Smoking: To Ban, or Not To Ban?

I watched a news story recently on which a young government official of some kind was on this program debating with Neil Cavuto of FOX NEWS the issue of whether or not to ban smoking -- at all times, in all places. Cavuto, though a non-smoker, was against the idea and brought up many good points to further his argument. Government official dude, however, basically presented a meaningless argument, repeatedly stating the dangers of smoking, as if we the public are unaware of the dangers. He could not and would not specifically say why it should be okay for the government to dictate what we put into our bodies if it isn't mind-altering. Cavuto asked the young man, "What are you planning to do about all the people who eat large amounts of artery-clogging foods? That's certainly dangerous and hazardous to their health...". The government dude was irritated by this statement and simply said "You can't compare apples and oranges. That's not the same thing.".

I think it is exactly the same thing. For Christ's sake, cigarette smokers are already prohibited from lighting up inside closed buildings, airplanes, most restaurants, even some bars, within 500 to 1,000 feet of any school, in certain parking lots, near flammable materials...the list goes on and on and on. Now this guy (and I'm sure more than a few like him) wants to make it so we can be arrested and charged with a misdemeanor offense for possession, purchase, sale or consumption of tobacco. Cavuto asked him what would happen in his ideal society if a person lit up a cigarette and smoked it out on the street. The man said, "that person would be arrested and charged with a misdemeanor, that person would be committing a criminal act."

What the hell! What kind of world are we living in when smokers are considered criminals? *Officially*, that is. We already get the pleasure of disdainful stares from snotty yuppies and uptight elitist non-smokers who think they're better because they don't smoke, or no longer smoke (sometimes "reformed smokers" are worse than non-smokers with their holier-than-thou attitude).

I want to know what gives anyone the right to tell me what I can and cannot put into my body, if it isn't "getting me high" in some way and thus making me a potential danger to society. And that "second-hand smoke" stuff doesn't wash with me because I NEVER, EVER smoke near enough to non-smokers for it to bother them in the least...and if they purposely linger near me when I am standing right next to an ashtray and the smoke "bothers" them in some way, that is entirely their problem, because (for now at least), I am within my rights legally to be doing what I'm doing. And on top of that, I am nice enough to go out of my way to not let my smoke blow anywhere near non-smokers, which is something I don't *have* to do, but choose to do out of politeness. I also never smoke near children or the elderly. So as far as I'm concerned, if I've made an effort to be out of the general concentration of the non-smokers, buzz off and get away from *me* if you're allergic or a snob, or plan to act superior in any way just because you happen to not smoke.

What are everyone else's thoughts?

Ok... I have a lot to say about this too.

I believe very strongly that the government has no say in what we do to our own bodies. Of course, they have certain interests that we keep our bodies healthy (you know, medical insurance and stuff). It should not be a crime to smoke a cigarette (or in my opinion to consume any drug).

The tobacco companies-which spend so much money on paying for political campaigns- has too much power in politics and will prevent any illegalization of cigarettes. They have fought to prevent to banning of smoking in restaraunts and the taxation (failing). Also the government gets way too much money on the taxes that is gets from cigarettes and they are not ready to lose billions of dollars.

I do however agree that smoking should be banned from restaurants/schools/entrances and exits in buildings. Everytime I walk in New York City I have coughing attacks because there are always people smoking (strange because I think I have a tolerance to it since I live in the same house as a heavey smoker) People who are asthmatic simplty cannot be in the same area as a smoker-some cant even be in the same area in which there was smoke a week before.

Oh and others do not have a right to damage the health of others. Smoking should be done in the home, in the car (though I don't know if someone who is smoking should be driving at the same time), or in an area away from nonsmokers. I favor the glass walls approach that I've seen in some restarants in Canada where the Smokers are really seperated.

Do you think maybe your coughing in new york city might have something to do with the huge amounts of pollution and noxious gasses that emanate from thousands of other sources, rather than the occasional encounter with a smoker?

I don't believe the anti-smoking sentiment is neccessarily a health related issue - it may be one that is based around such concerns, but more often than not, it's just a flimsy piece of reasoning that allows people to construct a greater structure of prejudice.

I'm sure every smoker (yay phoenix we can finally bond!!! 🤢gt😉 has encountered such prejudices from strangers and friends alike - the condescending looks, the self-righteousness, the pretend gagging and coughing etc. which really does go beyond the level of response that could be construed as justifiable.

Fair enough if one is smoking in someone's close personal space, then a reaction is not unwarranted. However, why does the same level of backlash apply when for instance, I admit to being a smoker, though am not actually smoking at the time. Just admitting to partaking in the act is enough for people to pass judgement, regardless of whether they are aware of my public and private smoking habits.

I'm not a paedophile for god's sake. Smoking isn't some dirty little secret I'm harbouring and it's certainly not a criminal act. In my opinion, people are just looking for more reasons to elevate themselves to a morally superior position - we all like to have someone to look down upon.

