Well, there is nothing wrong with drinking water and eating granola. At least these don't pollute the environment.
Now, I have nothing against people who smoke. But, to tell you the truth, I'm glad that the smoking ban is in Chicago. There is nothing worse than trying to eat a nice dinner at a nice restaurant and having Chain Smoking Charlie puffing away through the entire meal. This wouldn't be so bad if we requested the smoking section...but there is no sense in putting the smoking section next to the non-smoking section with a half-wall partition and a sign reminding smoke to attempt to stay on the proper side of the partition.
I think people should smoke when they want. However, I have a problem with being subjected to it in public. If I go to a chain smoker's house, I'll expect to be around smoke. But, I don't like having to hold my breath (and smell for the rest of the day) by walking past the "smoker group" that hangs around outside of a business because the building is non-smoking. I don't like having smoke blown in my face. In fact, I don't even go to bars (or work in one anymore) because I just cannot handle the secondhand smoke or the complete disregard for burning people (which I've had happen to me countless times over the years of cocktail waitressing, dancing, and bartending).
On the other hand, I do believe that people should have the right to smoke. In clubs/bars/what-not...they should have a smokers room and a non-smokers room. That way, people can make a choice.
But, when you try to protect the rights of some, you end of violating the rights of others. In this case, non-smokers should be allowed to enjoy going out without coming home with an elephant sitting on their chest. It's a right to enjoy a day/night out without having to breathe (more) carcinogens (we have enough in the air from factories).
But, that's just MHO.
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