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WHAT ABOUT SMOKERS' RIGHTS? |
You have the right to choose to smoke - but not to expose anyone else to harmful tobacco smoke toxins, particularly in their workplace.
"Your right to swing your fist ends at the tip of my nose."
We don't support discrimination against smokers. We don't say smokers should be "kicked out" - just that you should smoke well away from non-smokers and staff, where your smoke won't hurt them.
Smoking is
"legal"? Sure. So is driving - but we don't let people drive
along footpaths. You can "legally" use an oxy welding torch or a chainsaw - but
you wouldn't be allowed to wave them around in a crowded dining area.
NSW Council for Civil Liberties
policy (2011) says: It
is a person's right to use any legal substance, but the context of use should be
dependent on the health and comfort of others. Smoking should only be allowed
where there is no likelihood of passive smoking causing harm to others.
If you're a smoker, think
for a moment of
the workers in pubs, clubs, gaming rooms or restaurants who have to work all day or night
breathing in your
smoke.
They face serious illness. It's a fact that secondhand smoke can kill - it's a
high-level human carcinogen - in fact not just one but a whole cocktail of them. Its harm to
heart and lungs can start within minutes. Even at low doses it's known to be a
serious risk, especially for the employees repeatedly exposed. Think of the
families of these workers, and how much they worry. Then ask yourself whether the inconvenience of going
right outside and away from others for your smoke isn't reasonable, compared to
the alternative if you don't.
And think of the people with smoke-affected disabilities - heart conditions, asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes. Your smoking denies them access and employment, because they can't safely enter venues where they can expect to be exposed to your secondhand smoke.
If you as a smoker feel your
rights
are being ignored, you'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 decades.
What smokers really 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.