Should smoking be banned in the US?

[Tiggeroshii]

Just another random question that popped up in my head. I think this has been around before around here, I just don't remember how it did.

[Mythsaje]

1. I'm sure it's as good an idea as alcohol prohibition and the Drug War. eom

[Virginia Dare]

2. Public places, not private...n/t

[Viva_La_Revolution]

3. Public ENCLOSED spaces nt

[Virginia Dare]

7. I could probably live with that, although...

when you're sitting in an outdoor stadium and somebody next to you or beside you is smoking it's a potential problem. Maybe designated areas?

[Viva_La_Revolution]

28. works for me

:)

[demosincebirth]

32. The Oakland Colosseum has been smoke free for 10 years, now

[we can do it]

18. For the Most Part, Except When There Is Close Seating - But Designate An Area

[stepnw1f]

4. I no longer smoke but...

I think banning it altogether is extreme. Let the adults decide for themselves what they wish to do with their own bodies.

Banning it in public places (enclosed) is fine with me.

[skids]

5. Banned cocaine, got crack. Banned opium, got heroin.

Banned lower grade speeds, got meth.
Banned marijuana, got hash.

I shudder to think what the black market would come up with for nicotine. It's LD50 is pretty hazardous to be tempting fate.

Not to mention, on principle, the government has no business nosing into my bloodstream.

[Jed Dilligan]

10. People would mainline nicotine

It's done for a cheap high already.

[klook]

12. Banned cigarettes, got snuff

Banning smoking would be a stupid idea.

[Fuzz]

6. More freedom, not less. Always.

[Virginia Dare]

11. Unfortunately second hand smoke is a very real health hazard...

so it needs to be dealt with in some fashion, I'm not for completely banning smoking, but you need to give non-smokers the option of not being exposed to it in public places.

[The Straight Story]

8. No helps prevent parkinson's and helps deal with it

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2688762

Not to mention, banning things is what I expect freedom haters to do, not liberals.

[matcom]

9. well THIS is an Intelligent thread

:eyes:

slow Saturday Night? rent some porn - buy a bag of Cheetos

[tammywammy]

13. No

Restrict it in public places, but don't ban it.

Prohibition didn't work well with alcohol and isn't working with drugs.

[onecent]

14. I quit smoking 5 years ago...but if they ban smoking, next it will

be liquor, then chocolate, then fast food, sugar, on and on.

When they take things away with laws, people find MORE creative ways to get it.

[American Jesus]

15. Should smoking threads be banned on DU?

I swear, so many of these things popping up lately, you would think someone was on the Phillip Morris payroll.

But for the record, prohibition has never stopped addiction, and usually ends up making things much worse.

On the other hand, it WOULD take some major funding from the Republican party..........


And in a related question.... Why the FUCK is Air America running Phillip Morris ads anyway? That is beyond sickening.

[skids]

33. I for one would support a smoking "ghetto forum" n/t

[blurp]

16. If a city wishes it, that's ok. Not state level or fed level, though.

[kiahzero]

17. No, but its use should be limited in public accomodations. (n/t)

[LeftishBrit]

19. No - we've already seen how well Prohibition and drug bans have worked!

Admittedly, it would probably please a wide range of crooks and especially the organized criminals: a good way for them to get very, very rich!

[MrSlayer]

20. Yes and anyone caught with tobacco should go to prison.

For 50 years.

This is a great an idea as prohibition and the "war on drugs", they are so effective.

[meisje]

21. Outside of your private residence, it should be banned

[Swamp Rat]

22. NO!

[lapfog_1]

23. California has lived with smoking bans in public

enclosed spaces and workplaces for, what, 10 years now. Even bars and other "traditional" smoking havens. Lots of businesses that cater to smokers have worked within the rules to cater to their customers. There was a lot of grumbling from smokers at first, but basically it's worked out fine for everyone. As a non-smoker, I've really appreciated the fact that I can play poker in a card room without having to come home and shower immediately and put my clothes into sealed bags until I could wash them. Not to mention going to bars and restaurants without being assaulted by cigarette smoke. I said I was a non-smoker, but that's not strictly true, occasionally I like a good cigar, very occasionally... and the cigar shops have provided great facilities to enjoy a cigar in public without offending others.

Anyway, I'm always for freedom... so long as the freedom doesn't conflict with someone else's freedom.

California's ban on smoking is just fine and I don't see a lot of people packing up to leave.

[Raine]

36. I agree

it's nice to be able to sit in a bar and not have to breath in all that smoke and then come out stinking from it.

[lumpy]

57. Alcohol should be banned. Having to sit next

to someone who is breathing out alcohol fumes can cause digestive and gagging problems. Another thing, those fumes from BBQs are bad for the lungs, should be banned. Use of fireplaces should be banned for the same reason. And by george, those fumes from car emissions can kill, no cars should be allowed on neighborhood streets. Perfume should be banned, some people have allergic reactions to perfume. And another thing, people who don't change their baby's poopy diapers should have to pay a fine for stinking up the atmosphere and those damned cows, oh wow....something should be done about it....