I knew someone was going to point that out but the truth is- I can survive New York City without coughing until I pass a smoker and then I'm lost. And the encounters are not occasional- they are everywhere. I don't look down upon people who are smokers (unless they are shorter then me).

Smoking is a concern for non smokers-whether you acknowledge it or not. Ex: you're not supposed to smoke in the certain hotel we were in and two hours into our stay we had to change rooms because my aunt-heavily asthmatic-could not breathe and had an asthma attack. I'm not saying that all smokers break these bans- I am just saying that it leaves a residue on the walls and in the air that some people can't cope with. The little walls that come to your waist in restaurants that set smoking off from non smoking are not enough. I don't want to have to sit in a restaurant with my eyes burning or an acrid taste in my mouth because someone is smoking ten feet away.

I don't think it should be banned because people are going to do it anyway! People smoke weed and it's illegal. I mean at my local gas station, they sell "weed wrappers". They don't say that but they that's what they are for.

Let's face it, smoking is slow suicide and I'm of the opinion that if people chose to impair their health this way then it is only THEY who should be affected. While it's nice that you (Phoenix and others) stay away from non-smokers etc... there are many who don't. I, for one, work in an area where smoking has not been banned (I don't smoke), and I had really bad bronchitus late last year. Over the last few days, I have been coughing up phlegm and could quite easily do so right now, all from 'passive smoking'.

While I think everybody has the right to put into their body what they chose, I have always been of the belief that smoking should only be allowed in the home and the car and in no public place whatsoever.

Whilst I'm not sure why the Govt. really wants to ban smoking, I know for me, it's a health issue. Sometimes, even walking in the streets, when somebody is smoking, it makes me feel sick.

Hey guys,

I don't think anybody is judging you for smoking. While some non or reformed smokers may think they're superior (and I condemn that attitude in whatever forum it is), some of us are genuinely reformed or don't like it and can honestly not see why anyone would want to smoke. I know this sounds strange but whenever I see someone smoking, I get a picture of someone putting their mouth over a car exhaust pipe and wonder honestly why anyone would want to in hale those dirty black fumes... I also get a picture of the Cigarette company executives laughing their heads off when they look out the window and see all those people addicted to their product, fooled by the images associated with smoking, addicted... and spending money.

I don't think ciggarettes should be banned from sale, i just think smoking should be banned in all public places. If and when you guys give up, you will think the same too, and you'll wonder why you ever put that stuff in your lungs. But for now, stay angry...!

I'd like to thank you all for your opinions. My goal here wasn't so much to debate, just to gather other people's opinions, so I'll save the arguments I'd make if this were intended to be a debate. I will just say that it is easy for people who aren't addicted to a substance to talk about how icky and horrible and loserly it is to continue consuming it, but the reality is that most people start smoking at a young, impressionable age and by the time they *know* better, they're physically, psychologically and emotionally addicted to it. I'm the type of person who sees things as pretty black and white when it comes to personal choices though, and even though I am a smoker myself, I know that it is my responsibility to quit IF and WHEN I make that decision, and I can't blame anyone but myself for becoming addicted. I wish that all smokers were polite people and went out of their way to keep their habit from affecting anyone else, but, alas, we all know how many rude bastards there are in this world. There are a lot of disgusting, nauseating and even health-hazardous activities I see non-smokers displaying out there...for example, I hate it when people are walking down the street and they spit this huge wad of phlegm on to the ground...for all anyone knows, they could be carrying Tuberculosis or some sort of transmittable disease, you get the idea. 🙂 (Lovely thought, isn't it!)

Well, everyone brought up very good points, each one of you. I appreciate getting your thoughts on the matter. Libragirl, I gotta tell ya, you have to believe me--the judgement thing is there, big time...it's often expressed in very passive agressive ways as described by Cortica (fake gagging, that sort of thing). Sometimes it's outright "god I hate smokers" comments, even when we're outside in the open air. I can certainly understand the enclosed building laws and the restaurant laws, etc., but to be honest, I'd almost rather go outside to smoke than be forced to sit behind a glass wall or glass enclosure of some kind (we don't have those yet where I live, but they sound creepy! lol). I would feel like an animal at the zoo or something. I can just imagine a group of non-smokers being led around by a tour guide..."and over to your right, safely behind the glass wall you'll see the smokers...don't worry folks, that glass is triple-pane! We like to make the smokers feel like they're in their natural habitat, so we installed some ashtrays and threw in a few 'faux' trees and shrubs...please don't tap on the glass, smokers are crazy, addicted freaks, and they might blow smoke at you if provoked..."

lol...thanks guys, you're all brilliant, and jackbutter, much love to you for the link, what a disturbing, retarded thing to do (airbrushing the cigarrette, that is).

LoL Pheonix- it wasn't that bad but I see your point.