Smokers rights are being infringed upon again. And, it’s not without reason.
This past weekend, there was a ball tournament at the Beachburg ball field for the youngest of the ball players. There were several teams participating, which means there was no shortage of children running around.
Watching children running around and having fun is one of life’s greatest pleasures.
What isn’t the greatest pleasure is seeing adults smoking around children.
We all know smoking is bad for us. We also know second-hand smoke is worse. It’s also a known fact that smoking is an addiction. And, those who smoke, need to light up the cigarette, inhale and exhale the smoke — feeling a great release.
What is difficult to understand is why, knowing the dangers, some smokers continue to smoke around others, let alone children.
Smokers question why their rights are being infringed upon as smokers — we all know the reason — because second hand smoke is just as dangerous, if not more so, than smoking the cigarette itself.
But, after the display on the weekend, it’s not difficult to find reasons to infringe on their rights more — because some are not respectful enough to know when and where not to smoke.
New rules became enforceable on Jan. 1. The provincial legislation states it is now illegal to smoke within 20 metres (66 feet) of the perimeter of children’s playgrounds and publicly owned sports fields.
So, while it wasn’t illegal to smoke at the ball field, because it’s privately owned, it was illegal to smoke within the 20 metre (66 foot) perimeter of the nearby playground, which just happens to include the bleachers at the ball field.
New signs are soon to be erected within Whitewater Region at 12 playgrounds and eight sports fields. We can only hope the smokers will abide by the signs and not smoke within the 20 metre perimeter.
Smokers — you have no one to blame but those disrespectful smokers who believe they have the right to smoke whenever and wherever they want. Let’s hope those disrespectful smokers will learn to be respectful so smokers rights won’t be further infringed upon.
