Ban Smoking in Public Interiors?
Secondhand smoke is highly toxic, yet it is sometimes in such abundance, or so incorrectly located, that it seems inescapable. Non-smokers have a basic human right to breathe clean air, but smokers have basic human rights, as well. The crux of this “Health vs. Human Rights” problem is that smoke is obviously gaseous, and is thus an equal-opportunity lung infiltrator.
If we had a technology that could somehow keep secondhand smoke separate from relatively clean air, at interior locations agreed upon by both sides, then the warring smokers and non-smokers might not be at each other’s throats so much. They might even consider a truce. How cool would that be?
Many smokers feel victimized by societal pressures and governmental bans, even though millions are trying to quit. Should certain venues be labeled as “Smoking Only”? Should smoking bans be placed and enforced in certain states? Should restaurant owners shell out tons of money to build airtight walls between smoking and non-smoking seating areas?
These highly unlikely ideas illustrate that smoking bans are a dangerous form of segregation. Forcing people with an unhealthy addiction away from the mainstream of society may sound safe, but without offering them any real help, such separation is not the answer. Unfortunately, with numerous staunch supporters in both camps, there seem to be very few alternatives, aside from an individual smoker making his or her own decision to quit.
Basic Rights
Smoking is unhealthy. This is an undisputed, scientifically proven fact that supports the argument for banning indoor smoking. However, a smoker may cite Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948, which states (in part): “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care…”
Clean air is not listed in the article, and no one can truly define “standard of living” except the individual. If a smoker decides that her personal standard includes the continuation of this unhealthy habit in an enclosed space with lots of non-smokers, nothing can change her mind. Perhaps she considers public smoking “adequate” enough for her health.
The flip side of the argument is, of course, the right of a non-smoker to maintain a “standard of living” that includes not having to breathe smoke-filled air. In his eyes, being in or near smoke is not “adequate” enough.
Containing Smoke
Smoking is unlike any other personal habit, health issue, or practice normally seen in public (i.e. spitting, cursing, halitosis, gum-chewing, breast-feeding, corralling an unruly child, etc.). These can usually be kept to a minimum, if not completely out of sight and/or earshot of your fellow humans. However, wafting smoke is extremely difficult to contain after the smoker is “done” with it.
In a perfect world, secondhand smoke would be in an enclosed room or otherwise completely separate from smoke-free areas, and this “smoking room” would have proper ventilation that siphons the smoke to a non-populated outside area, like the roof.
Why Start?
Your smoking friends, relatives, office mates, and fellow commuters probably have a variety of reasons to explain why they started smoking. Here are just a few:
- Fitting in: Smoking is a way to be cool or fashionable, especially in high school. You must be in a hip, slightly rebellious group, or otherwise be ostracized.
- Making friends: Similar to “Fitting in,” smoking is a tool for meeting people. It is something you automatically have in common with lots of potential buddies.
- Relieving stress: During a particularly traumatic time, you wouldn’t pop a baby’s pacifier into your mouth, would you? Many smoke to deal with anxiety.
- Giving pleasure: Many have a daily regimen for relaxing at the end of a long day, such as family, pets, music, or TV. Others suck carcinogens into their lungs.
- Relieving boredom: Some view smoking as simply something to do. You feel dull and listless, so instead of finding a hobby, you stay busy with a cigarette.
Please Stop
One thing that a vast majority of smokers have in common is the incredible difficulty of quitting. They have to WANT to quit, as with any personal vice. It’s extremely tough to stop a habit that is sometimes decades old, and the entire concept must be approached with care and diplomacy.
When non-smokers ask smoking friends or loved ones why they continue the habit, it’s not a flexing of political muscle or some sort of social upheaval – it’s a genuine concern for the smoker’s health. A heart-to-heart talk or a family intervention may get the smoker to think about it, but the smoker must make the decision to quit and stick by it if he or she is ever to succeed.
Bar Ban?
As our society continues to move towards a more healthful climate, bar and restaurant owners (and other venues and facilities) need to deal with government imposed smoking bans. More air filters or “smoking rooms” may help, but some venue budgets force owners to see these as unattainable luxuries. They are forced to think of another way to keep their smoking clients if they still want the most potential customers.
As abhorrent as smoking is, a ban on all interior public smoking is still not fair. Certainly there are less freedom-limiting ways to inform and educate, so that an individual can be more responsible for his or her own life and health? The smoker should not feel ostracized, but should WANT improved health by quitting.
Final Word
The unfortunate reality is that many people on both sides of the fence don’t see shades of gray; they harbor a mentality that sees only one side of the argument. If these self-proclaimed heroes cultivate a more understanding attitude and strive to work together, smokers and non-smokers can be much closer to an agreeable coexistence.
Then again, if it weren’t for a certain industry, none of this would be happening in the first place. Forget about smoking bans – perhaps tobacco companies should be banned!
This article was originally published on Helium.com, January, 2008.
Copyright Len Morse. Published 1 September 2009 in The Zone.
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