I live in Southern California, USA, and I've touched on this topic a few times recently. No smoking in any public building (private business included), no smoking 20 feet from entry ways, no smoking 20 feet from any outdoor eating area, parks, beaches, bus stops, some cities it is only legal to smoke at home or in your car (unless you have kids in the car, then that's illegal too), though most clubs and bars have a smoking patio even those are going away in some places. There is also a new law against "distracted driving" which is at the officers discretion (smoking, eating, drinking, talking..... ). Effectively they have been outlawing smoking by taking away places to smoke. Do I think that is influencing peoples choices on quitting, of course they are effectively instating cessation by attrition. My inner college kid says as long as smoking is legal (as in not an illegal controlled substance), they are infringing on the rights of those people, yes I realize non-smokers have rights too, but I still find it wrong. When we allow the gov to step in and regulate our actions in that light, they start over stepping their bounds, and making passing moral laws, restricting life further and further. I can debate rights and liberties till the cows come home, not trying to stir the pot, just food for thought.
