I'm pretty sure if I made a mask of Asbestos, and ran around putting on people's faces, I would be thrown in jail immediately. Why? Working with the Asbestos puts me at a lot of risk for cancer and other health problems, so I'm mainly hurting myself.
On the flip side, people crowding in entrances and exits of restaurants, etc. smoking are doing the same thing to me. Everyone in my extended family smokes or used to smoke. Being around them as a child caused me to develop terrible asthma which still debilitates me today (its been 24 years since I developed it), and it prevents me from going to a lot of places that I would normally go to. I never smoked, and yet here I am paying the consequences for other people's "lifestyle decisions". If I made a lifestyle decision to go out and prick everyone with the same syringe, surely people would object, hell there are people that have been arrested for going around and spitting on people- and yet smoking, something that directly affects everyone in the general vicinity of those who choose to do it is still legal and rampant. I am disgusted and apalled by people that smoke around anyone else, and I definitely don't think smoking should be legal at all. Do I think it will ever be totally banned? No- for the lobbyist reasons stated above.
I do however, think that smoking in front of public places, or anywhere other than your own home should be charged as assault with a deadly weapon for obvious reasons.
Being a bit over dramatic, aren't we? Smoking may have been a cause of your asthma, however, it is not the reason for the chronic asthma.
The fact is that there are thousands of environmental reasons to develop asthma, and tons of genetic reasons too.
The reason the examples you give are bad is because the intent to hurt you.
Besides, there are now studies out that link antibacterial soap to rises in deadly allergies. Should we ban that?
And where did you get this from? At best your statement is facetious, at worst it's sardonic.
Holding your breath for 10 seconds would solve the problem entirely. But that's not good enough for you. You want a law.
Perhaps it's my fault for not stating that this is 'public' property. In particular, a college campus. Yes, I attend and pay tuition at said college. Are you now going to tell me that I should quit and apply to one that has no smokers?
Yes, that one would be your fault. No, that is not my advice.
I have the perfect solution for all of you that want smoking to be illegal. You should all complain mightily on an internet forum! It's perfect because it not only lets you vent and spew idiotic examples and arguments that don't stand a snowball's chance in hell AND gets you inside, where the malevolent smokers can't ruin your poor lungs.
I think I'm going to have to make the most appropriate "lol wut?" in the history of "lol wuts"
Okay, yeah, that was warranted. Sorry about that.
Translation: there's a very simple way to satisfy your non-smoking preferences that doesn't involve infringing upon the rights of property owners who prefer smoky atmospheres: avoid such places.
That's like telling a disabled veteran to avoid going back to war. Of course, people who don't smoke avoid smoky atmospheres, but who is to decide which atmospheres should be smoky and what did I do that automatically forces me to segregate myself from certain areas? Suppose I'm walking down the street to my job and the person next to me lights up a cigarette, should I continue towards my workplace knowing that it will affect my health? Should I look for another route to work? Should I just turn back and not go in?
The simple solution is to take down the roadblock and to continue on my path. I'm not saying that smoking will ever be illegal, but I definitely think there should be huge consequences to smoking anywhere but your own home.
Besides, there are now studies out that link antibacterial soap to rises in deadly allergies. Should we ban that?
Given that it also breeds antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, which are a menace to the population at large and not just to those who use it, yes.
Cigarettes aren't exactly analogous, though.
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I have the perfect solution for all of you that want smoking to be illegal. You should all complain mightily on an internet forum! It's perfect because it not only lets you vent and spew idiotic examples and arguments that don't stand a snowball's chance in hell AND gets you inside, where the malevolent smokers can't ruin your poor lungs.
We would all do well do heed your words and really think about them. There is a sense of apathy and powerlessness that runs rampant in American society, and it stops people from getting off their asses and making a difference. Becoming politically or socially active, actually trying to make a change yourself in the real world, is an effort whose importance and worth cannot be overstated!
