Should smoking be banned in the streets?
By BittyBiddy
@BittyBiddy (2903)
Ireland
December 17, 2006 7:33pm CST
Ireland brought in a ban on smoking in public areas last year. It's great. I am a non-smoker. Now I can go out to pubs/night clubs and come home in the evenings and I don't smell disgusting. I don't have to have a shower when I come home. In the past, if I didn't have a shower after being out, I would wake up in the morning and my bedroom would smell disgusting.
Smoking is now banned in any public building. I think they should ban it in the streets too. When I am walking along, sometimes a smoker will light up in front of me. Their smoke blows back into my face and chokes me. I should be entitled to clean fresh air. If they want to smoke, then they should go to their own privat little room and smoke in their where they will effect no one.
If I was to walk up to a smoker and exhale in their face I don't think they would be too happy, but that is what they are doing to me, every time they light up in the street. They don't seem to realise that their smoke goes everywhere.
As well as that, it's dangerous. I have a scar on my arm because some guy was walking along in the street with a cigarette in his hand and he hit off my arm.
11 people like this
116 responses
@pvleroux (606)
•
18 Dec 06
I also get angry when we the non smokers are not being considered, but I've smoked before and not every smoker is inconsiderate, therefore tell someone when they offend you but lets not ban smoking for those that still enjoy it. It is not dangerous if it is smoked outside...
@BittyBiddy (2903)
• Ireland
18 Dec 06
Who says it's not dangerous? Isn't the whole idea of being a passive smoker and inhaling smoke dangerous? On a windy day when I'm walking along, it doesn't matter where a smoker moves to. If he's in front of me I'm still going to inhale his smoke.
Usually I try to hold my breath, walk really fast, and pass them out, but why should I have to do this? They're the ones that are polluting the air.
If I had a habit that I thought effected those around me, especially something like the quality of the air that they breathe, I'd certainly be carrying that habit out in private where I effect nobody.
3 people like this
@misskatonic (3723)
• United States
18 Dec 06
I agree with banning smoking in public places, but not on the streets outside. If you see someone smoking outside, it's easy enough to move away from them. You're not trapped in a small space with them. They aren't *actually* breathing right in your face.
There's no reason to treat smokers like second class citizens and regulate them to special rooms in their own home. That's discrimination. And there are plenty of other habits that are considered disgusting/invasive/dangerous that people do on public streets all the time. There are ways that smokers can be much more considerate about smoking outdoors - blowing smoke upwards, for one, so it goes up and over people's heads, not exhaling in large crowds/towards people, etc - but banning it altogether is a bit ridiculous in my opinion.
2 people like this
@BittyBiddy (2903)
• Ireland
18 Dec 06
Thank you! We'll have to disagree on the blowing of smoke upwards while outside. I know that this can work inside as the smoke is not directly inhaled, but.....what does up must come done. A good ventilation system will draw most of the smoke upwards but not all. This is why the ban was brought in in the first place.
One other point though. I don't see why, if I am looking in a shop window, not causing anyone any trouble, and a smoker lights up, that I should have to be the one that moves. No?
1 person likes this
@BittyBiddy (2903)
• Ireland
18 Dec 06
Quote "If someone is smoking outside and you dont want to be around it, leave."
Please please please read the original post again. Today when I was in town it was quite busy. Several people lit up around me. I couldn't move because of the crowds so I had to tolerate their smoke choking me. I think that this is unfair and that these people should have been more considerate.
Quote "Why not ban passing gas in public,"
That's an immature argument and not worthwhile of a response.
Quote "or shut down hazardous factories."
Yet again I must explain that local governments are already working on this and restricting the emissions from these factories. This is a separate issue and so is not a valid argument in this thread.
Quote "When someone is talking about how bad smoke is for you it urks me because its not that big of a deal."
Yes, it is a big deal. It has been scientifically proven that it is such a big deal.
Quote "Grow up and get over it."
Displaying your lack of maturity again.
Quote "You can never smoke one ciggarette a day in your life then one day get diagnosed with skin cancer from the sun rays."
Another silly argument. Everyone is aware of the damage from the sun's rays these days. It has been well documented. I cover myself with sunscreen whenever necessary. I'm protecting myself from the sun's rays so I really don't want to be exposed to other people's second hand smoke.
@Whatmileyourep (3)
• United States
18 Dec 06
If someone is smoking outside and you dont want to be around it, leave. Why not ban passing gas in public, or shut down hazardous factories. When someone is talking about how bad smoke is for you it urks me because its not that big of a deal. Grow up and get over it. You can never smoke one ciggarette a day in your life then one day get diagnosed with skin cancer from the sun rays.
