RE: http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20...0303/1015/OPINIONS01
I wish to express my view on smoking in public places. The attached text document expresses my views.
Thank you,
Bill Simpson
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
quote:Originally posted by bubba81962:
I absolutely support a smoking ban in public places. This has never been the land of the free, it is a democracy and I think the majority supports a ban according to the polls I have seen. If our sorry municipal government would get off their collective a/s/s/e/s and do something they have a chance to make a difference in our city.
quote:Originally posted by MarriedSoon:
There was research done in Birmingham after they put a smoking ban in place. Everywhere that had the smoking ban actually benefitted from it. Sales went up. Initially, Birmingham was not in favor of the ban but once they saw the outcome, they were ecstatic. Smokers always say that it is their right to smoke and anyone that doesn't like it can go else where. That works both ways, if the smokers do not like the smoke free environment, they can also go elsewhere or stay at home.
quote:Originally posted by MarriedSoon:
I'm a smoker so I push nothing on anyone. I don't think the smoking ban has anything to do with morals though. Smoking is not an issue of morals. Smoking is an issue of personal choice and I respect the people that do not want to be exposed. Just because I make the decision to smoke doesn't mean that I should also make the decision for the person sitting next to me. If they do not want to smoke, it isn't my place to subject them to second hand smoke. They aren't harming me by not smoking so why should I harm them by smoking? Everyone has the right to clean air if they want to take advantage of it.
quote:Originally posted by Southern Patriot:
Who is the gov't to institue smoking bans. The last time I checked, cigarette's are legal. Let the market sort it out. If smoking is a big enough issue, then you will see a lot of non-smoking bars and restaurants open up due to demand. As far as somking establishments, if you don't want to be around smokers, don't go there. Also, the excuse about the workers doesn't hold water. If the workers don't want to work in that enviorment they can go to work elsewhere.
The last I heard this was supposed to be "the land of the free". If this nanny state continues to grow, you won't be able to leave your house without getting approval from you local municipal board to do so.
The gov't job is to fix the roads, keep us safe... and that's about it. The rest of this crap, they need to leave alone.
quote:Originally posted by MarriedSoon:
I agree with the statement "The gov't job is to fix the roads, keep us safe... and that's about it." I think keeping us safe would also mean to keep nonsmokers "safe" from cancer that someone else is pushing on them. So, I guess the non smoking ban shows that the goverment is doing their job if part of it includes keeping people safe.
quote:Originally posted by PBA:quote:Originally posted by Southern Patriot:
Who is the gov't to institue smoking bans. The last time I checked, cigarette's are legal. Let the market sort it out. If smoking is a big enough issue, then you will see a lot of non-smoking bars and restaurants open up due to demand. As far as somking establishments, if you don't want to be around smokers, don't go there. Also, the excuse about the workers doesn't hold water. If the workers don't want to work in that enviorment they can go to work elsewhere.
The last I heard this was supposed to be "the land of the free". If this nanny state continues to grow, you won't be able to leave your house without getting approval from you local municipal board to do so.
The gov't job is to fix the roads, keep us safe... and that's about it. The rest of this crap, they need to leave alone.
Dang, Well Said Southern Patriot!!! The gov't job is to fix the roads, keep us safe... Yep,keeping us safe would be to make sure we have food to eat,medical care for the sick,police to lock up bad guys,and keeping the land of the free, FREE!
quote:Originally posted by Southern Patriot:quote:Originally posted by PBA:quote:Originally posted by Southern Patriot:
Who is the gov't to institue smoking bans. The last time I checked, cigarette's are legal. Let the market sort it out. If smoking is a big enough issue, then you will see a lot of non-smoking bars and restaurants open up due to demand. As far as somking establishments, if you don't want to be around smokers, don't go there. Also, the excuse about the workers doesn't hold water. If the workers don't want to work in that enviorment they can go to work elsewhere.
The last I heard this was supposed to be "the land of the free". If this nanny state continues to grow, you won't be able to leave your house without getting approval from you local municipal board to do so.
The gov't job is to fix the roads, keep us safe... and that's about it. The rest of this crap, they need to leave alone.
Dang, Well Said Southern Patriot!!! The gov't job is to fix the roads, keep us safe... Yep,keeping us safe would be to make sure we have food to eat,medical care for the sick,police to lock up bad guys,and keeping the land of the free, FREE!
It's not the gov't job to feed you or give you medical care PBA and you know it, unless you just like a hand out. How bout the gov't lets you keep more of your money and you can buy your own food and medical care a whole heck of a lot easier. You might even donate some of your money to organizations who would feed the hungry and provide medical care for the needy that is a whole lot more fiscally responsible than our gov't is.
quote:Originally posted by MarriedSoon:
I think keeping us safe would also mean to keep nonsmokers "safe" from cancer that someone else is pushing on them.
quote:Originally posted by SaltyDog:
I am a smoker but don't have a problem with going outside of a restaurant to do it. Actually, my husband and kids always ask me if I don't need to go smoke coz it always makes the food come the second I step out the door, lol! Having said that, I'd like to ask a favor of all you nonsmokers who ask for the "first available" seating in a restaurant where they DO allow smoking...please don't ask for "first available", go to the smoking section because it's free first, and then sit and glare at me because I am smoking. Thanks!
quote:Originally posted by PBA:quote:Originally posted by SaltyDog:
I am a smoker but don't have a problem with going outside of a restaurant to do it. Actually, my husband and kids always ask me if I don't need to go smoke coz it always makes the food come the second I step out the door, lol! Having said that, I'd like to ask a favor of all you nonsmokers who ask for the "first available" seating in a restaurant where they DO allow smoking...please don't ask for "first available", go to the smoking section because it's free first, and then sit and glare at me because I am smoking. Thanks!
