[atom_enger]

So how do we balance personal liberty with respect for others? I don't know the solution but welcome the discourse. Part of the problem I think is that the people who engage in these behaviors don't care very much for themselves, let alone others. I've often wondered if people who partake in cigarette smoking have a death wish of sorts, just unable to take the fast route.

[costcopizza]

Part time smoker here, no death wish. It's an instant escape and I find the ritual enjoyable.

[tmnvix]

I think this is an important point that is often lost on people that don't smoke. So often in these discussions, smoking is assumed to have no positive effects. Strangely, most people don't take the same attitude when talking about alcohol.

Like it or not, smoking is enjoyable.

[posterboy]

the "ritual", not the anesthetic effect, alright.

[posterboy]

Lack of awareness, tolerance and acceptance. Many people are just too hypocritical and I could point many such issues, so the problem is a more general one in society.