Some folks seem to believe smoking is a constitutionally-guaranteed right, on a par with speech, religion and gun ownership.
Well, I don't know if I would go that far. I think that people should have the right to grow it, sell it, smoke it, and so forth. But I also think that restaurant owners should have the right to decide to not allow smoking in their establishments (if they choose) and that companies should have the right to decide to not allow smoking or smoke breaks if they choose, and that insurance companies should have the right to decide to not provide coverage (or provide coverage at much higher rates) to smokers, etc etc. And I think local communities should be able to fine the hell out of litterers.
I can even go for local communities passing laws outlawing smoking in public buildings and so forth.
But I get off the anti-smoking bandwagon when such laws are passed on the state or federal level, and I get off the bandwagon when every restaurant is forced to have non-smoking areas by state or federal law, and I get off the bandwagon when there are efforts to ban smoking outdoors or in the privacy of people's own residences.
Maybe those who used to take part in these haven't found the back room yet? Give em a ping. I think FrancisAndBeans is back too, but I forget his new name.
Some folks seem to believe smoking is a constitutionally-guaranteed right, on a par with speech, religion and gun ownership. Not smoking, mountaineer, private property rights and individual liberties. If you got anything else out of the smoking threads, you might want to read them again.