Is the ban on smoking in public places an attempt to legislate morality?

Submitted on Aug 24, 2008
Atheistic asked:


I live in Tennessee and our smoking ban comes into effect on October 1st of 2007, that is this Monday.
I have read that there are people who believe it is an attempt to legislate morality. In my opinion it would only be an attempt to legislate morality if it was an all encompassing ban on smoking like during the prohibition of alcohol. Since it doesn’t ban smoking outdoors or in ones own private spaces then it is only an attempt to preserve overall public health rather than an attempt to create a moral edict. What are your thoughts?
By the way I’m a non-smoker.
12 Answers so far
  1. Goldenrae9 August 26, 2008 2:33 am

    It’s a public health concern more than anything else. When I lived in Europe my asthma went out of control due to all the second hand smoke. I was so grateful for subsidized health care.

  2. canam August 27, 2008 4:16 am

    I do believe it is an attempt to protect the health of non smokers. It should have been done along time ago. It is more of an attempt to legislate mortality, than morality.

  3. univee August 28, 2008 7:28 am

    No, it’s the people who don’t want to breath that crap putting the minority that does in their place.

    It’s part of democracy.

  4. Ahcho A August 31, 2008 2:42 am

    No, it’s a liberal attempt to turn this country into a Nazi State.

    I have the right to smoke in MY OWN BUSINESS and if the non smokers don’t like it, they don’t have to come into my shop. I have more smokers in my business than non smokers.

  5. Bob K September 3, 2008 1:48 am

    I’ll bet you’ll vote next time hippie

  6. Looney September 4, 2008 10:38 am

    Look what they just determined in Ireland:

    DUBLIN (AFP) – Ireland’s smoking ban has not just improved the air quality in its famous pubs, but has also boosted the quality of music sessions for drinkers, doctors reported Friday.

    Specifically it has helped musicians clean up their traditional instruments, clogged up with years of dirt in smoke-filled pubs, so they can produce clearer sounds in fug-free bars.

    The pub session, where musicians gather to play traditional music together, is commonplace throughout bars in Ireland where they play a central role in social life.

    Instruments include the accordion, concertina, melodeon, and Uilleann, or Irish bagpipes, all of which are bellows-driven instruments.

    Doctors at Dublin’s St Vincent’s Hospital carried out a survey of people involved in the cleaning, repair, maintenance and renovation care of accordions.

    Writing in the British Medical Journal, John Garvey and colleagues said they wanted to check the impact of the smoking ban on the quality of traditional Irish music played in the smoke-free pubs.

    Not only is a smoking ban better for everyone’s health, even yours, it’s also improves the quality of live music…
    STOP SMOKING EVERYWHERE!

  7. rare2findd September 6, 2008 11:58 am

    since when has
    smoking’ become a matter of
    morality?”
    It seems more, to be a matter of public health concerns.

  8. brabiebrats September 7, 2008 7:41 pm

    no I don’t want you smoking my lungs up

  9. pootfart3 September 10, 2008 11:14 am

    My thoughts on the subject of smoking in public is that second hand smoke really causes a lot of harm to innocent people and should be outlawed in public places permanently…….

  10. Moey September 12, 2008 5:30 am

    I believe it is all about health and second hand smoke since you can’t stop someone from smoking but you can protect other people, especially children..I smoked for many years and I am a nurse, but I haven’t now for about 10 years. It is so addictive and many people would stop if they could, but since they can’t they defend smoking to the very end. I always share my experience with anybody who is trying to stop and wants to know what I did. And I will reply to anybody who wants to email me about this. Go to my profile page if you have a desire for more about my experience. I hope I have not wandered way off the topic here.

  11. KM September 15, 2008 2:28 pm

    I believe the ban is to help keep more people from being exposed to the cancer stick! It is in the air in a more confined space so it effects everyone. There is no such thing as a smoking and non-smoking area. The smoke doesn’t know boundaries. I grew up with a mom who smoked. It’s sad that you can get so addicted to it that the health of your child really doesn’t matter. I have asthma and so does my son. We should be able to go to public places and be able to breath well.

  12. piegowdealer September 18, 2008 5:52 am

    Banning is legislating morality:

    Banning theft
    Banning marijuana
    Banning abortion

    There are legitimate restrictions on freedom:
    Driving drunk
    Shooting your neighbor’s yappy dog at 3:00 in the morning

    It all depends on “whose ox is getting gored”.

    Of course smokers are right it impinges on their right to exercise their right to light one up whenever/wherever they want. It also protects my right to a breath of marginally cleaner air.

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