Would the world be a better place if there were no rules against cigarette lighters and Zippo?

We all know that smoking is a bad habit. Even smokers know that smoking is a bad habit. I am also aware of the harmful effects of cigarettes, not only themselves but also for people around them. However, most smokers are quite impervious to the feelings of others. You can see them light up their cigarettes with their Zippo lighters anywhere that would leave them with utter contempt for the people around them. In fact, there should be some sort of smoking etiquette 'to follow. After all, everyone's health and welfare is at stake.

Smokefree truly smoke-free?

For the past few years, the anti-smoking campaigns have been progressive - at least in some but not all public places. Most cities around the world have banned smoking in public transport, internal structures such as shopping centers, restaurants and museums and libraries. However, smokers are still lighting up with their Zippo lighters in parks, cafes, pubs and because these are places frequented by smokers. What more laws failed to consider is the fact that non-smokers also frequent these places, if only to breathe fresh air. This is rendered impossible by the number of Zippo lighters illuminating in all directions.

Indeed, the anti-smoking propaganda must be reinforced to force smokers to conform to good manners and not involve other people in their nasty habit. The outdoor areas should be declared smoke-free. There should be proper partition between smoking and non smoking sections in restaurants to avoid blowing the smoke toward the other side. There should be cafes, pubs and rooms dedicated to the smokers, where they and their Zippo lighters can come together and kill each other, and leave the healthy population outside of it.

In Good Company

Of course, being in the company of a smoker can never be avoided, especially if a family member, friend or colleague. Brief them quarantined, smokers should follow certain decorum in the presence of a non-smoker.

For example, accessories such as smoking cigarettes, Zippo lighters, cigarette cases and should be kept out of sight, while the smokers and nonsmokers are engaged in a meal. A smoker should not be allowed to light within six feet of a nonsmoker. A smoker should have the decency to leave the room and head for the nearest smoking area to use before enlighten with Zippo lighters. In this way, the smoker is endangering not only himself and the lives of people around him.

Non-smokers also have to do their parts. After all, smokers are not aware of your feelings or at least continue to ignore until something is done about it. Remember that your silence is an encouragement. Smokers who continue to smoke and be oblivious of your feelings, if not speak. Put your foot once and for all and you will find that most smokers are decent enough to put away the cigarettes and Zippo lighters for you, at least, until you are no longer in the immediate vicinity. And that should be good enough. After all, bad habits die hard.