Posted on 02/09/2008 11:13:57 AM PST by demsux
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois' statewide smoking ban is barely a month old and opponents already are trying to relight the debate.
With the General Assembly scheduled to return to Springfield this week, various Illinois interests — casinos, bars, veterans' organizations — are preparing to push state lawmakers to carve out exceptions for various types of facilities from the sweeping ban that went into effect this year in all indoor public places.
"I'm a dedicated nonsmoker, but the hair on the back of my neck stands up" at some of the freedom-of-choice issues created by the ban, said state Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville, who filed one of the exemption bills. He and others argue the ban is an enforcement nightmare for businesses and is merely angering many of the patrons and employees it was meant to protect. "I still don't think we've seen all the fallout from this."
(Excerpt) Read more at stltoday.com ...
More businesses hurting because of the nanny state.
Adjusted gross receipts for the nine operating casinos totaled $131,465,000 in January, according to recently released figures from the Illinois Gaming Board. That’s nearly a 17.5 percent drop compared with the January 2007 total of $159,268,000.
http://www.pjstar.com/stories/020908/REG_BFNVBRBB.045.php
More and more I love the smell of tobacco smoke. It smells like... FREEDOM
Brave new world.
Another brainless word is "choice". Absent in this eternal debate is the option and freedom of choice. This element has been preempted by the tiny people who relish controlling other people.
Unless and until they make the production, manufacture and possession of tobacco products a crime, abuse of power under the pretext of "health and welfare" is simply a legalized crime imposed, with apparent impunity, on free citizens.
Six months after the smoking ban went into effect in MA, 700+ small bars and restaurants went out of business.
So, in effect at least 700 owners lost their livelihoods (possibly life savings) and if they each employed 2 people then 2,100 people lost their jobs.
Also, isn't there a law that states Congress (trickle down to State legislatures) shall make NO laws that interferes with commerce.
Truly obnoxious how these anti-smoker people have taken their pet peeve and blown it up into a crime given the FACT that 2, 35-year studies - UC-Berkeley and UI-Urbana/Champaign came out in '01 and '02 stating that second hand smoke does NOT effect others.
Just like global warming and global cooling is directly related to the sun... and What does CA try to do? --> tax businesses for carbon credits...
Government rescued the workers from the dangers of second hand smoke, but unfortunately for many that rescue will mean facing the reality of unemployment.
Twenty percent of people smoke. That's a "few" or "some," not many.
But, we are both adamant that prohibition of smoking in wrong, people have a right to smoke, even if is unhealthy. Let the affected businesses handle the problem, if there is one.
We’ve got to get these legislation crazy politicians out of of power - they’re killing this nation. The fewer laws the better.
NANNY STATE PING!!!!!!!!!!!
NANNY STATE PING!!!!!!!!!!!
I would say that nearly one quarter of your customers is “many.” No one said “most.”
When I go to Atlantic City (about 3 times a year) I smoked while playing slots. I would say about 1/2 the casino was set aside for smoking or non/smoking. It is the only time I smoke all year - a grand total of about a pack and half. Smoking is no longer allowed and I found that I had less fun and spent more time at the pool, watching a show, and sitting with my husband while he played poker. I can guarantee that the casinos are losing money
Your reading comprehension skills need to be brushed up a bit. The comment was in regard to customers and employees, not the general population.
How odd - I am allergic to the crap they use in hotel rooms and rental cars to (try) to cover up the smoke smells.
And I don’t mean allergic like “It gives me a headache” - I mean allergic, like dail 911.
Smoke, on the other hand, doesn’t bother me at all.
Hey, you - no longer ragging on my stories?
That’s it, I quit as your author of record. ;)
If the Legislature truly believes smoking is killing thousands, including infants in the beds, then would they not have an obligation to mitigate this terrible hazard by banning all tobacco products? The utter hypocrisy is that no Legislature is willing to take this logical step because they have a cash cow from cigarette taxes. These “health” arguments are just a screen for raising taxes on smokers.
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.