Not all of Friendship Heights has tumbled off the deep end. In Manassas, supporters of a ban say police, fire and rescue workers must be in top physical shape to do their jobs, so they shouldn't be permitted to smoke or chew tobacco. Similar rules are already in effect in several Northern Virginia police departments, including Fairfax County's. No one wants to put a life in the hands of a police officer or firefighter who is gasping for air. There are now even laws passed to foil smokers who, having been tossed out of their office buildings, congregate near the front doors.
Smokers are easy marks.
There are even studies purporting to show that smokers are dumber than the general population. A new survey by Harvard researchers claims that nearly half the cigarettes bought in this country are purchased by the mentally ill. News Jobs AP Shopping Archives Entertain.