Smoking should not be made illegal, also I doubt you could ban it completly cause most smokers would buy cigarettes somewhere, I also think Marijuanna is better than cigarettes since yeah it kills less people and its not all chems, also if Marijuanna was legal we would have less problems with teenagers involved with street gangs, drug dealing and other things of that nature. Banning cigarettes and Pot insults the peoples intelligence, it's considering the population a small child who can't resist the cookie jar.
I don't smoke and I don't care if people do, it's their problem
That's like telling a disabled veteran to avoid going back to war
Suppose I'm walking down the street to my job and the person next to me lights up a cigarette, should I continue towards my workplace knowing that it will affect my health? Should I look for another route to work? Should I just turn back and not go in?
Oh I don't know....walk faster? Or how bout stop for a moment and let them get a considerable distance ahead of you so you are not breathing it in.
"Suppose I'm walking down the street to my job and the person next to me smells like the walking dead. Should I continue walking towards my workplace knowing that I will have to breath in that god awful smell the whole time? Should I look for another route to work? Or should I just turn back and not go in?"
If someone is smoking next to you just give them some distance the same way you would if you were walking next to someone that smelled terrible or was talking overly loud on their cellphone. The smoker isn't going to like....keep pace with you or anything for god sakes.
I mean really? It seems silly I even have to give you suggestions for how to solve these petty problems. There WILL be jerks. whether it is the jerk blasting his radio damaging your eardrums, driving recklessly posing potential harm to you and others, or lighting up a cigarette in front of a denny's so everyone walking in has to breath it in. But what your suggesting is punishing a considerable part of the populace for the mistakes of a minority of that group. Others on this forum have also brought up the idea of banning all smoking outside one's personal property and it's just not something that would work. It's an addiction. People that smoke usually have a habit based on a quantity of packs per day. What are they supposed to do at work or any of their daily activites? I don't expect you to empathize with this problem but just keep in mind it's an addiction. It's not good enough for you to have it become a ticketable offense to smoke in public establishments or within 25 feet of entrances/exits?
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Of course, people who don't smoke avoid smoky atmospheres, but who is to decide which atmospheres should be smoky and what did I do that automatically forces me to segregate myself from certain areas?
The owner of the property is who is to decide.
I'm not saying that smoking will ever be illegal, but I definitely think there should be huge consequences to smoking anywhere but your own home.
Change 'home' to 'smoker-friendly private property' and we'll talk. The open air banishment talk is kinda silly, too - carcinogens don't act as an airborne virus. You don't get cirrhosis from a sip of communion wine.
I personally do not smoke, though my father did for a large amount of his life (recently made considerable effort to quit, seems to have kicked it) and my brother does every now and then.
That said, I don't think it should be made illegal. I believe that if a person wants to willingly take in whatever may be int hat cigarette, I don't see an issue with it. I'm a believer of "change the channel" thinking. If I don't like it, I don't deal with it.
Besides, the government makes enough off of cigarette taxes, I'm not sure they'd eVER be made illegal.
I do not smoke, and i believe that it is a persons right to do what they want. There actually isnt enough conclusive evidence to support the claim that second hand smoke is dangerous (despite popular belief, and media bias). I believe the study so many quote about second hand smoke found that some 75,000 people who had died of lung cancer had been in contact with second hand smoke. This seems to be severe, but when you read the rest of the study that many seem to "forget" when they quote it, the study was over a group of over 200,000 people. thats less than half, and therefore inconclusive.
maybe further studies will show something, but as for now, nothing. with seeing that smoking doesnt harm anyone but the individual, there is no basis for this law change.
however, there is one thing i think needs to be done. Tobacco companies should be regulated in what they add to cigarettes. while natural tobacco does in fact have nicotiine in it, the companies add in more, along with other chemicals to "smooth out flavors and preserve quality."
There actually isnt enough conclusive evidence to support the claim that second hand smoke is dangerous (despite popular belief, and media bias).
