I think we all can agree -- smokers included -- that smoking is bad for one's health. We know the risks, and after years of cover up and/or denial, we've taken some positive steps in this country to really raise awareness about the harmful effects of nicotine and to ban smoking in public places like on airplanes and in restaurants. Good for us.
One California town, however, has taken things about 5,000 steps further and gone into straight-up crazy mode. According to The Blaze, the Rocklin City Council is actually considering a proposal that would outlaw smoking not just in restaurants or public places, but it would also ban smoking on people's own private property. That means people wouldn't be able to smoke on their front porch, in their backyard, or anywhere else that it may waft into their neighbor's yard.
So where exactly will smokers be allowed to smoke?
If such a ban passes, it seems their only remaining haven would be in their own homes or in the few random airport smoking lounges that still exist. And what if they have children at home? Sure quitting would be the best option, but if they don't, are they supposed to smoke instead their home instead of out in the great wide outdoors?
I can't stand being around smoke, but wow, I'm almost starting to feel sorry for smokers here.
It's not illegal to smoke, and while I feel for the father who brought the proposal to the council (his children have asthma), we can't completely abolish smokers and their rights. What's next, a ban on perfume that's too strong? Maybe a ban on people using a grill because we don't like the smoke when they barbecue their burgers?
Look, I don't really want to live next to someone who puffs away on his or her porch all day either. However, I think I'd rather live next to a smoker than to someone who thinks banning people from smoking on their own private property is a good idea.
Do you think this proposal to ban smoking on private property is outrageous? Have you ever lived by people whose smoking was a problem?
Image via Haprog_/Flickr
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Comments 33
I can smell my neighbor's smoke from my balcony and in the apartment complex hallway all the time. It's disgusting.
It's time to just make it illegal if they're going to go this far.
How stupid...Thank God I live in a ranching community that's also close to the city!
Haha. When I first read this I went "Well there goes all the man caves on base" lol. I'm allergic to the smoke, like it affects me to the point where I cough like I have pneumonia and I have major migranes. I can tell by walking in if a person smoked in a house or not. With that said, I'd MUCH rather have my hubby smoke outside with the neighbors than in my cloth car, or in my house. At least I can wash my hair and clothes easier than take a shampooer to my car or bleach the walls every day.
I live in california and love the new laws, smokers can be so inconsiderate. My county has already implemented many changes and I am proud of them.
This is going way too far. Leave the smokers alone. They already have enough restrictions on them. What people do on their own property is their business. I mean, really! Gimme a break! And making it illegal is not the answer. It will just make a black market for cigarettes and our law enforcement is already stretched to the max. Let people smoke outside and leave them alone.
One last thing: Think about whatever "guilty pleasure" you enjoy (coffee, donuts, chocolate). If they come after the smokers, whatever you enjoy won't be far behind.