Marcia's state is asking its constituents to vote on a ban on smoking in all public places, including restaurants, businesses, and bars. Such a ban would require businesses to set aside an area a few feet outside of the business for people to smoke.
California recently passed such a measure. It prohibits all smoking of tobacco products in all of enclosed places of employment. The objective is "to reduce employee exposure to environmental tobacco smoke." This includes all restaurants and bars and clubs.
If I were Marcia I would agree to ban smoking from all public environments. Studies say that over 430,000 dying each year from tobacco-related causes. And another 53,000 non-smoking Americans die annually from inhaling other people's tobacco smoke. .
Smoke from cigarettes is extremely harmful to the elderly, sick, young and pregnant. And although there are non-smoking sections in most public places this does not stop the smoke from traveling and non-smokers and employees health is affected. A smoking ban would reduce fires and keep the environment of public places much cleaner, more enjoyable, and more comfortable for non-smoking employees. .
The state should be able to regulate where one smokes. The state is not trying to illegalize smoking cigarettes; it is just reducing the amount of it, and will hopefully encourage less and less smokers each year. It is a free country and people should be able to smoke a legal product, however not affect others by doing so. Second hand smoke has increased mortality rates and it is only right for the state to take charge. .