Streetalk: Should smoking be banned in Piedmont Park?

Craig: I think it's good to ban smoking. You got some cigarette smokers who are not responsible, some who don't care if there are kids in the facility. Also, in some places cigarette smoking causes forest fires. I smoke half a pack a day. Cigarette smoking should be illegal. If they didn't allow me to smoke it would be helpful. It was a stupid thing I got into. With some help, I'd probably be able to kick the habit. One thing you have to remember is your freedom may infringe on other people. Smoking in public places destroys other people's health.

Michaelyn: Absolutely. You come here for fresh air. Cigarette smoking has nothing to do with fresh air. Cigarettes give me migraines. I walk by someone who has one little bit of cigarette smoking and it triggers migraines. I was just walking in the park. I had to go fifty feet out of my way because I saw someone smoking. I knew I would get a migraine if I walked by. What if I came here for a run and I got a migraine? That's wrong. I want to go to my in my city to go running, but I can't because people come here to smoke.

Chip: That's absolutely ludicrous and absurd. I'm responsible when I smoke. I keep the butt and make sure it ends up in a trash can. I want to smoke in a park, and I do. It's no longer my problem if someone is next to me. Move away from me. It's absurd that someone's smoking is taking away their fresh air. It's a big fuckin' huge outdoor park. As long as I'm not bothering someone directly, I should be allowed to do what I want. This is America.

(Photos by Jeff Slate)