1.
Esther Robards-Forbes, Austin American
Statesman (Sept. 17th, 2013)
2.
Category of problem: Environment
3.
Level of problem: Local level
4.
The article concerns: The smoking ban concerns San Marcos, TX citizens. Also,
the ban may pave a road for other communities in Texas to follow the smoking
ban.
5.
How does it affect individuals/families? San Marcos citizens benefit from the smoking
ban due increased quality of their environment. San Marcos citizens should be
interested in the proposal in order to help the smoking ban pass during the
final vote. The ban does harm the free will of smokers in San Marcos, however. Smokers
may not support the smoking ban, and should be concerned with the proposal if
they choose to appeal the decision.
6.
I agree with the smoking ban. It is about time, actually. I am from California,
where smoking indoors has long been banned. I can’t remember the last time I’ve
been inside a restaurant and asked if I prefer smoking or non-smoking. Reading
this article surprised me; I didn’t realize smoking was still permitted
indoors. I remember going on vacation as a child, and walking into a hotel room
that smelt of smoke. For a non-smoker, the smell of cigarette smoke is appalling.
And, smoking around non-smokers is rude. Many times smokers will ask those
around, “do you mind?” before lighting up a cigarette. The fact that they ask
shows that it is common knowledge cigarette smoke is not supported by many
people.
I can see some citizens being
opposed to the smoking ban. For bar and restaurant owners, the smoking ban
requires action on their part to appease their smoking customers. They may
decide to build an outdoor patio for smokers to go. And, this will cost them
money. Cigarette sales in San Marcos may decrease. The loss in cigarette sales
affects convenience store owners.
Smoking is a selfish vice. I
understand that smoking is addictive and I understand that addictions are
difficult to recover from. However, bad habits should not affect the health of
other citizens. Also, smokers are not prevented from smoking. If a citizens
wants to smoke they can still do so, they will have to go outside though. The
smoking ban creates a cooperation between smokers and non-smokers. Therefore, I
support the smoking ban 100%.
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ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with the indoor smoking ban. I think it has been a long time coming for something like this to happen. In my opinion, I feel like there is no place for second hand smoke indoors. If smokers want to smoke outside then that is fine by me. I have nothing against smokers, I just feel like there is a place for these things. I also grew up in a smoke free environment and would always hate walking into a room or restaurant where smoking was allowed indoors. For a person that is not around it a lot, it is an awful aroma to be surrounded by. I do believe that it is also a public health issue. Second hand smoke has been proven to be a health hazard to those who inhale it. Being an asthmatic I can definitely tell the difference of being in an enclosed area surrounded by smokers opposed to an area that is no. I also think that this will help some businesses such as Café on the Square. I absolutely love this restaurant but hate walking in and being hit with the smell of smoke. I feel that there are a lot of people that feel this way as well, and this couldn't definitely help bring more customers in, as well as other locations in San Marcos that have this issue currently.
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