u/PattyP

I get that, but shouldn’t it be possible then to target that kind of behavior specifically rather than all smoking? Rather than banning smoking on x beach or in y park, they could ban smoking within x meters of a minor or non consenting adult. It would be more complicated but also more fair.

Ultimately I don’t know what all of the problems with that approach would be, but it would make more sense to me.

Yes, secondhand smoke is bad. But we are talking about outdoor environments where it should usually be possible for smokers to keep their distance.

As for vaping, it hasn’t really been around long enough yet to know for sure what the health risks are regarding the secondhand aerosol exposure, but there is reason to be concerned. It is almost certainly not as bad as secondhand smoke, but there are still risks.

This comment section is a disaster, just as bad as reddit. Comments of no substance on the side of popular opinion get upvotes, and waves of downvotes come for anyone who disagrees even a little, and even if they do it in a reasonable way.

I’m mildly asthmatic so I don’t smoke, vape, etc. I have tried a few times and it is simply too much for my lungs to cope with. I still think banning people from smoking in public parks or on beaches is a bit much, and not doing the same with vaping seems like a strange double standard. I had a college roommate who both vaped and smoked, and the vaping bothered me more. I still put up with it.

Hopefully enforcement is reasonable - respectful smokers who deliberately try to keep their distance should be allowed to enjoy themselves, but I understand prosecuting(?) those who show no care and smoke right next to nonsmokers.

You mean the onions I bought aren’t actually onions??

Ultimately this always ends up feeling like a debate about realism vs idealism. I am not unsympathetic to people who didn’t want to vote for Kamala because she did not seem like she was going to present Israel with an ultimatum to force them to stop the genocide. That said, it doesn’t take very much realism to then ask if the only other option is better or worse in that regard. And anyone who thought Trump would do better was clearly delusional, even ignoring the benefit of hindsight.