Here's What I Think
Smoking should be banned in all public places.
A smoker's (poor) choice should not affect the health of others.
Secondhand smoke contains hundreds of toxic chemicals including arsenic ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde, benzene, and vinyl chloride. It is known to cause cancer, coronary heart disease, and respiratory problems. There is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
Non smokers should not be subjected to this disgusting habit.
Wanting to ban smoking in public places isn't about taking away a smoker's rights. You will still have the right to smoke in your own space. The right to slowly and deliberately harm others was never yours to begin with.
Your Turn!
(The top posts are the most recent.)
Smoking should be banned in all public places. Indoors and out.
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes, you're right!
Shelly says:
Yes indeed! We non-smokers have been passive victims of the stench and harm to our health too long!
Posted November 03, 2009
idk says:
it should not be banned!!!
Posted November 02, 2009
Jess says:
yes it shouldnt be banned in some cities it should be banned all the way arounf
Posted October 29, 2009
ketchup says:
i think d gov should provide the smokers with a space that they can smoke n the can be the secondhand smokers coz of they smoking
Posted October 25, 2009
scimedical says:
Sure - its a filthy habit - so whats the answer:
This is the correct motivation:
Taxation
Making it more difficult for smokers in public places.
Increase the stigma.
All these things worked for me. Any amount of chewing gum didn't.
Posted October 22, 2009
OMG NAO! says:
The way I see it, smoking should be highly banned in every place. Who would even want to smoke? It is just stupid..
Posted October 19, 2009
sack says:
because it is harmful to all around the smoker not just the smoker themself
Posted October 16, 2009
lil_penny says:
definatly agree.
Posted October 15, 2009
tuuguu says:
i agree with it
Posted October 15, 2009
Jaslene says:
I dont think its fair that just because other people make stupid decisions to smoke other people suffer too and sometimes even worst. Smoking is bad!
Posted October 05, 2009
Emily says:
I think it is disgraceful because it can harm everyone around you and even worse kill them
Posted October 03, 2009
ali says:
yes it should be banned because second hand smoking can lead to problems
Posted October 02, 2009
Mary says:
Yes it should be banned it is just disgusting
Posted September 30, 2009
Mark says:
I think they should just stop making them... period... then there wouldn't be any secondhand smoke. what a dumb bunch we are humans, inhaling burning leaves...
Posted September 21, 2009
hello_hello says:
hello
Posted August 31, 2009
MLG PRO yhslaw says:
smoking is bad
Posted August 27, 2009
lollypop says:
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted August 23, 2009
terry says:
i hate the fact that if I dare sit/stay outside for more than a minute, I am always expose to other peoples' smoke, against my will, and I have to move. If I made up a concoction of dangerous chemicals and sprayed them over passsers by, I'd be arrested. Why can smokers effectively do the same thing to anyone near them and that's totally acceptable? It's a disgusting habit, if smokers want to kill themselves, fine, but don't force it ot those that care about their health!!!
Posted August 20, 2009
eliza says:
many people are in danger to the choice that smokers have chosen
Posted August 17, 2009
jcgarner says:
Analogies: Your right to swing your arm, ends at my nose. And I don't swim in your toilet, please don't pee in my pool. :-)
Posted August 04, 2009
No way, Monkeybrain!
squidwalker says:
href="
http://www.squidoo.com/help-for-stop-smokingMy lens
Banned only in places where it is of consideration of the non smokers, but then again smoking related deaths from cancers is just huge and the associated costs for health care for it is of course billions, much of it subsidized. Banning smoking in the civilized world? hmmm..
Posted October 26, 2009
DeboraR says:
As an Xsmoker myself I'm angered by how far smokers have let the government go to take away their rights to smoke in public. Not only that but to let them add chemicals to their cigarettes to cause them to 'go out' if you don't puff on them enough in order to prevent you from burning your house down with you in it. And why would they care? If the smoking won't kill you then what will that chemical do for you? On top of that, they have added more taxes onto the cigarettes and I've not heard any protest over that. Excuse me 'smokers' but is the nicotine paralized your brains? Are you just rolling over and playing dead? If you want to keep lighting up you better start speaking up or pretty soon the government is gonna make it illegal for you to smoke. I guess they will always be the freedom to drink yourself into oblivian and drive. Its better to not advertise cigarrettes on TV and in magazines or your children will start smoking but let them drink and give them a formula for making METH instead! That will make the world a better place! Ya think?
Having said all that.....I thought it was good enough to let the smokers have a designated place to smoke away from the non-smokers.
Posted October 15, 2009
Hunter says:
Okay, let's just treat alll the smokerslike dogs and put outside. Oh and have you seen a smoker have a nicfit? I'd rather deal with second hand smoke. Thank you.
Posted October 07, 2009
PlayGuitarToday says:
Indoors - Yes, you can't get away from it, Outdoors I really can't see a problem...
