Smoking

[Willowbilly3]

Since we have a very productive DUI thread, let's bang this around a little.
A couple months ago South Dakota passed a no smoking law, it went on the ballot and won by 65% popular vote. I doubt if most people who voted really knew what the results would bring. No smoking in any public place, except 3 cigar stores in the state. This might seem like a great deal to those offended by smoke but now there's a back wash. Almost immediately the revenue to the Deadwood casinos dropped. The people who depend on tips say the tips are half. The very first month the city lost 2.4 million in revenue. I don't have the figures on the State's loss of revenue but it has to be hitting them hard in a year where there is a budget shortfall and talks of cutting school budgets ect. Now keep in mind there were already non smoking casinos and several others had whole wings that were non smoking.
Personally I see it as another freedom lost. The freedom for business owners to decide for themselves. They should be able to decide if they want a smoking casino just like you can choose whether or not you want to go in.

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

Personally I see it as another freedom lost. The freedom for business owners to decide for themselves. They should be able to decide if they want a smoking casino just like you can choose whether or not you want to go in.

Here here! Yet another example of big government telling people what they can and cannot do of their own free will. I'm not a smoker and never have been, but if someone chooses to smoke that is their perogative - just as it is my choice to be around them when they do it or not. I do not allow anyone to smoke in my home, because that is MY home. If I owned a business I would want to have that same freedom of choice. If a business such as a bar wants to allow smoking, that is THEIR perogative. Like it or not, drinking & smoking go hand in hand. I'm not a fan smoking, but I have the right to choose to go into that bar or not.

Big Government = Big Brother. Our freedoms are being slowly removed under the guise of "our" best interests. Just say NO!

 

[Hydrocarbon Rocket]

Long as they don't blow it in my face, they can smoke like a freight train. They have done that in Tennessee. It's nice to go in the Cracker Barrell or Pizza Hut and not have to smell it. I know they had a smoking section but, just one will stink up the whole place. I used to smoke but I don't think my cigs stunk as bad as these now days. I was never to the point where I could'nt eat a meal without one. I guess thats why I'm fat.

 

[earthman]

 

[Willowbilly3]

I have also heard that Michelle Obama is working on some sort of legislation for healthy food, so you won't be able to choose to eat a good greasy old slider anymore.

 

[DavidJ]

very well said. We lose more freedoms every day and many people just say oh well that will not affect me but it will sooner or later.

 

[Lightning]

You may not get what you want - but - you get what you need - - - they know what is best for you whether you like it or not.

 

[hotrod preacher]

they cut the public smoking out b/c of the "best interests" of others.....
next it will be something else--probably fast food like someone mentioned
before long everyone will have to conform to the rules the govt sets up but doesn't have to follow themselves.....

it is a sad commentary on the good ol' U. S. of A.

 

[donsrods]

As a non smoker, I have to say your right to smoke ends at the end of your nose and my rights to not smell your smoke begins at my nose. Florida has had this law for years now and all the doom and gloom about restaurant revenues, bars closing, etc only lasted a very short period of time..........nothing changed and people who were driven out of smokey places started to come back because they could now enjoy a meal without gagging.

Here it is called the Florida Clean Air Act, and extends even into the workplace, smokers have to go outside and smoke. Some places still allow smoking, like outside dining at a restaurant, but the insides are absolutely off limits.

Let's face facts. Smoking is a dirty, unhealthy, and expensive practice. Why should the majority of us who choose not to inhale known cancer causing agents be forced to endure it because others are smokers? It is so nice to go to places now and be able to enjoy that steak without an inconsiderate tablemate or person at the next table ruining the taste.

Get used to it guys, the days of smoking being "cool" are over. If 65% of the people voted for it, how is that Government intervention? The majority spoke........Democracy at it's best!!!!

Don

 

[dmw56]

The way I see it smoking is not a right or freedom! They have had a no smoking law in CA for years. Been that way in NM for a few years. I think it's great. I hate smoke! You can still smoke in the Pueblo Casinos though.

 

[donsrods]

I mentioned I have been taking a lady friend to have her car interlock checked and for groceries and things until she gets the interlock off. She is a smoker, a heavy smoker, and I hate to get into her car to drive it when we take it. Even when she gets in my car it stinks like smoke for days. If I go to her home and am inside for only 15 minutes I have to come home and wash my clothes and shower, it is that bad.

Funny story. She watched my Son Don's cat for a few days when he was on vacation one time. He stopped over the shop after picking up the cat and said to me "Smell Sassy." The cat reaked of smoke! We thought it was funny, but I bet the cat's lungs didn't.

Don

 

[RPM]

As a non smoker, I have to say your right to smoke ends at the end of your nose and my rights to not smell your smoke begins at my nose. Florida has had this law for years now and all the doom and gloom about restaurant revenues, bars closing, etc only lasted a very short period of time..........nothing changed and people who were driven out of smokey places started to come back because they could now enjoy a meal without gagging.

Here it is called the Florida Clean Air Act, and extends even into the workplace, smokers have to go outside and smoke. Some places still allow smoking, like outside dining at a restaurant, but the insides are absolutely off limits.

