• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

New Smoking Ban Good or Bad?

What of the New Ban.

  • Good

    Votes: 19 27.1%
  • Too far

    Votes: 49 70.0%
  • Other

    Votes: 2 2.9%

  • Total voters
    70
It's hard to breath with all that smoke.

Do smokers realize that when they smoke a cigarette, then get in a non-smokers' car, there's a faint smoke smell even after they get out? Thanks for that.

Well there is a pretty easy solution to this: do not let smokers around you or inside your car if it bothers you soo much:roll:
 
It's hard to breath with all that smoke.

Do smokers realize that when they smoke a cigarette, then get in a non-smokers' car, there's a faint smoke smell even after they get out? Thanks for that.

I doubt non-smokers are inundated by clouds of smoke outdoors. Perhaps they get a whiff if they walk past a smoker, but hey. They're people too. They have rights.

I cannot tolerate smoke at all anymore (for the reasons I detailed earlier in this thread; my lungs are shot), so cigarette smoke, smoke from woodstoves or chimneys or beach bonfires, all make my lungs seize up. So does perfume, after-shave, most cleaning products, and scented candles. Now does that give me the right to lobby my town to ban woodstoves, chimneys, bbq's, beach bonfires, perfume, after-shave, most cleaning products and scented candles? Of course not. I simply have to avoid these things.

The problem I have with the rabid anti-cigarette crowd is that it's more about hatred than any legitimate distress. Annoyance? Indoors, of course. But outdoors? No. How do I know that? Because we're talking about smoking outside. Outside. And not one person has railed about those horrible stench of beach bonfires, chimney smoke, woodstoves and backyard bbqs... and if y'all were really sensitive to smoke, like I am, you'd know that there is not one iota of difference between them when encountered in an outdoor environment. It all smells smokey. Only most people ignore the smell from bbq's, chimneys and bonfires. Why? Because most people like to use these things, and they don't want things that like to use to be banned. Only the things they don't like to use that smell the same as the things they like to use should be banned. And that's based upon double standards, hatred and... dare I say it?... bigotry.

It's simple, really. :mrgreen:

That said, if any of you smoke, please consider trying to quit as soon as possible. I believe you have the right to make that choice yourself... but remember, when we make a poor choice, there will be consequences. Life is better without cigarettes. Also, longer.
 
Last edited:
my great uncle had a heart condition. he was 93. they sent him home to die. after 6 months, hospice left. said he had lived too long and that they couldn't stay any longer. he lived for another couple of years after that.

Can't imagine anyone this old not needing live-in care. Most people this age are in nursing homes that are very expensive.
 
Can't speak for others, but I haven't taken sick leave in years and have only twice had to make a doctor's visit in the last three years (non-flu shot related)... I know this isn't the norm, but it is largely through my personal lifestyle choices. I shouldn't be penalized by those who don't make similar, healthy lifestyle choices...

So....everyone has to live just like you then?
 
So....everyone has to live just like you then?

I have probably lived the opposite. I smoked a pack a day for nearly 30 years. was never sick a day in my life (other than reaction to the yearly mandatory flu shot). I quit smoking and the first year I had bronchitis 3-4 times.

grandfather was the same way. smoked a couple packs of camel non-filters a day for 70+ years and was never sick. dropped dead of a heart attack while working in his garden, he was ~93

I think genetics has a lot to do with how severely smoking will affect you.
 
For the math impaired thats $64,800,000,000 X 82% = $53,136,000,000. Then people should also add in the extra amount that smokers pay in insurance premiums. Also add in the other tobacco products that people use when smoking that isn't included in that 15 billion packs of cigs a year. Yeah...the whole crap about smokers not paying enough to cover medical expenses is bullcrap. They pay in enough to pay for the medical expenses AND to clean up the butts that idiots do throw on the ground.