@amitava154 (367)
• India
18 Dec 06
I believe so. though i have no personal grudge aginst smoker and won't go telling them to give up the weed but what really disgusts me is the fact that people are forced to passively inhale the smokers fumes. when you smoke you should do itwithout causing problems to others and since that is not possible on the streets, a ban is justified.
2 people like this
@tsprabhu (705)
• India
18 Dec 06
I hate to see someone whose mouth is like a steam engine...lol. Yes, people who smoke are not only affecting their lungs.. They affect the ones who are innocent nearby. Its already banned here in India, to smoke in public places. But I dont find anyone following it. Its illegal to smoke in public. But people here still do it..
2 people like this
@BittyBiddy (2903)
• Ireland
18 Dec 06
Are fines not imposed? Here, people have stuck to the ban inside pubs and restaurants. For the owner, he could receive a 3,000 euro fine if someone is caught smoking on his premises.
1 person likes this
@BittyBiddy (2903)
• Ireland
18 Dec 06
I agree, but we have to start small in order to achieve big. We already have, here in Ireland anyway, segretation of waste, which means that everyone is cutting down on buying plastics etc. In time I think we will see a gradual decrease in production of these things. Now every country has to keep in line with emissions laws or they will be fined. So these things are being worked on.
@yannefranco (341)
• Philippines
18 Dec 06
yes, i think it should be banned everywhere and not just in the streets.
@Mart4Life (15)
• Netherlands
18 Dec 06
yeah i think it should be banned..
maybe if it's banned on the streets soms people realise it's disturbing for other people around them..
2 people like this
@FourDubbs (38)
• United States
18 Dec 06
i think it is rediculous that they are getting to the point of banning smoking in an open area, like the freakin streets.
its bad enough you cant smoke in YOUR OWN vehicle. its just all about control. i figure if its going that far they might as well freakin make it illegal to smoke them. that would make things alot easier.
2 people like this
@innechen (1318)
• Indonesia
18 Dec 06
in indonesia smoking in public area such as inside building or mal are banned since this year.but if smoking in open area such as street is not banned, i think smoking ban in the street is not fair.for those who non-smoking must be good if smoking also not allowed on the street but for smoker its not fair.if smoker can be more polite when they smoking on the street i guess the others wouldnt mind either.so i think we have to be fair and square
2 people like this
@BittyBiddy (2903)
• Ireland
18 Dec 06
Yes, maybe if smokers would show more consideration when smoking on the streets, but I think that this would mean they would probably have to go to an isolated area to smoke. No matter what street you're on, there are lots of people on it, so why should these people be exposed to the harmful smoke of a smoker.
1 person likes this
@medooley (1873)
• United States
18 Dec 06
For me it all depends on what you mean by a public place? To me a bar, a resturant is not a public place. It is a private establishment. A public place to me is a park or a community building. If a bar owner decides that he wants people to smoke in his bar, he should be allowed to do that. If you don't like it don't go to that bar... it is not that hard. We do not need laws for common sense.
2 people like this
@BittyBiddy (2903)
• Ireland
18 Dec 06
A public place is any place where the public go to. The ban was actually brought in here for the safety of the people who work in these establishments. You may well say that people should not go to bars where people smoke (that would have been ALL bars), but it is not so easy for the people that WORK there to go elsewhere.
1 person likes this
@raghwagh (1527)
• India
18 Dec 06
Yes I support that smoking should be banned in streets.I myself is non-smoker and had bad experiences with people smoking on streets.I am of the suggestion that if certain people want to die smoking then they should do it themselvel without disturbing others.Thus these people should close themselves in one room and then smoke as much as possible.
2 people like this
@Lunnazol (296)
• United States
18 Dec 06
You know, it should really be banned in the streets. If people want to smoke, they should only be able to it at home. I don't know about other people, but the smoke bothers me but even when it's in the open air, I still inhale it and it still smells bad.
2 people like this
@LoYaL132 (335)
• Netherlands
18 Dec 06
No smoking shouldn't be banned on the streets. I dont smoke but in the street you are free and I think ur free to smoke outside home. In store's places people eat it shouldn't be but outside is your own option. If people dont like it they shouldn't stand by them just walk away or stand somewhere else. Otherwise if it isn't alloud outside they just have theire home..
@crsdba (5)
• United States
18 Dec 06
I don't think it should be banned in the streets because it would limit the rights of people, I suppose, to choose what they want to do. It does get annoying or what have you when someone is smoking and, say, the wind is blowing in your face and you're suddenly hit with all this smoke. However, just like they can, you can move to a different area. I guess there is more freedoms on the streets VS. buildings and other areas.
