The cities of Westfield and Martinsville are joining a growing list of places that have either enacted or are consdering smoking bans in public places. Many look at this as a public health issue, hence the bans. However, many see this as an example of the government overstepping it's bounds and taking freedoms away from citizens.
http://www.indystar.com/article/20090915/LOCAL0103/909150326/Westfield+votes+to+snuff+out+smoking+in+workplaces+and+some+restaurants
What do you think about these types of policies? (due 9/18)
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I believe that there are two sides to this law. I think that people have a right to do what they want. But this goes both ways. People have the right to smoke fine thats there decision. But also other people have the right to not have to damage there own health for someone else. We live our own lives and sometimes there has to be boundaries. Some people might not agree but its not up to them. So I believe that this goes both ways. Yes people should be a loud to smoke if they want too but also other people should be able to have an option of not breathing in that secondhand smoke.
ReplyDeleteI belive that the government does sometimes overstep their boundries, but at the same time this isn't exactly them. I believe that no person should unwillingly suffer the polution and health risks that a smoker gives. If smoking was all nice and happy, then i'd say let it be. But smoking is killing our clean air, our lungs, it hurts those who have serious problems due to smoke; asmathics, etc. I do believe that the law can get out of hand, but when it comes to protecting it's ctizens, they've got it right on this one.
ReplyDeleteI don’t stand for any of these policies. I think it is good that some places dislike smoking, but some people need cigarettes. In fact, our country needs them. I believe that if our country didn’t buy cigarettes, then the economy would fall in a drastic way. The cigarette industry is a very important moneymaker for the United States, and if we eliminate it, our economy shall fall even more.
ReplyDeleteI do think the government is overstepping their boundaries and taking freedom away from citizens. But on the other hand, the people who inhale the smoke don't have that choice. Both of my parents smoke and they know my sister and I hate it so they don't smoke around us. They go outside onto our porch to smoke. The smokers do have a right to smoke wherever they want but the people around them don't get to choose if they want to inhale second hand smoke. If the smokers want to smoke they can wait until they get home. I agree with the ban.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the smoking bans are somewhat ridiculous, but also a healthy choice at the same time. People should be able to smoke where they want to, but then again, it is rude to smoke in front of people. Smoking can be a hazard in public, especially in front of small children or people with asthma. When someone smokes, it isn't fair that they have to sit there and breathe in the toxic smoke. However, it is arguable that a smoking ban would take away one's rights as a citizen.
ReplyDeleteI believe that these policies are over stepping on some of the people freedoms. These bans effect the rights of the smoker because they are limited to where they can smoke. I do believe though something needs to be done to protect the american people from secound hand smoke. People die every year just from living or being around secound hand smoke and it is a signeficant amount of people. The goverment, I believe shouldnt have any part in resticting a person on where to smoke. The goverment should worry more about the companies and making them produce a smoking tabbaco that dosn't produce secound hand smoke.
ReplyDeleteI think that these policies are great because smoking is so damaging to your health. I know people who smoke and they all have health problems because of their smoking habit. I’m glad that these schools are putting up these bans because even if someone is not smoking they can still inhale someone else’s smoke. Even this type of smoking is damaging especially around people my own age. Also I don’t believe that this shows the government overstepping its boundaries because they aren’t telling the people to stop smoking. They just can’t smoke in public where they can further harm others.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the government is not overstepping their bounds by placing smoking bans on public places. The governments job is to protect the people. By placing bans they are protecting those who do not want to be subjected to secondhand smoke. The people who smoke in public are violating their freedom by endangering the people around them. People who want to smoke can smoke. But they should only do this in their house, car, and places where other people can not be exposed to the smoke. Therefore, the government isn't taking away the citizens freedom. They are still allowed to smoke, they just shouldn't be doing this around others. If they want to harm their own bodies they can, but it isn't justified for them to harm others too.
ReplyDeleteI believe that smoking affects everyone. Not just the person smoking. Even though the people are smoking, they are also giving out secondhand-smoke to others that are not wanting it. In my opinion, I think this is a good idea. Good in the fact that they are banning smoking. Even though there are some public smoking areas, those can still affect others. I would believe that the government would be stepping in too much if they banned it from private homes.
ReplyDeleteI think that the smokers ban is taking away freedom to a point, why do we have to completely ban smoking in all public areas? There are always solutions, you can give the people that choose to smoke their own specific spot to smoke in, or let them smoke in their cars (their own personal space). Yet I also understand how people are against second hand smoke it is harmful to peoples health and they do not even have a choice in it. But also if they do not like being around smokers they could always move away from the smoker or even ask that person to move away from them, that it is their freedom to choose not to have smokers lungs and that they need to accept that.
ReplyDeleteComing from a family who does not smoke i believe that you should not smoke in public places. But that is coming from my families perspective. I have friends who smoke, and my cousin smokes. I do not care, when I am around, if they smoke. My friends do not smoke if there are other people around because they understand that they are hurting themselves but they do not want to harm anyone else. They are very considerate when it comes to where and when they smoke. For example, my cousin when he enters into a bar, he looks around and if there are people smoking then, he will go over the other smokers and try and keep the smoking over there. But if there are not as many people smoking, he has the willpower to say no to smoking. But as for the rest of the Indiana residents it may not be the same. I like the idea of banning smoking from everywhere, but i think that they should make designated places for people to smoke out in public. Like small buildings so the smoke does not get out.
ReplyDeleteI dont think that forbidding smoking is a good idea because of the addicts. Some people could get so upset without their ciggarettes that they would go crazy like an ape. Even mafias could be started.
ReplyDeleteI believe that smoking bans, in a way, is a way the government overpowers citizens. People should be allowed to smoke in public places. Not in restaurants, malls or movie theatres. People should be allowed to smoke where they want as long as its not affecting children or deeply endangering someone. The money from smoking gives a lot of money to taxes which in turn helps our economy. Smoking may be bad for our health but it has some benefits to our society.
ReplyDeleteI think the government is overstepping their bounds. If a person wants to smoke then it is their choice and they should have the right to do it. Although it may make others uncomfortable, i don't believe we have a right to take away their rights. I don't think the government should be able to tell a person how to run their business. It is a right and a freedom that we have to make our own choices.
ReplyDeleteI do think that sometimes the government may over step their boundaries but in this situation I believe that they are making the right decision. I personaly don't agree with smoking anywhere, especailly smoking in public areas while people are around. If you want to damage your body that's fine but other's shouldn't have to worry about what restraunt they can go to so that they are in a healthy environment.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this is a good move. Their have been many cases of lung cancer in many waitresses across the nation. This will help them be able to be healthier and make the air everyone breathes around here healthier. PLus smoking harms others around you not just yourself
ReplyDeleteThis is a free country so everyone has the right to do what they want. I do not believe however that smoking should be allowed in public places. Smoking and second hand smoke is one of the leading causes for cancer in our country. If those people want to kill themselves then thats their choice. But they should not be allowed to kill others who do not want to smoke. These people should just be made to step outside and smoke in a more isolated area.
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