Posted on 07/01/2006 5:33:12 AM PDT by SheLion
Everyone knows the traditional reasons why Maine is a great place to take a vacation - it has ocean, mountains, lakes and lobsters.
Now the state is promoting one more inducement for people to visit: No smoking is allowed in Maine's public buildings.
The state is putting up five signs at various points this week along the Maine Turnpike and Interstate 95 that advertise the fact.
"Breathe easy, you're in Maine," said the blue signs with white lettering. "All indoor public places are smoke-free."
Dr. Dora Anne Mills, who heads the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said Maine may be "the first state in the nation to promote itself as a smoke-free state."
She said the signs are designed to educate both visitors and Mainers who aren't familiar with the smoking restrictions in the state.
It was 25 years ago that Maine's first law imposing limits on smoking in public places was passed.
Subsequent legislation ap- proved over the years means that public places in Maine, ranging from government buildings to restaurants and bars, are now smoke-free.
Gov. John Baldacci will help unveil the new signs at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Maine Tourist Information Center in Yarmouth. One of the signs will stay at that location, said MaryBeth Welton, program manager for the Partnership for a Tobacco-Free Maine.
The governor will be joined by representatives of Healthy Maine Partnerships, a state-local initiative dedicated to making the state a healthier place to live and work. Mills said the Maine Office of Tourism also will be represented.
Phil Savignano, a tourism office spokesman, said the signs will help underline for visitors how nice it is to vacation in Maine.
"It's got to be a good thing for them to know their restaurants and . . . everywhere else they go to won't impact their health coming up here," he said.
Welton said the four other signs will be erected at highway visitor information centers in Kittery, Kennebunk, Lewiston and Houlton.
She said the Maine Department of Transportation is providing the five signs, which cost about $150 each to build.
Mills said a similar "Breathe easy, you're in Maine" sign has been at the Portland International Jetport for two years. She said the additional signs on highways "will reach quite a few more
I want all smokers to know NOT to bring their money to Maine! Public Buildings???? Ha! There is NO smoking in any restaurant, bar or tavern in this state.
So if you enjoy smoking, Maine is NOT the place for you! Take your dollars somewhere else that can accommodate smokers.
If this were me, I sure wouldn't brag about the state being smoke free. Does PTFW really realize how much revenue they could lose from smokers????
Not a coincidence that the signs are blue.
Now we know why Hollywood is moving to France.
I have always wanted to take a trip through maine in the fal, as I have heard it is very beautiful.
I guess I'll take a trip somewhere else.
Sorry lady, Delaware has been doing it for several years. I met 3 more couples just last night who no longer vacation in Delaware because of the smoking ban.
I won't be going there in the near future, and I don't even smoke. I just hate it when the gov't sticks their nose into people's private business.
Don't late this deter you!
It's stupid, granted, but Maine is beautiful and quite dear to me. I highly recommend you travel there anyway.
Would'nt want to go there,won't go there!Rather smell smoke than stinking fish!
fal=fall
Duh.
I have like a cigar maybe three or four times a year while renacting, but have quit smoking over 12 years ago.
Yep! The BLUE STATE of Maine! Got THAT right! ugh!
PLEEEESE! Take your money somewhere else!!!!!!
She is a disgusting witch, and if anyone knows her, I hope they let her know what we think of her. Especially me!!!
(damn.............storm coming. I have to shut down. I will be back! Save my seat!)
Try Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Less pricey, just as beautiful and not crowded. Especially way up near Copper Harbor.
Sorry about your storms.........thankfully we've been finally over them for a couple of days. Haven't had rain since Tuesday night, but one of my fields is still a swamp - I should have planted rice.
One of the couples we had dinner with last night still live in Delaware. Neither of them smoke, but can't stand the smoking ban because going out is no longer fun, unless they go to the Elks, the Moose, the American Legion, or the VFW. This is a couple in their 20s (son and daughter-in-law of a good friend). The kind of people that one would expect to be going out on a regular basis, good jobs, no kids.......Now that dad is here on chincoteague for the summer, they will do the 2 hour drive every Friday to come hang out here, where folks can relax, have fun and be themselves without the nanny state breathing down their throats.
LOL!!!!!!!
To be honest, for all the years I lived there I never understood it either, but Rehoboth Beach is touted as the "Nation's Summer Capitol" because so many of the DC "in" crowd have places there.
After Labor Day and before Memorial Day was the only time I would venture near there.
One other thing: Dora Ann Mills and her ilk are paid (and probably handsomely) by the taxes Maine smokers pay! NOT the state and NOT Big Tobacco! But the MAINE SMOKERS!!!
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