Originally Posted by
Omegstrat6
Agree with a lot of what you have said. The financial cost to the NHS and the dangers of smoking are well known but apart from the issue of whether being able to enforce such a ban is even possible, I think your other arguments make sense.
A legal ban may have some impact but it won't stop it and, perhaps more importantly, introducing such a ban is a slippery slope in that you are taking away an adult's right to make decisions for themselves. Obviously any society needs laws to protect its individuals and so no-one has a right to simply behave as they wish (e.g. harm, kill others) and some laws are there to protect individuals from themselves (e.g. the wearing of seat belts) but the latter especially is tricky as the law should surely always also be mindful of the freedom of individuals to make their own decisions based on their own risk assessments -though this is where education on the subject comes in.
If we introduce a ban like this on smoking, what next? fizzy drinks, crisps, take- aways, alcohol? Obesity and alcoholism also present a hefty burden on our health service and impact lives. Surely better education and restrictions on sales that may at least encourage moderation are a better way forward?