Posted on 05/17/2007 4:47:06 PM PDT by Wheee The People
Editorial: Smoking ban proves Legislature can get things done 5/17/2007 8:56:33 AM ...
The hope comes in the form of the "Freedom to Breathe Act," which Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed on Wednesday.
The act, which will take effect on Oct. 1, bans smoking in virtually all bars and restaurants in the state. A statewide smoking ban was proposed in previous legislative sessions, but the bills died amid the partisan rancor that has beset the Legislature through the 2000s.
This year, however, nearly equal numbers of Republican and DFL lawmakers joined together to pass the statewide smoking ban by comfortable margins in both the Senate and the House.
We stated in a previous editorial that the smoking ban issue is one that is best addressed at the statewide level. Many cities and counties, including Olmsted, have enacted their own smoking bans over the last decade. But those local ordinances create an unequal playing field for bar and restaurant owners who fear they'll lose business to nearby communities. The statewide bill goes a long way toward leveling the playing field.
We are empathetic to business owners who still believe they'll lose customers as a result of the statewide ban. However, the Oct. 1 implementation date, which was moved back from the bill's original Aug. 1 compliance deadline, should give business owners and their patrons time to plan ahead. Who knows? Maybe some customers will use the next four and a half months to complete smoking cessation programs, or cut back on their tobacco use.
We also empathize with those who argue that the government has no business telling restaurant and tavern proprietors what to do.
After all, no one is forcing individuals to frequent bars or restaurants that permit smoking, and there are plenty of smoke-free dining and entertainment options out there.
The law isn't perfect. There are still concerns that bars and restaurants near Indian gaming casinos, which are exempt from the new law because they're under federal jurisdiction, might be at a competitive disadvantage.
The same holds true for establishments in border communities such as Moorhead.
Only the enactment of a national smoking ban would completely level the playing field. But that's not likely to happen anytime soon. In the meantime, a Minnesota ban makes good sense in a state that has for decades been a leader in the protection of public health.
You "win"??? Of course that all depends on your definition of winning. Does your idea of winning involve being rude to your friends, neighbors, family and fellow citizens by kicking them out into the cold to smoke while simultaneously putting hard working bar owners who have their life savings invested in their establishment out of business???.
Do you feel happy?
Hey, are you going to tell Fred he can’t have a stogie, LOL.
Oh, that’s easy (allow me, please to answer for Wheee)...
“Mr. Thompson, my name is Wheee, and I view smoking as a ‘pox on society’ and thus vote for smoking bans to ‘improve society,’ so don’t smoke or I will have to call the State’s ‘snitch line’ and report you. But, no offense, I’ll still vote for you, because I truly am a conservative and you’re still my hero.”
58% of the people in Ohio listen to your addiction ideology, evaluated it, and then freely went to the voting booth and rejected your empty rhetoric. In fact, the opposing initiative, on the same ballot, advanced and funded by the tobacco industry, was overwhelmingly defeated.
Must really get your panties in a bunch to know that conservatives listened to your arguments and then voted to ban smoking. Bummer.
I really don’t want to help our your side, I really don’t, this is a cultural war after all.
I'm honestly stumped here...what is it you find so morally or culturally offensive about smoking in "public" (i.e. in private establishments that are open to the general public)?
I can understand those who want to ban smoking out of a concern for health or personal convenience, even if I strongly disagree with them. But to see this as a cultural battle....I don't get it.
Do you think any unhealthy activity is immoral and thus should be restricted by the state? Or is smoking unique in this regard?
Nice classy words to say to a lady, Wheee. Please, continue. I’m certain that people want to keep hearing this type of talk. Yeah, there’s sure a conservative air about you, alright.
By the way, Wheee, I (a conservative) voted against issue 4 to allow smoking because it AMENDED THE STATE CONSTITUTION.
What’s “empty rhetoric” about not allowing our vets to smoke in their own VFW halls and allowing establishments to decide whether or not to allow smoking? You, however, sound like “DNC Talking Points.” Because of this law, every one is suing each other — it’s a mess, and it’s going to get worse. Bad law is bad law. Ohio could have had something sensible, but the people were not prepared when they went to the polls because the law wasn’t even written nor was it fully disclosed.
Funny, I thought Republicans believed in individual responsibility and the free market too.
Wheee, here’s a quote from the article I posted the other day...
“Bill Seagraves, state commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said he feels backers of the smoking ban duped many of his own members who supported the ban.”
Oh, by the way, Wheee, my boss is one of those vets who were duped.
Which is another reason why many social conservative Republicans got their asses handed to them in the mid-terms.
I'm as social conservative as anyone, I'm pro-life and oppose the homosexual agenda. But I don't force my views down other people's throats. If people want to smoke like chimneys in some greasy tavern who really cares?
If smoking is so bad, why don't you nanny-staters just ban the fricking product outright then, instead of harrassing business owners over restricting a product that's still legal. You guys ain't got the balls to ban smoking because you hypocritically enjoy the tax revenues to be used to push your big-gov't socon values.
Yeah and I'm sure you're having orgasms over this too. Note I said orgasms and not the male version of climax.
Busybodies like you absolutely make me sick.
Wisconsin is next. Deal with it.
Oh, Wheee, that’s just too weird if you keep a checklist.
That's not the point.
You and your ilk don't have the guts to ban tobacco outright so you engage on these power-trips harrassing people who chooses to use a legal product, using the government and siding with left-wing activists to get your way.
You're the type of person who was picked on in grade school, sucked up to the teacher, didn't get to play on teams, school tattletale.
You guys aren't conservatives, 'nuff said, and that's partly why the GOP lost the mid-terms last year, trying to everyone's Daddy.
OK don’t deal with it. But Wisconsin will pass a bi-partisan smoking ban this year.
Still missing the point.
I don't care if Wisconsin passes a smoking ban. I'm not a smoker. Just someone who believes in what used to be personal responsibility and free markets, you know, things the GOP used to believe in, before socialists and big-government Christians took over the party.
Apparently, you enjoy making other people's lives miserable.
Well, la de da, Wheee. Can you tell us if their laws will have a “snitch line” to call so that you can report everyone?
Wheee, no offense, seriously, but you’re the person who has to “deal with it,” IMHO.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.