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Originally Posted by DaElf
That is the goverment making a choice for you.
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No, that is the government taking public health into account, and disallowing the habits of individuals in public places that are a detriment to the health of those around them.
Was it "the government making a choice for us" when they forced all asbestos to be removed and replaced in buildings, when it was found out to be so harmful? I guess business owners should have been given the right to choose to replace it or not- after all, we all can choose to go there or not, right?
Is it the government making a choice for us by insisting that all restuarants pass minimum food storage and preparation safety requirements? After all, we can choose to eat at whatever restaurant we want. Phooey on public health, I don't want the government telling private businesses how to run their shops!
Oh, certainly it's the government pushing us around by requiring frequent and thorough inspections of airplanes! After all, we can choose the airlines whose planes we wish to board- why should the government step in and
demand things are safe and not endangering the health and lives of its citizens? Those assholes.
I can keep going.
The main point is that despite what you believe to be the big, bad government putting you down, they are simply removing YOUR unhealthy habit from the lungs of those people in the public with whom you happen to coexist.
If I breathe in your smoke, I am being forced to sacrifice my personal health because of
your personal decisions. Do whatever you want to your own lungs, but anyone who insists they have a "right" to smoke in public places, polluting the lungs of those around them, is being ridiculous.
This is honestly a truly asinine conversation. I can't believe people are actually trying to tell us that it's their right to fuck up other people's lungs because of their personal addiction. Un-freakin'-believable.