Smoking Enforcement Getting Out of Hand

[winton]

Let me give another perspective on the no smoking laws. There are some people that are very sensitive to smoke. My wife and daughter are in that group. Last night, I decided to enjoy a pipe out in the garage, after a rough week at work. Half way through, my wife came out and told me that my daughter was having trouble breathing. (My smoking was not the cause. She had been sick for several days.) But, as we were deciding how to handle the situation, I would not get within 15 feet of her. They went to the ER and I followed after I had a shower, new clothes, etc. (She is OK now, but going to doctor this morning.)
Thus, be aware that there are people who have a real medical problem with smoke. If you aren't breathing, nothing else matters. This is rare, of course.
In a general setting, it is always appropriate to ask if anyone minds if you smoke.
If you are alone, in your own space, I don't see why the laws should apply. They need to be changed to allow the freedom that our country has fought for over the last 200+ years.

 

[deathmetal]

Thus, be aware that there are people who have a real medical problem with smoke.

How many out of 100,000?
It's kind of like peanut allergies. The best way to handle this problem is for those people to avoid the majority, not the other way around.

They need to be changed to allow the freedom that our country has fought for over the last 200+ years.

Is that what we fought for, in those world wars? I believe in the case of Vietnam, but not WWI.

 

[wy2w]

I've always felt that it is a smoker's responsibility to be courteous to others, and not run around like a pro-smoking Nazis demanding rights like so many other groups do. No, we shouldn't have parades, and such. However, if an owner of an establishment has decided to make their place a smoker friendly place, it is their right, and it should not be dictated by a government authority. It is also the non-smoker's right not to enter that establishment. This is just some of the many freedoms that we have fought for. The right to choose, but some have decided that we are too stupid to make our own decisions and that they should make them for us.

 

[deathmetal]

It's everyone's responsibility to be courteous to others, unless those others are bad people, in which case our responsibility is to behead them.

 

[winton]

deathmetal, I understand your perspective. I was speaking from my perspective. My household of four has two pipe smokers and two people allergic to smoke. We have made the necessary adjustments.
Growing up, my wife had an aunt that chain smoked. Every time her family went to that home for a holiday, my wife spent most of the time outdoors, in order to breathe. The aunt's disregard for her condition affected the relationship. This also is part of my perspective.

 

[wy2w]

It's everyone's responsibility to be courteous to others, unless those others are bad people, in which case our responsibility is to behead them.

deathmetal - LOL!!! I just spit coffee all over the wall!

 

[jpmcwjr]

As for the 20-foot rule from a doorway, air vent or window that opens, the way the law is written it just says that you can not stand still within 20-feet of them. So I intentionally walk back and forth in front of them, just to piss them off and show them how outlandish the laws are.

You aren't showing "them" anything. Your action may drive "them" to make even stricter laws or harsher penalties and stronger enforcement.

 

[deathmetal]

The only thing that shows Them anything is seizure of power and exile of all former regime dependents.