[Raine]

59. Nevertheless

I'm glad to live in CA where I can go to a bar and not breathe in stinky smoke. :-)

[lapfog_1]

60. You apparently have never lived in Colorado

where, in many location, you cannot lite up the BBQ or start a fire in the fireplace just any old time you feel like it, because of the smog they create. Denver is a perfect example... when there is a thermal inversion layer, the smoke from fires has no place to go, so it just hangs out at ground level. Worse than a San Francisco marine layer fog. You get tears in your eyes and start coughing to get the particulate matter out of your lungs. Uncontrollably.

And we have done lots and lots to reduce air pollution from cars, and are doing even more. California has lead the way in this too.

Look, if you can come up with a way for a cigarette to not pollute and annoy everyone else in the room, then I have NO problem with you smoking your way to lung cancer. In the meantime, smoke outdoors or at home.

[Spangle]

39. I like the "no smoking" in doors. And I"m a smoker

For all the reasons that you state. If I 'forget" what it use to be like, all i gota do is take a gambling cruise, were they let people lite up and play. GAG! I have to go outside to breath. LOL!

Our denist says she forgets that we are smokers. Cause we don't smell like smokers. I think it's because we don't smoke indoors.

However, restricting it out side is a little to much. Except by hospital doors, etc.. Restriciting it near buildings, where there is NO other 'covered" places.. is stupid as well. Cause at times people will need cover, and that is just setting it up for someone to break the law. Yes, second hand smoke is an issue. But it's not the only air quailty issue out there. And people have started 'thinking' like it's the only one. Ignoring many other air quality dangors. Like putting babys in strollers and walkign them through a parking lot. NOT SMART FOLKS! Smoking don't have nothing on auto exsaust.

Instead of banning it, I rather it can only be bought at the drug store with a script. Or one has to 'sign' to buy it. That way it can be something that is 'tracked." People buying enough for several packs a day... might be selling it to minors. I rather we focus more on keeping the kids from smoking it. From getting 'hooked.' So this will be less an issue in the future.

[lapfog_1]

44. It's good to live in CA

where smokers can, for the most part, enjoy smoking outdoors year round. Most businesses have developed nice outdoor smoking courts or break areas. And the rest usually have some designated outdoor area for smokers. I don't care what people do in their own homes, and I don't think making it by prescription is a good idea. I do agree that keeping kids away from it is the key to a healthier and cleaner future.

[Spangle]

54. Same here in Florida

However, I do object to not allowing business to make business that cater to smokers. That IS a market force.

Here you can't even smoke out side on government owned property. THAT is a little much. Considering the taxes pay for that property. No smoking areas at all. Don't even allow smoking in a persons auto in the parking lot.

Smokers are now 'broke in' to the idea that they shouldn't just lite up anywhere they want to. And now more aware of who is around them when they do. Put a smoking area some where, and smokers will look for it, and go there. Don't have one.. no telling where they will lite up. Don't have a place for butts.. your going to find them just laying around. <shurg>

[tinfoilinfor2005]

55. You can't restrict it next to hospital doors.

That is where all the doctors and nurses duck out for a cigarette break.

[readmoreoften]

24. That's it. Come and take away my 66 year old father and put him in shackles.

What idiocy. If you really want to stop the industry, ban the sale of cigarettes in the US and have free in-patient rehabilitation programs for life-long smokers.

[Booster]

25. It's a money thing. They will never make smoking illegal in the

U.S. because then they couldn't send their cigarettes to other countries to sell. Americans are not really where they make their money from - it's overseas.

[sweetheart]

26. only for cars & factories nt

[codjh9]

27. In enclosed public spaces, absolutely - I had an aunt who was on oxygen even

though she'd NEVER smoked, but lived with a chain-smoker for umpteen years - what more proof do you need? I'm messed up as well from a combination of smoking and second-hand smoke.

[SPKrazy]

29. Only From Public Buildings

or other places where you can't get away from the smoke

but if people want to kill themselves with cigarettes, they should be allowed to I guess. Although we ban some other things that are deadly.

[demosincebirth]

30. I wonder how much does smoking cost

the U.S. taxpayer in medical costs each year? I saw, awhile back, a study that said that almost 70% of smokers do not have health insurance.

[Alexander]

31. HELL NO, and I HATE smoking.

Discouraged? Yes.

Prohibited in enclosed public places, where everyone has to breathe it in and smell it? Definitely!

But banned? That would be about as bad as Prohibition.

[walldude]

34. Yup.. and red meat, trans-fats, coffee, cars

aerosols, alchohol, beer, religion, boy bands, golf, skateboards, motorcycles, etc, etc... :sarcasm:

[Bunny]

35. Oh man, the election is over. Do we really need to do this now?

[hayu_lol]

40. Do the people who wish to ban cigarettes understand...

that the law will apply to their pot smoking? hehehe.

