Welcome to Gaia! ::

i have to agree with everyone else and say that i don't like smoking, and i've known plenty of people who do, and while i don't like that they smoke, it's their choice. i'll tolerate it as long as they don't light up and smoke while i'm around. unfortunately, the parents of the majority of my friends when i was younger smoked, and my parents hated it when i went to their houses because i always smelled like cigarette smoke when i came back.
nowadays, i kinda laugh at those same friends (who i grew apart from during high school), because one once threatened her mother that she would run away if she didn't stop smoking, and then i see her about a year after i grew apart from her and what do you know; she was smoking. another had asthma (likely related to her mother smoking); guess what? she started smoking. but i guess it was inevitable, and i really shouldn't laugh or feel disappointed in them because it's probably not their fault.

but back to the issue at hand, i do agree that smoking laws are getting a tad ridiculous, even if it's for the good of the general public. while i don't like smoking (and i've never tried it; probably never will because even the smell of smoke on someone's clothes makes me want to start coughing), i do sympathize with smokers. i don't like them hanging out around the entrance of the mall, but i commend their determination to brave even the crappiest of weather just for a drag, even as the government seems to be conspiring against them. and the thing is, even if they outright ban smoking (which i doubt they would, considering how much money they seem to wring from tobacco sales), it's not going to stop the smoking. people are still going to do it, possibly even more since it's illegal and the risk just adds to the thrill. it's the same for all drugs; you can't get rid of it, because someone in the background will probably be making a profit off keeping it going illegally.

as for Gaia's decision, Crim has the right idea; they could have modified or renamed the items to be just toy items like a chocolate cigarette or a bubble pipe (i know i would buy one XD especially if it actually had bubbles coming out of it!). to outright ban them, make them unsellable and give no warning at all when there are plenty of much more offensive items on the site is stupid.

Pretty much to what others already said.

Personally, I acutally like the ban. I wish they would ban it here especially on campus.
I don't care that other people smoke. But there are WAY too many. So much that everytime I walk out onto the street Im ALWAYS near someone that smokes. And I live in a pretty empty street.

And yea, public places are open. But there's also the wind. No matter where I stand, I can stand 10 houses behind/in front. if a strong enough wind is blowing in my direction. (Which is pretty windy here) I can smell it. And I really hate that smell. Because everytime I smell it, it makes me REALLY sick. I stopped going to our park down the street just because people are always there, and at least one of them smokes. I use to love going to the parks, now, I just hate walking anywhere near there.

I always have to stop to let people smoking pass or out of sight before I start walking, because If I breath it in for more than a couple breathes, I feel dizzy. But half the time, when I wait for someone to be away from me some other person who smokes comes.

And its worst when I have to work with people that smokes/just smoked before meeting up. I would honestly have to leave. I mean, I don't have anything agaisnt the PERSON that smoke. I. Just. Don't. Like. Smoking. In the summer I have to keep the house windows locked up everytime my neighbours smoke, which winter, ok. But summer is always hell for me. Esp my room is so damn HOT!