06-26-2017, 08:21 AM
(06-26-2017, 08:01 AM)Canard Wrote: I don't think we should be trying to encourage smoking by accommodating it. I'm very happy at the theme parks I visit over the past 10 years or so I've seen them go from No Smoking in queues, to Designated Smoking Areas, to some parks having a total ban now.
Hopefully within a generation it will be completely gone.
In general I agree with you. It’s a scourge, and I’m fully in favour of most of the measures that have been taken so far — banning advertising and sponsorships, making restaurants (including their patios) and public transit smoke-free, hiding the smokes at places where they can be purchased — but some people at the hospital aren’t really visiting and don’t have a choice about being there, and need a place where they can engage in their addiction without bothering others. At some point in the increased regulation of smoking we cross over from hiding it and avoiding encouraging people to take it up, and start simply oppressing those who are living with a smoking addiction. I think we are at that point about now.
And I say that as somebody who believes that it is abusive (but should not be CAS-actionable) for a smoker not to quit when they have kids, and that it should be CAS-actionable if they smoke in the presence of their kids.
Caveat: I think there is a big difference between the occasional cigar or pipe and the more usual cigarette chain smoking. But this message is long enough.