New smoking restrictions in Washington. Oh boy!

[tonkatoyman]

As I said above, the rights of smokers ends where the rights of non smokers begins. We shouldn't have to breathe that crap while we are trying to eat, or walk into a building, or through a park. THAT is my biggest complaint about smoking.

As a nonsmoker who has been to other countries that do not restrict smoking in public building I completely understand. I have walked into restaurants that had a blue haze hanging over the room. You could not breath. However how far is too far in limiting human behavior. Second hand smoke in a crowded room is far different than catching a whiff as you walk by entering a building. If we are going to limit behavior because of smells where do we stop. I don't like stepping in doody from other peoples dogs and smelling it, does that mean I have a right to tell people who live in a city they cannot have dogs. I don't like the smell of some foods cooking it makes me nauseous. Does that mean I have the right to limit what people cook in high rise apartments... Again how far is to far. Walk by an alley where there is rotting garbage infested with rats that are unhealthy. Do we outlaw the disposal of garbage. You do not like the smell of smoke. Neither do I. Just because you and I disapprove of a habit or dislike the smell does not give us the right to limit its behavior beyond what clearly constitutes a danger it others. Walking by a smoker in a park or in front of a building doesn't fit the criteria. Next we will be told what behaviors we can and cannot do in our homes.

[zina10]

As I said above, the rights of smokers ends where the rights of non smokers begins. We shouldn't have to breathe that crap while we are trying to eat, or walk into a building, or through a park. THAT is my biggest complaint about smoking.

I agree with this.
I'm totally AGAINST the Government sticking their nose into everything, too, but the above quote is my beef as well.

I'm very sensitive to cig smoke and it seems to get worse. It makes my eyes water and my throat close up and itch. And it doesn't take much of it for that to happen.

I spent time at a friends house and she can't ever air out her living room because that window is on the side of the house where the smokers sit (there is a little courtyard with benches) and the smoke and smell will drift right into the room. It actually seems to find a way into her apartment with the window closed...

Why should non-smokers have to put up with this ? It DOES smell really bad to non-smokers, and for some (like me) it goes beyond the smell.

I'm not a raving ranting anti smoke activist at all, but I don't want to limit MY freedom, so they can have theirs smoking where they want, or have their smoke drift into others apartments. Its a smell that is extremely penetrating and hard to get rid off.

Only thing is, I doubt the government only has the best interest of the non-smokers in mind, LOL.

[zina10]

As a nonsmoker who has been to other countries that do not restrict smoking in public building I completely understand. I have walked into restaurants that had a blue haze hanging over the room. You could not breath. However how far is too far in limiting human behavior. Second hand smoke in a crowded room is far different than catching a whiff as you walk by entering a building. If we are going to limit behavior because of smells where do we stop. I don't like stepping in doody from other peoples dogs and smelling it, does that mean I have a right to tell people who live in a city they cannot have dogs. I don't like the smell of some foods cooking it makes me nauseous. Does that mean I have the right to limit what people cook in high rise apartments... Again how far is to far. Walk by an alley where there is rotting garbage infested with rats that are unhealthy. Do we outlaw the disposal of garbage. You do not like the smell of smoke. Neither do I. Just because you and I disapprove of a habit or dislike the smell does not give us the right to limit its behavior beyond what clearly constitutes a danger it others. Walking by a smoker in a park or in front of a building doesn't fit the criteria. Next we will be told what behaviors we can and cannot do in our homes.

I agree with you on everything. But, I have actually witnessed that smokers smoking near the building DOES make the smoke enter the apartments next to it. And not just a "whiff" since the smokers don't just smoke for 1 min the day.

Its actually quite the problem, the smell (smoke) does enter and it sticks. Very much so. And to a non smoker its quite bothersome. So I do understand the rule that they shouldn't smoke right by buildings doors and windows...

[tonkatoyman]

I agree with you on everything. But, I have actually witnessed that smokers smoking near the building DOES make the smoke enter the apartments next to it. And not just a "whiff" since the smokers don't just smoke for 1 min the day.

Its actually quite the problem, the smell (smoke) does enter and it sticks. Very much so. And to a non smoker its quite bothersome. So I do understand the rule that they shouldn't smoke right by buildings doors and windows...

