Dear Editor,
I, too, am a smoker. I have been a smoker since I was 9 years old. I will continue to smoke until there is a magical, painless quitting method that requires no self-control.
For years, smokers and non-smokers have lived in harmony. The non-smokers deal with the wandering smoke, and the smokers deal with walking to the back of the restaurant to sit. Everyone gives a little, everyone takes a little.
Now, the non-smokers want to rise up and complain. Boo-hoo, you have to deal with a little smoke every now and then. The studies on second-hand smoke show that the dangerous effects are generally from people who have been exposed to the smoke for years. An hour in a restaurant or an outdoor theater will have little effect on your long-term health.
As for a business’s right to forbid smoking in their establishment, you are correct. They have every right to do so. However, they can do so without me ever stepping foot in their door. They are losing more business than they are gaining with this movement. Smokers will move to other establishments that allow smoking.
People do have the right to choose whether they are around cigarette smoke or not. But, why should we be the ones to step outside while they are cozy inside?
As far as the majority goes, there was once a time when African-Americans were considered unclean and animalistic by the majority. It is human nature to hate without reason, and this kind of conservative, closed-minded thinking has caused imbalance and prejudice throughout time.
In the 21st century, we should try to rise above this. We are better than that, we have the knowledge and courage to stand for what we believe in. I believe I should smoke where and when I want to. I believe that smokers’ rights are equal to that of non-smokers. I believe that freedom of choice is the only thing worth clinging to in this life.
We, not as smokers and non-smokers, but as a population in general, need to be more respectful of others rights. I agree to smoking less in public, but others have to agree to either deal with it when it happens, or move away from me. If there is a better solution benefiting all, I am open to it.
Until people can agree to disagree, I am the one who will blatantly disregard those prejudicial rules. I am the one who makes the bathroom reek of smoke, simply because I am disabled and can’t make it outside easily. I am the one who will light up for a few seconds in the theater because I don’t want to miss the movie. I am the one who will ensure that these businesses know that smokers will not be so easily cast away.
After all, discrimination goes beyond physical limitations and appearance.
Sabrina Norton

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