Originally Posted by govgirl

I have lived my entire life being surrounded by people that smoke. However, I don't believe that smoking is acceptable. Smoking is harmful in so many ways that it is surprising that it isn't illegal already. I mean, SMOKING KILLS! In addition, cigarettes can cause cancer in the mouth and/or lungs, gum disease, and much more, and yet, they are not illegal. WHY? Cigarettes contain addicting ingredients just like other drugs, yet they aren't outlawed like they are. WHY? They are even considered a linking drug to other more dangerous drugs. I just don't see how something like smoking can be accepted in a society that is very against the use of other drugs. Don't try to tell me that they aren't as dangerous. My own grandfather died because he smoked, and yet, this is acceptable to society.

Originally Posted by jlp

OK then. McDonald's and Burger King burgers are unhealthy. There is a heap of medical evidence demonstrating that burgers are high in fat and that a high fat diet can lead to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, etc. Just as the fact that smoking is bad has been instilled into public consciousness, eating too much fatty foods has been too. And like smoking, no one needs to eat burgers! Evidently there are other foods available that one can eat. So, should burgers (and practically any food high in fat) be outlawed, since they are unhealthy?

Originally Posted by Sharon Tate

The difference between eating fattening foods and smoking is that eating the wrong foods does not affect another persons health, whereas smoking affects not only the smoker, but the people around them.

Originally Posted by kuta777

Im sure you encounter alot more dangerous things throughout the day than possibly getting a little bit of smoke around you.
Driving a car is dangerous not only for the person driving but every person that you drive by, so shouldn't driving be illegal.

Originally Posted by kuta777

And second hand smoke is not as dangerous as first hand smoke. Where did you get this info because it is bogus.

Originally Posted by Sharon Tate

No, it shouldn't. Smoking is a vice, and an unhealthy choice. Like I said, when someone smokes, everyone around them smokes, too. If someone drives a car, that doesn't mean everyone else has to drive a car too.
Smoking has the potential to kill thousands of people every year, both smokers and non smokers. I have no problem with those people who want to ruin their bodies, but because passive smoking is just as dangerous, it should be banned, because I believe that a persons right to remain healthy far outweighs anyones right to pollute their body.