You know what, it does. It really pisses me off. I can't smoke in bars now - what sense does that make? It's a bar! Whatever happened to freedom of expresison....

Well, considering that it is actually a -health risk-, I don't think it violates anyone's rights, infact, smoking in public places around other people violates -their- rights to good health (not to mention the unofficial right to live in a clean, pleasant environment where possible) If you want to smoke fine, but don't do it so close to people - it's (REALLY) disgusting, and is a health risk. I think if you're in a public place but it's pretty much empty of people you can smoke, but if it's a crowded or enclosed public space, have the decency and respect to go somewhere else and smoke...

How about non-smokers right for fresh air to breathe? C'mon.. that is far more important.

No, I don’t think so, they do this for health reasons, I am a smoker my-self, and we have implemented this in S-A, no smoking in public place, and to be honest, It looks good and feel goods, rules was made to accommodate the smokers, like for E.G very well planned smoking areas just for smokers in restaurants and so on, all these areas got inspected by our health department and it work good. smokers actually benefits from this cause now the non smokers cant walk up to them and tell them hey buddy, your smoking is bothering me, we smoke in the allocated areas and we respect the non smokers and the non smokers respect us.

No, I don't feel it is a violation for they are concerned about the health and welfare of everyone, along with the non smokers like myself.

I don't think banning smoking in enclosed public places is a violation of anyone's right. Smoking is not a right. Smoking is a habit, and it endangers those who are forced to breath the toxins. As much as I dislike smoking, I'm not sure banning it in open areas is necessary or fair. I can always walk away outside.

I think that banning smoking in all public places is a GREAT idea. It does not violate anyone's human rights and it allows those would like to keep their lungs that abilty.

I don't think it violates my right in public places, but it does cause a lot of inconvenience to both smokers and non-smokers -- when you are out having dinner and have to leave a conversation to go have a cigarette, bar owners cannot keep people inside drinking because they are all outside smoking (lost revenue), etc. So it causes repercussions in areas that a lot of people (law makers) did not take into consideration when they passed all these laws. Some of the laws are ridiculous (like not being able to smoke outside), but some of them are reasonable (like not being able to smoke around people who are trying to eat -- as a smoker I even agree to that law). There are alternatives out there that a lot of people are not aware of yet. There are electronic cigarettes that work with vaporizers that deliver nicotine but not from tobacco. They look, taste and feel just like a regular cigarette but they do not contain any cancer causing chemicals. There is no second-hand smoke, no odor, no tar, and no carbon monoxide. You can view the video that I have uploaded to YouTube to learn about this incredible technology. I will try to upload the video to this website if I am able to so you can search for it here also.

I'm not a smoker, but I feel that having to breathe in smoke in public places violates my rights as a non-smoker. The very essense of smoking is that is an anti-social habit that pollutes the air, and affects other people whether they like it or not. I don't feel anyone should have the right to do that, so smokers rights are a ridiculous idea to me. They shouldn't have any right to inflict their habit on others. Say I thought I had a right to walk around naked, I can't stop people from seeing me, and children from seeing me. Inherent in my being naked is that others will see if I do it in public. Therefore, public nudity is banned - because it is something that you inflict on others. Your 'right' and 'freedom' to be naked in public spaces is overruled by the fact that it is something which is inherently inflicted on others in those spaces, and which they may object strongly to. Therefore, public nudity is banned, except in few spaces where people can choose to be nude together, and where everyone there has made that conscious choice - NOT in public spaces! As it happens, I would find public nudity marginally less offensive than public smoking...

Why of course it is, we are "the public" too, and the heavy tax burden placed upon us so we can enjoy our habit more than makes up for any minor discomfort a few might feel when we engage in a legal and highly popular activity. A handful of bigots persecuting a law abiding minority - what's gone wrong with this country...it's a sin...

umm i used think it kinda does .. but im quitting smoking right now... on chantix.. woohoooooooooo i hope it works :)

Yep, but far more importantly it violates the rights of the private owners of these so called "public" places.

Its a good question...no, you may still smoke outdoors, why should people smoke in a building where others inhale? I'd say its rather giving rights to those who don't smoke..