I Can Breathe Again! (Should smoking be banned in public places?)

Name: limbo7

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Product:	Should smoking be banned in public places?
Date:	20.07.07 (273 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: health benefits

Disadvantages: Could lead to violent clashes

The ban on smoking has to be a good thing, particularly in any premises where food is served. I really can't believe the total rudeness and lack of respect people show when smoking in cafes or restaurants. Some people say they like a cigarette after their meal but seem completely oblivious to the fact that maybe most of us do not want to smoke while actually eating!

It has been suggested that we are becoming too much of a nanny state but it is quite obvious that a number of people are simply not capable of making a rational judgement for themselves and need someone to do it for them.


Although I am a non smoker and suffer from asthma I am certainly not on some kind of crusade against smokers, all I am asking for is for the minority who do this to think about other people and maybe consider the effect that their actions are having. I have to say that when I go into a pub now the air seems clearer and this has to be a good thing.

This is not to say that the ban wil not cause problems, I have often witnessed smokers on the bus deliberately flouting the rules (most buses that I use have banned smoking for years). They are usually violent and aggressive if anyone dares to challenge them and most bus drivers also refuse to stop them for fear of violence and who can blame them. Unfortunately there will always be a very small minority who spoil things for everyone else and there seems to be nothing that can be done about this.

The other main problem I can see is that crowds of people are now gathering outside the pubs on the pavement and this could cause problems such as altercations with each other or passer by. It could I suppose be argued that alcohol itself causes just as many if not more problems and another law I would bring in is to stop 2 for 1 offers in all pubs as this just encourages binge drinking.

One story that has recently made the headlines is that many councils are to ban people smoking in their council houses. Although this sounds on the face of it like an infringement to peoples rights it actually makes perfect sense as all they are asking is not to smoke when a council worker is calling on them. Again this is a case of showing you fellow man (or woman) basic respect.

Even most smokers must agree that it is bad for your health and if the ban helps people to quit then this has to be good. Maybe less teenagers will take up smoking as it is not deemed to be cool any more, with smokers looking like outcasts as they lurk in doorways and on street corners.

Summary: Got to be a good thing in the long term