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WHAT ABOUT SMOKERS' RIGHTS? |
You have the right to choose to smoke - but not to expose another person to harmful tobacco smoke toxins, particularly in an indoor workplace. "Your right to swing your fist ends at the point of my nose."
No-one is proposing to discriminate against smokers. We don't say smokers should be "kicked out" - just that they should go outside while they smoke, where they can't hurt others.
It's quite legal and reasonable
to use an oxy welding torch or a chainsaw - but not to wave them around inside a
crowded pub or club.
If you're a smoker, think of the workers in licensed venues who have to work all day or night surrounded by smoke. They face serious illness, even death. Think of their families. Then ask whether the inconvenience of going out for your smoke isn't reasonable by comparison to the alternative.
And think of the people with smoke-affected disabilities - heart conditions, asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes - your smoking indoors denies them access and employment in smoky venues, because research says separate indoor smoking areas don't protect against the smoke getting everywhere in the building.
If smokers feel their rights
are being ignored, they’re right – but not by us. Have a look at
this list of Smokers’
basic rights – and how tobacco companies have ignored these rights and exploited
smokers for years.
What smokers need is more funding for public information
and better facilities to inform them fully about the product they're using, and
to help the nine out of ten smokers who want to quit.