Zina I agree with you that the smoke gets every where. I agree that there are some situations where people should be more considerate of others when it comes to putting out their foul smelling smoke. Smokers need to recognize that everyone else dislikes what they do. Reptile people face this all the time. People do not appreciate what we do, or the pets we keep, some even disapprove of raising rats to feed snakes, so we as considerate individuals usually go above and beyond to accommodate them when they are around us.
My point is NOT the foul smell or the allergic reaction some people have or how it is bad for your health. My point is that the government should be limited in what they can and cannot legislate when it comes to personal behavior because they do not know where to stop.
Take as a case in point your friend with the apartment. forget that the problem is smoking, insert any other behavior, loud music, screaming all hours of the night, dog odor, pungent food odor, etc. No one would look to the government to solve the problem. They would take the issue up with first the individual and then the apartment management. If the problem could not be resolved, they would look for another place to live that was better suited to them. But insert the word smoker (which is a perfectly legal habit) and suddenly we look to government to intervene. As a next step do we eliminate the use of perfumes because some people in crowded elevators have a problem with them....when government starts down a road they do not know where to stop.

[kitedemon]

tonkatoyman,
I see your point but people do actually live in apartment buildings on the ground floor. I used to and could not open my windows in the summer as there were smokers outside all day every day. I have no rights too? By your logic if I stood outside a door splashing a carcinogenic chemical around and you had to walk through it that is ok too right? It isn't smell that is the problem it is a carcinogen, second hand smoke IS a cancer causing agent. I am glad that I live where there are laws to protect my health and my rights!

The thing that pisses me off so much around this issue is that the smokers whom are so lazy that they have to light up just outside the door have absolutely no respect or consideration for others. They simply do not care at all, it is so self centred. Is it so much to ask that they walk away from the windows and doors of other peoples homes and offices? Would those smokers just start smoking in your home with out asking too?

Not all smokers do, many walk away from the building and don't toss butts all over the place and actually care about the rest of us, I have no beef with them. I am sorry it doesn't seem like it is such a big deal.

[mainbutter]

I'd like to see a study where someone died from second hand smoke WITHOUT working somewhere that was often full of smoke from cigarettes or cigars, etc.

My brother's high school friend died from lung cancer three years ago. He was 24.

He grew up in a house where both parents smoked, but he never touched any smokables in his life.

This doesn't invalidate your point that walking past somebody smoking outside (how much more ventilated can you get than BEING OUTSIDE?) is significantly safer than being in a smoke-filled room indoors. I just wanted to give one example where it is believed that 2nd hand smoke probably contributed to the death of someone who did not WORK around smoke.

Anyhoo, I applaud smokers for smoking outdoors, but it just really sucks for the rest of the population who finds exposure to it PHYSICALLY offensive to have to walk through a cloud of smoldering tar every time they want to enter a building.

One of my hobbies is making fishing lures. To make the soft plastic fishing lures, I have to heat a product usually refered to as "plastisol" to 350 degrees, via hot plate or microwave. During this process, carcinogens in the form of vapors are produced. While dangerous, it has shown to be safer than smoking, but I still wear a vapor-protection mask and would NEVER subject my neighbors to it. I only pour outdoors, on my GF's parents' private land where THEIR nearest neighbor is about 5 miles away.

[tonkatoyman]

tonkatoyman,
I see your point but people do actually live in apartment buildings on the ground floor. I used to and could not open my windows in the summer as there were smokers outside all day every day. I have no rights too? By your logic if I stood outside a door splashing a carcinogenic chemical around and you had to walk through it that is ok too right? It isn't smell that is the problem it is a carcinogen, second hand smoke IS a cancer causing agent. I am glad that I live where there are laws to protect my health and my rights!

The thing that pisses me off so much around this issue is that the smokers whom are so lazy that they have to light up just outside the door have absolutely no respect or consideration for others. They simply do not care at all, it is so self centred. Is it so much to ask that they walk away from the windows and doors of other peoples homes and offices? Would those smokers just start smoking in your home with out asking too?

Not all smokers do, many walk away from the building and don't toss butts all over the place and actually care about the rest of us, I have no beef with them. I am sorry it doesn't seem like it is such a big deal.

