Smoking should not be allowed in public places.

I would like to begin this debate by thanking my opponent for suggesting it. As a long time smoker this argument is obviously very dear to me. Also, let me state that I am a polite smoker. In other words, I will be courteous enough to ask if it is okay if I am in someone else's home or work area etc. I think that rude smokers are just that rude and should be dealt with as the situation warrants. A strike to the adams apple at worst, a kind "please don't do that" at best. But this debate is about smokers in general so that is what I will address. >>>I strongly agree that smoking should not be allowed in public places.. As a citizen of the United States I do believe our rights are important. We are given the choice to be a non-smoker or a smoker. I choose to be a non-smoker, but my rights are violated when I'm out in a public facility and I'm forced to inhale second hand smoke.<<< Here is the gist of the matter. Can you please show me where an individual gets this "right" to be free of second hand smoke in public? And do these so called "rights" pertain to just cigarette smoke or is it all carcinogens? Is it limited to just carcinogens or is it any offensive odor? The fact is that this is not a right at all but a desire. This I can understand but that does not make it right to limit my freedom and liberty to make my own decisions because you are offended by something in public. Now in your own home or office, you do have a right to kick a smoker out on his butt for smoking in or on your property. But that right does not extend to public places. >>>First off, I know the effects that come from smoking and just being around those who do smoke, and honestly it's quite terrible. Just from being around those who smoke your chances of getting cancer increases. Also, if you happen to be pregnant and you inhale second hand smoke your baby could be born premature and or have birth defects. The effects of being around those who choose to smoke are quite dangerous.<<< This argument would only pertain to living with a smoker and breathing second hand smoke for extended periods of time. Outside of that you argument is bogus. The effects of the carbon monoxide from the motor vehicles driving on the street far outweigh the effects of someone smoking a cigarette across the street or across the room from you. Are we going to outlaw driving in public? >>>Secondly the rights of non-smokers are violated. I hate it when I go out to eat with my family or go bowling with my friends and I have to inhale and smell cigarette smoke. One, I don't feel like getting cancer. Two, cigarette smoke irritates me, because of my allergies. There are many people that are actually allergic to cigarette smoke. I feel really bad for those who can't go to their favorite hangout or restaurant just because people smoke there. It's actually quite sad.<<< Again with this "rights" thing, since I've already addressed this I'll move on. 1. You won't get cancer unless A. you have a genetic predisposition to get cancer and B. You are continually breathing second hand smoke continually for a long period time that far exceeds the time it takes to eat dinner. 2. For the folks who are allergic to smoke, my deepest sympathies. But that does not negate my right to do a legal thing in public. If you were allergic to peanuts, would you expect that we enact laws to prohibit eat peanuts in public? Can we please get serious here? And why would a place that allowed smoking be considered a favorite anything by a person who can't stand to be around it? This argument doesn't wash either. >>>Initially we can solve this problem. I know smokers have rights too, and violating their rights is wrong also. By that we should inform them about this problem and give a solution. The solution to this problem is to designate more non-smoking and smoking areas. For example, have a smoking and non-smoking area separated in the restaurant or facility. If some like want to smoke and hangout at the same time, create a separate area where they can do so. It's the facilities choice in what they think is best to do, so it's best to fallow their rules and regulations.<<< Now here is something that we can agree on. Let the business owner decide. Unfortunately though, here in Florida and other states, the state has decided that I can't smoke in a public place, whether the owner of the establishment likes it or not. Nor will they allow everyone who requests a special license to allow smoking in their bar to have one. They are restricted to a certain amount each year and lottery held for them. On top of that, they cost an arm and a leg to get one. Smoking is a legal activity. Period. I have no problem being polite to non smokers but I have the right to do a legal act in public. We are not talking about sex so please don't even use that tired argument against legal acts in public please. At first I was apprehensive that this debate was going to go five rounds. But I realize I have much to say and this is going to be good. I give the floor to my opponent. Thank you.