Fence Post (Should smoking be banned in public places?)

Member Name: Slim Lee

Product:	Should smoking be banned in public places?
Date:	30/01/01 (56 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A healthier society?

Disadvantages: How can you possibly enforce it?

The first point to be made here concerns what we consider to be a public place. Over the years smoking has been banned from an increasingly wide number of places such as buses, shopping centers and supermarkets. Other places have introduced smoking and non-smoking sections to try and cater for both sides (“family” orientated pubs and restaurants for example).

Now the next stage is discouraging smoking is being debated. Should we ban it from more public places? And if so, how can we enforce it?

I consider myself to be a fairly liberally minded person and a supporter of the right to freedom of speech and choice. I am also an ex-smoker so I can see both sides of the argument here (yes I said ex … and I hope I can keep it that way!). Hopefully these facts will give my opinion a balanced view.

Here goes …

Arguments “Against” further restrictions
=================================

The “Smoker’s” viewpoint …

“Why should someone else decide where I can and cannot smoke?”

“Look at the contribution in taxes smokers provide for the State coffers!”

“It’s my freedom of choice to smoke where I please, and as long as I am considerate to others why is this a problem?”

“I pollute the atmosphere far less than any driver, why don’t you sort the bigger problems out first”

“Abuse of alcohol has a damaging effect on the resources of the NHS but it is seen as more socially acceptable. Again, we smokers are easy targets.”


Arguments “For” further restrictions
===============================

The “Non-Smoker’s” viewpoint …

“It’s a disgusting habit that is forced onto me passively without my consent”

“It’s a danger to my health when I have to breathe in their smok
e”

“The resources of the NHS are being spent on treating the effects of this when they could be spent more wisely elsewhere”

“I hate the smell of smoke on my clothes when I’ve been near anyone smoking”

“It sets a bad example to our children”

“How do you expect me to eat with the stench of smoke in the air?”


These are just some of the comments I have heard people mutter, and is in no way a comprehensive list! Decide for yourself which ones are valid or not. Some of these are extreme and others are without doubt justified. The main thing that I hope you will achieve from thinking about the above phrases is a better understanding of the issues. If it gives you a taste for the problem then hopefully it will also illustrate that both sides have some valid arguments for and against further banning in public places.


Just get to the point will you!
=========================

Okay …

The above comments (particularly the statements) are typical examples of the gulf between the two sides in this debate. I don’t endorse either one unequivocally as both sides can go to extremes. They both have serious flaws and therefore we have no option but to look for a compromise.

As in most contentious issues there is never an easy solution. This is another subject where a balanced approach is likely to be the most successful one. If we truly want to help people to quit then forcing them underground and treating them like second-class citizens is not the answer. When has banning something made it less popular? If anything you will end up making it more attractive to younger people, exactly the group we need to be steering away from taking up the habit. Ban something and it will become “cool”, control it and you may have a chance at reducing the impact it has on our society.

As long as smokers are considerat
e to the feelings and requests of non-smokers then there shouldn’t be too much friction. Unfortunately, a small minority of smokers are undermining this and abusing the freedom given to them. Hence all the debating about having smoking banned further. They are their own worst enemy!

Non-smokers also have to appreciate that this is one of the hardest addictions to quit, and as a consequence of this extreme crazing some people would smoke in restricted or banned areas. How can this possibly be enforced? On the spot fines from “Smoking Wardens” patrolling the streets/parks? I don’t think so. Traffic wardens are the universally hated but would not compete with this role. Who would be brave enough to take it on, as it would be prone to physical violence on a daily basis!

If we are really serious about reducing smoking in this country then we need to be a bit more supportive of people who want to or are trying to quit. Currently there are very few avenues of help out there apart from your own family and friends. If smoking is really such a drain on our country then the state should be pushing more programmes and incentives to quit. A free to call telephone line (Quitline) is a step in the right direction but in itself it is not a long-term solution.

If anyone has suggestions on this then post them as comments.

As a final point I would just like to wish all the people reading this who are trying to quit the very best of luck. I know you’ll make it!

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