Bruce, it’s not that simple. Secondhand smoke has a detrimental effect on the health of others around the smoker. (I’ve experienced this myself – I had a smoker’s cough from living with my dad growing up, even though I have never smoked myself.) Or, if you prefer, the smoke also stinks a place up and ruins it for nonsmokers. I’ve quit going to restaurants I liked for just that reason, just as you say. The difference is smokers get to create the unpleasant environment unilaterally, and nonsmokers have no control over the effect. It’s a power imbalance.
If smokers could keep it to themselves, I’d have no problem with them (though I would want them to get their freakin’ butts in the trash somewhere instead of on the street).
Bruce, it’s not that simple. Secondhand smoke has a detrimental effect on the health of others around the smoker. (I’ve experienced this myself – I had a smoker’s cough from living with my dad growing up, even though I have never smoked myself.) Or, if you prefer, the smoke also stinks a place up and ruins it for nonsmokers. I’ve quit going to restaurants I liked for just that reason, just as you say. The difference is smokers get to create the unpleasant environment unilaterally, and nonsmokers have no control over the effect. It’s a power imbalance. If smokers could keep it to themselves, I’d have no problem with them (though I would want them to get their freakin’ butts in the trash somewhere instead of on the street).