re: #356 iossarian

The thing is, there needs to be some consideration for smokers, the same way there needs to be consideration for drinkers, unhealthy eaters etc.

That said, I think that banning smoking inside buildings that are to be shared with non-smokers is pretty fair.

Why? Or perhaps I should ask how much you think should be tolerated?

The problem for smokers is that their smoke affects their environment. You can turn your back but you can’t turn off your lungs; your eyes still water from the smoke.

If the unhealthy eater is throwing trash your way or sprays food, they have similar impact. If the drinker gets behind the wheel of a vehicle, or even tries to get close for conversation and groping, they’re not to be tolerated.

But in both the latter cases the impact happens only after the event, not through the event itself. Smokers, merely by smoking, affect everybody nearby.

Smoking, like pretty much everything else, if done in private is the business only of the smoker. Smoking in public affects everyone and as such is everyone’s business.