A moral problem has arisen, and I am debating how to deal with it. Which side should I be on? It is not a small issue, though it might seem small to people who are not involved with it. It is one of those things, like, is the cup half empty, or is it half full? Folks who are using electonic cigarettes are not to be allowed to smoke them in this courthouse. They must go outdoors with the other smoker. Here is my problem: should those folks who are using E-cigarettes be isolated for still pretending to smoke, or should they be praised for at least trying to quit? Because, you see, E-cigarettes are used for that purpose really, to help the smoker wean himself off regular cigarettes by using cigarettes that have no tobacco and no nicotine.
Electronic cigarettes get the gavel at the Westoreland County courthouse
Westmoreland County courthouse workers and visitors trying to quit smoking by using electronic cigarettes will have to go outside with the rest of the smokers.
County commissioners on Thursday updated the county’s smoking ban to include electronic cigarettes, devices that emit water vapor to simulate cigarette smoke. The ban includes other smokeless devices that mimic traditional lighted tobacco products such as cigarettes.
Court officials had complained that several visitors were using the electronic smokes in the courtrooms. Read more about electronic cigarette getting the gavel here…
BUT! The purpose of banning cigarettes inside is to prevent the building from being contaminated by tobacco smoke and nicotine. E_cigarettes, in contrast, have neither. The opposite argument, which is also not unfair, is that allowing even false cigarettes into the building creates an atmosphere in which smoking is normal, and it might cause others to backslide on their resolve not to smoke. See what I mean?
The current policy prohibits all smoking in the courthouse and limits it to designated areas outside the building.
I am puzzled about how to think about this issue. Please help me out by telling me how YOU feel about it!
