Smoking Bans: A Complete Guide

For nearly a decade now,
various states across America as well as numerous European countries have
introduced what is referred to as a “smoking ban”. Here’s everything you need
to know about these bans:

- What is a smoking ban? Are people
just not allowed to smoke at all?

That’s not quite the case. A
proper name for these bans would be “smoking in public places ban” – but that’s
a little wordy! Most of the bans in American states and various countries around
the world prevent smoking in public places. A public place is usually defined as
somewhere like a bar, restaurant or office workspace. If a ban is in place in a
particular area, smoking inside these buildings is prohibited.

-
Is it any type of smoking?

Yes, all smoking – filter cigarettes,
pipes, rolled cigarettes – is banned.

- Why do these bans
exist?

It’s a health concern, primarily the concern raised
about passive smoking. The theory is that non-smokers can still suffer from
smoking-related illnesses, such as cancer, if they regularly breathe second-hand
smoke in. The ban is to protect the public health.

- Does these
bans infringe on a smokers civil liberties?

This is still a
question of debate, but there has been no significant legal challenge on a human
rights level to provide a precedent. If such a case were winnable, smokers
rights groups would probably have challenged the bans in court by now.

- What happens if I smoke inside a building where a ban is in
place?

It depends on the state or country you are in. Penalties
range from an on-the-spot fine right through to arrest, and the establishment
you smoke in will also be punished.