Reply #17: One doesn't depend on the other.

[mondo joe]

How does air pollution by cigarette smoke compare to air pollution by cars and industry?

It doesn't matter to the extent that the electorate is not obliged to tackle problems in any set order. They can opt to deal with the worst, with the easiest, or with all in varying degrees.

I'm not into banning cigarettes, but just as I respect the desire to mitigate auto pollution I respect the right to mitigate second hand smoke.

The people may someday opt to ban car exhaust, and that wouldn't be bad, but it's unlikely to happen since we have a culture and economy that depends on cars.

I don't see most smoking bans as infringing on personal freedoms - I don't believe poisoning others is a right (though I believe poisoning yourself should be).

Although I am not a particular proponent of smoking bans, I am decidedly opposed to inaccuracy and fallacy - hence my response to the OP.