Put some teeth in the anti-smoking law for our city

Regarding the anti-smoking law under reconsideration by the T.O. City Council, I truly hope they put some teeth in it. Whether indoors or out, cigarettes stink.

When one goes to a restaurant, it's for the food, service and "atmosphere," which may include music as part of the ambiance. Smoking here is a wet blanket and truly depreciates the value of the experience, indoors or out.

When going to a venue such as a movie theater, the Civic Arts Plaza, a shopping center or public events, these experiences are all diminished by the reek of cigarette smoke.

Were smokers to exercise simple common sense, politeness and manners, this wouldn't be an issue, but most seem to feel a need to exercise their "rights" to pollute and disregard offending those who'd rather breathe clean air.

Therefore, we need another law to protect the innocent, especially our children.

Another law. Going too far? A police state? No, it's rather a necessity for a rude society. We don't tolerate public drinking, why should we tolerate any other public use of any other drug? The revenues from tickets and fines would bolster the economy.

When I take my children for an ice cream in the Janss Marketplace, I don't want them subjected to secondhand smoke. I'd rather take them home for ice cream.

When I go to a Starbucks in the morning for coffee, I want to wake up and smell the coffee, not nicotine. When I come out of a movie theater, I don't want to have to hold my breath on the way to the parking lot.

Smokers: Go on and kill yourselves. It's your right.

Just leave the rest of us alone.
Steve Gunner
Newbury Park