Why we shouldn't ban smoking

[Sims2789]

There's two reasons: Personal freedom and public health & safety.

The first reason's simple: Everyone knows smoking's bad for you (packs even say it on the side), but as long as you don't do it in a bar, in a car with a kid inside, etc. ("forcing" me to inhale one puff on the sidewalk as I pass by doesn't count) then you shouldn't be stopped from doing it. In short, as long as it doesn't hurt other people you're free to do it regardless of how it affects you.

That being said, I support regulating addictive substances like nicotine similar to how we regulate food, if we can do it and not add insult to injury to existing smokers, who would be forced to smoke more if we flat-out require cigarette manufacturers to lower nicotine content. I don't think letting existing smokers buy higher-nicotine cigarettes would work, so I don't know how to implement this.

However, the second reason's more complex: Smoking would be pushed underground, and it may actually decrease since it would be less accessible. However, organized crime would take it over, and they'd wage turf wars, smuggle drugs, and manufacture cigarettes that are even less safe than the ones you buy in stores.

On top of that, smoking would once again become a badge of rebellion for young people, and its use among young people may increase permanently, like it did briefly in the 1990's before dropping to a 12-year low in 2003 (link).

EDIT: Could a mod add "Yes, from somewhere else" and "No, from somewhere else" to the poll?

 

[warpus]

In short, as long as it doesn't hurt other people you're free to do it regardless of how it affects you.

I know this might sound a bit extreme, but I fully support the smoking of substances on your own private property.

Elsewhere? Nah, dont like it, it gets in my way, and in my lungs.

 

[Ramius75]

geez, why no asian ???

yes, smoking should be completed outlaw on Earth.

 

[Godwynn]

I know this might sound a bit extreme, but I fully support the smoking of substances on your own private property.

Elsewhere? Nah, dont like it, it gets in my way, and in my lungs.

Yessir.

10 Characters.

 

[Mulholland]

Outdoors and on private property fine. Elsewhere where it might do harm to other is a big nono.

 

[Sims2789]

geez, why no asian ???

yes, smoking should be completed outlaw on Earth.

Sorry, I was gonna put more options.

I know this might sound a bit extreme, but I fully support the smoking of substances on your own private property.

Elsewhere? Nah, dont like it, it gets in my way, and in my lungs.

You don't own your kids lungs, but everybody owns the streets and sidewalks, so I think you should be able to smoke there since smoking outside, disgusting as it may be, doesn't hurt other people.

You may inhale a puff of second-hand smoke when you go to the store, but this is such a minor harm that I think it's outweighed by a smoker's right to settle their urge to smoke. If you inhale it a lot, though, like if your smoking father drives you home from daycare everyday, then he should have to roll down the window.

 

[Ondskan]

Not completely but in public resturaunts, clubs and places like this. Indoor places. Your house and parks and streets =OK.

 

[Lightning Count]

Yes, we should ban cigarettes like we did alcohol, especially after the great results we had with that.

 

[Bill3000]

I like the tax revenue.

 

[warpus]

You don't own your kids lungs, but everybody owns the streets and sidewalks, so I think you should be able to smoke there since smoking outside, disgusting as it may be, doesn't hurt other people.

In designated smoking areas, usually not.

Elsewhere, sometimes.

People smoke at bus stops, it's disgusting.

Should I be able to whip out my crack pipe and get crack in your lungs? I hope not.. So keep your drugs out of my lungs.

 

[Ondskan]

Yes, we should ban cigarettes like we did alcohol, especially after the great results we had with that.

Nah. Cigs are because they are damaging to others and they really smell like . .. .. .. . to us nonsmokers. It's like having a less bad exhaustpipe in your face at a club.

 

[Lightning Count]

Nah. Cigs are because they are damaging to others and they really smell like . .. .. .. . to us nonsmokers. It's like having a less bad exhaustpipe in your face at a club.

I don't have anything against public smoking bans, but a total ban would just add onto the list of drugs covered by American drug enforcement laws, and we see how effective those are at keeping marijuana and cocaine off the black market.

 

[Mulholland]

In designated smoking areas, usually not.

Elsewhere, sometimes.

People smoke at bus stops, it's disgusting.

Should I be able to whip out my crack pipe and get crack in your lungs? I hope not.. So keep your drugs out of my lungs.

By law you aren't allowed to smoke in bus shelter. By respect one shouldn't light up in any enclosed space with other people. But street pollution will cause much more damage than the odd whiff of tobacco smoke,

 

[gallego]

("forcing" me to inhale one puff on the sidewalk as I pass by doesn't count)

If you live in a European city this occasional involuntary smoke intake can become pretty much constant throughout the day and add up to a lot of exposure. Even in America I am bothered by the amount of smoke I get in cities and I can only imagine what someone with respiratory difficulties has to go through. I know it feels like a war against smokers but quite frankly it's an unhealthy and voluntary* habit and smokers are just going to have to accomodate my health (and likely that of dozens of others that pass by them) before their cravings.

*Cars are a different story, and they theoretically have the possibility of becoming pollution-free. So the problem isn't cars, the problem is developing better ones that don't pollute as much. I can be anti-smoking and pro-car as long as I support the development of green cars and green energy.

 

[Ondskan]

I don't have anything against public smoking bans, but a total ban would just add onto the list of drugs covered by American drug enforcement laws, and we see how effective those are at keeping marijuana and cocaine off the black market.

Agreed. I said it in my first post to. Ban it inside public areas.

In the outside public areas and private homes, no.

 

[Verge]

Keep smoking policies the way they are now.

Some people just want to have a smoke sometimes, so why should we stop them. They know the possible risks, and if they become addicted, it's not because a lack of legislation; it's because schools and parents failed to teach said smokers at a young age the importance of personal responsibility.


If someone is really adamant about stopping smoking once and for all, comprehensive education programs will be much more effective than attacking smoking directly through legislative action.

 

[aronnax]

Construct a glass box and ban smoking everywhere except in that glass box

 

[Verge]

Construct a glass box and ban smoking everywhere except in that glass box

Turn the box into sphere, enlarge it, replace the glass with an atmosphere, then call it Earth. If you did that, I'd agree with you.

 

[aronnax]

Well I should say more.

How about no smoking in Indoor Places, Vehicles, Transport Systems, outside places where many people gather such as Bus stops, outdoor Cafes and Restuarant, Stadiums, Plazas, Squares, Children's Playground, Crowded Beaches and Parks, Just outside Schools, Malls, HDB Decks(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Void_deck), in the middle of a large nature preserve, zoos, Swimming Pools, Public Places and Car Park Decks.

 

[Verge]

Well I should say more.

How about no smoking in Indoor Places, Vehicles, Transport Systems, outside places where many people gather such as Bus stops, outdoor Cafes and Restuarant, Stadiums, Plazas, Squares, Children's Playground, Crowded Beaches and Parks, Just outside Schools, Malls, HDB Decks(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Void_deck), in the middle of a large nature preserve, zoos, Swimming Pools, Public Places and Car Park Decks.

That's fine, by and large. Smoking is banned or at least heavily regulated in most of those place here in the US, so I can agree with most of the list.