Quote Originally Posted by Jimbo View Post
How exactly do you allow the individual to deal with smoke in a restaurant or bar? It's a nice thought, but completely unrealistic.

I do agree, however, that the long term outcome can sometimes prove worse than the original problem - mankind seem to wear a curiously selective set of blinkers when it comes to foresight in certain (economic) matters: fossil fuels, sub-prime mortgages, environmental disasters....

In any event, I am all for the individual stepping up and taking personal responsibility. I genuinely am. But some things are, by their nature, group-based (like the dynamics of cigarette smoke as it disperses into enclosed spaces). Others are not applicable: school children shouldn't have to be responsible for their own safety in this way while at school IMO.

What if the article that had been posted was the opposite? "7 Year old asphyxiates in panic and agony in front of classmates. School had ignored peanut allergy warnings from parents"? Would we be sitting around talking about how the parents should have been more responsible for their child's safety in that case? Would people be claiming there's an acceptable proportion of these kinds of deaths, too bad so sad?

I don't think so. Perhaps you are right Scott. There is a herd effect here, but perhaps not where you meant it was...

James.
Individual: "Gosh, this place allows smokers. I think I will choose another establishment that caters to non-smokers."

Individual: "Damn it, there are no establishments that cater to non-smokers in this community. I think I will open my own business that DOES cater to non-smokers."

Individual: "Now I have a choice, I can choose smoking, or non-smoking establishments."