bella
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Post by bella on May 21, 2012 15:22:54 GMT -5
Did not know where to put this, but it has to do with health, sooo......
The city of Springfield has a no-smoking ban in place; no smoking in any bar or restaurant, unless a certain percentage of the sales are for food. They are trying to amend this now, as this takes business away from the smoke shops, for one, where you can't sample a blend before you buy it since the ban.
This includes the e-cigarettes. What are your views?? While we all know smoking isn't healthy, shouldn't we have a choice??
I think it shoiuld be up to the restaurant/bar owner whether it is allowed or not. Having a non-smoking area is one option. They pay taxes, shouldn't they have a choice how to run their business??
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Post by bluelacedredhead on May 21, 2012 16:21:44 GMT -5
If people don't want to quit, that's their business. I smoked for 35 years and then quit. Almost 10 years later, my opinion is: It's expensive, it's filthy, it stinks. And most of all, Second hand Smoke is as lethal to others as smoking is to those who smoke.
It's been illegal in my city to smoke in a workplace since the late 1980's. Let me tell you, there's nothing like having to go outside, 10 feet from a building in a snow storm to have a puff. That wasn't the reason that I quit a few years later, but I just shake my head now when I see people who feel they must do so.
As of May 31, 2012, it will be illegal to smoke in public parks, arenas, stadiums, recreation centres, dog parks, beaches, skateboard parks where I live. Personally, I think it's disgusting when I see mothers of young children sitting at the park puffing away and absorbed in texting while their children are playing on the ground amongst cigarette butts.
Personal opinion aside, here's the city's reasoning. I've also followed up their list of reasons with some facts about anti-smoking laws in and around the Province of Ontario.
•protecting the health and safety of the community, especially children •supporting local groups who use City facilities to promote healthy lifestyles •reducing cigarette butt litter, environmental degradation and improving city image •reducing risks of fire and health hazards for children •positive role-modeling for children and youth to decrease the likelihood of them starting smoking •providing smoke-free environments to encourage people who smoke to quit
Retail behind-counter displays of tobacco were banned after 2008. In 2009, Ontario also outlawed smoking in vehicles carrying children. On June 1, 2006, the Smoke-Free Ontario Act prohibited smoking in all workplaces and enclosed spaces open to the public, except for private homes and hotel rooms.
By the numbers Five per cent of the world's population is protected by comprehensive smoke-free laws. Tobacco use has been linked with one in 10 deaths among adults worldwide. About 21 per cent of Canadians were smokers in 2010. Smoking prevalence among Canadians 25 and older dropped from 19 per cent in 2007 to 17 per cent in 2008. In Toronto in 2004, all bars, pool halls, bingo halls, casinos, and racetracks became smoke-free, with fines ranging from $205 to $5,000. A plan to outlaw smoking rooms by 2005 was sent back to council for review. The Northwestern (Ontario) Health Unit banned smoking in all public places and private businesses as of Jan. 1, 2003, with fines ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. The City of Ottawa banned smoking in all workplaces and public spaces, with no allowance for designated smoking rooms, on Aug. 1, 2001. It's illegal to sell tobacco at hospitals, psychiatric facilities, nursing homes, long-term-care facilities and charitable institutions.
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Post by catgrass on May 22, 2012 10:32:38 GMT -5
Wow, Blue-you go! I agree with the expensive, stinks and unhealthy part. Smoking is banned in all restaurants in my area, and I for one, am glad. I can't stand to eat smelling that stuff! However, I'm on the fence about "choice". Just choose where, I guess!
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Post by kay on May 22, 2012 10:54:33 GMT -5
NC banned smoking in all but cigar bars a couple years ago.
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bella
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Post by bella on May 22, 2012 15:55:01 GMT -5
While I agree with all of you on the nastiness, expense, and mess that goes along with smoking, I still don't go along with the banning of it, unless the owner of an establishment makes that decision.
How long before we are no longer allowed to smoke on our own property?? Who would seriously go along with that??
Ok, I guess this might be too political for some....I was just really curious as to what your opinions might be.
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Post by marielouise on May 22, 2012 18:49:21 GMT -5
Also have concerns about just where we draw the line with many of these laws . With some of whats going on around our country with the various protests --- Occupy this and that --- it does worry me.
