- Smoking In Public Places -
Anti Tobacco Laws
Smoking Bans
Smokers Rights

Smoking in public places is regulated in many jurisdictions.

Public smoking bans and anti tobacco laws have been shown to be effective in reducing smoking prevalence in many countries. But anti-smoking laws are not welcomed by everyone.

Hospitality business owners are particularly vocal about possible adverse effects on the bottom line if patrons cannot smoke in their establishments.

One thing to remember about anti-smoking laws designed to protect the public is that public places may or may not be publically owned.

A public place is simply anywhere that the public is invited to gather. This includes property that is privately owned where people are invited by the private owners to come onto the premises. Obviously this definition includes most stores and workplaces or anywhere other than a private residence.

Arguments for and Against Smoking in Public Places

This section of the website will include articles, opinions and ideas on both the legal and ethical issues surrounding anti-smoking laws, tobacco control measures, and public smoking bans.

These issues are often emotional and of course anytime emotions are used to support an argument it complicates the mere presentation of the facts about smoking.

If you have something to say about smokers rights and public smoking bans....

...this is where you can say it.

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Curious About What Others Have Said About Smokers Rights and Smoking Bans?

Click on any of the submissions below and feel free to leave a comment...

Here is a summary of the arguments both for and against smoking in public places. These are the arguments put forward by the stakeholders in the controversy of public smoking bans.

In reviewing the arguments notice that the main conflict is between rights and obligations, as both these words are used to support the arguments for and against smoking bans.

Smokers	Government	Non-smokers	Hospitality entertainment businesses restaurants and bars
I have the right to smoke a legally available product, and I am only using it in the way it was intended to be used.	We have the obligation to protect the public.	I have a right to clean air and protection from exposure to harmful substances that are in the environment from someone else's choice, not mine. All people have the obligation to make sure their actions are not knowingly harmful to others. Smoking is optional, breathing is not.	The smoking ban effects on my business will be detrimental. My business premises are my own and I should be able to decide if smoking occurs there or not. If people do not like the environmental tobacco smoke in my establishment they can work, eat, or play elsewhere.

Tell us what you think, and if you need some inspiration read any of these articles...

• Smokers Rights - is the right to smoke even a legal right?
• Anti Tobacco Laws- Controlling the Effects of Cigarettes with Smoking Bans and Bylaws.
• Smoking is bad but smokers are not.
• Smoking Bans - what is the effect on businesses when anti smoking laws are put in place?

...or you might get inspiration for your comments by considering some of these questions.

• What do you think about protecting the health of children with a ban on smoking in cars?
• Do you have a smoke free home? Tell us how and why you did it.
• How do you protect yourself from the effects of environmental tobacco smoke if you live in an area that does not have restrictions on smoking in public places?
• Should university campuses, schools, and hospitals be smoke free?
• What about public smoking bans on beaches, parks, and other public outdoor areas? - is that going too far?

While you are deciding what you might like to say, read the comments and ideas from me and other visitors about smoking in public places.