Should Cities Ban Smoking in Public Places?

[KevinG]

This is a pretty cool blog post on the NY Times site:

Edward L. Glaeser is an economist at Harvard.

One of my jobs is to be a booster for research on state and local government. In that capacity, I’m always a little sad that most people are captivated by the drama of presidential elections and bored by the nuts and bolts of local politics. Much of what is most important in our lives — the quality of our schools, the safety of our streets and the speed of our commutes — is determined at the local level.

Today, states and localities are on the front line of regulating drugs and tobacco. Last Tuesday, for example, Massachusetts decided to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana possession. As marijuana heads towards legalization, tobacco seems headed in the opposite direction. On Nov. 13, the Boston Public Health Commission will consider a sweeping ban on tobacco consumption, which would end the city’s four remaining cigar bars.

Does it make sense for localities to ban smoking tobacco and permit marijuana possession?

Full Post

[anton]

short answer: no

long answer; **** no!

[slowburning]

Originally Posted by Anton

short answer: no

long answer; **** no!

+1, no doubt about it.

[Sparhawk]

Originally Posted by Anton

short answer: no

+1

Originally Posted by Anton

long answer; **** no!

+2

[Acesfull]

sure ban it i never really liked freedom anyway i need people to run my life for me

[olsaltybastard]

I believe both marijuana and tobacco should be legal.


I now (kinda sorta) understand the non-smoking side of things. I went to a concert last Thursday. It was at an indoor venue in Kentucky so smoking is permitted. Since I no longer smoke cigarettes, the smell of them is rather irritating. When I got home, my clothes STUNK of cigarette smoke. I understand that I can choose whether or not I want to go to a certain venue or to spend my money elsewhere. The flip side of that is should I be forced to inhale smoke that I did not create? A smoker has the right to inhale whatever they wish, but do they have the right to pollute the air that I breathe as well?

A cigar bar is very different. The venue I went to was to listen to a band play music, not to smoke tobacco. I do not eat fast food, so I do not visit fast food restaurants. Same with cigars; I seriously doubt non-smokers have any inclination to enter a cigar bar.

[Acesfull]

Originally Posted by olsaltybastard

I or not I want to go to a certain venue or to spend my money elsewhere. The flip side of that is should I be forced to inhale smoke that I did not create? A smoker has the right to inhale whatever they wish, but do they have the right to pollute the air that I breathe as well?

You answere your own question. You went there knowing smoking was permitted and you could have chosen not to go.

[anton]

this is not a question for government to answer. It is the property owner/management that should have the final say.

As consumers, we have the right to leave if we don't like the policy in place.

[KevinG]

Originally Posted by Anton

this is not a question for government to answer. It is the property owner/management that should have the final say.

As consumers, we have the right to leave if we don't like the policy in place.

So logical, simple and easy, yet so far from all the stupidity going on these days.

[Acesfull]

Originally Posted by Anton

this is not a question for government to answer. It is the property owner/management that should have the final say.

As consumers, we have the right to leave if we don't like the policy in place.

Yeah thats my thoughts exactley

[JAX]

Originally Posted by Anton

this is not a question for government to answer. It is the property owner/management that should have the final say.

As consumers, we have the right to leave if we don't like the policy in place.

+2

You should run for local office; ofcourse making sense is an automatic disqualifer for politicians....

[andrew_will1]

Outdoors:

I don't think that we have the right to smoke wherever we want whenever we want in outdoor public...like it or not we are polluting other peoples air. However non smokers don't have the right to tell us we can't smoke. I think the best solution for this is segregation....give me a place to smoke and I have no problems...tell me I CAN'T smoke and I'll stab 'em in the eye with a goddamn spoon.



Indoors:
Inside in public the policy should be SOLELY the business owner...they own the ****in place for christ sake....why is this even debated I'll never know.


Just MHO

[Acesfull]

This is opinion but I totally disagree. Outdoors is outdoors. You see me smoking dont get near me. Just because I'm doing something you dont like doesnt mean I cant do it. Polluting air is BS. Then fine I dont want anyone driving cars beacuse they are polluting my air. Everyone should ride bikes or electric scoots that produce 0 emissions if we are worried about air pollution. And the 2nd hand smoke arguement is BS also. Dont get near me and as we arent in an enclosed area then the smoke will dissipate. When Im at a park or on campus I avoid smokers and I dont mind avoiding them its my preference because I believe in freedoms and the ability to use logic and choice.

[riverdog-cr]

Originally Posted by KevinG

So logical, simple and easy, yet so far from all the stupidity going on these days.

Yup, yup, a thousand times yup. I live in a tobacco state so things here are, as you might expect, a little more lax. I share OSB's relative intolerance of cigarette smoke and there are a couple of small restaurants in the county that I just won't eat in due to the lack of adequate ventilation. So I most definitely understand the other side of the issue as well. BUT it is my option to eat somewhere else, as it should be.

[andrew_will1]

Originally Posted by Acesfull

This is opinion but I totally disagree. Outdoors is outdoors. You see me smoking dont get near me. Just because I'm doing something you dont like doesnt mean I cant do it.

Does that mean you approve of people ****in in public??

Originally Posted by Acesfull

Polluting air is BS.

Really? how?

Originally Posted by Acesfull

Then fine I dont want anyone driving cars beacuse they are polluting my air. Everyone should ride bikes or electric scoots that produce 0 emissions if we are worried about air pollution.

Your wishes will be granted sooner than you might think

Originally Posted by Acesfull

When Im at a park or on campus I avoid smokers and I dont mind avoiding them its my preference because I believe in freedoms and the ability to use logic and choice.

That's cuz your such a sweetheart