I feel that if it isn’t a right for everyone, then it’s not a right at all. Why should I be ostracized because I choose to do something that literally hurts no one else? I’m like you – I won’t smoke around people who don’t. I won’t smoke in their house or car, even if they give me permission.

It’s like the seat belt law. I hurt no one else, not even remotely, by not wearing my seat belt!

People have forgotten what “freedom” means.

Theresa’s last blog post..Living Ethics: Confront the Ridiculous

My opinion on the matter is the Gov. doesn’t much care about the little people, it seems more like Big Brother flexing his muscles if you ask me, Kind of “Orwellian” isn’t it.

Sparky’s last blog post..Elecrical License

In May it will be 10 years smoke-free. I am so glad I finally was able to quit and now that the prices have gone sky high, I’m even happier. I know smoking is killing my brother, yet he won’t or can’t seem to quit. I’m hoping the higher prices will finally get him to quit before it kills him.

I have no problem with someone smoking. That is their choice, but I will kick my kids in the butt if they pick them up because I know how really hard it was for me to quit and all the health problems it caused for my dad and my brother.

Anna’s last blog post..EC Top Droppers for March

Yes, I agree with you that it seems they love picking on smokers. They just keep raising and raising the tax. I do not smoke and am glad I never started, but it doesn’t seem fair to single out smokers as a “tax well.” Raising tax on booze would be a nice change!

Karen, author of “My Funny Dad, Harry”’s last blog post..How Will You Follow Your Favorite Baseball Team?

The civil liberties of smokers are being slowly eroded by the anti-smoking lobby which seems to have considerable influence here in Australia. Being a smoker these days is tantamount to becoming a social outcast. I hear so many non-smokers say that they respect the choice of an individual to smoke. But that’s not the message I’m getting as a smoker.

There is no denying that smoking is a health hazard but it is also a legal product and therefore those who indulge in a puff of tobacco should be given the same rights as anyone else.

The majority of smokers are considerate of non-smokers, but I don’t see much evidence to suggest the opposite is true.

Deborah Robinson’s last blog post..Women Use Social Networking to Collaborate in Business

Choices have consequences, whether good or bad. It’s your choice to smoke but it’s my choice also to not want to pay higher medical insurance premiums (and I really don’t have that choice) because of your health problems; it’s my choice also not to kiss you because I don’t like kissing a ashtray; it’s my choice also not to want you smoking in my house because I don’t want to deal with the clean up and 2nd hand smoking effects. If I spend $$$$ in a restaurant, I prefer to taste & smell my food not smoke…just as I prefer not to have a cell phone ringing next to my table. When smokers say they are considerate, tell me why, for example, if you fill out a dating questionnaire saying no smokers need response, do smoker respond???? Why do smokers look at me cross-eyedwhen I say no smoking in my car..is that being considerate??? Cracking the window and hanging the cigareete out doesn’t help. It only blows the smoke to back seat. Have smokers ever wondered about the wrinkles and skin condition of their faces? Please don’t waist any more $$$ on face creams or wrinkle removers…they won’t work.

Sandy’s last blog post..Tidbits for the Day

I really appreciate all of the feedback and your views about smokers rights thanks so much for sharing with me and Sandy you are right about your last statement people that smoke should save their money and not buy wrinkle cream. You also must know some very rude people that would want to smoke in your house and car…Thanks everyone

I enjoy reading your Posts. Not much to say about the smoker issue. I use to smoke so my feelings are mixed. Want to Thank you for Dropping by my Blog. You Made my Top Ten. Have I nice day:-)

Auntie E’s last blog post..Time 2 Hear Music

I am a non-smoker and have little sympathy for smokers. However, when the government is counting on progressively higher cigarette taxes to fund various health programs for children, what happens to those programs if–as they hope will happen by imposing such taxes–smokers all quit? Then how will they fund the programs? One solution might be to diversify the tax base for health funding. That is, tax other unhealthful commodities and behaviors–as Jamie Oliver suggested–for example–a high tax on SUGAR! The consumption of refined sugar is devastating to the health of this nation.

Patricia’s last blog post..Readers and Droppers Show Perfect Attendance in March

The do-gooders will have their way no matter what! As a recent ex-smoker, I know that a person cannot and will not quit if they don’t want to. So it doesn’t matter what anyone says. And yes it is a legal product which you have the right to use.

Jan from BetterSpines’s last blog post..Necks in Bed

My mother right now is on day 36 of a very long and hard hospital stay and has her 3rd chest tube in. She’s had 2 respirators in, she’s bleeding. They’re trying to get the blood of out of her lungs she coughs up from her stomach. This only touches the edges of her painful situation. She’s not out of the woods, and spent 18 days in ICU. She was a smoker. Can I tell you how many people have suffered!!! Every illness she has is made worse because she smoked some 40 years ago. Every illness she has is more painful to all her love her. Anyone who smokes who truly believes they are not hurting anyone but themselves is not being honest with themselves. 2nd hand smoke is a problem, hair clothes smelling like smoke when one is around those who smoke, sore throats for those of us allergic to smoke, worse sinus and allergy problems. Smoking hurts everyone and not only just when you light one up. It costs everyone more in medical costs, insurance, education against it, etc. etc. etc.

Then there’s the fires started in homes, and forests from smokers.

There is nothing about smoking that is healthy, and everything about it affects everyone in negative ways.

Do yourself and all around you a favor, friends, neighbors, relatives, co-workers, QUIT.

Sandy, but a different one than posted above

Sandy’s last blog post..Changes with EntreCard and Today Blogs

Wow. I gotta follow Sandy?!? Yikes.

I don’t smoke, but I still think the smokers are getting a bad deal. What’s next? The taxing is getting out of hand. The gas here (Chicago) is taxed like crazy and we pay the highest in the country because of the taxes! Tax this, tax that. All I got left in my pockets is lint. They’ll want that too, I suspect.

I hope you can quit smoking one day, Jude. But that’s up to you and I won’t hate on you for that.

Lin’s last blog post..

Smoking…so tough to stop, even when you only smoke one or two per day, like someone I know….

Mrs4444’s last blog post..My Parental Shame

I quit a year ago and then started up again and like you–this Jude smokes outside. Hey, when I quit I cleaned the house and I don’t want that stink in my house ever again. I am going to quit again–in fact was talking about quitting today–I gotta. I have smoked too long for quitting to really do my health any good I suppose, but I want to quit just so I know I am strong enough to do it.

Judy Miller’s last blog post..Binghamton, NY

I find it funny that some people have used the tired argument that its their choice and they aren’t hurting anyone.

My mom knows someone who has got emphysema and she herself may possibly have it because smokers were too inconsiderate of those around them.

If you want to kill yourself then fine. But don’t take others down with you.

And smokers definitely are not considerate, as I was at a light rail station today, every one was smoking and there was no place I could go to get away, it got to a point that i had to start spraying body spray to kill some of the rancid smell.

Your rights end, where mine begin. Non-smokers rights are more important than the smoker’s. If you are so addicted to cigs to the point that you can’t wait til you get home, then you might want to think about seriously trying to quit smoking because clearly you have problems.