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I'm a big fan of "live and let live" and "mind my own fucking business," but if there was to be a referendum on smoking...
I could stand behind a public smoking ban, if there were exceptions that allowed bars and restaurants to allow smoking if they choose.
I don't buy into smoking sections and non-smoking sections. I think that if a bar or restaurant chooses to allow smoking then the whole place should be a smoking section. If you don't care to be around smokers, they're not forcing you out into the cold, just to another bar or restaurant.
I think that would solve the majority of the public's concerns and not trample too much on the smokers. Public health should certainly be considered, however, you shouldn't have to ostracize a segment of the population to do it.
I also really hate that 'smokers clog up healthcare' argument. Yes, it takes a lot to care for a smoker, but it also takes a bit to care for careless drivers, victims of careless drivers, extreme sports fanatics, hypochondriacs, insurance abusers, old people looking for attention, alcoholics and the overly concerned parents who bring in little Jimmy everytime he coughs funny.
We seem to live in an 'all or nothing' society. So, unless your also willing to ban driving, all extreme sports, old people, alcoholics and limit the number of hospital visits for the hypochondriacs, insurance abusers and obessesive compulsive parents, we should stop singling out the smokers.
When I was younger I did a lot of stupid shit that sent me to the doctor on more than one occasion. I knew better, but I did it anyway. Didn't have any insurance either...
Nobody lives 'the' perfect life. We all do some remarkably stupid stuff both to ourselves and to others. Before we get up on the soapbox and start preaching to the smokers, maybe we should take a glance in the mirror.
Just a suggestion. Don't mind me. Carry on.
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No signature. None. Seriously.
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