Smoking In Public

[Afalia]

As an asthmatic I often curse, metaphorically of course, at smokers who either purposely or by accident blow their cigarette smoke in my face. What follows is usually a nasty cough and wheezing, which is always pleasant whilst walking through town or around my college. Luckily I usually only have to experience smoke all around me in the town centre or by my college as, here in the UK, ever since the smoking ban I can sit in restaurants and pubs, offices etc. without it. Thankfully none of my family smoke either.

However I was wondering-should we go further with smoking restrictions in public? In the UK and in a number of US states I believe, smoking bans inside public places such as bars and offices, but out on the street you are perfectly free to smoke. Should we restrict this further-smoking should only be permitted inside your own home or on other private property? Perhaps we shouldn't allow smoking in high streets-we have alcohol free zones where you can't drink, why not this?

I'll admit I'm biased in my view being an asthmatic, but I'd like perhaps smoke free zones in high streets or only allowing smoking in smoke shelters. I'd even stretch to only allowing smoking on private property, but nothing else. Do you agree or do you take a libertarian viewpoint on smoking-you can do it anywhere you like, regardless.

Thank you NS.

[Khadgar]

As long as they're not hovering around the doorways smoking I don't really care.

Indiana has a law wherein you're not permitted to smoke within 8 feet of a business entrance.

[The Truth and Light]

People who smoke around other people, especially strangers, are assholes.

[Samuraikoku]

I would ideally have no smoking in public places, for certain. I am not decided if this including the street would be a good idea, but I support the sentiment as I don't smoke and hate the smoke around.

[Arglorand]

As long as they're not hovering around the doorways smoking I don't really care.

Amusingly, that's exactly what kids from the nearby high school do around my door.

... Well, calling them kids is very condescending of me, considering we're of the same age. Anyway, point is, nowadays I can't go into my apartment building without, I don't know, smelling like... smoke. I don't have a problem with people smoking wherever they like, but when they're hovering around the doorways or intentionally around other people, that's just irritating.

[Luveria]

If you have to smoke weed in the privacy of your own home cig smokers should too.

[Nothing because any name I want is taken]

I dislike smoking because it is a dangerous habit. I do not want cigarette smoke in my face. Just restrict it to your private property or places where very few people go.

[Ivory Record]

I'm not actually sure where I stand on this - being, myself, a casual, non-habitual smoker.

As a general rule, I'm down with individual businesses and public areas having blanket bans against smoking on their property, but I do believe that businesses should be allowed to allow smoking if they choose.

After all, we're allowed to have businesses where people can drink, in violation of public drunkenness/open container laws. Call it a "tobacco license". Bars would pay for them through the nose.

[German-Spanish Empire]

Who cares?

[Zweite Alaje]

If you have to smoke weed in the privacy of your own home cig smokers should too.

^This.


I'd personally like for all smoking to be banned, but this is good enough.

[Abatael]

Restaurants are private property.

[Samuraikoku]

Restaurants are private property.

That allow for public access.

[Oceara]

I am an asthmatic as well, as I often say.. "I'd rather not die." Keep it at private locations of which other people like me are not forced to end up in hospitals with severe asthma attacks. In fact my asthma was started by secondhand smoke from my own mom smoking near me too often.

[Congotar]

I dislike smoking because it is a dangerous habit. I do not want cigarette smoke in my face. Just restrict it to your private property or places where very few people go.

I agree.

[The Blue Flag Republic]

I lived with a smoker, my mother, until her wheezing on that fag (slang for cigarette) got her emphysema. It should be totally banned. I don't care if we add Tobacco to the list of addicting plants burned for their addicting chemicals, it must be made illegal to smoke in the United States under any conditions.

[Abatael]

Restaurants are private property.

That allow for public access.

Regardless. Restaurants are private property.

[German-Spanish Empire]

That allow for public access.

Regardless. Restaurants are private property.

Agreed.

[Occupied Deutschland]

Businesses should be free to let people smoke or not depending on the owner's attitudes. Smoking in public government buildings I can live with a ban on. Smoking in public itself should be open to people, though smokers who smoke in high-traffic areas are assholes.

[Esternial]

Smoking out on the streets should be fine. My problem with smoking is when it's done indoors, especially in poorly ventilated places. When you're walking on the street and smoke, then it won't really bother people too much.

[Pope Joan]

Smoking in public should be allowed. It's the open air. More freedom for everyone. I would hope the smoker and the cougher could communicate peaceably and work out some reasonable spacing arrangement.

[Afalia]

If you have to smoke weed in the privacy of your own home cig smokers should too.

This is the way I often look at it.

[Occupied Deutschland]

I lived with a smoker, my mother, until her wheezing on that fag (slang for cigarette) got her emphysema. It should be totally banned. I don't care if we add Tobacco to the list of addicting plants burned for their addicting chemicals, it must be made illegal to smoke in the United States under any conditions.

Because that worked wonders with alcohol, right?

[Condunum]

Er... I'd rather just keep with smoking not being allowed around business entrances and the entrances to domiciles.

[Tortopolis]

As an asthmatic I often curse, metaphorically of course, at smokers who either purposely or by accident blow their cigarette smoke in my face. What follows is usually a nasty cough and wheezing, which is always pleasant whilst walking through town or around my college. Luckily I usually only have to experience smoke all around me in the town centre or by my college as, here in the UK, ever since the smoking ban I can sit in restaurants and pubs, offices etc. without it. Thankfully none of my family smoke either.

troll smoke!

[Lamaredia]

I have never liked smoking. I do however find it pretty retarded that smoking is allowed, but ''Snus'' isn't. (Snus is tobacco and some other stuff in a small bag that you put under your lip.