Posted October 05, 2009
Mars-Bar says:
Smoking is fine as long as you keep away from the people who are smoking at that exact time
Posted October 03, 2009
Dillon K. says:
Its our personal choice to be smokers. If your willing to try to take away our rights just to meet your own satisfaction then you can technically be considered a terrorist. We all have our right to freedom of speech but freedom of speech has its limits.
Posted September 21, 2009
storge says:
Indoors-definitely yes
outdoors-not definite unless an area is specially allocated for smokers such as a smokers' zone.
Posted August 21, 2009
Sinderbox says:
I don't see how you can say smokers 'deliberately harm others'. Smokers don't go around purposefully blowing smoke at non-smokers.
Posted August 03, 2009
alexdunne9 says:
Ban smoking outdoors ??? what's next ban fast food and alcohol !!!
Anti-depressants and sleeping tablets are addictive and bad for you should we ban them as well and see everyone in the world go crazy ?
Posted July 29, 2009
homebasedangell says:
An ex-smoker - I despise smoking, smelling it, seeing it, knowing it exists... You get the picture. That said, until it's ILLEGAL to smoke, I don't understand how we can ban something that's perfectly legal to buy, use and so on and then turn around and say not here...or there. You didn't put a column for someone on the fence so I am going to put it in the yes column! Or may not.....!
Posted July 21, 2009
no problems here says:
I don't smoke but i do believe they should be allow to smoke in public places. How can you ban one thing and not others? Like drinking, fat people, skinny people, people with different hair color, gay people, straight people, etc...its all the same someone is always going to have a problem with something
Posted May 26, 2009
rj reynolds says:
thank you for smoking
Posted May 16, 2009
kgfdljhgefy says:
lolololol!
Posted April 23, 2009
reneh2o says:
Smoking Outdoors should be allowed, I don't see anything wrong with that.
Posted March 18, 2009
BlindOptimism says:
Although I don't like being around smokers, and agree with the current ban, I think it's unfair to take away their rights completely. Wouldn't a complete ban of smoking in public spacesonly leave them with their own homes? I think what we have right now is a fair compromise
Posted March 10, 2009
mysticmama says:
I'm sorry but whether you're a smoker or a non-smoker, everyone should be against our government having ant say-so at all about smoking. America is suposed to be a free country, if you let the government take away just one civil liberty, you open the door for them to take away all personal freedoms...Personally I don't want to make America another Nazi Germany...I say we abolish all anti-smoking laws now, before we lose all of our personal freedoms and all end up having to wear uniforms and read only government approved books...And if that's not enough, you'd better believe that your right to free speech and being able to have an opinion on squidoo are in serious danger, with every new law that passes that prohibits our rights to choose!
Posted February 27, 2009
Dkprincess6 says:
Excuse me! Indoors I can see it, but outdoors? Come on! Minnesota just enacted a smoking ban in all public places. Guess what happened? Dozens of businesses went under. They have smoking and non-smoking sections in places for a reason.
Posted February 27, 2009
elsie says:
Thats un-American
Posted February 26, 2009
brandmanager says:
Im trying to quit. Too many other things that can hurt you, kill you, scar you for life. I know smoking is bad...but we have rights also...
Posted February 19, 2009
Gabe says:
How did we get here. The Country that is the greatest champions democracy. How is it that we live in a time where the people can not recognize the difference between democracy and tyranny.
I am tired of seeing Representatives get away with justifying their support of the smoking ban by pointing to the polls. This is irrelevant. Property owners have rights. Anyone has a right to avoid a restaurant that allows smoking. Or can choose to work in a restaurant that does not allow smoking.
We need a government in Virginia that understands the limitations of government. Their are times in all our lives where we will sometimes stand in the majority and times when we will be in the minority.
There is a time for the will of the people and there is a time for individual rights. As citizens we must understand the difference.
If most the people in your neighborhood covered their lawns with astro-turf, well that would be their right. But if they wanted a law requiring you to kill the lawn you worked so hard on for years and replace it with astro-turf would that be ok because they are the majority.
Do you stand for a law to dictate how these business owners are to run the restaurant they have worked so long and hard to have. The government might as well plan their menus and take over their dept and responsibilities as well.
The market place has greatly limited the choses smoker has for dinning. Is it fair to quash it altogether.
If we don't stand for individual rights, then we will all at some point be targeted.
We must understand that a smoking ban runs contrary to our principals as Americans. I can not stress enough the importance of these principals.
If this law is passed, smokers will continue to smoke and non smokers will continue to have many options for smoke free dinning. The only thing that changes with the ban is that smokers will no longer have the freedom to choose. Doesn't sound much like America to me.
Posted February 10, 2009
Help Me Prove My Point
If you agree, add links (proof!) that help me make my case
Add a link that makes my case.
2
The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke
A Report of the Surgeon General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.4 points
4
Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights
3 points
5
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco
2 points
6
http://deadliest.habit.ever.com/
1 point
7
Secondhand Smoke | AHealthyMe.com
Most cigarette smokers know the dangers of tobacco. After all, the surgeon general stamps a warning right on the pack. But what about the people sitti...0 points
Disprove My Point (if you must)
Disagree? Put your money where your mouth is and show us why.
