Should laws prohibit smoking in public places?

Pro: Smoking disturbs some people. Smoking is the violation of the wills of some citizens; the preference for smoke-free air violates no one's rights. Nonsmokers are the victims of those who choose to smoke, and the rights of nonsmokers ought to be protected. For that matter, smokers and nonsmokers alike have a right to smoke-free air. The best way to ensure that the rights of everyone are protected in this case is to ban smoking from all public places.

Con: Smokers have the right to enjoy smoking cigars, cigarettes, and pipes at their discretion, where no one complains or is obviously annoyed. This practice ought not to come within the scope of governmental regulation.

Pro: Smoking has adverse effects on health. Furthermore, the breathing of second-hand smoke also has adverse consequences for human well-being.

Con: The view that smoking has adverse consequences for health is arguable. Even if smoking had such effects, governments ought not to attempt to regulate it, since adults hold the right to make the decision to smoke.