Calabasas, CA: Help Stop The Attack On Your Rights!!!
Posted on 03/17/2006 6:35:33 PM PST by FairOpinion
Life will be a drag for smokers in the city of Calabasas starting today, when a strict ban on lighting up in most outdoor spaces takes effect.
The ban, perhaps the most comprehensive smoking ban in the United States, prohibits smoking in all public places at times when other people can be exposed to secondhand smoke. Businesses can apply to create a designated smoking area far away from non-smokers starting in April.
The "Comprehensive Secondhand Smoke Control Ordinance" includes indoor and outdoor businesses, hotels, parks, sidewalks, restaurants and bars where people can be reasonably expected to congregate or meet, according to an announcement from the city of Calabasas.
Smoking has been banned on most Southern California beaches over the past two years. Some cities outlaw smoking in or near playgrounds and parks.
People will still be allowed to smoke in their homes.
"The only exception is if your apartment, back yard or balcony is directly adjacent to a common area, such as a laundry room or pool," the city announced in a list of frequently asked questions on its Web site.
(Excerpt) Read more at abclocal.go.com ...
This is so preposterous, it's beyond words. Note that if your apartment opens up to the pool you are not even allowed to smoke in your own apartment.
Not allowing smoking indoors is one thing, making a law against smoking outdoors, where people aren't affected by second hand smoke unless they are right next to the smoker is just big government regulating people's indivicual actions.
In the meantime, there is no law about prohibiting people with AIDS transmitting it to others.
Outrageous!
I believe you now for sure, Torie. Democrat infestation.
Now they go start their car and drive down the street... these panty waist sobs. Wonder when the last time they gut a good ass whoopin'?
Since smoking is so deadly and evil, the government should just ban tobacco outright. Sure, they'd lose the billions in tax revenue that they blow on pointless pork, but hey, think of the CHILDREN!!! Prohibition works so well on otther addictive substances, doesn't it?
Actually, since 1996, quite a few States (California included) have indeed created criminal penalties for people who knowingly transmit HIV.
More on the background of how it came about:
Calabasas student spurred city smoking ban
http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_3610477
Margo Arnold had just graduated from Calabasas High last summer when she challenged City Hall to make public smokers crush their butts.
So Arnold, a civic activist in the footsteps of her mother, former arts and education commissioner Tracey Arnold, vowed to approach the City Council. Her request: Ban smoking near nonsmokers like her.
Then-Mayor Barry Groveman, an environmental attorney who wrote Proposition 65, the state's Safe Drinking Water Act in 1986, was thrilled.
"Everybody knew we had to do this, but she germinated it she brought it to a human level for all of us to see," said Groveman, a city councilman. "It allowed us to rally around."
The city's law is the first in the nation to ban smoking in any public area where others can whiff cigarette or cigar smoke including sidewalks, parks, outdoor businesses, restaurant patios and common areas of housing complexes.
Those waiting to exhale must do so in designated smoking areas or 20 feet from a beaten path.
Dear God, they are now banning smoking outside??!!???
"Actually, since 1996, quite a few States (California included) have indeed created criminal penalties for people who knowingly transmit HIV."
===
That's encouraging.
One of these days, and possibly not too far in the future, some folks are just gonna start shooting.
But we've been so dumbed down and brainwashed, we forgot what the word LIBERTY means.
Now it's just some place that takes care of your diabetes meds and has that geezer on commercials.
In San Diego, they have banned smoking in all areas at Petco Park, home of the Padres. It is entirely outdoors and there used to be designated smoking areas away from the seating. Not allowed anymore. Guess who won't be going to any games!
The sheep are being led to slaughter and are saying nothing.
But people can still smoke in their homes. Nice !
My favorite line was "People will still be allowed to smoke in their homes" as if the government is letting you have some freedom. I don't smoke and I don't like sitting next to smokers but I've had it up to here with these laws being made up to protect us from ourselves. Next up limiting where soft drinks can be sold or if your allowed to have a hamburger if your family has a history of heart problems.
It's sickening how this countrty is turing into a nanny state. Tell the goverment to stay out of my wallet and my life!!!!
I'd save the government has LESS right to ban smoking inside than outside.
Public areas are held in common by the people of the city. They have the right to create rules about how people will conduct themselves in this common area.
Private areas are not owned in common. The government should never let the rest of the public decide if smoking will be allowed there.
Here in Philly, when the Phillies used to play at the Vet, the team banned smoking in the outdoor seating area but let you smoke in the enclosed concourses. Now, at Citizen's Bank Park, which is almost totally outdoors, you can only smoke in designated areas in far-flung corners of the park. I'm just mentioning this for comparison's sake.
I'm a smoker, and I can deal with not smoking in enclosed spaces, but this is really nuts. Leave it to California....
Calabasas, CA: Help Stop The Attack On Your Rights!!!
Boo-freakin-hoo.
It's curious how they simply don't outlaw smoking altogether - they know that won't work!
Coming soon to a neighborhood near you.
The backlash is coming. I can feel it.
*lights up a cig in the spirit of rebellion*
Just outlaw smoking period.
Yep, whether it's at home, in the car or at a privately-owned business or facility.
Stand by. It will get worse. It's California.
By the way, I'm not a smoker, but I believe in freedom.
