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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!hao!cires!nbires!ut-ngp!pyle
From: pyle@ut-ngp.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Smoking - Another Objection
Message-ID: <345@ut-ngp.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 11-Jun-83 15:52:02 EDT
Article-I.D.: ut-ngp.345
Posted: Sat Jun 11 15:52:02 1983
Date-Received: Sun, 12-Jun-83 06:39:01 EDT
Lines: 36

I would have no objection to people smoking in public as long as two
conditions were met: (1) they never exhale the smoke, and (2) the 
cigarette (cigar, pipe, whatever) didn't smoke between puffs.  Under
these circumstances, I would fully support anyones desire to smoke.
As all non-smokers are acutely aware, neither of these conditions 
are met and all of us get the pleasure (tone of sarcasm here) of 
sharing their habit.  Before you dismiss this as just another of the
non-smokers' ravings, you should be aware that not all of the *ravings*
are simple objections - some are soundly based on physical discomforts.

My wife has a condition known as "Exercise Induced Asthma."  The 
degree of the problem and the exercise required to induce it vary
substantially with the level of allergens present.  You have probably
guessed that cigarette smoke is one of those allergens.  Indeed, the
simple exercise of walking in the presence of cigarette smoke is
sufficient to trigger an episode.  After having to help her through
innumerable episodes (30-40 minutes of trying to breathe between
coughing and wheezing) thanks to smokers, I have ABSOLUTELY no 
sympathy for smokers when they complain that to prohibit smoking is
to deny them their rights (indeed, it is not a right but a privelege).
True, there are some smokers who are considerate and understanding
enough to not smoke when asked, but there are more (in my opinion)
who could care less and proceed to smoke in spite of reasonable
requests to refrain.  I would be quite pleased to see smoking banned
in any enclosed space open to the public (offices, restaurants, stores,   
airplanes, buses, . . .).

I also realize that comprehensive bans are unlikely due to the degree
to which smoking has insinuated itself into our culture unless the
non-smoking public begins to consistently DEMAND it.  Therefore, I
suggest that the next time smoking disturbs you, *politely* ask the
offender to stop.  If they do not, ask the establishment's managers
to intervene.  If they don't, move your patronage elsewhere after
expressing your displeasure with their inaction.  Also, be sure to 
compliment those places that either prohibit smoking or establish
effective separation of smokers from the rest of us.