Have you ever run into jerks that have the balls to say your cologne offends me? lol. It has not happen to me, but I have heard other people say it happen to them. lol
quote:Originally posted by paw-paw:
Hello, I'm from the goverment and I'm here to help you.
When you hear this, you know you are screwed.
quote:Originally posted by PBA:quote:Originally posted by Southern Patriot:
Who is the gov't to institue smoking bans. The last time I checked, cigarette's are legal. Let the market sort it out. If smoking is a big enough issue, then you will see a lot of non-smoking bars and restaurants open up due to demand. As far as somking establishments, if you don't want to be around smokers, don't go there. Also, the excuse about the workers doesn't hold water. If the workers don't want to work in that enviorment they can go to work elsewhere.
The last I heard this was supposed to be "the land of the free". If this nanny state continues to grow, you won't be able to leave your house without getting approval from you local municipal board to do so.
The gov't job is to fix the roads, keep us safe... and that's about it. The rest of this crap, they need to leave alone.
Dang, Well Said Southern Patriot!!! The gov't job is to fix the roads, keep us safe... Yep,keeping us safe would be to make sure we have food to eat,medical care for the sick,police to lock up bad guys,and keeping the land of the free, FREE!
quote:Originally posted by zippadeedoodah:
Whine about the nanny state all you want. One smoker can completely stink up the inside of any business, restaurant, or bar. One non-smoker might only be quietly obnoxious. I wouldn't have a problem with smokers in public if they wrapped themselves in impermeable plastic and kept their stink inside with them, rather than sharing it with the world. That would also go along with overpowering perfume. The rest of it, like size 24W stretch pants, 300 pound women in bare midriff shirts and "JUICY" shorts, and teenage boys with six inches of their underwear showing above their belts...well, at least you don't have to breathe their fumes. Mostly.
quote:Originally posted by SHELDIVR:
It is a public health issue...smoking tobacco in confined spaces to the extent that others are inhaling that did not intend to inhale. The same government that operates the CDC, Center for Disease Control and the same government that had manufacturers place health hazard warnings on cigarette packs, can also invoke and enforce smoking bans in enclosed, confined spaces where air is re-breathed, such as restaurants, bars and other small businesses.
The same government that wiped out smallpox, polio and other illnesses by requiring vaccinations, can also, in the interest of public health, ban smoking in confined spaces.
For all the years that I was a smoker, I apologize to everyone I offended or endangered with my smoke and my inconsiderate attitude toward others who did not chose to smoke my smoke.
quote:Originally posted by Southern Patriot:
The question is though, who are you to push your values onto the rest of the populace? Is there a problem with letting the free market sort it out or are you just bound and determined to push your beliefs on me?
quote:Originally posted by CrustyMac:quote:Originally posted by Southern Patriot:
The question is though, who are you to push your values onto the rest of the populace? Is there a problem with letting the free market sort it out or are you just bound and determined to push your beliefs on me?
Actually, that isn't the question at all. If I brought a skunk into a restaurant everyone there would have a hissy fit and I'd be thrown out. If you bring your equally stinky tobacco into a restaurant, you should expect the same.
quote:Originally posted by FDR:
What gives government the right to regulate cleanliness in a restaurant? To rate establishments? To close down unclean places? Common sense, that's what. It is entirely appropriate. Does a person have a right to blow a known carcinogen into the air in a restaurant? Of course not. No more than a person would have a right to bring a rat into a restaurant. Or to run a restaurant dirty and unclean and unhealthy in any regard. A private place is still public in the sense that government does have authority there. If a crime is committed in a private place the police still come and investigate. By what authority? It is private. This shows the fallacy of the argument that government has no business telling a business not to allow smoking. It not only has a right to do this, it has a duty to do it. A restaurant is a quasi-public place even if it is private owned. The same government that insures food safety, can and should ensure air safety as well. People have a right to expect that when they are in certain places they are protected form harmful situations, within reason. Government doing what it can to stop a carcinogen from being blown into the air in a restaurant is within reason. As is it doing what it can to make sure the food is fresh and the place is clean. It's a no-brainer.
quote:Originally posted by FDR:
The non-smoker's reasonable expectation that they can have safe air to breath trumps a smoker's "right" to smoke anywhere he wants to. By a long shot.
quote:Originally posted by FDR:
The non-smoker's reasonable expectation that they can have safe air to breath trumps a smoker's "right" to smoke anywhere he wants to. By a long shot.