| Of course Smokers' should have rights. | | | | There is now overwhelming evidence of the dangers |
| They are entitled to the same rights as everybody | | | | associated with smoking and the use of tobacco |
| else. | | | | products. |
| I think this whole question of rights for smokers and | | | | Those dangers apply not just to the users of the |
| others comes down to ethical considerations. | | | | product, but also to all who come into contact with the |
| Ethics is all about doing what is right. | | | | toxic fumes of burning tobacco. |
| I think it was the Greek philosopher Aristotle who | | | | So, exposing others to these risks is no longer socially |
| stated something like that. | | | | acceptable. And, smoking in the vicinity of others is |
| And what is doing what is right? | | | | certainly not causing least harm, so therefore is also |
| Well this really comes down to doing whatever is | | | | unethical. |
| going to cause least harm to others. | | | | Laws tend to reflect societies' values. In my part of the |
| The law, our behavior in society, and accepted ethical | | | | world, smoking is no longer allowed in restaurants, pubs, |
| considerations often go hand in hand. | | | | clubs, and in most work places. |
| For example, it is against the law to damage someone | | | | It is not legal, socially acceptable, or ethical to go and |
| else's property. This is also not socially acceptable | | | | beat up someone. |
| behavior and it is obviously unethical. | | | | Even if it is legal in some places, it certainly is not |
| However, consider another scenario, such as telling a | | | | socially acceptable or ethical for smokers to breathe |
| lie. Now, this may or may not be against the law. It is | | | | their dangerous passive smoke anywhere where |
| really a consideration of the context in which the lie | | | | others may be adversely afffected by it. |
| was told. And, from the point of view of our behavior | | | | I do have empathy for smokers who would prefer not |
| in society, telling lies in generally unacceptable. But, if as | | | | to be smokers. I was in that category myself for many |
| Aristotle claims, that ethics is doing the least harm to | | | | years. It is difficult to stop and stay stopped. There is |
| others, there may well be situations where telling a lie | | | | not one effective method of stopping smoking and |
| may be a preferable situation to being totally honest. | | | | staying stopped that works for everybody. If you are |
| Now, what has all this got to do with smokers and their | | | | a smoker who wishes to quit, you will need to find the |
| rights? | | | | strategies that are right for you. There are some |
| Well, I shall try to explain, taking into consideration the | | | | excellent resources available for you however. is one |
| three factors mentioned above. That is: | | | | such source, and has link that will take you to many |
| The Law Acceptable Behavior in Society, and Ethics | | | | others. |
| Firstly, the law regarding the use of tobacco products | | | | But in conclusion I will reiterate what I said at the |
| has changed considerably in recent years in most | | | | beginning of this article. |
| western countries. | | | | Smokers do have rights! |
| Why has it changed? | | | | They have the same rights as the rest of us! |