What is your opinion on tobacco use in public?

For example, amusement parks, theme parks, public parks(excluding childrens parks), outdoor sections of restaurants, etc?

I'm not exactly posting an x vs x debate, mind.

We're talking adequite disposal of ash and butts, designated areas where smoke wouldn't affect children and anyone who didn't want to be around it(asthmatics, people with respiratory complications, the general nonsmoking public), curteous smoking.

There's a lot of people who think smoking in public should be banned and outlawed completely, but as long as disposal isn't an issue and it's not exposing tobacco smoke to anyone unnecessary, I honestly don't understand why. I see more caffiene related litter than I do cigarette butts out on the street.
If it's not killing anyone but the people taking in the smoke, I don't see an issue.

Unfortunately, there aren't many curteous smokers left in the world, but I don't think the ones who do have respect for human beings around them should be persecuted because of them.

Your thoughts?

One thought at the moment is that, in fact, second-hand smoke can kill people - not just direct smoking. That's one reason some people want to ban smoking in all public places.

Personally, I just think it's pretty horrible altogether, and keeping it out of public buildings is the best idea for everyone - because if you don't smoke the smell/sensation can be very not nice.

My uni tried to limit smoking to specific areas around campus--they set up these cute little gazebos so the rain wouldn't affect them.

The problem was they were small, fitting only about eight people comfortably--so if it's a nice day and all the smokers are out, you're either crammed or you have to walk to another gazebo. They weren't exactly close together. People--like me--who prefer a bit of quiet when they smoke were scared away from them. I actually mostly quit because of it--now I'll only smoke when I'm around my smoking friends.

Another problem was they STUNK. Even though they were outside there was a constant smell of tobacco. Most of the gazebos ended up being under trees, so the smoke seemed to get "stuck" close to the ground--like fog or smog--and some of the trees actually started to die.

Smoking outside doesn't lessen the smell, prevent smoke from being blown into people--it's not like smoking outside suddenly makes it more ventilated. That's a total myth. Smoking in outdoor areas of a restaurant is just as bad as smoking inside. And what about the people who want to sit outside.. because it's nice? They're still going to be affected.

And I don't know where you live but I see cigarettes everywhere. I see a dozen butts thrown out of car windows every time I drive! It's gross.

I'm personally all for banning smoking in public places. The one thing I don't agree with is banning smoking in cars--unless you have children in the car. Your car is your private property. Unless you're stuck in traffic or live in a city (which you probably shouldn't be driving in anyways!) you're not going to be next to someone smoking long anyways. The exhaust fumes from cars around you are no less carcinogenic.

I'm all for banning smoking in public restaurants, places of business, etc. But not on all public property. I mean, if you have to smoke, where will you go? It's silly.
Though I do think that people should be fined for littering if they just toss their butt out their car window, or just leave it on the ground somewhere. That's why people invented smoker's oasis cans........
I yell at people when they just drop it on the ground when there's a can right next to them to put it. :x

Most smokers I know have the common courtesy to move away from non-smokers if asked, and don't act like jackasses either.

Banning smoking in cars is rediculous. Granted, it's not safe if you drop a hot ash on your leg, but this is private property. They don't really impair driving nearly as much as cell phones do, because you can hold the cig in your hand whilst driving and not have it effect you much.
I could see it being a fine if you get stopped if you're smoking and you have a child in your car, but otherwise I don't think it will work too well.

I'm not fond in the least of smoking in general. But I'm extra-biased because I'm allergic to cigarette smoke. Still, I don't think one should smoke in public places such as restaurants, theme parks, business offices, etc. Cars? Fine by me, so long as I'm not riding in it. What you do in and with your things ain't my business.

But throwing butts on the ground is just nasty.

I, personally, see no problem with banning smoking in public places. I use to smoke when I was younger just to fit in, but I always stunk, my breath tasted horrible, and I had a lot of phlegm (sp?) in my throat so I was coughing all them time. Then when I got my job at Shari's , mind you this was before lots of places allowed banning in restaurants, within like two days of working there my throat was always sore, I came home smelling of cigarettes , and I was once again coughing constantly. I quit my job and went elsewhere for work.

I think some people want the public smoking banning to happen more because of children. I go everywhere with my niece and she hates smoking. There are less and less courteous smokers out there. People will happily light up when they are next to a baby or child. I don't have a car so I take the bus and when my niece and I are waiting for one people will be smoking and if its raining they won't leave the covering to stay away from her and I.

Smoking, to me, is just one of the most unattractive habits that humans have made for themselves. I think smokers have rights, but no smokers have rights to. There should be a public voting whenever a place that is considered public, like a park or other place, is trying to decide wheter they should be smoke free or not.

When it comes to cars I think you should leave the smokers alone, unless they have children in their cars since they cannot really tell mommy or daddy to stop smoking since this never really makes a person want to quit. Other then that I think that there should be a public voting on banning smoking in certain areas :3

Honestly here in Michigan, they are trying to ban smoking in restaurants and bars. I think if you're outside they shouldn't be able to do anything. Because the smoke and shit won't affect you as much with the oxygen.
If people were saying that you can't smoke in public, then where would you go to smoke? Obviously everywhere is public in the most part if you're outside.
I'm also a smoker, so maybe I'm a bit biased...a bit haha

Personally outside bans on smoking annoy me.

