Whether you’re for or against the G20 Summit, this is a great idea. I think more communities should do this.

I did some research to figure out what, if any, studies show that second hand smoke does NOT have any health effects. Obviously I found a ton of articles about how second hand smoke is detrimental, but to my surprise I did find a few studies that show no correlation between any of the major health concerns (heart disease or lung cancer) and second hand smoke. However, the studies that report no direct relationship to major health issues do mention other “minor” health issues. The most common “minor” issues are that second hand smoke can trigger allergic reactions in some people, and can exacerbate asthma and other chronic respiratory conditions. So, let’s say you were sitting at a table eating dinner and the gentleman behind you was smoking. Rather than your child asking you, “What’s that smell?” he turns to you and says, “My asthma is acting up and I’m having a hard time breathing.” Whose civil liberties are being attacked now: the smoker or the child having an asthma attack?

I don’t think I made my point clear enough. I am only comparing the actual acts: Smoking v. Drinking. The incidents of date rape, DUI, and fighting are all against the law. People who commit these types of crimes pay a penalty, at least in theory (I know that some people get away with this stuff, but that’s a whole other story). Smoking is different because it is a choice by an individual that effects my health, but without any sort of penalty. And I have tried talking to smokers about their smoke wafting in my direction, and believe me, it does not go well. Even something as simple as asking them to move to the left a little almost always results in anger/frustration.

I don’t think it’s an attack on civil liberties. If a person wants to smoke then let them. However, when their decision effects the health of another individual that’s when laws have the right to intervene. I think if someone wants to smoke they should only be allowed to do so in places where they are alone or with a group of smokers. There is nothing worse than walking down the street on a beautiful, crisp morning only to get behind someone smoking. It ruins the clean air that I’m breathing.As for comparing it to alcohol, there really is no comparison. When someone drinks alcohol they are only effecting themselves — so let them. No one around them feels any different or becomes less healthy. As for people dying due to drinking and driving, the last time I checked, DUI is not legal.

Whether you’re for or against the G20 Summit, this is a great idea. I think more communities should do this.

I did some research to figure out what, if any, studies show that second hand smoke does NOT have any health effects. Obviously I found a ton of articles about how second hand smoke is detrimental, but to my surprise I did find a few studies that show no correlation between any of the major health concerns (heart disease or lung cancer) and second hand smoke. However, the studies that report no direct relationship to major health issues do mention other “minor” health issues. The most common “minor” issues are that second hand smoke can trigger allergic reactions in some people, and can exacerbate asthma and other chronic respiratory conditions. So, let’s say you were sitting at a table eating dinner and the gentleman behind you was smoking. Rather than your child asking you, “What’s that smell?” he turns to you and says, “My asthma is acting up and I’m having a hard time breathing.” Whose civil liberties are being attacked now: the smoker or the child having an asthma attack?

I don’t think I made my point clear enough. I am only comparing the actual acts: Smoking v. Drinking. The incidents of date rape, DUI, and fighting are all against the law. People who commit these types of crimes pay a penalty, at least in theory (I know that some people get away with this stuff, but that’s a whole other story). Smoking is different because it is a choice by an individual that effects my health, but without any sort of penalty. And I have tried talking to smokers about their smoke wafting in my direction, and believe me, it does not go well. Even something as simple as asking them to move to the left a little almost always results in anger/frustration.

I don’t think it’s an attack on civil liberties. If a person wants to smoke then let them. However, when their decision effects the health of another individual that’s when laws have the right to intervene. I think if someone wants to smoke they should only be allowed to do so in places where they are alone or with a group of smokers. There is nothing worse than walking down the street on a beautiful, crisp morning only to get behind someone smoking. It ruins the clean air that I’m breathing.As for comparing it to alcohol, there really is no comparison. When someone drinks alcohol they are only effecting themselves — so let them. No one around them feels any different or becomes less healthy. As for people dying due to drinking and driving, the last time I checked, DUI is not legal.