Non smoking laws Dictatorship??

[Pan]

Originally Posted by Slick Fork

Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating smoking. I smoked for 10 or 11 years as well, and will be celebrating my 2nd smoke free anniversary in about 2 weeks here. I couldn't be happier to be rid of those things and find the smell of them quite offensive nowadays.

I'm in complete agreement with the workplace, restauraunt, all around indoor bans on smoking as it subjects lots of people to second-hand smoke who can't get away from it. My point was that once you get out of the confined spaces of an indoor environment second hand smoke becomes a lesser issue when compared to other inhalants such as smog, vehicle exhaust, pesticide application, etc. You pretty much have to be sitting directly in front of someone exhaling cigarette smoke for it to be a genuine health concern.

Yes it smells bad, yes most people find it offensive but is outdoor smoking a genuine health concern to Non-Smokers? If the answer is no, then the government is legislating out of a desire to play to peoples emotions rather then to make an actual difference. I don't try to push a ban on loud rap music, or really loud motorcycles because while I find them both in poor taste I realize that it's my taste and it really doesn't hurt me to tolerate them. Likewise, I don't expect people to curtail my listening to George Strait or complaining that my horses poop too much even if I ride them through the drive through!! I think that OUTDOOR smoking falls into this gray area and legislating annoyances is a bad road to start going down.

For the record, I think the ban on public drinking is crap as well. Public intoxication yes, drinking no.

I find george strait makes my horse poop too.

[ElGuappo]

I am a smoker adn i do agree with the indoor laws, however the outdoors is questionable. as metioned before there are far worse airborn pollutants right outside the door due due the burning of non renewable resources that even as up to date as this week is killing hundreds of animals right outside your back door. due to the gathering of such fuels. how long can we continue to put of the electric car and such? i dont have any interest in driving one ever. but that doesnt mean i dont think they need to make a serious move in the next decade or so and make some with better power and longer lasitng bateries.

[Zoaelite]

Originally Posted by ElGuappo

I am a smoker adn i do agree with the indoor laws, however the outdoors is questionable. as metioned before there are far worse airborn pollutants right outside the door due due the burning of non renewable resources that even as up to date as this week is killing hundreds of animals right outside your back door. due to the gathering of such fuels. how long can we continue to put of the electric car and such? i dont have any interest in driving one ever. but that doesnt mean i dont think they need to make a serious move in the next decade or so and make some with better power and longer lasitng bateries.

Is this not the "Well if everyone else is doing it then my little bit doesn't matter argument"? I dont think specificly its the biggest health issue I just think its a non smoker weighing out smoker decision. I know I don't personally enjoy walking out of a Walmart to 14 people blowing smoke in my face. You also have to realise that people are allergic to some of the chemicals in smoke so these people smoking infront of Walmart are technicly infringing on their rights?

[dsaundry]

The one interesting thing on this thread is how everybody is blaming the government for this. It is interesting how a lot of people say they should be allowed to do what they want, where they want and the government should stick their nose somewhere else. I am not in the government I just run a small business here in the "Wack". Its not the government who says you can't park in my lot unless you are a customer..it's me...Its not the government who says you can't smoke in my shop... it's me....God help the loser that tries to take a p*ss on my property. Does that make me a dictator?? Nope just protecting whats mine. Do I try to recycle? Yup..do my best..not because the government says to,but it makes sense. You see it's all about perspective. Are there a lot of smart, intelligent people around.. You Betcha...put them in a group and the right situation and they become a mindless mob...Thats a fact folks...So if you want to smoke... smoke, just be a responsible[respectful] smoker, do it in your own home or your car[less your kids], just don't do it in my face. Let me enjoy a meal at a restaurant without the smell of someones smoke wafting at my table.
Ps: The government tell's you to pay tax's too......

[Lance]

Of course non-smokers don't want smoke blown in their face, or have to walk outside a doorway filled with smoke. The smokers don't particularly want to be out in the wet and cold either. So, give them their area to smoke in. As long as it's not bothering non-smokers, why not give them a room at the office or at the factory, bar, etc. Even the junkies have a place to crank up!

[dsaundry]

Why is it the companies resposibility to pay for a smoking area/room for the smokers? Certainly not for the junkies to shoot up either. As a patron of bars and restaurants who had supposed "smoking areas" I could hardly ever find one where the smoke didn't work its way over to the table I was sitting at. As for the poor smokers who have to go outside in the rain... Oh well.... Lets just say too bad for now. As a child I was subject to my parents smoking, now if I get a smoking related disease do I blame/sue them?? So am I blaming all smokers for all the health issues today... certainly not. It is a major contributor though. Is it a persons right to do what they want, whenever they want...No Freakin Way! Sorry smokers you are a minority now, so unless that changes...Majority rules...in the public workplaces etc. If they can ever prove that smoking is a health benefit well pass a pack of Players my way...until then....Butt Out.

[Sebae again]

I say smoke on your own time! If people can't drink and get paid for it why should smokers get paid for it? You know what a pain in the ... it is to track down employees when they've got to always go for a smoke not to mention the wasted time.Should a non smoker get paid an extra 2 hours a day more for not taking smoke breaks. Think of the whining that would happen then.

[dsaundry]

Right on......

[Lance]

Originally Posted by dsaundry

Why is it the companies resposibility to pay for a smoking area/room for the smokers? Certainly not for the junkies to shoot up either. As a patron of bars and restaurants who had supposed "smoking areas" I could hardly ever find one where the smoke didn't work its way over to the table I was sitting at. As for the poor smokers who have to go outside in the rain... Oh well.... Lets just say too bad for now. As a child I was subject to my parents smoking, now if I get a smoking related disease do I blame/sue them?? So am I blaming all smokers for all the health issues today... certainly not. It is a major contributor though. Is it a persons right to do what they want, whenever they want...No Freakin Way! Sorry smokers you are a minority now, so unless that changes...Majority rules...in the public workplaces etc. If they can ever prove that smoking is a health benefit well pass a pack of Players my way...until then....Butt Out.

I'm not saying companies should be forced to provide a smoking area. I'm saying don't stop a business that does want to provide a smoking area for patrons or employees the right to do so. If my customers want a place to smoke, and I wish to provide it, who's to say I can't. If it's not illegal and not bothering anybody, where's the harm?

[Ephraim]

i am sick and tired of the segregation that is forced upon my people. It is unjust, when i am outside smoking i try to position myself in the highest traffic area so more of the self-righteous sucessful quitters can breathe my cigarette's refreshing aroma. Non-smokers are not the problem, they are great people, the problem is some of these people who have quit that it goes to thier head and they suddenly beleive the belong to an elitest tribe and they know what is best for me. Nuh-uh, smoking may be bad for my health, but i find it to be very beneficial to my mental wellbeing, is that not worth something?