I get that phrase from my friends all the time. I’ve just gotten to the point were I refuse to go to a place where smoking is permitted unless I can help it – and thanks to Montgomery County’s smoking ban, I’ve been able to for the last two years. My friends always counter with “but it has a ventilation system”. Now, evidence shows that these are even worse for the non-smokers than just being around the smoke.

I am one of those party poopers who won’t go around smoke – it bothers me, it triggers allergies, asthma and sinus infections in me. Even walking past someone outside who is smoking can bother me, it doesn’t take much. I don’t care if smokers want to smoke their cancer sticks, but don’t do it where it will affect me as well.