Let's face facts. Smoking is a dirty, unhealthy, and expensive practice. Why should the majority of us who choose not to inhale known cancer causing agents be forced to endure it because others are smokers? It is so nice to go to places now and be able to enjoy that steak without an inconsiderate tablemate or person at the next table ruining the taste.

Get used to it guys, the days of smoking being "cool" are over. If 65% of the people voted for it, how is that Government intervention? The majority spoke........Democracy at it's best!!!!

Don

They have had this in TN for several year now and I like it. If you want to smoke that is fine as long as I can't smell it. Here in TN you can't smoke with in 50 feet outside of any public building.

 

[ANNAMEL]

I am with ya on this one. Just wish it was the owners making the decission instead of big gov. Ya know we should be working on our projects.LOL

 

[busch]

As a non smoker, I have to say your right to smoke ends at the end of your nose and my rights to not smell your smoke begins at my nose. Florida has had this law for years now and all the doom and gloom about restaurant revenues, bars closing, etc only lasted a very short period of time..........nothing changed and people who were driven out of smokey places started to come back because they could now enjoy a meal without gagging.

X2 [cl
My neighbor and his wife smoke minimum 2 packs a day 60 packs a month x 5
$300 bucks a month wont quit but doesn't smoke in the house only garage or out side can't have kids breathing second hand smoke its bad for you go figure

 

[Ol Blue]

It's a property rights issue. Not being able to run a business the way you want to is no different than being denied the right to keep a future project car in your yard, even if it is out of sight. It's not right.

 

[anvil]

Yea if I open a store It should be MY choice!! You do not have to shop or eat here!! And those laws are just a sing of how we have lost our rights.Here they just out lawed the fake ones because they look to real. Oh and I do not smoke and never even tried one.

 

[cantwell.colton]

any one of you who agree with the content of this law should consider the notion that youre saying it IS OK to take away rights of Humans -- basically what youre saying --
can also be translated to:

the right to drive your hot rod ends as soon as you start up that car - no driving that gas smelling pos on public roads - it stinks up and pollutes my air -

the right to wear the deodorant or cologne you wear - or DONT WEAR - stinks -

the right to drive a diesel

the right to barbque

the right to eat beans/chili (flatulence)

I think you get the point.... now I am a smoker ... and i dont think you should be allowed to smoke say, in a restaurant ... but in a Casino or bar? - yea cloud up that air - --- right by a door way not really necessary , but in a public park - absolutely -- on a college campus>? yes

- as said - i dont think people should eat fast food but im not going to outlaw McDonalds -- you arent going to get cancer walking by a guy sitting by himself on a park bench -- I promise... so whats the argument? it smells bad? - hardly an argument at all...

i just find it amusing that some of you consider the idea or notion that denying or removal of some rights , whether person or owner rights , is OK - as long as they are not rights that you partake in or indulge from time to time

-- like me saying that i dont own any guns so NO ONE should own guns

-- i dont drink alcohol or think anything truly good can come from alcohol but i definately dont think it should be illegal -

 

[Willowbilly3]

They have had this in TN for several year now and I like it. If you want to smoke that is fine as long as I can't smell it. Here in TN you can't smoke with in 50 feet outside of any public building.

I actually think that's not a bad idea. When they first outlawed smoking in government offices in Texas, the front door turned into a huge smelly ash tray. People need to go in there to do business. You CHOOSE to go into a restaurant and if it's a smoking restaurant and you don't like it, don't go in. How simple is that?
Like cantwell.colton said, where does it stop. I shouldn't have to smell of stanky cheap old lady perfume or someone's bo. How many people who gripe about the health hazards of smoking are sucking down 15 diet Mt.Dews every day.

 

[EnglishBob]

I was a heavy smoker for over 30 years and the non smoking laws being introduces actually helped me quit.
One thing no-one seems to think about is the staff at the businesses that you would let choose if they allow smoking or not,they wouldn't be given that choice.
Don't ever think that smoking and DUI are similar..one's illegal and for a little while longer one isn't.

 

[donsrods]

I'll tell you why I never ever thought of starting to smoke. My Dad was a musician and smoked since he was 12. He had his first heart attack at about 37 or so, and back then heart surgery and things like bypasses were unheard of. I remember being a kid of about 10 and my Dad would want to play ball with me and half way through he would have to hold his chest, take some nitroglycerin tablets, and sit down. He would get so frustrated, and would tell me time after time, "if I EVER see you with a cigarette in your hand I will break your fingers, no matter how old you are. "

My Dad died when I was 11, he was 47. I wish he were alive to see how I have grown up and to see his Grandsons. He would have loved them, espeically since they are musicians too. I vowed my Sons would never have to grow up without a Father like I did, and not smoking was one way of keeping that promise.

I know we all have firm opinions on this subject on both sides of the argument, but the one fact no one can debate is that smokers raise their risks of heart attack, strokes, and cancer. Taking that drag mot only affects your life, but the lives of those you might leave with a hole in their lives, just like me, growing up without my Dad . Kids are also very good at wanting to be like Dad, and if they see you smoking the chances that they will also smoke are greatly increased.

Don