I myself do not smoke, but I am friends with many smokers. Often I am at there house where they smoke outside or in the garage and unless they are really drunk or really cold outside, sometimes they smoke inside, but every once and a while. I accept this as their choice and their home. Not mine, often those who do not like the smoke avoid smoker areas or if they smoke inside, often by just asking they understand enough to go back outside.

Outside places ban I find annoying. If you can not smoke outside, where can you smoke? At outside parts of restruants or heme parks or parks in general, I accept that smokers will be there, often they go to out of the way places, but when you are spending your entire time in a out door area, I see understand the smoking.

I do feel unless it is personal property, that smokers have to be made to dispose of the cigarette butts properly or be forced to pay a very heavy fine.

First off, I've never liked the habit. My dad just recently quit but before that he had been smoking for as long as I can remember. Every time I get that smell I get a headache.

I really don't mind if people smoke, because that's their own decision, but honestly it'd be nicer if they could just stick to places where there aren't a bunch of people standing. I don't really even care where you throw your butts and spit and other stuff. I just hate when someone smoking has to stand right next to me somewhere public. x_x;

Originally Posted by Folken

That's why people invented smoker's oasis cans........

Unfortunately those things are a fire hazard if they aren't dumped regularly or if people put paper in there. Filters don't normally burn, but if there's paper stuff they'll go up like crazy. And once there's a fire in one of those things it burns for HOURS if it's not put out.

@[email protected]; Just irony, no?

Find a solution to something and there will always be another problem that pops up.

About people smoking on patios and outside restaurant areas--Smoke is dense. It doesn't go straight up. It'll still blow at people. It still hangs around. A lot of patios also have awnings which just futher traps the smoke.

I think smoking should be banned inside of public buildings such as restaurants and malls, things of that sort, but not with other places like bars (as far as I've seen, smoking and drinking go pretty well together, and a lot of people that I know who drink also smoke while they're drinking, and I know it does happen in bars a lot of the time).
I also think that there shouldn't be any bans on smoking in the general public like outside of buildings while you're walking down the street or whatever, but it should generally be kept away from the entrances to buildings, for customer courtesy purposes. There are many people who are allergic to smoke, and these people shouldn't have to worry about others smoking right next to the entrance of a store they'd like to shop at or a restaurant they want to go to.

I hate it.

It's bad for my skin. xD

I wouldn't mind other people doing it, but it affects me. I especially hate it when someone smokes, and the smoke blows in my face because of the wind. I guess it can't be helped, though.

In Japan, they let you smoke everywhere. xD

You can smoke in the hospitals!

i hate when people smoke in public.XD
its so gross and ew,like seriously your pretty much killing yourself.xD

I definitely agree with you, I can't stand people who make such a big deal out of it, sure cigarettes can give you cancer in the long run, but so does practically everything out there, but I don't see people giving the guy eating barbecue nasty looks for no reason. But on a random note, Am I the only one that thinks that some cigarette smoke smells good (I don't smoke btw)?

"There are many people who are allergic to smoke"

And yet I don't see people banning stores from planting flowers outside the building.

"its so gross and ew,like seriously your pretty much killing yourself."

:? , Dude, seriously think of something a bit more intelligent than "ew" and It's killing yourself? What has it got to do with you? I don't see people saying that to the obese people still eating at Mcdonalds

"Smoking, to me, is just one of the most unattractive habits that humans have made for themselves."

Ever heard of chewing tobacco? now inhaling some smoke doesn't hold a candle to constantly spitting out tobacco juice.

In the US smoking has really been unnecessarily demonized, yeah it's unhealthy, and can be bothersome in a closed enviroment (which I don't support smoking in) but seriously, I don't see why some people think smoking is the root of all evil or some crap like that.

Well, I really despise public smoking.
I presonally dont like smoke what-so-ever!
I basically just choke on it and have a coughing fit and stuff.
Tho, I dont have asma(sp!!) or anything like that.
Its just the smell or cigarettes and tobacco pruducts but not like smoke from chiminies9sp) or anything like that.
When people are in public smoking, people who dont smoke are just breathing in the smoke and just giving people second hand smoke.
=/
My aunt, she smokes..
I really despise that she does.
When Im in the car with her, or she is at my house, my parents allow her to smoke around me even tho they know I dont like the smell.
D<
I think its really unfair.
Well, even tho my dad smokes and has smoked for quite a bit of time, Im really appreciative that he doesnt smoke around me or in public and has cut down smoking tremendously.^_^;
Tho, Im glad there is no public smoking here!

If there's one thing I cannot stand in this world, it's cigarette smoke.

I don't care where you do it - Inside, outside, in your car - the smell still sticks. Whether the smoke goes into your clothing or into the faces of the people passing by, it still drifts around the area. Unless there's a heavy breeze outdoors, even that doesn't solve the problem. The stench just lingers there even after your gone. You can be standing twenty feet away from a smoker and still be breathing it in. I hate it.

