How to Stop the Smoking Ban

Smoking is a controversial issue. Some people claim that it is the right of every individual to consume whatever he likes, with very few exceptions, notably drugs. Many other people, however, reject this argument and believe that smoking restricts the freedom of nonsmokers by exposing them to second-hand smoke. At the present time, there are many smoking bans that favor the argument of non-smokers. For example, in many states and abroad, smokers cannot smoke in public places or at work. Still, laws can be changed and you can personally contribute to the campaign to stop smoking bans by following the steps below.

Instructions

• 1

  Get in touch with like-minded people on the local or national level, depending on whether the smoking ban you oppose is a state or federal restriction. To find like-minded people in your area, post advertisements for people to join your cause. However, post no ads near schools so as not to irritate parents who do not want their children exposed to smoking information. To find smokers on the national level, start a group on online social networks and send out invitations to join to as many people as possible, including all your smoking friends, colleagues and relatives.

• 2

  Lobby the politicians who have the power to scrap the ban. The best influence you can have on elected politicians is to threaten to vote for someone else. Accordingly, mobilize public opinion in your favor by making it clear than the ban infringes on personal freedom of smokers. Distribute leaflets outlining your position, sell pro-smoking car stickers and merchandise, and organize rallies. However, because most people in the U.S. and probably in your state do not smoke these days, you are in minority on this issue. Because of this fact, you need to appeal to the general public, not just smokers. Get your message across to people that the smoking ban in question is a violation of personal freedom and the intrusion of Uncle Sam into people's private lives and so should be of concern not only to people who smoke, but to all freedom-loving citizens of the country.

• 3

  Boycott businesses that support the ban publicly, for example by not only enforcing the ban rigorously, but also going further and introducing voluntary additional restrictions on smoking. For example, employers can prohibit all tobacco use, not just smoking, which may restrict the rights of tobacco chewers. Or they can ban smoking even outside the building while the state legislation only bans smoking inside. Boycott such enterprises whenever possible. Businesses are guided by the bottom line, so if customers rebel, they may reconsider their position on restricting smoking.

• 4

  Launch a lawsuit to scrap the ban as unconstitutional. You can invoke the first amendment of the constitution that protects freedom of speech. It reads:

  "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

  You can claim that smoking is an expressive conduct (read "freedom of speech") and qualifies for protection by the First Amendment. Before launching a lawsuit, check whether your state's supreme court has already ruled on this issue.