The Word Health Organization (WHO) http://www.who.int/en/ has recommended a Worldwide ban on smoking in public places. What do you think?

Personally I think it's a good idea. The number of deaths smoking causes is more than enough reason for me, and when you add the effects of passing smoking, I think it's only a matter of time before we have to ban for everyone's sake. It's been banned in public here for nearly a year, and the difference is really noticeable. It's good to come home from a night out and stink of cigarette smoke.

I'm an ex-smoker, so I know how addictive it is, but I'm sure it would have been harder to start the habit if it wasn't so common.

J

Do it.

I'm not a smoker so it wouldn't affect me anyway, but I don't like the idea of the government telling me I can't. Many people die in car accidents. Are we going to ban automobiles next?

I'm not a smoker, either, but I don't think it should be made illegal.

I do like the fact that here in Washington State, it's illegal to smoke in public buildings, as well as 20 feet from a doorway or window. I think that we should also make it illegal to smoke in cars with children present.

And how many of those automobile fatalities would be prevented simply by wearing a seat belt or not having people drink and drive?

Besides, when you drive a 3000-pound-plus pile of aluminum, steel, and other assorted things at 75 MPH, things are about to happen. The extremely high number of deaths related to tobacco smoking for a little small stick of paper and plant leaves (and about 350 other chemicals) on the other hand...and that's before you even try to factor in secondhand smoke.

I think they should ban it. I began college last August and I was amazed with the amount of students who smoked. Here where I live smoking inside buildings, malls, restaurants, bars, etc. was recently prohibited.

While I too get annoyed at the idea of the government telling me what I can and can't do, I don't think we can continue to ignore the health impact of smoking.

We're striving to develop more economically friendly automobiles, and working to make them safer, and we're pressuring governments to address Global Warming, so if we really want to make the World safer and more livable, then smoking is definitely something we can't ignore.

J

i dont really see why they shouldnt do it.

won't happen

You'll never get rid of smoking. Their's to much of a demand.

I think it sounds like a great idea, being allergic to smoke myself, but I doubt it will ever happen... :(

The Word Health Organization (WHO) http://www.who.int/en/ has recommended a Worldwide ban on smoking in public places. What do you think?

Personally I think it's a good idea. The number of deaths smoking causes is more than enough reason for me, and when you add the effects of passing smoking, I think it's only a matter of time before we have to ban for everyone's sake. It's been banned in public here for nearly a year, and the difference is really noticeable. It's good to come home from a night out and stink of cigarette smoke.

I'm an ex-smoker, so I know how addictive it is, but I'm sure it would have been harder to start the habit if it wasn't so common.

J

Yes! Now what about Fast Food and other Junk Foods, not to mention Alcohol, sugar, fats, pork and red meat?

Lets see:

Junk/Fast Food=Diabetes/Heart disease/Fatal heart attacks.
Alcohol=rotted liver/rotted kidneys.
High fats/cholestrol=(see fast foods)
Red meat=(see fast foods)
Pork=(see fast foods)
Sugar=Type 2 diabetes and its complications.

Should they ban these items, too?

Yes! Now what about Fast Food and other Junk Foods, not to mention Alcohol, sugar, fats, pork and red meat?

Lets see:

Junk/Fast Food=Diabetes/Heart disease/Fatal heart attacks.
Alcohol=rotted liver/rotted kidneys.
High fats/cholestrol=(see fast foods)
Red meat=(see fast foods)
Pork=(see fast foods)
Sugar=Type 2 diabetes and its complications.

Should they ban these items, too?

If only!

But what separates those things from smoking is that by gorging on all of those things, you're only physically damaging yourself, whereas with smoking, your also harming those around you.

Also, certain types of alcohol, when taken in moderation, have been shown to be beneficial to health.

J

You'll never get rid of smoking. Their's to much of a demand.

Unfortunately, I think you're right. :(

But what separates those things from smoking is that by gorging on all of those things, you're only physically damaging yourself, whereas with smoking, your also harming those around you.

Not always, though. What about someone who only smokes inside his own house or outside well away from other people?

Yes! Now what about Fast Food and other Junk Foods, not to mention Alcohol, sugar, fats, pork and red meat?

Lets see:

Junk/Fast Food=Diabetes/Heart disease/Fatal heart attacks.
Alcohol=rotted liver/rotted kidneys.
High fats/cholestrol=(see fast foods)
Red meat=(see fast foods)
Pork=(see fast foods)
Sugar=Type 2 diabetes and its complications.

Should they ban these items, too?
if they banned those i'd leave the earth. NO MORE BACON? :(

Not always, though. What about someone who only smokes inside his own house or outside well away from other people?

excellent point. some people do smoke around others who don't like it, which I think is rude. but not everyone is out to sit next to someone only to blow smoke in their face. if I'm with a group of friends hanging out, I ask everyone if it's alright that I light one, if it isn't it's not hard to step out on my balcony.

Not always, though. What about someone who only smokes inside his own house or outside well away from other people?

Yeah, but that's why the ban is recommended for public places, not private also.

I understand the argument that the government shouldn't have the right to tell us what we can and cannot do. And that's what gets me torn...because at the same time I think, it's affecting people's health, whether they do or do not do it, and so maybe it should be regulated. I dunno.