Since there is no medical evidence that second hand smoke is more than an annoyance (no one recorded to have died from it)
And, it’s a typical nanny power-grab,
There’s no reason for anyone to take it seriously.
Except nannies.

There is no record of anyone dying from having someone urinate on their leg, but considerate human beings know it just isn’t appreciated and would never consider doing it. Exagerated? Yes…but somethings need laws and smoking is not a personal habit…it affects everyone around the smoker and needs to be controlled. If you don’t want the government to take away another “God given Right”, than do the right thing and respect people around you.

One of England’s best mathematicians and statisticians is John Brignell. His site, numberwatch, is hated by fear-mongering nannies because of analyses like this on second hand smoke:

http://www.numberwatch.co.uk/zealots.htm

It’s easy reading, and makes you question the IQ of every nanny there is.

Forget the second hand smoke. I don’t like it when people smoke around me. If the smoker is not courteous enough to respect my space, then we pass a smoking ban.

Using the law to enforce self-righteousness or eliminate what a person who loved their neighbor would tolerate, is a two edged sword.
But, as long as it can only be wielded by the self-righteous, they think it’s all right.
Some, of course, didn’t like it when buildings were identified by religious symbols toward which they were antipathic.
So, they passed bans. Come to think of it, they still do.

Your comment has nothing to do with this discussion. Buildings cannot violate “personal” space.

Most restaurants have ventilation systems (installed at great cost, partly paid for by higher bills some of which are paid by smokers) that will keep smoke from annoying any but the most hyper-sensitive (Democrats, usually).
The same people will complain about perfume and after shave.
Some people just can’t do anything but complain. Usually they are Democrats, and always very sensitive. Very, very, very sensitive.
If you give into one of their complaints, they immediately have another.
They might be happier living in bubbles.

As a registered Democrat I can substantiate all of your comments. We (democrats) are indeed hyper sensative. I regularly complain about all of the various odors in restaurants. If I am bothered by smoke in a restaurant I ask for alternative seating. If I am moved near someone wearing offensive perfume, I ask to be moved again. We democrats have been known to sit at as many as twenty different tables in one outing. There, it’s out there and we don’t care who knows it. We have been trying to keep our annoying ways a secret, but we did not expect to run across someone of your intellect. Our hats are off to you sir/mam. Many of us have already taken to living in bubbles. They are not too roomy, but they do provide us with the desired atmosphere required by our delicate constitutions. As more bubbles become available, there will be less of us around to bother you with our constant complaining. Please feel free to smoke as much as you like, wherever you like, and wear as much perfume and aftershave as you desire. On behalf of Democrats everywhere, thank you for helping us to see the error of our ways.

While congratulating yourselves on how wonderfully sensitive and enlightened you are, please take a moment for:

http://www.numberwatch.co.uk/zealots.htm

The same people who believed in global freezing believe in global warming, the cholesterol myths, and, of course, second-hand smoke. You are creatures of clever marketing ploys, and are especially vulnerable to those convincing you that believing in them is a sign of intellect.

just nonsense