood next to my children or I smoking like they don't care if it gets in my face or not.

If anyone wants to smoke, that's their deal. They can poison their lungs and health, if that's what they choose to do. But if it invades my clean breathing space, then their smoke is polluting my lungs and health - it's not considerate, and no one ever asks me if I mind (which I do mind). It's not like I can walk away from it . . . smoke travels - even from outdoors to indoors. Just the other day a smoker in our building was walking about 20 feet ahead of me, and as we were going in the same direction, I had to follow his smokey path. I got disgusted over the lingering smoke smell, and even after waiting a few minutes for him and the smoke to go away, I still ended up walking through the stinky smoke. Gross. I didn't even mention that I was pregnant - but it apparently doesn't matter to most smokers. We have neighbors that smoke outside . . . and we can't even keep our windows open on hot nights as their stinky smoke creeps into our place. It doesn't matter that you're smoking outside, the smoke WILL go travel everywhere. I don't think there is enough being done to stop smoking in public areas. If smokers want to smoke, they should do it in their homes and leave it there.

Yes! I am a smoker. Yes! I think it is out of control. I have even been called a LEPER before. I was outraged. In my state, you are not allowed to smoke anywhere. They have banned it from nearly everywhere except your home. I really enjoy smoking and have for many years. I know it is most likely not that great for me, but neither is McDonalds and I like to eat there. I am so tired of people depicting what I can and cannot do and where I am allowed to do things. They call us a Free Country and that is a bunch of s***. I think all the hubub about smoking is more a ploy for the government to make money off us at a higher rate than they have in the past. Higher taxes, fines for breaking the law, etc. I say live and let live. If you don't like my smoking walk away. Let me have my life too!!!! My friend and I often talk about how nonsmokers seem to be upset because they are not involved in our social situations. They feel left out. There is a certain commrodery between smokers and it seems to bother them more than the smoke itself!

I am a smoker but i think this is a good decision because it will show the children s how bad smoking is ,i am a smoker but today all my wishes is to stop smoking or smoke less ,because is bad for the health . Just go to places without disturbing anyone smoke finish ,but try cut it down at least if you can't stop it it is very bad ,i myself is a smoker but i appreciate the awarness of the government about the health issues

smokers are not welcome anywhere because they smoke... they lost their health and good habits...

I have nothing against people who smoke, after all, it is your choice. However, it becomes my problem when it can potentially harm me.I am not smoking, so why should I breath in your smoke. I do not consider myself an "active" anti-smoke activist, but I am happy for laws that keep smoke out of the public areas that I, and other non-smokers, enjoy. If you are smoking respectfully out of the way, then by all means, smoke as much as you'd like.

Good suggestion: mokers United to amke an association!