h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm an occasional smoker myself, but my mother is asthmatic and many of my friends are either allergic to smoke or just don't like it. I try to be considerate of them and not smoke near them even if it's outdoors. I also agree that smoking should not be allowed in places like restaurants, public transportation, and the like. Smokers can choose to smoke- asthmatics and other people who are sensitive to smoke can't choose to not breathe while you're around and smoke lingers in a confined space. The college that I went to said that smokers should not smoke within 50 feet of the major building entrances due to complaints, and there are a couple areas that are air intakes for the science buildings so you can't smoke around them either. Other than those cases the great wide open, however, should be fair game- city parks, etc.

As for private homes: that's up to the individuals living there. My apartment mate and I both smoke, and have agreed that it's OK to smoke in the apartment. Friends of mine have worked out all kinds of compromises with the people they live with- confining smoking to the person's bedroom, doing it on the back porch instead of inside, etc.

Guess the bottom line is that out of the two the smokers have the responsibility for being considerate since what they do can make others ill. However, some spaces should be designated for them otherwise it's very difficult to find a spot that doesn't offend somebody somewhere.


Nireena

I absolutely agree, as a smoker it is we who need to consider the 'rights' of those who choose to breath "clean air"

In Australia we have effectively banned smoking in all indoor public areas. This rule however has some odd exceptions: Pubs, Clubs and other places selling alcohol are exempt, but must have non-smoking food service areas. Outdoor train stations are included if they have a roof?

The great outdoors, imho, should not be regulated except by self-respect and respect for others (and obeyance of littering laws, the butts are pollution too not just the smoke)...

Yes, sensible smoking laws are what we need. People have a right to self-destruction. Whether it's through alcohol abuse, smoking cigarettes or even watching Pauly Shore movies, it is normal and somewhat (psychologically) healthy to express one's hate for oneself/Earth. The problem is when engaging in these destructive behaviors others are often forced to share the consquences. Private establishments should make their own rules regarding smoking; the marketplace will respond favorably or not. Public places such as parks and schools are communal, not to mention owned by the government. Therefore the government should make the rules, and the sensible one is to keep one's self-hating poisons to oneself. In other words, common respect for others.

Codpiece Man

the only thing that bothers me about people smoking out doors is that I don't know a single smoker who doesn't just drop the butt on the floor...

people who wouldn't dream of dropping the drink can theyve just been using seem to regard cigarettes differently

as a non smoker i agree with all the points above. it would be great if everyone could just agree to a few simple rules, and be considerate to others. i would be in favour of banning smoking complteely, but not only would this make me very unpopular with a lot of people, it would also be almost impossible to enforce, too many people smoke already.
^. .^
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Interesting point Olli (nice to meet you btw )

I wonder how many tons of dog-ends have to be swept away each year, and how many more are simply left, like those flung out of car windows along country lanes. I wonder also how many tons (or perhaps cubic metres) of cigarette smoke are pushed into the atmosphere each year, and how that figure compares with other forms of air pollution. I'm sure that somebody must have the figures for how many cigarettes are smoked worldwide, and how much smoke comes (on average) from each of them.

In an old thread which is currently lost in moderation hell, I posted the figures which show that tobacco smoking is a bigger killer worldwide than war... Do a search for it this time next year, and there's a small chance it'll have reappeared.