Look, I don't mind some measures to reduce health risks from second-hand smoke -- well, that's not true, I do mind, but I'll put up with it. There's a coffee shop near me where the smoking section is entirely enclosed -- it makes you feel like you're on display, but hey, I get to smoke indoors, and you don't have to breathe my smoke. Exhaust fans, in sufficient quantity, can greatly reduce the amount of second-hand smoke in the air without annoying smokers at all. Now godxzilla posts the following list of effects of second-hand smoke - one question would be, what kind of exposure are we talking about? I think if you have kids, and smoke in your home, you're an asshole. But that's a different level of exposure entirely than one night at a bar. Moreover, take a look at the list:
Quote:
* Secondhand Smoke causes about 3,000 deaths each year from lung cancer in people who don´t smoke.
* Secondhand Smoke causes irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.
* Secondhand Smoke can also irritate the lungs, leading to coughing, excessive phlegm and chest discomfort.
* Secondhand Smoke has been linked with the onset of chest pain may affect the heart, according to some studies.
* Children who breathe Secondhand Smoke are more likely to suffer from pneumonia, bronchitis, and other lung diseases.
* Children who breathe Secondhand Smoke have more inner infections
* Children who breathe Secondhand Smoke are more likely to develop asthma
* Children who have asthma and who breathe Secondhand Smoke have more asthma attacks
* There are an estimated 150,000 to 300,000 case every year of infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia in infants and children under 18 months of age who breathe Secondhand Smoke. These result in 7,500 to 15,000 hospitalizations.
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You'll note that all of these, except for the first one, all deal with either annoyances or children. Now, when was the last time you saw children in the neighborhood bar? So, for the most part, these alleged facts are not even relevant.