Why has the government the right to say there is a ban on all smoking talk about big brother is watching you?

I have not heard of a complete ban of smoking, but I have heard of it being banned in offices, restaurants, and public areas where those non-smokers have made enough noise to get legislation passed banning it in these locations.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease, as they say.

I smoke, but I respect others rights to not smoke, or breath my exhaled smoke. It's not going to kill me to wait until I get to a approved site to have a cigarette.

I sometimes cut my meals shorter, so I can leave the restaurant and have an after dinner smoke. It's their loss or gain depending on who you represent.

This is an emotionally-charged issue, not unlike abortion.

Smokers who are selfish seem to think their smoking is more important than the health of those around them. They also think the world is their ashtray.

The government is the one paying for all the hospitalizations and nursing home tenants with problems relating to smoking. They have every right and in fact the duty to protect the health of US citizens, considering 2nd hand smoke is so dangerous. If you must know, I know a man who would die if he got around cigarette smoke. Do you know how many places he CAN'T go because people smoke outside the buildings? Hospital, library, schools, museums, grocery stores, nature trails, zoos, amusement parks, city hall, DMV, ( + can't use rental cars), car washes, laundromats, friends' homes, hobby shops, clothing stores, shoe stores, Wal-Mart (and similar stores, like SAM's Club, Target, Bed, Bath and Beyond, SteinMart), the mall, restaurants, gyms, bookstores, ...So think twice before you light up in a restricted area. I, personally, am also allergic to cigarette smoke, but I only have trouble if I live with a smoker or live in an apartment/town home if a smoker lives next door/up/downstairs from me, or if I move to a home that a smoker once occupied.

I don't understand how the tobacco companies can continue making a product that causes more illness and deaths than FDA approved medications that end up having to be recalled later for killing people. If the government can recall drugs that are necessary, don't you think the government has the right to ban something that is not necessary to health and is actually an assault on public health?

If you're a smoker, I know you resent all the new bans on public smoking, but that ban is one thing that can finally allow my friend to go anywhere besides the office and home. Smokers can quit smoking, but people who have to breathe in 2nd hand smoke have NO choice to quit because of people smoking around them.

And, for your information: for smokers, they have NO scientific proof their smoking doesn't hurt themselves or others -- it's all an emotional battle, but any non-smoker can find a ton of sites saying second-hand smoke is a health risk. You'll never see any scientific proof that smokers aren't a hazard to other people because it is impossible.

i suppose if smoking could only hurt you, and you alone, they would not put restriction/bans on it. But in reality, the second hand smoke is as dangerous as really smoking it. That is why the government comes in. Also the majority rules, in my state there was a vote, people didnt want smoke, so now smokers have to go to the designated areas or get a big fine. Sounds fair to me, you complaining because you cant be giving the other people and their kids cancer?

When the "minority" of smokers effects the health and welfare of the majority then they have the right to defend that majority.

This is one thing Big Brother did that was correct!

You are a young smoker :)

Wait another 30 years and come back to this question, you will surely cry if you are still alive.

Life is "biologic" and requires fresh, clean sustanance from nature. You were designed to live in co-existence with nature.

Smoking defies that coexistance.

From a 35 year smoker who finally quit but now is in serious health problems and looking at an early death.

Smoking is like holding a glass of water in front of you.

It seems easy at first, no problem...

Now do it for 3 days, oh! call an ambulance my arm is falling off!

As you can tell by many answers here, the government has the power to create such bans because they first bred a country of morons through socialized, public education. Apparently no one under the age of 25 seems to understand what the US Constitution is for...they'll swallow ANY report the government issues, no matter how ridiculous it is. Smoking is harmful to non-smokers?? What about car exhaust? What about going into public while ill? What about poor hygiene in general? What about HIV carriers having intercourse? I guess the logic is all of these things are next...

"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness... as long as it doesn't hinder anyone else." Second hand smoke has been proven to affect a non-smokers health. This is the reason many states, counties, cities, etc. have been banning smoking in public. Smoke all you want in the privacy of your own home, property, or personally owned business.

I'm Big Brother, and I only watch hot chicks, I watch the ones who smoke the most, Smoking makes you look cool, Its a fact.

I wouldnt worry about me watching you, unless you do something creepy, then I tell my wife BIG SISTER, She's the one you need to concern youself with, Gotta go she's been listening to me.

The government hasn't banned smoking. They've just stop folks that want to smoke from doing so around those that don't enjoy it.

There is a smoking ban because if you are stupid enough to smoke they are afraid you will also walk into walls, poke yourself in the eye with pencils, etc.

Frankly, people that smoke have proven their lack of smarts.

I used to be stupid, then I got smart. I quit smoking 26 yrs ago AND I STILL ENDED UP WITH EMPHYSEMA / COPD.

You think you are tough and smoking cant hurt YOU? Wait till you are on your hands and knees fighting to get oxygen into your lungs and cant. We'll see how smart you are then.

Because they have people brainwashed into thinking that the government knows what's better for you, and if the government knows what's better for you, that gives it the automatic right to legislate YOUR rights out of existence.