Freeper Smokers: Please Help

me ^ | March 8, 2003 | me

[Im4Starr]

I'm putting together anything and everything I can get my hands on to stop the smoking nazi's from continuing to vilify smokers. I'm looking for articles, images, documentation, etc.

A futile effort, perhaps, but I don't want to be silent on this issue.

[Max McGarrity]

This issue is not about smoking: it's about what level of control we wish to grant others.

Exactly.

[A CA Guy]

I don't think anybody really wants to vilifies smokers.
It has just gotten to the point where populations are very tight and indoors you can't get away from all the smoke.

It started here in CA I think and to be honest, it seems to have been mostly a good result.

There are areas of bunk I don't like around the current law where this could be done better. As an example, a trucker in their own vehicle is in the "work-place" and thereby subject to a multi-hundred dollar fine for smoking in the work-place. That is outrageous and is extreme.
The spirit if the law was that if there are groups of people together indoors in public or work, there is to be no smoking there. They must either go outdoors or the parking garage and such.
California is strapped for cash and they are going after truckers that don't make big bucks. It is an excuse for Gray Davis to blackmail some truckers. I don't like that, they went too far.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

I agree 100%. If I owned a restaurant/bar, I'd have two entirely separate areas for smokers and non smokers. The smoking side would have a world class ventalation system. Of course, that isn't allowed here in FL anymore since smoking is banned.

[ladyjane]

no one's rights are trampled.

I don't mind if people want to smoke. I just don't want to pay for the consequences. My insurance premiums are already sky high.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

You can do anything you want in your own house. However, when your cigarette smoke begins to interfere with the health and enjoyment of others, it should be stopped.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Just stop smoking and your problem is solved. (or do you not have the will and self-discipline to stop)

[Im4Starr]

Please read some of the documents referenced above by other freepers in this thread for information on the health aspects of smoking.

[A CA Guy]

No that is totally wrong Max, I live in CA and the "whole issue" was the "smoke" and not the smokers.

It used to smell like a chimney everywhere. It's not been bad for us and smokers just smoke outside.

[CounterCounterCulture]

smokers--still the bullies in the playground they always were

[Patriotic Bostonian]

Try minding your own business! I don't smoke and never have, but unlike you I believe in freedom to do as I please with my own body.

[SheLion]

Why not just quite smoking. Life is short enough as it is.

Why don't you mind your own business! My grandmother never smoked and died full of cancer at age 42.

Can you say "Cigarettes are a legal commodity?"

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

I am minding my own business. Having carcinogens spewed into the air 10ft in front of me is everyones business. As far as the suggestion to quite smoking, it was between me and the person I replied to; try minding your own business.

[SheLion]

I can't say that I'm going to miss the smoke in my face as I try to eat a good meal.

How about sitting in the non smoking section! How about going to better equipped restaurants with HUGE SMOKER EATERS? How about it? Quite bitching about Americans who choose to smoke a LEGAL commodity.

[MoralSense]

Get anything by Jacob Sullum, a columnist for Reason Magazine, who has written a book on this subject.

[Im4Starr]

Please start another thread on the "smoking debate" and know that it wasn't my intention to have that happen here. I'm really just looking for information (she says selfishly). ;)

[SheLion]

You can do anything you want in your own house. However, when your cigarette smoke begins to interfere with the health and enjoyment of others, it should be stopped.

[Patriotic Bostonian]

You are full of S**t. Smokers are down to 25% of the population! "Again, mind your own business!

[Hell to pay]

The EPA has retracted the claim that second hand smoke is a carcinogin.

Why don't you read up like suggested earlier? Ignorance is no excuse.

[Im4Starr]

Ok, I took the liberty (yes, liberty) to start another thread on the smoking debate. Enjoy.