Final answer:
The functionalist perspective is most likely to prevail in a society that passes a law banning smoking in public places, as it seeks to maintain order and prioritize the well-being of the community.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the scenario where county residents sign a petition that leads to a ban on smoking in public places, the functionalist point of view is most likely to prevail. Functionalism, which seeks to maintain order and consensus in society, would interpret the law as a way to enforce social norms and regulate behaviors for the greater good of the community. The idea here is to preserve the health and well-being of society as a whole over individual freedoms that may jeopardize others. Contrasting perspectives like conflict theory might focus on the tensions between different interest groups, such as tobacco companies versus public health advocates, whereas symbolic interactionism may look at the meanings and interactions that individuals associate with smoking.