I inhale a [careless] person's smoke. I have an extremely difficult time breathing. This can lead to asthma complications, a situation that is a bit more dangerous then "just a little coughing," which seems to be what most people think happen. Am I a special case seeing as I have asthma? Well, it's estimated that 300 million people worldwide have asthma, so that's about what? 4.483% of the population or something? Not taking into account the various other respiratory-related maladies, it's not unreasonable to say, as a completely non-bias individual, that at any time of day, you are causing an asthmatic or whomever to breath in your toxic cloud of death that looms over the populous like a...toxic cloud of death. I should really plan out my sentences more often.
There are no need for laws, though. There should just be some ground rules:
1) Every time I have to smell your breath, again in a forced setting (I'm trying to be fair here - in a setting where I can leave, I should, though you're still the obnoxious one and I'm still totally awesome), I should be able to fart in your cereal the next morning. You're Lucky Charms will be especially magical that morning. Your won't be so coo-coo for those Cocoa Puffs. There will be a snap, crackle, and a pop in your Rice Krispies before you add milk. I've run out of cereal puns, but you get the idea.
2) If I'm at a public place. Let's say school, or some professional campus of sorts, and I have a strict rout. A sidewalk leading into (or from) a building is a good setting. If I cannot get to my destination without breathing in your smoke that you're huffing out behind you like a train (a self-indulgent, narcissistic train), then I should have the right to, oh I don't know, swing at you a couple of times with a 2x4. Or something. Maybe a golf club, whatever is really on hand I guess.
3) Since it's acceptable for smokers to take 'smoke breaks,' during work (or even class - you'd be surprised) then I should be able to take a 'gaming break' in the same circumstances, because that's an addiction, right? Right? "I'll be right back, I'm gonna go play some Rock Band real quick, gotta get my fix since my last break, which was a completely reasonable hour ago."
Anyway, this has mainly been a joke of a post, but I would enjoy a law passed that restricts smoking to private properties. I wouldn't push for one. I wouldn't picket for one. But if it happened, it would be nice.
Oh, I thought of another cereal pun: Mikey won't like it. Ah, I crack myself up.
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I'm nerd enough to link my WoW Armory Though I'll put it in a small font.
Really I'd rather have all illegal drugs (marijuana especially) legal and taxed. We lost the 'War on Drugs' years ago, we don't need another new enemy. Creates revenue, puts gansters out of business, and increases revenue for the Feds. I've never heard of a politician complaining about too much to spend.
No money in illegal drug trade=poor criminals=less power=less crime. They'll find new markets, but your random knuckle dragger street thug has less $=win.
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Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.
Individualities may form communities, but it is institutions alone that can create a nation.
Nothing succeeds like the appearance of success.
Here is my principle: Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle.
How are you going to enforce ground rules? You cannot have a law that you're allowed to fart in peoples cereal, but you can have a law which says that smoking is illegal. Guaranteed, some smokers will continue to smoke but it will be less and definitely not publicly, so the public will be better off, and that's what I care about.
Ultimately, smoking being illegal means that people can be fined, jailed, and even killed if they want to smoke. The question is not weather smoking is good or bad. It is, can we use violence against those who chose to smoke? I answer no.
Ultimately, smoking being illegal means that people can be fined, jailed, and even killed if they want to smoke. The question is not weather smoking is good or bad. It is, can we use violence against those who chose to smoke? I answer no.
Jailed and whatnow? For smoking? Surely you jest. What makes you think that the penalty would be any more painful than a parking ticket?
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And what do you think happens when someone can't or won't pay whatever fine they dish out?
Can't pay? Their wages are docked, or some other compromise is reached. We've long since abolished debtors' prisons in the First World, as they're an idiotic idea anyway.
Won't pay? They've now committed another crime, and I hope you will agree a more serious one. We can't have people contemning the judicial system left and right, after all. Whatever they have coming to them is a result of this crime.
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I don't think smoking should be made completely illegal, but I think smoking in a public place should be. When you smoke around someone, that's basically the same as poisoning their food...second-hand smoke contributes to cancer. When someone smokes around you, it's a physical attack on your health and well-being. People have the right to do whatever they want, but that right stops when it comes to harming others.
