The Carousel Center (or Destiny USA, whatever) recently decided to issue a complete ban on smoking, throughout the entire property. In fact, the Associated Press reports it’s the first mall anywhere in the country do instate such a wide-reaching rule. I’m not ranting about the ban itself, but about the smokers who actually complained about how they feel the new policy is unfair to them.
It’s plain and simple: nobody MADE you start smoking. Nobody forced you to get addicted to nicotine. Nobody forced your first cigarette into your fingers, lift the cigarette to your open lips, and inhale. You did it all on your own. Smoking is a completely optional thing! I love it when smokers defend it, like it’s a job and they have to do it or else the world would stop spinning. Not true. People can quit. It may be tough if you’re addicted and you have little willpower or a little brain… but I personally know a few people who had the ambition and strength to quit.
Look at it from the viewpoint of non-smokers. We choose not to smoke. We recognize that smoking is a detriment to one’s health. Even further so in my own case, as I am allergic to cigarette smoke. Non-smokers don’t need to be subjected to walking through a cloud created by smokers in front of the mall entrances. As much as I hate shopping at Carousel simply because it’s such an inconvenience (out of my way, hard to find parking, idiot drivers in the lot), I applaud them for making this decision.
I do, however, have to question the enforcement. The article from NewsChannel 9 states the policy means people can’t light up a cancer stick even if they’re inside their very own car with the doors and windows closed. It says ”anyone found violating the rule will be handed a paper copy of the new policy and asked to stop.”
That’s a shame. The mall takes a bold step with a cutting-edge policy, but then they lack the power to really enforce it. If handing people copies of the policy is the only thing mall security can do, how do they expect to truly enforce this? It’s not like they have the power to actually fine people or send them to jail. Doesn’t mall security have better things to do, like watching out for shoplifters, muggers, car thieves and vandals?
Oh well. Still, if you’re a smoker and you don’t like the ban… great! I hope you really do live up to your promises to boycott Carousel. Gives non-smokers like me a better shot at finding a decent parking spot and shorter cashier lines next time I go there.
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