Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP 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.