It could be legal in public, however, if there was some sort of filter or mask-like thing which would keep your second-hand smoke to yourself...I don't think it would be too hard to engineer something like this.
Can't pay? Their wages are docked, or some other compromise is reached. We've long since abolished debtors' prisons in the First World, as they're an idiotic idea anyway.
Won't pay? They've now committed another crime, and I hope you will agree a more serious one. We can't have people contemning the judicial system left and right, after all. Whatever they have coming to them is a result of this crime.
No, its a result of them thinking they have the right to buy cigarettes and smoke them. Ultimately, all crimes are punished by the threats of jail, forcible confiscation of property, and death (if necessary). Simply because most people go along with fines rather than resist (a smart move considering the overwhelming force that the government has) does not change this fact.
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Being a bit over dramatic, aren't we? Smoking may have been a cause of your asthma, however, it is not the reason for the chronic asthma.
The fact is that there are thousands of environmental reasons to develop asthma, and tons of genetic reasons too.
The reason the examples you give are bad is because the intent to hurt you.
Besides, there are now studies out that link antibacterial soap to rises in deadly allergies. Should we ban that?
Holding your breath for 10 seconds would solve the problem entirely. But that's not good enough for you. You want a law.
Yes, that one would be your fault. No, that is not my advice.
Such is your choice. There's a very simple solution that doesn't involve impersonating the Religious Right.
Though I'll put it in a small font.
Please stop hijacking my reply box.
Okay, yeah, that was warranted. Sorry about that.
Translation: there's a very simple way to satisfy your non-smoking preferences that doesn't involve infringing upon the rights of property owners who prefer smoky atmospheres: avoid such places.
The simple solution is to take down the roadblock and to continue on my path. I'm not saying that smoking will ever be illegal, but I definitely think there should be huge consequences to smoking anywhere but your own home.
Given that it also breeds antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, which are a menace to the population at large and not just to those who use it, yes.
Cigarettes aren't exactly analogous, though.
candidus inperti; si nil, his utere mecum.
Well exactly, neither are the analogies being brought up for banning cigarettes.
We would all do well do heed your words and really think about them. There is a sense of apathy and powerlessness that runs rampant in American society, and it stops people from getting off their asses and making a difference. Becoming politically or socially active, actually trying to make a change yourself in the real world, is an effort whose importance and worth cannot be overstated!
I don't smoke and I don't care if people do, it's their problem
Oh I don't know....walk faster? Or how bout stop for a moment and let them get a considerable distance ahead of you so you are not breathing it in.
"Suppose I'm walking down the street to my job and the person next to me smells like the walking dead. Should I continue walking towards my workplace knowing that I will have to breath in that god awful smell the whole time? Should I look for another route to work? Or should I just turn back and not go in?"
If someone is smoking next to you just give them some distance the same way you would if you were walking next to someone that smelled terrible or was talking overly loud on their cellphone. The smoker isn't going to like....keep pace with you or anything for god sakes.
I mean really? It seems silly I even have to give you suggestions for how to solve these petty problems. There WILL be jerks. whether it is the jerk blasting his radio damaging your eardrums, driving recklessly posing potential harm to you and others, or lighting up a cigarette in front of a denny's so everyone walking in has to breath it in. But what your suggesting is punishing a considerable part of the populace for the mistakes of a minority of that group. Others on this forum have also brought up the idea of banning all smoking outside one's personal property and it's just not something that would work. It's an addiction. People that smoke usually have a habit based on a quantity of packs per day. What are they supposed to do at work or any of their daily activites? I don't expect you to empathize with this problem but just keep in mind it's an addiction. It's not good enough for you to have it become a ticketable offense to smoke in public establishments or within 25 feet of entrances/exits?
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The owner of the property is who is to decide.
Change 'home' to 'smoker-friendly private property' and we'll talk. The open air banishment talk is kinda silly, too - carcinogens don't act as an airborne virus. You don't get cirrhosis from a sip of communion wine.
