[user104658]

All or nothing for me; either make it completely illegal or not. "Banning" things that are legal in open, public spaces is a dangerous path to start going down. We DO NOT need more government control over every aspect of our lives, for **** sake.

I'm all for it being banned in enclosed public spaces because no one should be subjected to other people smoking up an enclosed space. Even if you're not convinced about the health risks, you end up stinking of smoke and it's horrible. I have my questions about it being banned in pubs / bars / clubs etc... these are NOT public spaces - they are licensed private establishments. You DO NOT have the right to enter if the owner / landlord doesn't want you to enter. Therefore, whether or not smoking (if it's legal) is permitted should be completely at the discretion of the landlord / owner / management. If someone doesn't like that, and doesn't want to enter a smoky environment, then said owner should be free to tell that person that they won't change their stance and will forgo that person's custom. That should be their right... it is their property.


But this, in open spaces, is just a step too far. I can accept that people shouldn't have to have their health risked for other people's habits but banning it in open-air spaces so that it isn't even seen? Err... no thanks? People can make their own decisions and introducing laws to effectively treat everyone like ******* is not something that I'm willing to go along with. We have more than enough censorship in all areas already.