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Originally Posted by ian@huth
What if all the establishments that wanted to allow smoking decided to become private members clubs? Would there still be an objection from non-smokers and on what grounds?
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I see this as a public health issue. The preventable death and illness caused by smoking is far in excess of that caused by anything else. Frankly, I think tobacco use should be illegal. I know what I'm talking about - I am still witnessing the fallout caused by the death of a close relative from smoking-induced lung cancer some 20 years ago. (She was a barmaid, incidentally). It is *not* merely a personal choice when you indulge in an activity that you are fully aware is likely to kill you and leave your family and friends to pick up the pieces. It is irresponsible selfishness of the highest order.
The evidence from Ireland and from New York is that one in 12 smokers have already given up the habit as a direct result of the blanket ban that has been imposed in those places. That means there's still a long way to go, but it's a start.
What I would like to see is a progressive tightening of laws regulating smoking so that it becomes increasingly difficult to do it anywhere other than in a private house and is eventually outlawed altogether.