That said, I don't think it should be made illegal. I believe that if a person wants to willingly take in whatever may be int hat cigarette, I don't see an issue with it. I'm a believer of "change the channel" thinking. If I don't like it, I don't deal with it.
Besides, the government makes enough off of cigarette taxes, I'm not sure they'd eVER be made illegal.
maybe further studies will show something, but as for now, nothing. with seeing that smoking doesnt harm anyone but the individual, there is no basis for this law change.
however, there is one thing i think needs to be done. Tobacco companies should be regulated in what they add to cigarettes. while natural tobacco does in fact have nicotiine in it, the companies add in more, along with other chemicals to "smooth out flavors and preserve quality."
There are no need for laws, though. There should just be some ground rules:
1) Every time I have to smell your breath, again in a forced setting (I'm trying to be fair here - in a setting where I can leave, I should, though you're still the obnoxious one and I'm still totally awesome), I should be able to fart in your cereal the next morning. You're Lucky Charms will be especially magical that morning. Your won't be so coo-coo for those Cocoa Puffs. There will be a snap, crackle, and a pop in your Rice Krispies before you add milk. I've run out of cereal puns, but you get the idea.
2) If I'm at a public place. Let's say school, or some professional campus of sorts, and I have a strict rout. A sidewalk leading into (or from) a building is a good setting. If I cannot get to my destination without breathing in your smoke that you're huffing out behind you like a train (a self-indulgent, narcissistic train), then I should have the right to, oh I don't know, swing at you a couple of times with a 2x4. Or something. Maybe a golf club, whatever is really on hand I guess.
3) Since it's acceptable for smokers to take 'smoke breaks,' during work (or even class - you'd be surprised) then I should be able to take a 'gaming break' in the same circumstances, because that's an addiction, right? Right? "I'll be right back, I'm gonna go play some Rock Band real quick, gotta get my fix since my last break, which was a completely reasonable hour ago."
Anyway, this has mainly been a joke of a post, but I would enjoy a law passed that restricts smoking to private properties. I wouldn't push for one. I wouldn't picket for one. But if it happened, it would be nice.
Oh, I thought of another cereal pun: Mikey won't like it. Ah, I crack myself up.
Though I'll put it in a small font.
Please stop hijacking my reply box.
Really I'd rather have all illegal drugs (marijuana especially) legal and taxed. We lost the 'War on Drugs' years ago, we don't need another new enemy. Creates revenue, puts gansters out of business, and increases revenue for the Feds. I've never heard of a politician complaining about too much to spend.
No money in illegal drug trade=poor criminals=less power=less crime. They'll find new markets, but your random knuckle dragger street thug has less $=win.
Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.
Individualities may form communities, but it is institutions alone that can create a nation.
Nothing succeeds like the appearance of success.
Here is my principle: Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle.
Draft it on Cubetutor!
Jailed and whatnow? For smoking? Surely you jest. What makes you think that the penalty would be any more painful than a parking ticket?
candidus inperti; si nil, his utere mecum.
But yes, as Blinking Spirit said, were smoking criminalized it would likely be a minor crime and not one subject to the death penalty... :/
And what do you think happens when someone can't or won't pay whatever fine they dish out?
Can't pay? Their wages are docked, or some other compromise is reached. We've long since abolished debtors' prisons in the First World, as they're an idiotic idea anyway.
Won't pay? They've now committed another crime, and I hope you will agree a more serious one. We can't have people contemning the judicial system left and right, after all. Whatever they have coming to them is a result of this crime.
candidus inperti; si nil, his utere mecum.
It could be legal in public, however, if there was some sort of filter or mask-like thing which would keep your second-hand smoke to yourself...I don't think it would be too hard to engineer something like this.
Edit: I drew a simple diagram of what I mean:
No, its a result of them thinking they have the right to buy cigarettes and smoke them. Ultimately, all crimes are punished by the threats of jail, forcible confiscation of property, and death (if necessary). Simply because most people go along with fines rather than resist (a smart move considering the overwhelming force that the government has) does not change this fact.