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Martian · 06-23-2009, 05:27 PM

Cigarette smoke does stink, but I think the effects of second hand smoke are a bit overblown. I have difficulty buying that 5 second exposure to a bit of tobacco smoke on the street is likely to cause anyone long-term adverse health effects. Prolonged chronic exposure? Sure. If you live with someone who smokes three packs a day for twenty years you might have problems. But one night at the bar doesn't seem likely to kill anyone.

I'm against smoking bans for one reason and one reason only, which is that I believe the venue operator should be the one to make that decision. If the bar/club/restaurant owner wants to ban smoking in his establishment then that's one thing. For the government to do it for him is quite another.

Making smoking illegal? Stupid. People do all kinds of stupid harmful shit all the time. I reckon they ought to be free to do it, so long as they're not forcing their bad habits on others. And yes, your kids may not have a choice. If you smoke around your kids, you're also an asshole. Inconsiderate smokers are ruining things for the rest of us.

Perspective:

I'm a smoker.

If I'm not actively smoking, I cannot stand the smell of tobacco smoke. I often have to wash my hands after finishing a cig.

Both my mother and my biological father smoked when I was growing up. Mum quit, but so far as I know dad still does.

If I'm with someone whose opinion I'm unsure I always ask before I light one. This goes for public places as well as my own home and even out of doors. If I ask and the other party indicates they don't mind, I figure I've taken my reasonable precautions and am unlikely to ask again or show any undue concern.

I never smoke around small children. I will stand away or even leave the sidewalk to avoid it.

I am not the typical smoker.

06-23-2009, 05:27 PM	#23 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	Cigarette smoke does stink, but I think the effects of second hand smoke are a bit overblown. I have difficulty buying that 5 second exposure to a bit of tobacco smoke on the street is likely to cause anyone long-term adverse health effects. Prolonged chronic exposure? Sure. If you live with someone who smokes three packs a day for twenty years you might have problems. But one night at the bar doesn't seem likely to kill anyone. I'm against smoking bans for one reason and one reason only, which is that I believe the venue operator should be the one to make that decision. If the bar/club/restaurant owner wants to ban smoking in his establishment then that's one thing. For the government to do it for him is quite another. Making smoking illegal? Stupid. People do all kinds of stupid harmful shit all the time. I reckon they ought to be free to do it, so long as they're not forcing their bad habits on others. And yes, your kids may not have a choice. If you smoke around your kids, you're also an asshole. Inconsiderate smokers are ruining things for the rest of us. Perspective: I'm a smoker. If I'm not actively smoking, I cannot stand the smell of tobacco smoke. I often have to wash my hands after finishing a cig. Both my mother and my biological father smoked when I was growing up. Mum quit, but so far as I know dad still does. If I'm with someone whose opinion I'm unsure I always ask before I light one. This goes for public places as well as my own home and even out of doors. If I ask and the other party indicates they don't mind, I figure I've taken my reasonable precautions and am unlikely to ask again or show any undue concern. I never smoke around small children. I will stand away or even leave the sidewalk to avoid it. I am not the typical smoker. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame