Another reason to ban smoking here in Alabama! (sorry, smokers, but I'm so excited about the prospect of going smoke-free around here!)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24469911/

You know, I have been a smoker, then a non-smoker, now a smoker again, and I see valid points on both sides of the page. I have never been one of those people that lights up around other people's kids. I always find somewhere out of the way and as far away as possible. But I know not everyone is like that. I completely can see having a designated area for smoking, that way anyone who wants to can avoid it, but banning smoking completly in places like bars I feel is going just a bit too far. I know tons of folks who don't smoke at all unless they are having a drink. I can def. see banning smoking in restaurants for kids sake. And having designated areas in the workplace too, but I have to say I am against a complete smoking ban. Everyone should have the right to smoke if they wish, even if it is in a designated area.

Ronaldsmom - I agree with you.

I've never been a smoker myself, and I cannot stand cigarette smoke. I totally support a ban in restaurants. However, I also think it's a person choice if they want to do it and we're going a little too far with governmental control to ban it entirely in places like bars.

Welp, I'll have to agree to disagree with you both. LOL
I think that it should be banned across the board because it's a health hazard to others. People have the right to smoke but they don't have the right to jeopardize my health.
That's my take on it anyway. Interesting to see all the different points of view on this.

I still can't decide where I stand on this one.

I can see the ban in public places like restaurants, malls, and offices, but I don't know about bars and clubs.

The average person visits the mall, the grocery store, and restaurants. Not everyone visits a club or a bar - or at least most of us don't on a regular basis. I think it should be left to those establishments to set their own regulations.

I've been known to enjoy a good cigar every once in a while (not in Monica Lewinsky style mind you) and I can't imagine not having cigar bars or other establishments to enjoy them in.

Kristi, I def. see your point too. I still think there should be designated places for people to smoke so that people like youself, who wish not to be around smoke, don't have to be. I feel it is kind of harsh to tell people they can't do something at all anywhere in a public place when this country was founded on freedom. I think there needs to be some sort of happy medium where non-smokers can avoid the smoke, yet smokers can still smoke if they wish to. Mind you, I am saying this when I have had to smoke in some nasty spots (they always put smoking areas in terrible places), like next to the dumpsters at Shelton. Talk about gross!!!

We don't allow people to drink and drive because it is a hazard to others.
In other words - you can drink all you want & as much as you want, just don't put others at risk. And it should be the same with smoking.

Now that we know beyond any doubt that secondhand smoke hurts others (including children!), we can't allow it in public places.
In other words - do it all you want, just don't put others at risk!

We do have rights as Americans, but we don't have the right to hurt other people.

I completely see both sides of this debate, but I am with Kristi on this one. I have read some studies which have linked second hand smoke to health hazards, so since I've had Ben, I've been much more conscientious of smokers, and try to avoid public smokers whenever possible.

We love to sit outside at restaurants. There are have been many times we have asked to move inside due to the smoke. However, I've never demonstrated any negativity toward those who are smoking. That is their right and their choice, and they are doing it in an open place where it is allowed and accepted. It then becomes my choice not to be there.

I agree with Good Golly that there are places such as cigar bars, some clubs, etc., in which smoking may be inherent to the party atmosphere.....God knows I took part in everything a good club had to offer in my college (ok, and post college) days. It's like with anything....you choose where you want to go and the behavior you want to engage in while you're there. There should be places where us non-smokers can go and be happy and those where smokers can go and be happy.

That's my 2 pennies.

I guess i agree with everyone a little. I don't think it should be allowed in the same places everyone else said. If you wanna smoke go outside away from others. It is a personal choice and the gov. cannot and will not be able to control where a smoker smokes. I am in the process of quiting myself, down to 5 a day. And if I wanted a smoke bad enough I would've smoked. Anytime I was out in public it would be away from others, as its kinda embarrasing when ya have 3 little ones. The bars and stuff, I think it should be the establisments decision. And hey if nothing else, especially at bars, cause drinking makes you wanna smoke(if your a smoker, i know anyway) you should be allowed to go outside of the bar and smoke and come back in. Thats what they do in San Fransico. But then that causes a problem with cover, especially on the strip where you have so many coming in and out. Maybe have a roped off area where people that have already been allowed in can step outside

I agree with Kristi and believe that it should be banned in all public places - all of them. A person has right to endanger his or her own health but not that of others, and even the argument that a person can endanger his own health has limits - illegal drugs for one. If there are designated smoking areas outside, they need to be remote and isolated from others. With even a light breeze, smoke carries easily and sometimes far. I remember a report that came out within the last year or two (from the Surgeon General, I think) that said that even one exposure to second-hand smoke can cause a heart attack in someone with heart disease. That is very strong evidence of the danger of smoke that cannot be ignored by lawmakers.
A point no one has mentioned is that, while clubs and bars are a place that a patron can choose to go to, or not, they are also workplaces for the employees. All workplaces should be smoke-free, in my opinion.

Brilliant as usual, LawMommy. Your posts always say what I wish mine did!

Thanks for the props, DM! I think you said it very well too!

I agree with you Kristi! There isn't a worse smell than cigarette smoke. I would love to see it banned from parks and the beach. I know that is harsh but I can't stand to be out in fresh air only to smell cigarette smoke. it never fails at the beach that smokers like to come near our stuff and set up.