I’d love to know more about what you think of statewide smoking ban initiatives. I think the more dialog we have on the topic, the better.

Look forward to reading more!

Well, Angela, I’d like to begin by saying that I don’t judge people for smoking. Most people begin smoking at a young age — a time when we’re all highly impressionable and make decisions we later regret. It’s also highly addictive and an incredibly hard habit to break. I’ve never been a smoker myself, though I have smoked a cigarette or two at times in the past, usually after a drink or three.

I also watched my own mother try to quit numerous times to no avail. Her death was long, painful and agonizing — both physically and mentally. Though she never admitted it aloud, she had to know she’d done herself in. Very sad indeed.

Now here’s my strong opinion: Smokers like to claim that they should have rights in restaurants and bars, too. Rights to what? To cause harm to others? It’s long been proven that second hand smoke can cause cancer. And if those smokers aren’t concerned about other non-smoking patrons, what about the people working in those establishments who have to breathe the smoke in hour after hour, day in and day out.

Saying you should have a right to blow toxins into other people’s breathing space makes about as much sense as saying that you should have a right to drive drunk or fire a gun in a building just for fun (shooting galleries not included). Is it that hard to step outside a bar or restaurant for a smoke if it means making a healthier environment for others? What do you think?

the only person you can control is yourself. this goes for all addictions. get real and stop trying something that don’t work. by trying to control, you alienate smokers who would normaly quti smoking.