That’s the thing that bugs me about these “polls.” They never make the distinction, thus blurring the fact that the proponents of these laws are actually looking to turn private property into “public” property.
I have long contended that if tobacco is so “deadly” it should be placed on the forbidden list of controlled substances. But guess who the major OPPONENTS of such a proposal are? If you guessed those proposing the smoking (actually smoker) bans, you would be correct. They rely too much on tobacco tax revenue to pad their pockets to consider such a solution.
If you want me to side with you regarding smoking in restaurants and bars, I’m sorry but I can’t.
I’m 56 years old. I’ve spent most of my life going out to restaurants and bars in smoke filled rooms. Even when smoking and non-smoking sections were set up, the smoke would waft over into the non-smoking area.
Do I think there is a real danger of people inhaling second hand smoke coming down with cancer? Let’s just say I’m not convinced of that at all. What I am convinced of is that I couldn’t really enjoy the evening out having to endure someone else’s smoke and knowing I’d stink to high heavens upon returning home.
I’ve gone home from work thousands of times, taken a shower, put on a new set of clean clothes and gone out to eat or to a bar. Three or so hours later I’d return home with clothes that stunk so much I could smell them from two rooms away.
After hanging those clothes out to air for two to four days, I generally had to have them cleaned again. It was a real pain in the ass.
I don’t blame smokers for not liking the new laws. And it is getting to the point that I am angry at some of the new laws that are being considered.
Smoking outside should be okay. Smoking in your own care should be okay. Smoking in your own home should be okay.
If you want my vote to support you in those areas, you’ve got it. I try not to be unreasonable about this, but I’m sure smokers think I’m very unreasonable. I understand that.
You take care.