[redwitch]

Let me see if I have this straight. You chose to sit outside to eat. You knew that smoking was allowed in that outside area but, since there were no smokers present, that made it okay for you to dine outside and then complain when someone sat down to smoke near you? Sorry, the law in Florida permits smoking outside. You knew this. No question that if you don't like the law, you have the right to change that law.

Do you know for a fact that the young man smoking did not live in TV? Do you also plan to propose that non-Villagers be banned from the town squares, which are public areas?

I wholeheartedly agree that if you don't like something, work to have it changed, but to rail against someone who is doing something entirely legal just doesn't sound right to me. You were flat out rude to the young man, who was technically within his rights to smoke.

I rarely have a drink and never more than one if I'm out in public. Seeing someone drunk makes me downright uncomfortable and fearful. Drinking and driving is absolutely against the law. Too many have been injured or died because of drunk driving. Given these facts, should I now campaign to ban any public drinking? Should I complain when I see you have your third glass of wine in the square?

Yes, smoke smells. Yes, second hand smoke can be dangerous (more so indoors than outdoors). Yes, smoke litter is unsightly. However, alcohol smells and if you spill some on me (has happened more than once), I take home the smell. Drinking has caused many deaths. Empty beer receptacles and plastic cups are seen all over TV after the squares close. I've had to avoid more than one of the small bottles of booze when driving my golf cart.

Smokers have become second-class citizens. Can't raise taxes to the general populance, raise taxes for the "luxuries." I really doubt there is a smoker today who wouldn't quit if s/he could. Not everyone can.

Regardless, the point is you chose to smoke where you KNEW smoking was allowed and then had the absolute gall to complain when someone dared smoke in your presence.