That was exactly as I was talking about earlier. Smokers pay already. Now we've taken to smokers as one of the few groups that we can go after (along with drunk drivers, and pedophiles) without having to worry about any moral concern or requiring any form of logic. But we can keep tacking on, after all smokers aren't like real people. So more and more and more. We make them spend more, we restrict where they can go, going so far as to infringe upon private property rights in order to force the way. Time and time again, it whinny pansy ***** (the type of folk taking out certain sectors of our society) whine and cry that they can't go to this bar or this restaurant or that outside is apparently somehow not acceptable for people to smoke in. Blah blah blah.

I don't like to smell people smoking either, I think it's a horrible smell. But if a bar allows it, I can not go to it. If it's outside, I can walk by quickly. It's not like I can't enjoy outside because there are smokers about. People need to grow up and begin to behave like adults before its too late. If we keep running to government every time one of our fragile senses are offended, we're not going to be allowed to do anything in this country.
 
It is the outdoors. You can move away. And you cannot show that any smoker that is smoking outside and in public infringes on your rights. What is so hard to understand about if you outside and someone lights up that you should move your ass? Seems simple to me. Unless you are just so anti-smoking that you cannot even think with a level head.

if I am on the beach with my family, we have been there all morning, enjoying a picnic lunch, why should WE have to move because an insensitive smoker who is absolutely not cognizant of the fact that there are non-smokers around them... This attitude makes me more and more supportive of making cigarette smoking illegal...
 
Can't imagine anyone this old not needing live-in care. Most people this age are in nursing homes that are very expensive.

My grandpa is 91 and his health is pretty good. Also, last fall, I met a guy who is 95 years old and still runs 10km road races... So, while most are, I most certainly CAN imagine people at that age not needing live-in care...
 
So....everyone has to live just like you then?

Well, it would most certainly be healthier. Heck, if you want to smoke cancer sticks, go right ahead. Just understand that the majority of people DON'T and that you don't have the right to poison our air with your poison...
 
Last edited:
I don't like to smell people smoking either, I think it's a horrible smell. But if a bar allows it, I can not go to it. If it's outside, I can walk by quickly. It's not like I can't enjoy outside because there are smokers about. People need to grow up and begin to behave like adults before its too late. If we keep running to government every time one of our fragile senses are offended, we're not going to be allowed to do anything in this country.

But the thread is about a law applicable to parks and beaches, locations where it is common for people to spend extended periods of time. Not the same as walking through a night market or a sidewalk...
 
And not one person has railed about those horrible stench of beach bonfires, chimney smoke, woodstoves and backyard bbqs... and if y'all were really sensitive to smoke, like I am, you'd know that there is not one iota of difference between them when encountered in an outdoor environment. It all smells smokey. Only most people ignore the smell from bbq's, chimneys and bonfires. Why? Because most people like to use these things, and they don't want things that like to use to be banned. Only the things they don't like to use that smell the same as the things they like to use should be banned. And that's based upon double standards, hatred and... dare I say it?... bigotry.
Chimneys and woodstoves are regulated. The air is monitored and often in winter they have to ban their use until the air clears . At least that is the way it is up in the Northwest.

And no cigarrette smoke does not smell like bbq smoke. If your bbq smoke smells like a carton of Marlboro's then I hate to think what that hamburger taste like.
 
if I am on the beach with my family, we have been there all morning, enjoying a picnic lunch, why should WE have to move because an insensitive smoker who is absolutely not cognizant of the fact that there are non-smokers around them... This attitude makes me more and more supportive of making cigarette smoking illegal...

Because it is your problem. Not the smokers. Should smokers have to be mind readers and figure out how long your non smoking ass has been down to the beach? I think not.
 
Because it is your problem. Not the smokers. Should smokers have to be mind readers and figure out how long your non smoking ass has been down to the beach? I think not.

Typical smoker's attitude. To the hell with the rest of the people here I need my fix for my nerves.

Yes, with this type of attitude and the continual littering of the grounds it is a wonder that more people don't try to accomodate you......
 
Because it is your problem. Not the smokers. Should smokers have to be mind readers and figure out how long your non smoking ass has been down to the beach? I think not.

