As someone who remembers (parts of) the 60's, I find it amazing to see people supporting an unconstitutional and neo-prohibitionist agenda who also claim to be liberal and socially progressive. It also makes me uncomfortable to find my liberal and socially progressive self agreeing with those "other" guys. Is everyone going nuts? Seattle, you like to paint yourself as a laid-back liberal town, but I got news: you're one uptight, oppressive, narrow-minded little burg.

Has it occurred to anyone that it may be a bit of a conflict of interest for the State to depend so heavily on the huge tax revenues from cigarettes as well as the tobacco settlement money, and yet take measures to ban smoking? Does anyone besides me think that's a little schizoid? What would happen to our economy if everyone quit tomorrow?

"The government is NOT trying to control you personally."

Hello? They ARE controlling us personally; that's why this is an issue. Conspiracy is covert; this is the blatant oppression of a simple freedom to pursue a legal activity.

"They are NOT taking away rights to repress you, or make you submit. They are simply taking away your right to take my rights away. That's right, I believe I have the right to go anywhere in public and not be subjected to second hand smoke or come home smelling like a burned-out cigarette."

And I believe I have the right to go anywhere in public and not be subjected to car exhaust... but do I? Cologne gives me a headache in the elevator and I don't want to smell like it when I come home. Dog poop stinks up my air. So does the stench of urine and dumpsters coming from alleys I walk by. Poor fashion choices hurt my eyes. Cars with subwoofers assault my ears with their first amendment rights.

This may come as a shock to your sense of entitlement, along with all the other neo-prohibitionists out there, but you do NOT have the right to be protected from everything that annoys you. You have the right to PURSUE happiness, not be GIVEN it. I suggest you pursue it in a place where smoking isn't allowed, and allow me MY right to pursue it where I can enjoy tobacco in sensible moderation.

Is nicotine a drug? Probably. So are alcohol, caffeine and sugar.

The 25 foot rule is 25 feet BECAUSE it's difficult to be 25 feet from one door without being within 25 feet of another. It gives the illusion of offering an option but is carefully crafted to limit them.

I'm PRO CHOICE. Are you?