Washington State bans smoking... with a twist

[Randy_Refeld]

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I talked to my wife about it and commented that it would basically make downtown Seattle a No Smoking Zone. As a former smoker I can understand your frustration, but as a non-smoker I have way more empathy for those who choose not to smoke and are exposed to it anyway. I don't dislike smokers, I dislike smoke.

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As a never-smoker, probably-never-will-smoker, and someone who doesn't care for cigarettes, I think this is completely ridiculous. A sensible restaurant will have a non-smoking section if they don't want to alienate customers, and that's perfectly fine. Anyone bothered by someone passing by them on the streets with a cigarette needs to grow up. It's just one more freedom to take away from us.

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I am torn on these smoking bans. I am generally against the governament interfering in people's private lives; however I have asthma and have had to go to ER from navigating the smoke that lingers outside a building when smokers are allowed to stand in front of the door and smoke.