Should it be legal to forbid citizens from smoking in public places?

Since we have learned in class that second hand smoke it actually more dangerous than smoking yourself, I find banning smoking in public areas completely acceptable. Some smokers on the other hand have a different opinion. According to Frank Zieran, he feels, “it’s almost like a dictatorship, telling us we cant do that [smoke in the park].” The law that bans smoking in public places was “aimed at reducing exposure to secondhand smoke, but the city health officials also want to stop a new generation from picking up the habit.” I think it should be legal to forbid smoking in public places because it is harming others around you, but smokers may have a different opinion. 

 http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/05/23/nyc-smokers-now-prohibited-from-lighting-up-in-many-public-places/

Sarah F Meyer