Image by Getty Images via @daylifeAccording to WebMD, 22.9% of adults in the US (outside of California) were classified as heavy smokers in 1965. That number had dropped to 7.2% by 2007. In 1965 10.5% were considered moderate-intensity smokers, and that number had dropped to 5.4% by 2007. So, my question is - why has it taken so long, and why haven't more of these smoking bans gone into effect? So few people smoke, but the rest of us have been required to either stay home or subject ourselves to that smoke if we want to go out. Every time smoking bans are discussed or go into effect, we hear all about how smokers' rights are being taken away. Well, what about our rights? Why do smokers seem to think their rights are so much more important than the rights of the rest of us? They've taken away my right not to smoke every time I've gone out to a fair, festival, or concert, because there is just no getting away from that smoke - indoors or out. Especially when smokers of every age spot me and try to get as close to me as they can, to share their smoke even better. Why don't they look for other smokers to smoke around?
If smokers want to exercise their 'right to smoke' then they can be the ones who stay home, where that right doesn't infringe on anyone else's rights. Quoting from one of the Related articles here: "Smokers in New York City have one more irritation to contend with" - Well, guess what? Non-smokers have been contending with the irritation of second-hand smoke for quite some time. It's about time those with the nasty habit make some adjustments instead of expecting the rest of us to just put up with them!
Here, Here!
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