The problem is where there is a long queue which one has been in for a while. If I move out from the queue and wait elsewhere then I've forfeited my place in the queue. Other people will then get upset if I try to board the bus in my previous position in the queue, particularly if they've turned up after I moved. I've seen it happen.
I completely agree with sigisgrim's logic on this matter. Why should the non-smoker have a choice of breathing the smoke or standing in the cold/rain and/or potentially forfeiting a place on the bus as well?!
If no-one's there, then fine. If someone comes along (who isn't smoking themselves at that time) either put out the ciggie or ask them in a very non-threatening way if they mind, and take "yes" graciously. People will often say (for fear of being attacked otherwise, all too common in some places) "fine" when it is far from fine so putting it out is probably the most considerate thing to do.
You are a firm and assertive person. Not everyone is. Knowing that the law is explicitly on your side when approaching a situation like that can give those who may be a bit nervous about it a moral boost and enable them to make the request.
I don't know where you live or where you have asserted yourself but in some places one would be risking life and limb to do this (on any matter), even though some of the individuals in those areas are I'm sure, nice too. I'm assertive too, but I'm not foolhardy. (Not talking about where I live, I would do the same as you round here, unless I was getting a bad vibe).
I appreciate that - but the thing is, if we are talking about bringing in a law to prohibit smoking in public, we need to bear in mind that laws are obeyed by law abiding people.
People who illegally smack complete strangers on the nose because they have been asked not to smoke are the same people that will ignore a law on smoking in the street.
People who respond positively to a politely phrased request are the ones who are most likely to obey the law, thus making the law simply another way of criminalising some poor sod who stops behind a bush for a furtive fag, while having little impact on the real bastards whom nobody dares to reprove.
If you make so many laws that most of your citizens are tempted to break at least some of them,then respect for the rule of law is undermined. I think that's important.
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no subject
Date: 2009-01-21 03:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-21 04:21 pm (UTC)If no-one's there, then fine. If someone comes along (who isn't smoking themselves at that time) either put out the ciggie or ask them in a very non-threatening way if they mind, and take "yes" graciously. People will often say (for fear of being attacked otherwise, all too common in some places) "fine" when it is far from fine so putting it out is probably the most considerate thing to do.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-21 04:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-21 05:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-21 07:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-21 08:57 pm (UTC)People who illegally smack complete strangers on the nose because they have been asked not to smoke are the same people that will ignore a law on smoking in the street.
People who respond positively to a politely phrased request are the ones who are most likely to obey the law, thus making the law simply another way of criminalising some poor sod who stops behind a bush for a furtive fag, while having little impact on the real bastards whom nobody dares to reprove.
If you make so many laws that most of your citizens are tempted to break at least some of them,then respect for the rule of law is undermined. I think that's important.