Naw, go ahead and ban it, someone will buy a sub and bring it in anyway. As another poster commented: follow this ban with banning booze, wine, beer, sex, and all the rest.

IDEA: could we just ban wusses?

[phusion]

37. There's a lady at my work...

that's trying to ban smoking by employees outdoors.

I haven't asked her if she's a registered fascist...

[BadgerKid]

45. Maybe it's the cloud of smoke

enveloping the entrance? Accessing the building totally smoke-free requires not breathing during that part.

Speaking of which, I once worked at a hospital where employees would smoke within the ER parking bay area because it offered shelter from the wind. Technically they were smoking outside, right? Well eventually smoking was banned within the 50 feet or so of the ER doors.

[in_cog_ni_to]

38. Sure. After we ban cars that emit more pollutants than cigarettes. n/t

[Bluebear]

41. Could we not focus on our differences for just ONE week?

Enjoy the afterglow ferchrissakes :)

[karlrschneider]

42. Jesus. Fucking. Christ. What a goddamned stupid question.

:grr: :mad:
Maybe there are a few assholes who will say yes. Even on DU.
:grr:

[NuttyFluffers]

43. but how will i ever get smoked salmon again?

will there be a smoked salmon Al Capone?
:silly:

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

46. And the Great Smoky Mountains. Gone.

:cry:

[WindRavenX]

47. Of course not, what a ridiculous idea

I am adult and I should be able to decide what I do to my body.

[Seabiscuit]

48. What? 19% of DU'ers in this poll are nico-fascists???

"banned in the US"?????????

Just like gay marriage, abortion, Darwinism and liberal criticism of the administration?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

49. If Only There Could Be A Ban On Stupidity.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh how much better the world would be.

[Seabiscuit]

50. Yes. Let's "stamp out" stupidity.

Smoking won't then seem so much of a problem.

[NoBushSpokenHere]

51. Smoking Nazi's in Ohio just passed a ban on Nov 7th

Since then I have talked to a few business owners. Two plan to close. I don't blame them. They explained to me that they own their businesses, pay taxes on them and provide smoke free areas for non-smokers. They said just because some people want to restrict the rights of others it isn't fair for them to have to prohibit smoking inside buildings that they own.

Personally, I am a smoker. I do not go to non-smoking restaurants and will not even once our ban is active. I do not appreciate the holier than thou attitude of some non-smokers. Everyone has a vice of some sort. I am looking forward to the day when the smoking nazi's find that their vice is taken away.

I do blame tobacco companies in part for the ban. They could have produced better smelling cigarettes. It isn't the fear of second hand smoke that smoking nazi's hate, it is the odor.

I have left instructions for my family to sue the smoking nazi's if I die of pneumonia this winter from being forced to stand out in the cold to smoke.

Far too much money and effort is being placed on this issue when there are numerous other health threats to our society. Global warming, depleted uranium used by our government, toxic waste in our landfills and pollution from the SUV being driven by the smoking nazi herself.

Someday when they have forced us all off of cigarettes, they will discover it isn't the cigarette that is causing cancer. And for those of you who are bristling at that idea - I know far too many people who lived into their 80's who were 4 pack a day smokers. Genetics coupled with pollution from corporations who are too greedy and too powerful to have to clean up their act have far more to do with cancer than some smoke drifting off the end of my cigarette.

So yes, the holier than thou nazi's won in Ohio, but when businesses shut down in an already depressed state, who really does win?

[mmonk]

52. Administrations commiting crimes against the constitution

and breaking numerous federal statutes should be.

[EdwardM]

53. No, but lets ban politicians from getting free vacations from the tobacco lobby.

I don't like a government that decides what is good for the people. I don't want a government to tell people they can't smoke marijuana, buy handguns, buy porn, drink on Sunday morning, play violent videogames, go to a strip club or any other vices. I believe in absolute freedom of the individual as long as it doesn't harm anyone else. By that standard, I have no problem with a cigerette ban in resturants. Many people have no choice but to work at a resturant where they have to breathe smoke 8 hours a day. That is wrong especially considering this country does not provide universal healthcare. I think the California ban is right. But there is no way in hell would I support a bill to ban smoking in private.

[Boojatta]

56. How about if the US federal government gives fair market value to

all shareholders of tobacco companies and takes control of the companies. Then Donald Rumsfeld can be put in charge of managing the federal department of tobacco products.

[lumpy]

58. This drive for banning cigarette smoking is ridiculous

nonsense. Inhaling smoke from BBQs, campfires is bad for the lungs, as well as auto emissions, smoke from fireplaces, forest fires, smoke stacks, field burning, heating and cooking with gas, etc etc etc. Lets just ban everything that offends, causes illness or clouds the atmosphere. Lets just lie in bed everyday and quit living altogether. Good grief!

[radfringe]

61. keep this up - and you'll drive me to join the libertarian party