Smoking in own home banned next?
@soulsister_16 (738)
Switzerland
September 30, 2007 3:32am CST
Article: http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/tm_headline=smoking-ban-at-home-could-come-in-future&method=full&objectid=19800286&siteid=50082-name_page.html
PARENTS could be banned from smoking in their homes to protect their children’s health, following the success of the smoking ban in public places, legal experts have claimed.
“The next logical step would be to protect the children, but I think we’re quite a long way from that.
“I could see that it could happen. No current judge, I would predict, in England or Wales would be prepared to make that huge jump yet. But I wouldn’t rule it out forever.
“The thing about human rights which always gets us into problem areas is that you’ve always got to balance it against other people’s rights.”
Now what I can't understand about this is why it is the *next* logical step. In my opinion protecting the human rights of children who have no choice in the matter comes before protecting the rights of the non-smoking whingers in wine bars who don't have to be there in the first place.
Anyway, in favour, not in favour?
4 people like this
6 responses
@roniroxas (10560)
• Philippines
30 Sep 07
i used to smoke and im clean for 6 years now. they should really ban smoking inside the house specially if there are kids. yes children is the first priority thats why we have to teach disipline to smokers.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
30 Sep 07
Absolutely, children are our first priority but it's not up to the government to dictate what someone can do in their own home! Parents have a responsibility to do what's best for their children and most that I know don't smoke in their homes or around their kids. Should we also outlaw people having soda or candy in their homes if they have children? How about a TV or computer because they can get things that may be bad for kids to see? Or a telephone in case someone makes an obscene phone call?
Annie
2 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
30 Sep 07
If they want to tell me what I can or cannot do in my own home they'd better cough up some money for my mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance and everything else that goes into the upkeep of my home! Personally, I think it's a bunch of BS that they can ban smoking in privately owned bars and restaurants! No offense whatsoever to non-smokers or those that don't like being around smoke, I just think the owner of a business has the right to decide what LEGAL activities are or aren't allowed in their establishment. I wish more owners would band together and fight these laws, I think they may have a shot at winning. There have been quite a few places in my area that have closed down due to the smoking ban. It hasn't happened state-wide where I live or in my own hometown but it has happened in some nearby towns and it's been bad news for some business owners and that's a shame. I got off-topic...sorry! Obviously I don't agree it should happen in private homes!
Annie
2 people like this
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
1 Oct 07
I don't think they should ban smoking in the home. First, the cost to go around catching and fining people. Secondly, would it be just homes with children? What about a weekend dad? Can he smoke during the week? What about going to a friends house, do you leave you child in the car cause they can't come in? There are so many things to factor in. Too complicated!
Though I do think people SHOULD smoke outside away from kids and I smoked for 17 years and have been that stupid person outside smoking in a blizzard 12 feet away from the door so nothing got it, I think it would be too difficult to put into realty. I would rather see my tax money spent on educating people about the effects of smoking. The number of people smoking now is a lot less then when I was a kid. When I was a kid all parents smoked (in the house no windows open) and if they didn't they were nerds. Now a days there is maybe one or two smoking parents (outside away from the door)in my kids classes. In time with continued education people will learn. Spend the money on learning, not punishing is my opinion.
1 person likes this
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
1 Oct 07
Aint happening! Sad part is, I can see the governments trying things like this. -_-
Government has no right to tell you what to eat, wear, smoke and even think. Most parents have the ability to not smoke around their kids and the kids escape pretty much unharmed. Government is not needed in this case. Its just another attempt at trying to expand the power, and try to put the citizen more in their control.
1 person likes this
@rachsal4 (391)
• United States
1 Oct 07
I totally understand the want to protect children from second hand smoke, I'm a smoker, but I don't do it in my home because of my children. BUT I also think that it is a major invasion of privacy, and our rights. I think that they are going to far. They need to start paying more attention to the children who are homeless, parentless things like that.
@libertarianfreedom21 (3198)
• United States
1 Oct 07
I just think people need to quit trying to run my life this is my house my yard my kids dont tell me how to live how to raise them how to teach them. If i want to smoke let me smoke, if i want to homeschool let me homeschool (i say this b/c i heard someone say befor that it should be illegal to do this) Dont run my life even though I dont smoke this is how I think. Worry about what your doing not me. Yes kids are important, But who are they to have the right to tell me how to deal with that. I hate it when people say that this should happen. LIKE i said who are you to rule me GOD NO. I dont listen to any man and this just makes me want to light at ciggerate that I dont smoke in my house just to prove that they cant tell me whats what. damn are they wanting to control our whole lives or what. Next they will say NO FATTY FOODS its not healthy, NO Drivng cars its unhealthy for your kids, NO alchole its unhealthy for your kids, NO knives in your house its not safe with kids in the house. Damn pisses me off. We need more freedom not less