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Post by catgrass on May 23, 2012 15:05:03 GMT -5
Also, in our state, it is against the law to smoke in your vehicle if a child is present. I think that is pushing it a little. While I wouldn't want my child exposed to the smoke, I think making it a "law" is going a little far.
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Post by gulfcoastguy on May 23, 2012 23:17:07 GMT -5
Wafflehouse has a none smoking side and a smoking side. The last nonsmoking stool is 3 feet away from the first smoking stool. I guess that magic invisible wall keeps all the carcinogens on their side cuz it sure doesn't keep the stink away.
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bella
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Post by bella on May 23, 2012 23:58:57 GMT -5
LOL, gulfcoastguy - isn't that the truth!! Or some places have a separate smoking room; complete with ceiling fan that blows the smoke all over, including to the non-smoking room. marie and catgrass, I feel that way, too. Shouldn't have to be so many 'laws' prohibiting things, let it be up to the individuals. NOT saying it's really ok to smoke around children. I really don't know how to educate people enough to make them really try to quit....these days we know how bad it is, and in spite of all that, so many still do. I guess if insurance companies didn't cover smoking-related diseases, OR the price of cigarettes went sky-high, might that be enough???
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Post by bluelacedredhead on May 24, 2012 7:32:42 GMT -5
Cigarettes are over $10 a pack here yet people still smoke, and more often that not, it's the low income people. Not really a way to get ahead financially when it can cost up to $20 a day for the habit if you smoke two packs a day. When we moved here last year, none of the neighbours smoked. However, the girl next door started again when her father moved in who must chainsmoke in his sleep. My driveway stinks of smoke from him smoking in his room and leaving the window open. Some days when I go outside , one is smoking on the front porch, one on the back deck. I wish they would go puff their brains out together so at least I could sit in my yard without inhaling their stench. We have talked about putting a large box fan on our deck and aiming it back at them. Hopefully, they'll take the hint.
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Post by bluelacedredhead on May 24, 2012 7:38:24 GMT -5
Also, in our state, it is against the law to smoke in your vehicle if a child is present. I think that is pushing it a little. While I wouldn't want my child exposed to the smoke, I think making it a "law" is going a little far. If that's the only way to protect children, then more power to bylaw enforcement. Child abuse kills, or emotionally destroys children and we have laws for that. Second hand smoke can kill so it only makes sense to protect our children and future generations by enacting laws if necessary.
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Post by w8n4dave on May 24, 2012 22:41:17 GMT -5
We have laws that if there is food served you cannot smoke in the building, alot of bars were not happy and I for one thought that it ridicules to make the bars stop people from smoking... 1 if they are drinking they should eat something , and if they get drunk they have a chance to kill someone, when they walk out and drive... Alot of bars have built an outdoor patio so they can go out and smoke ... Alot of restaurants also .. I say good for them go out and smoke , It is a nasty habit I smoked for a minute and quit because it was stupid!! LOL And it is!! We have friends that smoke and I have a butt bucket they put their butts into , our one friend said wow your making me feel guilty , I said when you leave we walk around and pick up your cigaret butts, this way .. it saves our backs... go to their house and a million butts all over their yard.. They don't smoke in their house..
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bella
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Post by bella on May 25, 2012 0:06:00 GMT -5
Blue, you have a point about protecting children, but do we really need more laws?? What next....we know that fast food in general isn't good for children, so do we need a law to stop us from taking them into McDonald's or other fast food places?? I for one, don't like the idea of a 'nanny' government to tell us how to raise our kids, and it seems to me that's where we're headed. I don't think that all vaccinations are necessary, some downright dangerous, and yet you can go to jail if you choose not to have your children get all the childhood vaccinations. OR, if you and the child choose an alternative treatment for their cancer or other disease. To me, it is just going too far. Sure, some of this might be for 'our own good', but there has to be a limit, right??
Wendy, that is so rude when people toss their cigarette butts all over in the yard. I should think they could hold off from smoking when they are visiting those who don't smoke - or else, maybe you should send the butt can home with them to dispose of. ;D
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