If you want to smoke, go right ahead, but I don't want to be affected by it. Designated areas are a good idea, but they still need to be set up on the outskirts. It might inconvienience you a bit, but that's what it takes. If you want a cig that badly you can walk the extra minute and a half.

I'm probably not the right person to be asked this question because I'm all for a complete smoking ban- of course, I watched my grandfather dying of lung cancer and emphysema, on oxygen and he still couldn't quit and so am of the mindset that anything that addictive should not be legal.
However, as far as pubic smoking bans, I'm all for it. It's a filthy habit that many people don't want to be exposed to. I'm used to being around smoking, but you can sure as hell bet I don't want my kids breathing in secondhand smoke. If I take my kids out somewhere, I don't want them breathing in someone else's smoke just because they've got to have their tobacco fix.

I don't care if people smoke.
I don't smoke,
but if they really want to,
they can smoke in my presence outdoors,
in the airy-air. XD

And if I ask them to move they should.
But all public places being taken away from the smoker...
I don't know...

I don't really care... :\

Being a dedicated smoker...that is... one that has no yet managed to get the monkey off her back for good, I see nothing wrong with banning public smoking. Many smokers feel that their rights are trampled on because they have to walk another 100 feet to get to the smoking area or wait until they get in the car to go and smoke. I have gone outside in the pouring rain with five other smokers and huddled under a single umbrella to get my nicotine fix. I was also sitting at a picnic table with other smokers when a microburst of wind came through and ripped off the awning and blew it down the street. We didn't miss a puff either. We sat calmly while the awning flew away.

The point is, I don't smoke around people who don't smoke. I can wait and I'm told that I'm not really addicted and that I can quit any time. Yea right doc. You come live in my body and live my life for a day and tell me that. Anyway, if I can make concessions for those who don't smoke, the other smokers can too.

I'm a smoker, so this is just my smokers view on this.
I think smoking in public isnt a bad thing, as long as it's outside. When you're in a restaurant or Cinema and you smoke a cigarette you bother other people that are non-smokers. But smoking outdoors is fine according to me, if that wouldnt be allowed, where would we have to smoke?

On the other hand, if you smoke illigal subtances in an open park or anywhere actually it can be a very bad influence on small children for example. That's why I think that should stay at home, or not at all.

But for just smoking, fine, aslong as it's outside.

@ wispytearz

Dude, If I was dying, I'd take up smoking too >.> not like it's going to kill me any further.

Really, life isn't worth living without vice.

Originally Posted by Charisma

@ wispytearz

Dude, If I was dying, I'd take up smoking too >.> not like it's going to kill me any further.

Really, life isn't worth living without vice.

He didn't take up smoking because he was dying; he was dying because he couldn't quite smoking, despite trying the gum, the patch, the programs and everything he could to quit my entire life (and probably longer.) Even after he was diagnosed with emphysema he kept smoking, and then lung cancer and the oxygen tank came and he still couldn't quit. He wanted desperately to quit and told myself and all his other grandchildren how we should never start because it's so hard to quit.
Yeah, everyone should have a little vice in their lives, but when that vice takes over and controls them, it's gone too far.

Public smoking is horrible.

It helps give other people second hand smoke as well as making the air arround the smoker smell bad.

Whats even worse is chewing tobacco. Once when we had a garage sale some guy came in chewing some. I could smell him from like 6 feet away. Whats worse is he spit it on the ground where we were set up and we had to smell it all day because it got stuck in the gravel.

i never realized i was such a californian until last weekend. I was in North Carolina visiting some friends and we went out to a resteraunt. People were smoking inside the building. I was flipping out. I didnt know it was allowed still. Its killing not only them but other people who go into te resteraunt to eat, the waiters/waitresses and making the food that is being prepared taste funny. and... its allowed! wtf? i was so disgusted by it. Made me wanna be home in california where we care about our health. XP
if its a designated outside area im ok with it. because i can avoid it. and i can steer my children clear of it. i dont want someone and their disgusting habit to be killing my children. i love my kids. and refuse to see them die of second hand smoke. i understand that it takes a prolonged exposure to cause it but why take the chances? i do not understand why it is still legal to smoke inside in resteraunts where there are people and children about.

Originally Posted by wispytearz

He didn't take up smoking because he was dying; he was dying because he couldn't quite smoking, despite trying the gum, the patch, the programs and everything he could to quit my entire life (and probably longer.) Even after he was diagnosed with emphysema he kept smoking, and then lung cancer and the oxygen tank came and he still couldn't quit. He wanted desperately to quit and told myself and all his other grandchildren how we should never start because it's so hard to quit.
Yeah, everyone should have a little vice in their lives, but when that vice takes over and controls them, it's gone too far.

>.> I'm well, aware, however, since I do not currently smoke, It would not be accurate for me to say continue smoking. The point that I was trying to get across is that if I had been doing something (enjoyable) that was killing me, and I was already dying, then there would absolutly be no reason for me to quit doing an enjoyable thing if I am already dying. But this doesn't apply as much now considering that he was trying to quit.

Either way, I'd much rather live an enjoyable life that kills me if that is what it takes to be enjoyable than shorter one without things I give a shit about.