1 person likes this
@wildguy2 (1349)
• Canada
19 Dec 06
Bitty biddy, this will be the last post I make to this discussion and I admit it is a good one, you are getting lots of debate and you have managed to even get me ruffled a time or 2 here, but it is as you say only a discussion, and not hard feeling about my posts I hope. But answer these questions for me.
From what I have read up to this point..you and others take smokers as a threat to your health correct?
I have read in the topics how members and yourself are saying that you and the non smoking members should not have to move when a smoker is near you correct?
If the above two questions are answered with a yes, then hypathetically, a smoker is a dangerous weapon against non smokers. Correct?
Now, myself when ever I am put in a dangerous position, I remove myself from it and go somewhere safer, same as if I was in a park sitting on a bench, and someone sat beside me that scared me and gave me a feeling of threat, I would not get angry at him, or ask him to move, as I am afraid he is dangerous to my health, so what would I do...I would eliminate myself from the threat...
@BittyBiddy (2903)
• Ireland
18 Dec 06
A lot of smokers constantly say that they should have the right to choose what they want to do, but they are effecting the choice of others to the most basic fundamental right that they should have - clean, breathable air. Air that is vital to life.
A non-smoker shouldn't have to move from where they want to be just because someone else is causing them a problem. Smokers should be more considerate.
@Clairec23 (136)
• Ireland
18 Dec 06
As an Irish non-smoker, I am loving the ban. I hated going out for the night and getting choked with smoke as well as the smell it leaves on your hair and clothes, it was horrible. Now, going out is a much nicer experience and even hangovers are not as bad anymore. As for banning smoking outside, I can't see that ever happening.
2 people like this
@mukundguruji (195)
• India
21 Dec 06
"Smoking is injurious to health" - Passive smokers suffer as much injury as those people who smoke. Smoking in streets should be banned categorizing it as a public nuisance. Some smokers show their expertise in creating whirligigs with their chimney mouth, trying to attract the attention of the onlookers. Poor souls, they don't know that they will eventually drown in their own smoky whirligigs!!!!!!!!!!!
@artygirl2006 (641)
•
18 Dec 06
hmmm in not sure this is a difficult one ..if you ban smoking in restaurants and pubs etc...the smokers need somewhere to go spark up. as a non- smoker myself i do get annoyed with people burning me and blowing smoke accidently in my face... but at least if the street you can walk away from it.
@BittyBiddy (2903)
• Ireland
18 Dec 06
On a crowded street with lots of people smoking it's very difficult to walk away though. I would be fine if it was just one or two people on the street. :/
@emisle (3822)
• Ireland
21 Dec 06
I agree with you, it's great to sit down in a restaurant/pub and not have to worry that there's a smoker somewhere nearby. And i hate it too when you're walking behind someone who's smoking and the wind blows it back in your face! there's nothing you can do but hold your breath! lol! But if smoking was banned on the streets i think smokers would think it was a step too far and i wouldn't want to be around when that riot starts!
1 person likes this
@BittyBiddy (2903)
• Ireland
21 Dec 06
Ah well, give it another few years and I can drag out that placard I've been making (The ban the smokers altogether one), and march the streets with it.
@BittyBiddy (2903)
• Ireland
21 Dec 06
Well said teenal. Even non-smokers like myself don't mind others smoking. And if it's in their own designated areas then we don't have a right to complain about it either.
@Chiriac (286)
• Romania
18 Dec 06
I am all for keeping the smokers in the bars. I would prefer a ban on the streets, where people cannot avoid being on occasion, and keeping the smoking inside the bar and, for smokers, inside their homes. Forget save-the-smokers and lets just save the rest of us.
1 person likes this
@BittyBiddy (2903)
• Ireland
18 Dec 06
Oh, but I don't like smoking in the bars either. I think I should be able to go out and have a drink with my friends without having to inhale others' smoke. The smoking rooms that they have on most pubs are a great idea.
@agrawalnakul (648)
• India
18 Dec 06
people smoke man..
its their life..
let them live the way they want to live it..
who r we to interfere
@BittyBiddy (2903)
• Ireland
18 Dec 06
Who are we? We are the ones who are being effected. That's who we are.
@sexyangel121705 (1)
• United States
18 Dec 06
honestly i think that smokers should have some rights as humans. i think there should be a limit to where they can smoke yes however i feel that as long as smokers are considerate to non smokers then they should be given equal right as for non smokers. its not fair to those who smoke to tell them they cant but as i said they should be considerate of those who dont smoke.
