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I'll answer your question with a rant, if that's ok? I suspect I know where you're going with it (if I'm off base, I apologize in advance for "going off" on you), so here goes.
I have no problem with common sense legislation to put in place a certain amount of regulation to ensure we don't ravage our environment with rampant disregard for the future.
I don't advocate making cigarettes illegal. You wanna smoke - fine. Kill yourself. I do not believe it is fair, however, to force non-smokers to "go somewhere else" if they don't feel like smelling the stench of self-polluting smokers.

*** NEWS FLASH: The overwhelming majority of Americans are NON-SMOKERS!!!!***

They "get it", if you know what I mean?

What if a minority of people in this country decided that they like the smell of feces so much that they wear that scent everywhere they go...and they expect to have that right guaranteed and no infingement upon that right will be tolerated....the same old blah blah blah about smoking? What's the difference? You want to sit next to a stinking pile of crap when you're trying to eat? Well, to non-smokers, that's exactly the case. No difference whatsoever -- except that the smell of feces hasn't been PROVEN to cause cancer.
You know, not that anyone really gives a damn, but I am a moderate conservative. I say that proudly because I can state with complete certainty that "total lefties" and "total righties" don't accomplish much other than making progress even harder than it already is.
Guess what -- most Americans are pretty close to the center on social and political issues. Can the 15% of the "righties" and the 15% of the "lefties" both realistically believe that the 70% of the moderates are as wrong as their 15% opposites? Is that practical thinking?
Don't we get so enraged when the extreme lefties go about their fruitcake business and wag their fingers at us? Yeah, we do. Are we really any better when we take our principles to the diametric opposite extreme? I say "No, we are not."

No wonder this country is so polarized.

I don't advocate activist judges socializing this country from the bench. I must say, however, that I don't condone zealots pontificating from their self-righteous pulpits either.
I don't believe that mankind is the sole cause of "global warming", "the Ozone Hole" or any other cataclysmic, Earth-destroying phenomena. However, I do believe that we should be aware of our potential to cause harm if we allow our excrement upon the only planet we have to go unchecked.

Is that a concept that is so tough to grasp? What is so hard about exercising a little common sense when we proclaim our stands on these things? Can't we acknowledge that some things are just inherently bad without completely selling out to the interests -- on either extreme?
And can't a man do so -- and freely post his views on this "open forum" -- without being labeled a troll or having his words taken completely out of context? Don't we get really pissed when our adversaries label us in such a way?
Does anyone have so much of a complete grasp on these issues that he/she really and truly feels that drawing a complete and unwaivering line separating black and white is practical....and digestable to someone who is educated and refuses to be influenced by B.S. rhetoric and propaganda -- FROM EITHER SIDE???

Always remember...when you point your finger, there are three more pointing back at you.

There are people in this country, even on this forum, who would like to see smoking outlawed in people's private homes, if there are children present.

do not believe it is fair, however, to force non-smokers to "go somewhere else" if they don't feel like smelling the stench of self-polluting smokers.

Why then are the raving nutter antis now going after outdoor smoking at restaurants? They got their way, they can happily sit inside without worrying about the smokers, must they dictate outdoor activities as well?

You bring up cancer. No biases there in any of those studies.

Let me ask you something. Do you support tobacco taxes? If so, why? If the ultimate goal is to force smokers to give it up by raising the price, what will you do when your money pot is dry? Find some new 'sin' to tax?

Guess what -- most Americans are pretty close to the center on social and political issues.

Yeah, that's why abortion is still legal. Is that a good thing too, because the majority are centrist, and as you have said, the majority should get their way?