"But people can still smoke in their homes. Nice ! "
===
Actually if you read it carefully, it says you can, as long as your house or apartment is not next to some common area, conclusion is that if you are next to the pool, you can't smoke in your own place.
From the article:
"People will still be allowed to smoke in their homes.
"The only exception is if your apartment, back yard or balcony is directly adjacent to a common area, such as a laundry room or pool," the city announced in a list of frequently asked questions on its Web site."
From the FAQ's in their website:
"Can I smoke in my house or apartment? Can I smoke on my balcony?
Yes. The only exception is if your apartment, backyard, or balcony is directly adjacent to a common area, such as a laundry room or pool."
http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/secondhandsmoke-faq.html
And you can read more about the ban, including the text of the ordinance on the city's website:
http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/
Do as you wish, it's not my place to advise you . As an ex-3-pack-a-day smoker, I can assure you, you'll feel so much better if you quit.
In more ways than you think.
I only say this to encourage others. It can be done. Anyone can quit.
I'll shut up now.
I smoke cigars myself, they banned smoking in pubs and other work places here in Ireland in 2004!
AMEN! I've said that all along. Talk about a hypocritical stance the government is taking. I was a smoker for 30 years and loved every minute of it. Would have smoked in my sleep if I could have found someone to hold them for me, but when I finally quit I still was on the side of the smoker. How they're being treated is absolutely appalling! Ban them or shut up.
He was off by about 20 years.
I used to live in Calabasas!
What the heck has gone wrong with that place?? Sheesh!!!
I'm sure the Left would love to ban it. But can they forego all the tobacco taxes that they use to fund their pet projects?
Hmmm....tax and spend....social engineering...tax and spend....what a Lefty dilemma!!
Shep Smith on FOX News was talking tonight about a state ban on smoking in "public places." I suspect Shep had "public places" and private property confused.
I hate the government and its enablers.
I'm the same way...I do plan to quit eventually...but I'll be damned if I quit because some bureaucrat tells me to!
Why did you assume I must be a smoker, because I object to government regulating individual behavior?
To paraphrase Niemoller (with apologies):
"First they came for the smokers,
I didn't stand up, because I wasn't a smoker,
Then they came for the "unhealthy eaters"
I didn't stand up, because I wasn't one of those either,
Then they came for me,
And there was nobody left to stand up for me"
"People will still be allowed to smoke in their homes."
I'm surprised they're allowing that!
The ultimate hypocrites.
Congratulations that you quit.
But I bet it was YOUR decision, you didn't quit because the government forced you to do it, did you?
Smoking inside workplaces, restaurants has long been banned in CA.
Then they banned smoking on the beaches and parks, now at any outdoor place, where another person may show up.
Remember when I attended the city council hearing where they were seeking to ban smoking in all restaurants? Remember the guy who said, "I wish we could ban smoking in their homes"?
The answer to him should have been, "You can ban smoking in homes" because as long as we call it a health crisis and convince ourselves it's in the public's best interest, we can do anything we want through the full force and might of government.
Individual rights are a thing of the past. Kneel down and kiss the ring of your master government.
This is halirous. Click on link or paste in browser. Guy trying to qualify for pizza.
http://www.adcritic.com/interactive/view.php?id=5927
I don't want to preach. I want to encourage others to quit.
Not tell them to!
...that is if your Homeowner's Association allows it
I think it's wonderful that you quit smoking and feel better because of it. Congratulations to you. The point is, however, it is not the place of the government to decide if people can or cannot smoke on private property. This isn't about smoking, it's about government over-extending its authority.
Could not agree more. I quit 17 years ago and I'm glad I did. But if I decide to start again tomorrow I don't want some Puritan bluenose saying I can't. Outdoor homosexual anal sex is apparently OK in many of our parks but smoking isn't? Anyone ever read a book called "The Vigilantes of Montana?"
Americans will be angry, but Americans will not openly defy the law.
And when people are charged and taken to court, juries won't nullify the law.
Because at the end of the day, Americans are fatally superstitious about law.
So, basically you can only smoke in your own home?
Of course they can forego the tobacco taxes ... they'll just tax something else.
I didn't assume that you, personally, are a smoker. I just offer encouragement to those who think they can't quit.
And I'm absolutely on your side as far as government intrusion!
What about medical marijuana?
"I'd save the government has LESS right to ban smoking inside than outside. "
===
This doesn't just apply to government owned property, it applies to PRIVATE property, where a nonsmoker could possibly be.
See the text of the ordinance:
http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/pdf/agendas/council/2006/021506/item2-O2006-217.pdf
Page 7:
Sec. 8.12.040 Prohibition of Smoking
(a) Public and Other Places Where Smoking Prohibited. Except as otherwise
provided by this chapter or by state or federal law, smoking is prohibited
everywhere in the city, including but not limited to:
(1) Public Places;
(2) Places of Employment;
(3) Multi-Unit Residence Common Areas;
(4) Enclosed and Unenclosed Places of Hotels, Businesses,
Restaurants, and Bars, and other public accommodations.
Never. That's part of the problem.
Time for a medicinal tobacco initiative...
You and I have a lot in common. Nobody told me to smoke, and nobody but me decided when it was time to quit.
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