Pernicious habits and human rights

Pernicious habits are a very serious problem for the majority of people in our society in general. This is a very widespread claim which can be found in many books, articles, medical forums, etc. But let's have a deeper look on this problem. Is it a problem by the way? Of course it is for some individuals. But as for the whole society, it is rather a daring statement. We can't make such global conclusion about the whole society. This problem can be urgent only for individuals. For example, if a person is suffering from alcoholism and it causes harm to him only and not to other people, then it is his own problem. But if it touches other people's interests, for example family, children, relatives, than we can claim that in this case it is a real problem and if we take into account the fact that it happens very often in many families, affects the whole society in general and reduces the overall productive efficiency, then we should admit, that this problem is urgent for the whole mankind and therefore it can't be ignored.

As for alcoholism, it is clear, that it is the overall problem for our society. But let's consider another habit - smoking. Of course, smoking brings a lot of harm for people's health but on the other hand it is not so harmful for the whole society in general. For example, if a man is smoking, it doesn't prevent him from earning money, bringing-up children, loving his wife and from being a good husband. We can't claim imperatively, that smoking reduces the overall efficiency and so on. The problem of smoking as well as other pernicious habits is closely connected with violation of human rights. On the one hand our society tries to fight with smoking by means of various laws and regulations, which forbid smoking in different places, for example restaurants, cafes, bars, bubs, etc. But it really violates smokers' rights. Smokers are also people, which have their own habits, addictions and wishes. They consider these rules and regulations as an encroachment on their rights. The matter is that smoking in general is not forbidden by the law. So, when such rules and regulations appear, they violate their rights and freedoms. For example, when smokers are not allowed to smoke elsewhere, it violates their right for freedom of movement. When they are not allowed to smoke during their breaks, it violates their right for having rest and so on. Different laws often contradict each other and this problem will exist forever.

Now let's talk about those people, who are victims of other people's pernicious habits. Let's continue to study this problem by the example of smoking and smokers. Many people hate this terrible smell and cigarette smoke and of course they can't ignore this problem. They simply cannot put up with it. It is not a mere dislike but suffering. These people initiate all these restrictive laws and rules. But how can it violate their rights, in case they don't feel this smoke, when smokers have their special rooms or places where they can smoke calmly and have a comfortable chat with their colleagues? When despite this fact smokers are not allowed to enjoy cigarettes at work at all, this is an exaggeration, overdoing and real violation of their rights. It turns out, that smokers become increasingly deprived of their rights. If they don't try to win their rights back, in some years they are likely not to be allowed to smoke elsewhere, even at home.

Maybe in general it can be regarded as care for smokers, but in particular it is incorrect to give directions for a person how he/she should live his/her life. If a person wants to die prematurely, it is his/her own choice. It resembles the problem of euthanasia. If a person has a wish to die, nobody should deprive him/her of his/her own desire. This should be the main principle for all laws and rules.