Folks, Please understand I am well aware of the dangers of smoking. I am an ex-smoker from many years ago who watched his father take breathing treatments just so he could smoke one more cig. And you are right many smokers are very inconsiderate. But lets put your comments into perspective. You said if "I were splashing carcinogen around"...that clearly falls under the danger to humans I stated earlier. Yes you have rights too. How ever you also have the responsibility to do your due diligence prior to leasing.
If cigarettes are that big a concern to you do you say the government must out law all smoking where ever I want to be. Or do you see to it you live in a building that does not allow smokers where you will be affected. If you choose the first then whats next on the I don't want that around list. If the second then the government has no business legislating this.

[wilomn]

Seems to me the problem is with those doing the smoking.

If you want to use a drug, government sanctioned and taxed or not, some consideration of those not addicted to your poison would be considerate.

How many considerate people, considerate of strangers not their friends, do you know? Now, how many of them are smokers?

The government is getting involved because nicotine addicts are not considerate of those who do not share their problem.

I was at a restaurant recently, Sunday Morning Breakfast with my offspring. We go to a Mom and Pop place that generally has a bit of a line. We wait patiently if we must. Some yahoo a few feet back need a fix so he fires up. He's outside but not only is he upwind, meaning his smoke is blowing towards the rest of us in line, he's 'considerate' of his fellow linestanders.

Of course by 'considerate' I mean he totally ignored the looks of most of those in the line who were not smoking but irritated, annoyed and made stinky by HIS addiction. I watched this, being annoyed myself as his smoke was blowing right in the door which I was standing just inside of. I was giving this guy a good stare, and those who know me know he didn't miss it, though he pretended to.

So, I walked out there, asked him why EVERYONE in line had to smoke with him and how about he move down the sidewalk and out of the wind.

He did and several of the ACTUAL considerate folks, none of whom were smoking, thanked me for speaking up.

One guy who needed a fix discomforted at least a dozen people in line plus those inside who had to breathe his second hand smoke, which HAS been proven to cause cancer, and no one said squat because ..... well I can only assume because they figured anyone rude and inconsiderate enough to engage in such a foul smelling habit in such a densely packed area would not be receptive to those who did not share his addiction and had the gumption to ask him to stop or move.

This is not the first or second or third time I've seen this type of thing. One person with a drug addiction tossing common courtesy out the metaphorical window to get a fix.

Therein lies the problem with smokers.

You don't see Junkies shooting up whilst awaiting the breaking of their fast. You don't see caffine jockeys poisoning strangers to get their magical elixir. It's just the nicotine junkies.

Get them to have some consideration and maybe big brother wouldn't have any cause to pay attention at all.

[stratus_020202]

It's easy to hate smoking, and say just to stop, when you don't smoke. Quitting is the hardest thing I've ever tried to do. Ever. I get a carton for only $20, so it's not that expensive either. There are a lot of other bad habits that are much more expensive.

I hate smoke. Lol. It's the nicotine I want. I don't smoke in public, and have a hard time smoking around nonsmokers. I don't smoke in my house. I have rules for my habit. Honestly, I don't think smoking is the worst thing I could have attached myself too. I'm not a big drinker, I've never done drugs. I wear my seat belt, and try to eat healthy.

My Grandpa never smoked a day in his life and died of lung cancer at 56. A friend from high school quit, and was hit by a bus 2 weeks later. We're all going down someday. My problem is that i have a high metabolism, fast heart rate, and terrible ADD. I'm frightened to be put on meds. Smoking, calms me down.

I'm not saying smoking is a good thing. It's not. But it's here. I don't think forcing people to quit is the right answer. $90 a pack? No, I wouldn't still buy cigs. I would have to force myself to quit. But, what's next? Are we going to ban everything that's bad for us? Soda, Fast Food, yummy whiskey? Give the smokers a place to go. Like their own building or something. Some place that offers free nicotine patches, and gum. Support trying to quit, not forcing it.

[wilomn]

the government has no business legislating this.

Ummmmm, who makes it a legal drug? Isn't that the government? Who benefits from the taxes? Who KNOWS the costs associated with treatment of diseases KNOWN to be caused by smoking yet continues to allow easy access?

I think that's the government.

What they have no business doing is sanctioning a known killer, highly addictive, horrifically expensive both in money and lives/families lost, drug.