Speaking to some people I know, they would like to give up but can't, most of the time though, if you want something to be popular ban it.

ok

1. I couldn't b bothered reading everyone elses opinions lol. But I remember this exact same conversation on the original walkthrough forums.
2. No. Shouldn't be banned. As Mole knows, I hate smoking as much as he does. I just think it should be limited to private places, like your own house. Just coz I hate it means nothing. I mean, there are people who hate alcohol. I drink, but very rarely and not much. But why should alcohol be banned? So long as it isn't forced onto you it's ok, it's your choice if you want to go pickle your liver. So by the same token it's your choice to tar up your lungs. Just don't make everyone else inhale your smoke.

Nice point pev

meh. Heres my POV.

Alcohol doesn't affect those around you in an immediate fashion. Addmitedly the drunk and slow of wit get agressive or foolish. which can result in the death or injury of one or more people, themselves included. But smoking - it immediatly affects those around you. I soon as my mom "lights up" i leave the room. Pev said in private places etc is ok. But by the same token, in my own home, i should surely have the right to my own safety. and the right not to be forced to breath second hand smoke. I mean... parents are always on about keeping there kids safe. but not from lung cancer?

Smoking should be banned OR there should be some kinda place to go and smoke. And before you say thats stupid, they did it with skateing in walsall (my hometown) we were a danger to other people. they built a skate park (a crap one) now if i wanna skate in town, i am banned, and HAVE to go to the skatepark. Because every where else is unsuitable, and places that seem like a good skate spot are usually private areas etc.

so, basically, you're saying they should build a park for smokers to smoke in. Are we surrounding this park with barbed wire and armed guards? How about reeducation films projected on a 500 foot tall screen?

How am I hurting ANYONE by smoking on the street? Or in my car? Or in my back yard? Smoking and driving isn't a danger (less so than drinking and driving, or talking on a cellphone and driving).

Ultimately, what gives you the right to say what I can or can't do to my own body?

I agree that it's up to a person to decided whether they want to smoke or not. I don't think it should be banned, because everyone knows the risks. But i do think in public places it's really unfair to have to breathe in others smoke.
My mum smokes, and i hate it. I do that same as mole, and leave the room when she lights up, or i cover my nose and mouth with my sleeve or something. But as much as i hate it, it's her decision and she tries not to smoke around me, and i know she can't help it at this point in time.
But what really shits me is when i'm walking down the street, and i walk past someone smoking, and all i breathe in is their smoke for a couple of metres.

Oh and the one thing that pisses me off the most is the people that smoke in their car and fling the butts out the window . That is the most disgusting thing ever! If your gonna smoke and put your health at risk, at least don't pollute aswell!!

hehehe... sorry, ranting again

heh. I don't throw it out the window (unless the ash tray is full). Actually, since I bought my new car I don't smoke while driving. But anyway... I mean, I won't exhale the smoke at people that I'm walking by or anything, but what's a couple seconds of smelling dilluted smoke? There's no health risk associated with that (unless everyone you walked by smoked) and I refer back to my 'stinky person' comparison.

Blah!

second hand smoke is worse, at least you get to suck it through a filtre, we get the unfiltered crap lol

Come now. Do you think smokers don't inhale second-hand smoke also? *grumble grumble*

Minor difference -

=> you want it
=> we don't.

Satis, your only argument seems to be "thats worse, so ban that". Youre trying to distract me from the core of the discussion which is "Ban Smoking?" ans "Why?".

I say: Ban smoking, because it does bad and no good.

You say: Dont ban it, because there are worse things to ban.

He'll probably go on about how smokers are good for the NHS and so on next

Well smokers are very good for the state. And what they bring in with cigarette tax I don't have to pay with other taxes.

Not to mention the stuff on cars being worse for the enviroment

Yes, they are good for the state. And good for business. And the health care business. And the "quit smoking" businesses. And the gum business.

But anyway... I'm not trying to distract. I don't believe cigarette smoking should be banned because I don't think it's the government's business what someone does to themselves.