Post links that point out why you think I'm wrong.
1
Nicotine Benefits
Smoking decreases the risks of Parkinson's and Alz more...2 points
2
Executive Summary: "Radiation from Medical Procedures in the Pathogenesis of Cancer and Ischemic Heart Disease," by John W. Gofman, M.D., Ph. D., 1999
Medical Radiation: Important co-factor in ALL canc more...2 points
3
http://www.journaloftheoretics.com/Editorials/Vol-1/e1-4.htm
Nonprofit peer-reviewed Journal of scientifically more...1 point
4
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/24/us/24bingo.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
New York Times article on smoking ban's affect's o more...0 points
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Smoking Bans in the US
This is the introduction to a Wikipedia article. Click the link below to find a list of smoking bans for restaurants, bars, and non-hospitality workplaces sorted by State.
The following is a list of smoking bans in the United States. For smoking bans and restrictions outside the United States, see the worldwide list of smoking bans.
The United States Congress has not attempted to enact any nationwide federal smoking ban. Therefore, smoking bans in the United States are entirely a product of state and local criminal and occupational safety and health laws.
As further detailed in this list, smoking laws vary widely throughout the United States. Some places in the United States do not generally regulate smoking at all, some ban smoking in...
World Wide Smoking Bans
Click the link below
This is a list of smoking bans by country....
February is American Heart Month!
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US.
Secondhand smoke is estimated to cause between 22,700 to 69,600 premature deaths from heart disease annually among nonsmokers.
Need "No Smoking" Signs?
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Share your story
Artemus-Gordon wrote...
It really bothers me how smokers stand in front of doors and smoke so that you have to walk through a cloud to go into a building.
Tipi wrote...
This is very good lens on a controversial subject. Well done!
Squid Angel blessed today!
Susie
Spook wrote...
I said I would come back. By now I also think you well know I detest this type of thing. It's actually beside the point. Why? Because it's a great debate and I have always loved those. Blessed by an Angel.
Lee wrote
I've been trying to give up for 2 years. I thought the birth of my second child would do the trick - but I'm back on them again.
For me - the answer is legislation and taxation. The only thing that's gonna make me stop is if someone makes if very difficult or expensive for me to continue. Go ahead - raise the taxes and refuse me medical insurance (you'll be doing me a favor). Use the taxation money to educate kids on why they shouldn't start in the first place.
http://www.squidoo.com/scimedical
DeboraR wrote...
Great lens on a very contraversial topic. I'm an exsmoker of 21 yrs. However, I believe its a persons right/freedom to make the choice to smoke or not. All the hoopla over second hand smoke has never shown me any tangible proof that any such thing is deadly.
homebasedangell wrote...
Great lens on a subject that should be debated until nicotine is only alive in history books! The best decision I ever made was to quit (12 years ago).
Treasures-By-Brenda wrote...
This is one of those basic debates that I find easy to answer. I don't think anyone else should 'force' me to smoke.
I'd be thrilled if you'd way in on another 'simple' debate that isn't, well, quite so simple. Banning paper coffee cups is being strongly considered in Toronto. Did you know that they are not recycled!?! Please visit and let me know what you think of that subject!
I am lensrolling your lens to mine; yours is just on a different type of pollution than mine. And, oh yes, blessing your lens, too!
Brenda
Adrian Haggett wrote
Let's be totally honest here - how many people do you know personally who have died from pacif smoking? I think the bunny-huggers of this world have gone too far. If you sit around a camp fire you are likely to inhale smoke from the fire, but we don't ban camp fires, do we?
JoanneOtt wrote...
I agree that smoking should not be allowed in any public places. I live in a city that banned it about 10 years ago now. It's so nice to go out and not be subjected to second hand smoke!
mysticmama wrote...
very cool lens, it really gets people fired up doesn't it!
LaurieBeth wrote...
Great debate, Christene.
Democracy is about compromise; that is what people don't get. Not everybody is going to get what they want--therefore, lawmakers have to weigh the pros and cons of both sides. It does not surprise me at all that at least in my wonderful state of New York, they realized that the con of one side--someone having to go the 2-3 hours it takes to have a nice dinner without a cigarette--pales in comparison to the con of the other, which is a small child or a person with asthma or other form of COPD either being blocked out from all restaurants or being injured because of someone else's choice.
Your rights end where someone else's begin. People need to remind themselves of that.
healthsensei wrote...
I agree smoking should be banned too. Smoking is not the only way to reduce stress. It might be a quick and easy way to do it but why reduce stress at the cost of jeopardizing your own health? If you live in a house with smokers, I suggest that you get one of those air purifiers for homes to at least clean the air and protect yourself from secondhand smoke!
jdttni wrote...
Great squidoo lens! I personally run an online electronic cigarette guide. It's a great tobacco replacement product and I highly recommend it.
"Isn't making a smoking section in a restaurant like making a peeing section in a swimming pool?"
- George Carlin

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