Nope, it is the smokers' problem.... he is violating my space with his poison... and since smokers don't seem to be cognizant of that fact, local and state governments (NOT FEDERAL) have to step in to protect the legitimate rights of non-smokers...
 
Nope, it is the smokers' problem.... he is violating my space with his poison... and since smokers don't seem to be cognizant of that fact, local and state governments (NOT FEDERAL) have to step in to protect the legitimate rights of non-smokers...

How is it invading your space if it is a Public Beach? Do you feel that because you do not smoke that you have more of a right to that beach than a smoker?

I will say that I am a nice smoker that goes out of their way to get away from the general public while in public parks, beach, etc. but sometimes if it is crowded? That can be very hard to do and feel as if I have as much right to be there as you do.

I also am one that does not toss cig butts on grounds and always ask before I light up when around folks who may not smoke.

But that space you talking about? Is not really your space and is much mine as yours!

BTW, some parents are invading my space with their bratty kids. How does that sound to you? :roll:
 
Last edited:
Typical smoker's attitude. To the hell with the rest of the people here I need my fix for my nerves.

Yes, with this type of attitude and the continual littering of the grounds it is a wonder that more people don't try to accomodate you......

I am not the one in this thread that thinks I own public spaces. That would be the typical non-smoking nazis:doh
 
How is it invading your space if it is a Public Beach? Do you feel that because you do not smoke that you have more of a right to that beach than a smoker?

I will say that I am a nice smoker that goes out of their way to get away from the general public while in public parks, beach, etc. but sometimes if it is crowded? That can be very hard to do and feel as if I have as much right to be there as you do.

I also am one that does not toss cig butts on grounds and always ask before I light up when around folks who may not smoke.

But that space you talking about? Is not really your space and is much mine as yours!

BTW, some parents are invading my space with their bratty kids. How does that sound to you? :roll:

You have the right to use the public space, no argument there. You do NOT have the right to pollute the air of others using that public space. So... you wonder why government's are stepping in because cancer stick users can't regulate themselves...

The attitude of many smokers and their apologists on this thread is the reason there has been such a backlash. Learn to be reasonable and accomodate or the backlash will continue...
 
I am not the one in this thread that thinks I own public spaces. That would be the typical non-smoking nazis:doh

Once again typical pompous smoker attitude. Thinking limiting your smoking cigs to the pain that the Jewish population went through during WWII is pathetic.
 
Once again typical pompous smoker attitude. Thinking limiting your smoking cigs to the pain that the Jewish population went through during WWII is pathetic.

Dammit, I am trying hard not to make an off-colour joke here. :doh
 
Once again typical pompous smoker attitude. Thinking limiting your smoking cigs to the pain that the Jewish population went through during WWII is pathetic.

Or instead of being a Holocaust reference. How about the fact the Nazi's control every aspect of German Society during there time in power.
 
Or instead of being a Holocaust reference. How about the fact the Nazi's control every aspect of German Society during there time in power.

And right on time here comes the old "if they ban heroin they will next want to ban ice tea" argument.

A ban on smoking at a public land such as a beach or park is not the death penalty. One could go sit in their private car and light one up then after having his fix return to the beach. Can't you people go 2 hours without a cig?

Some smokers are courteous and don't litter everywhere but unfortunately they are the minority.
Just as they ban glass containers from the beach as a minority is irresponsible and bust them on the ground. Same thing with smokers where the minority as ruined it for the rest of you.
 
You have the right to use the public space, no argument there. You do NOT have the right to pollute the air of others using that public space. So... you wonder why government's are stepping in because cancer stick users can't regulate themselves...

The attitude of many smokers and their apologists on this thread is the reason there has been such a backlash. Learn to be reasonable and accomodate or the backlash will continue...

How about the non-smokers learn to be friendly and filled with understanding rather than hate towards smokers? This land is your land and this land is my land. Respect goes both ways and again: you do not OWN a public beach so if my smoking fine ass cannot find a non-crowded spot? I have as much right to sit beside your "feel so entitled" ass as the next person. Smoker or not.
 
Back
Top Bottom