Smoking Ban Effective July 15th...

[Muck]

Second hand smoke does not go away just because an area is not enclosed. I have had to sit next to people on the beach that are smoking and it is every bit as annoying (and dangerous) as sitting next to them in a restaurant or any other enclosed place. The same goes for balconies where I have had to endure the wafting smoke from nearby. It is a quality of life issue and slowly but surely the world is catching on.

For some reason, most smokers think that it is socially acceptable to litter the world with their butts. On the other hand, it is not socially acceptable to litter with cups, bags or food containers. It is very noble to clean up the latter but I don't think it has anything to do with the bigger issue that smokers have created. Accompong said it best: To a smoker, "The world is their ashtray".

I disagree. Smoke outside will dissipate, whereas smoke indoors will hang around due the enclosed space.

My allergies act up when someone walks by wearing lots of perfume or cologne. Should we ban perfume and cologne because it can trigger an allergic reaction in me? Can we also shut down the jerk vendors on the beach? Because as you probably know there are many carcinogens in burning charcoal (not to mention that some people are also allergic to smoke from charcoal grills and woodburning fires)? While we're at it, let's euthanize all the dogs on the beach because they may carry worms or parasites.

Or maybe sometimes we just need to put up with, or "endure" (as you say) things we are offended by or things that might not be healthy. Because, believe it or not, you might occasionally do something that will offend someone else...maybe without even realizing it. Do you drive a car with a gas engine? Do you ever bbq? Have you ever built a bonfire in your backyard? Have you ever cooked authentic Indian cuisine with an open window facing your next door neighbor?

I don't have a problem with keeping smoking outside of enclosed spaces, but I don't consider a balcony an enclosed space. It will be interesting to see how vigorously this new law/policy will be enforced.

And smokers....PICK UP YOUR BUTTS!!!!!! The world is NOT your ash tray.