Do you smoke? Most people have been asked this question at one time or another. The topic of smoking certainly requires in-depth analysis, whether you smoke or not. This is also an issue that seems to polarize people. In this reading, we will compare the contrasting views of two different individuals. As I present the arguments, I will dissect them to truly understand their inner workings. Dr. Haviland and King cover many topics but seem to ignore others. I think there needs to be a balance when it comes to smoking, both in terms of individual rights and social responsibility. "I'd rather smoke than kiss." » » is Florence King's very clever response to anti-smokers. In this article, she advocates smoking as a simple and enjoyable thing to do. To emphasize this, she recalls her first smoking experience, which is mostly very normal and uninspiring. However, this inconsequential account does not reveal the rest of the story. King quickly changes gears as she goes on the attack. In the first section, she calls hatred of smokers a form of misanthropy which she says is "the most popular form of covert misanthropy in America today" (King 32). This perspective is further reinforced by the fact that it considers second-hand smoke to be an invention; a way for “passive Americans” (King 32) to justify prejudice against smokers. As she progresses into the second section, she begins to document the hostility shown toward smokers. Through her own personal interactions or through examples she sees in newspaper articles. King really focuses on the topic of public perception, and while some examples validate his point, others do not. We see this in his response to a Washington Post article, I......in the middle of a newspaper......someone to resign. Instead of creating ads to ostracize smokers, we should instead create ads to educate them. The issue of smoking is very complex and some arguments are beyond the scope of this essay. However, we can obtain a balanced view if we consider the following: the facts about smoking, individual rights, societal responsibility and the stigma of smoking. Haviland and King write essays that make very important points, but seem to contain bias that might alienate some people. To truly achieve consensus on the issue of smoking, we must be willing to meet each other halfway. We must find a balance between individual rights and societal responsibility. Works CitedKing, Martin Luther, Jr. “I Have a Dream.” Current issues and lingering questions. Ed. Adam Whitehurst. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin, 2014. 687-690. Print.