[realbinky]

Hmm, so many points to cover, I could add a page to this post by myself, so summaries:
First, I applaud the ban, but DO empathize with the other side. If there were bars that were non-smoking, I would frequent them. I think a lot of the issue with this is not that there is no market, but many bars have "always been that way" and that any that changed to non-smoking would be forever linked negatively in the minds of smokers, just like the government is now. In this case, all the bars are being treated equally, and many bar owners and staff applaud the move (I work in Boston, it is Boston's ban I am referring to).

TL, too bad, if this ban makes you smoke 1 less every time you go out because it is a pain in the ass, and your life gets a little longer/better because of it, then I support it more, because I value your opinion (even now, when it is clearly wrong [img]tongue.gif[/img] ) and your person as well. This alone is society's gain (not just you, everyone who smokes less because it is a pain to do it).

John D (and others), relax man, but I give you the same warning, smoke in my house, and I will respond in kind. How about I piss in my portion of the water supply in your area? I'm not breaking the law, and I'm only affecting MY portion of the water, how can you be upset? If you could limit smoke to your (and it IS yours) portion of the air, I would have no problem, but you can't, and so shouldn't do such as you can't control the aftereffects of.

About 2nd hand smoke. OF COURSE it makes people sick. How can that NOT be common sense? If it is proven that smoking causes these sicknesses, how can someone else breathing the SAME things not get the SAME effects? Does HOLDING the cigarette make you many times more prone to the chemicals and effects? Sure it is less common, as the amount non-smokers get stuck with is less over time, but it is still there. Just like some smokers live to 100, some non-smokers need little to be affected.

I do drive a car, and I do light fires (both camping and my stove, not arson or anything) but I am 100% aware of what I am responsible for. I drive the less polluting car when I can, I walk when I can. I order on-line and therby don't drive to the store. I do my part to reduce, reuse, recycle when I can. so don't give me that.