# FILE NAME: 00001933.soc
# TITLE: Should smoking in public places be banned? [06d24afa64a810560e8b69af178a1199]
# DESCRIPTION: 
# DATA TYPE: soc
# MODIFICATION TYPE: original
# RELATES TO: 
# RELATED FILES: 
# PUBLICATION DATE: 2025-10-12
# MODIFICATION DATE: 2025-10-12
# NUMBER ALTERNATIVES: 4
# NUMBER VOTERS: 5
# NUMBER UNIQUE ORDERS: 5
# ALTERNATIVE NAME 1: Statement 1 - Smoking is a personal choice which affects the health and comfort of others. Being smoked on in a public place is like being exposed to toxic fumes. Therefore, the group was in favour of a ban on smoking in public places, so that smokers can still enjoy a cigarette without negatively impacting on the health of others.
# ALTERNATIVE NAME 2: Statement 2 - There should be a ban on smoking in public places. Smoking is a personal choice which affects the health and comfort of others. Being smoked on in a public place is like being vomited on by a stranger, if that vomit was carcinogenic. The group did, however, recognise that smoking is an addiction and that it is very difficult to quit. Therefore, the group was in favour of designated smoking areas in public places, so that smokers can still enjoy a cigarette without negatively impacting on the health of others.
# ALTERNATIVE NAME 3: Statement 3 - 
# ALTERNATIVE NAME 4: Statement 4 - Final consensus statement: The participants agreed that smoking in public places is an issue that affects both smokers and non-smokers. The final consensus view of the participants was that smoking in public places is a very real issue, as it affects the health of others and also deters people from visiting certain public places. Whilst recognising that people have the right to make individual choices, when those choices adversely affect others, the participants were of the opinion that legislation to restrict the smoking of tobacco in public places is justified. However, to avoid further stigmatisation of smokers and the increasingly negative moral overtones involved with debates on smoking in public, the participants were of the opinion that e-cigarettes should also be included in the legislation. As no participants admitted to having used e-cigarettes, the discussion only included the perspective of non-users. The general view of the group was that more research is needed into the health effects of e-cigarettes in public before a definite stance can be taken on whether they should be included in the proposed legislation. However, considering the legal and political difficulty of banning or legislating against the use of e-cigarettes when research on their health effects is scarce, the
1: 4,1,2,3
1: 2,4,1,3
1: 4,1,3,2
1: 4,2,1,3
1: 2,1,4,3