Recently New York City passed a law banning smoking in public parks, beaches and outdoors areas (such as Times Square). While many folks are happy about this, I have to say, this is scary to me. I am onboard with keeping second-hand smoke away from a health conscious public, but for smoking to be banned in most outside areas, to me, goes a little too far and is infringing on personal freedom and space.
Now we’ve all come across the inconsiderate smoker who could care less about throwing a cigarette butt on the ground or if their smoke cloud hits you in the face, but that’s another entirely separate conversation. Generally, I see how smokers are constantly being chastised for doing something that is legal and there seems to be no sympathy or empathy to a practice which again, is not only legal, but an addiction . Smokers pay extra taxes for purchasing cigarettes, higher health insurance rates (in many cases) and can even be denied employment in many areas.
Many of us have been affected by the consequences of ‘drinking and driving’ and poor Justin Bieber is all too familiar with how ‘texting while walking’ can go so wrong, so fast. While there is a general concern for both and a few laws have been implemented, both are still considered fine as long as done in moderation and in the right place and time. As a matter of fact, running (which can lead to arthritis or pedestrian-to-auto accidents ) is considered a healthy activity. Where is the additional fee for hikers, who are at risk of getting lost, being attacked by wildlife, or spraining an ankle, all of which may require medical attention and the possible deployment of a search and rescue team. None of these activities are penalized and/or regarded as unsavory (except for alcohol, though to a lesser extent), yet each can lead to personal injury and have the potentially for involving the general public.
So from the legal activity of smoking, cities make huge profits off of taxation and smokers are still considered a nuisance to society. In the few restaurants that still have smoking sections, a non-smoker will request ‘first available’, then complain once they’re sat in the smoking section or stare at the smoker like they’ve done something wrong. I’m not saying that this is a one-way street and that smokers should be able to violate a non-smoker’s right to be smoke-free, only that a New Yorker, shouldn’t have to trek over to Jersey or Connecticut for a smoke break (not even sure about the laws in those states).
I can’t help but theorize that the hidden goal for this ban is to make a little extra income. It’s a fact that smoking has declined since the late 90′s, early 2000′s in the United States, just think of all the lost revenue since the early nineties. What better way to refill those coffers than by aggressively going after tobacco companies, cutting funding for smoking prevention programs while simultaneously keeping smoking a legal purchase and adding hurdles and fines to those who break these ridiculous laws. What used to smell smoky, is now starting to smell a little fishy..
What say you?
