In the United States today, the rights of smokers to smoke versus the rights of nonsmokers to not be exposed to smoke is a hot debate. In fact, in some areas state and local governments have established anti-smoking policies.
Airlines led this push. It has been illegal to smoke on airplanes for a long time. Now restaurants are joining suit. In a few years, smoking in restaurants will seem as bizarre and ridiculous as smoking on an airplane.
We also see health warnings about smoking more frequently. This is because large tobacco companies have been forced to produce anti-smoking educational materials for broadcast on television and on the Web. This, along with the other changes already noted, has shifted social attitudes about smoking decidedly toward the negative.
The question "do you mind if I smoke" is no longer rhetorical, as it used to be. Now you genuinely have to ask, and listen to the response. Smoking can irritate others and can cause health problems, so checking with those around you before smoking is only polite.
It is no longer fashionable or stylish to smoke. Movie characters that smoke are those who are stupid, evil, desperate, or pitiful.
In many states, smokers can no longer smoke in public places at all. In others, there are laws that mandate how far away a smoker has to be from a building before lighting up.
This can even mean jail time if a smoker in America breaks the law. Fines for breaking smoking laws can lead to fines of hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Even when there are no laws or official rules, smokers need to worry about causing offense and inconvenience.
Smoking is not as accepted as it used to be in the United States. Don't light up between courses at dinner unless you ask those around you first. Also, if you need to smoke after dinner you should ask your companions if this is ok, and if they object you may want to consider going outside to light up.
Airlines led this push. It has been illegal to smoke on airplanes for a long time. Now restaurants are joining suit. In a few years, smoking in restaurants will seem as bizarre and ridiculous as smoking on an airplane.
We also see health warnings about smoking more frequently. This is because large tobacco companies have been forced to produce anti-smoking educational materials for broadcast on television and on the Web. This, along with the other changes already noted, has shifted social attitudes about smoking decidedly toward the negative.
The question "do you mind if I smoke" is no longer rhetorical, as it used to be. Now you genuinely have to ask, and listen to the response. Smoking can irritate others and can cause health problems, so checking with those around you before smoking is only polite.
It is no longer fashionable or stylish to smoke. Movie characters that smoke are those who are stupid, evil, desperate, or pitiful.
In many states, smokers can no longer smoke in public places at all. In others, there are laws that mandate how far away a smoker has to be from a building before lighting up.
This can even mean jail time if a smoker in America breaks the law. Fines for breaking smoking laws can lead to fines of hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Even when there are no laws or official rules, smokers need to worry about causing offense and inconvenience.
Smoking is not as accepted as it used to be in the United States. Don't light up between courses at dinner unless you ask those around you first. Also, if you need to smoke after dinner you should ask your companions if this is ok, and if they object you may want to consider going outside to light up.
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