What is your opinion on smoking bans?

In many cities and ordinance will be or has been implemented prohibiting smoking in or within 20 feet of public places

The purpose of the ordinance was stated to "promote public health by reducing public exposure to second-hand smoke." It will prohibit smoking in enclosed public places, such as offices, restaurants, bars, clubs and facilities owned by the city. Smoking is also prohibited within 20 feet of any public entrance to a building, as well as on any patio areas at restaurants.

Private residences will not be regulated, with the exceptions of child and health care facilities, as well as fraternal residences. A minimum of one No Smoking sign will be required to be posted near the entrance at every location. Every restaurant and nightclub will also be required to post signs inside.

These restrictions will be enforced by independent estates and inspections by city staff members. Complaints will be addressed as they are received. Violators may be fined up to $2,000, and a misdemeanor will be filed in Municipal Court.

I believe that smoking is a right - and a personal decision, but it should not be a right to inflict one's poor choices upon others - 2nd hand smoke pisses me off.

I am all for it. Some smokers are so inconsiderate that they feel that it's okay for me to have to walk through their stink to enter a building. Keeping them 20 feet from the entrance ensures they get their fix, and I don't have to smell that nasty smell. I was a 2 pack a day gal, but I was also a considerate smoker, of which there are very few of now days.

I think private enterprises should be able to allow smoking on their premises. They should be required to post signs stating that the establishment permits smoking and anyone entering the establishment is subject to that smoke. That would only cover restaurants and bars. Obviously other businesses would have to have smoking restricted to areas not frequented by the public... I mean if you have to go into an establishment to pay your bill, do your banking, etc... you should not have to be subjected to the smoke from employees or other customers.

I agree wtih some of them for the health of people. While people have a right to smoke, people have a right to not smoke.

However, If a bar or restaurant allows smoking then they should be allowed to do that. I saw two businesses close in my area because of a smoking ban. It was a great happy hour and late night hang out. Once the ban came into effect then the people just went to the city 10 miles away to smoke and drink. You have the right to NOT go into the bar if you think it is to smoke filled for you.

Well I can understand entry ways, people who don't smoke don't want to walk past someone who is, but 20 feet is extreme. Think about it, everyone will be walking down the middle of the street to avoid buildings, doesn't make sense.

**The only pet peeve I have with smokers rights are the employers who who won't hire smokers. I will only agree with that when employers also don't hire people who drink and are overweight.

In certain instances bans are reasonable..especially restaurants, even I dont like to smell smoke while eating....but I think Bar owners should be able to make the choice..people will go to avoid smoking bars. Banning smoking right next to entrance ways..reasonable....but banning smoking on any public walkway such as a few places here..is unreasonable....also it's a iffy situation when it comes to apartments that are connected to each other.

I don't really have a problem with smoke becuase im use to being around it. i work at a bingo hall and 80 out o the hundred ppl who go there smoke. But if i had to choose id say ban it every where some of us take pride in our bodies and second hand smoke can be just as dangerous as smoking a cigarette yourself

I think its unfair seen as thou they can effectively ventilate a smoking area without it causing passive smoking. There is a case over here in England at the moment where they have banned smoking in a prison as its a work place. Now that is stepping on human rights. The people who work there have a choice to work somewhere else if it bothers them. The prisoners dont.

I support these laws where I live these bans have been in place for years, The only other one they should add is a no smoking ban in private crs that have children inside them. Smoking kills people by the millions, with bans in place it makes it easier for people to give up smoking and overcome their addiction

smoking is a right although i am completely against it it should be ur right to smoke, they need to either make smoking and drinking completely illegal or i think they should jus make everything legal in the whole smoking area it would unclog the jails and help earn money for the gov't, if someone wants to destroy their brain they should be allowed to as long as they do not hurt anyone else in my opinion

i love the smoking ban soo much!! i hated going to places that i liked where ppl smoked cause i would get nausious from the smell and that ruined my time. even when they had a smoking/nonsmoking section it didnt make a difference, cause its not like the smoke i just gunna stop at the end of the smoking section

I think statewide smoking bans are a usurpation of local control. I think this is an issue that should be decided on a local level by towns, if at all. It is in the jurisdiction of the board of health.

I think it's funny that the ACLU and others make a living off of fighting for the rights of the minority. However on this issue, they are silent.

The ACLU supports NAMBLA, I mean seriously NAMBLA!

But they don't support smokers' rights?

i am an exsmoker. i agree that both sides have rights. but the health of the nonsmokers should outweigh the rights of the smokers. and smokers should have to adjust their habit as to not cause harm to others.

I love it. Even when places have no smoking areas separate from smoking, you still smell it cuz they never have proper venalation.

It should be left up to bar and restaurant owners but if they allow smoking they should have approved air filters. Non-Smoker as of 2003

I say hound the smokers until there's no possible option for
them but quitting.

Kissing a smoker is like licking a dirty ashtray.

I like smoking bans, I think it is way overdue. People don't need to smoke.

i dont smoke an i think its crazy .

i agree with smoking ban on those air Conditioner area

Well being a non-smoker, I prefer not to have to be forced to be around people while they are smoking because of second hand smoke and also because the smell gets in your clothes and hair to where you can't get rid of it (doesn't take very long at all) without taking a shower and washing all of your clothes.

I mean, would a smoker like it if came out where they were smoking and sprayed really smelly perfume all over them? Or if I stood in the entry way to public buildings and blasted terrible music really loudly?

I'm not saying that I feel people should be told what to do in their own privacy. But when they are out in the public it isn't just about them anymore. I don't have the same issue with dipping (don't think it is safe, but that's not the point) because it doesn't get in my lungs or my hair. I am not forced to be a second hand participant in their habit.

I think they're getting a little extreme with it. If you're outside, that's good enough. I can understand restaurants and other public places having the ban, but bars is taking it a bit far. I've heard all the arguments of people having to work there and so on, but it's a choice. No one says you have to work in a bar, no one says you have to go to a bar. Bars are going to lose alot of money if they ban it there, because most of the people who go to bars are smokers, at least where I live. People would actually stay home because of it.

How can we ban exhaust fumes from vehicles that are going to kill the planet not just a few people .
Instead of worrying about second hand smoke ,we ought to be worried about more important things .

I will give you that smoking is a nasty habit and bothers those with a sensitive nose and weak lungs . To date though not a single case of cancer can be linked to second hand smoke .
Its a political bargaining chip used to keep the tobacco states in line .
It has nothing to do with the health issues they have surrounded smoking with .