An ease to Ohio's smoking ban proposed...

[Deepred05]

Where does it stop? I have been reading lately that California is considering legislation to stop people from smoking in their own apartments. Legislation is also being considered to stop truck drivers from smoking in their "workplace".
Ironically, I still work in one the few "work" places that allow smoking in Calif...........Indian Casino.

[SunDeck]

Originally Posted by Deepred05

Where does it stop? I have been reading lately that California is considering legislation to stop people from smoking in their own apartments. Legislation is also being considered to stop truck drivers from smoking in their "workplace".
Ironically, I still work in one the few "work" places that allow smoking in Calif...........Indian Casino.

Since native americans were the first ones to smoke it, maybe that is as it should be.

[savafan]

It won't stop with smoking. Next, expect a ban on alcohol. After that, perhaps caffeine, sugar, or fat. There's already been legislation put in place to ask restaurants to not serve obese people. We must protect people from themselves...we must!

[RosieRed]

Originally Posted by savafan

It won't stop with smoking. Next, expect a ban on alcohol. After that, perhaps caffeine, sugar, or fat. There's already been legislation put in place to ask restaurants to not serve obese people. We must protect people from themselves...we must!

There's already a few places that have banned trans fats (NYC) or are trying to ban them (Massachusetts).

[Redsfaithful]

Originally Posted by savafan

Next, expect a ban on alcohol.

There's not an outright ban on smoking so I'm not seeing the parallel. There's already plenty of laws on the books on where a person can and can't drink.

[westofyou]

Originally Posted by Redsfaithful

There's not an outright ban on smoking so I'm not seeing the parallel. There's already plenty of laws on the books on where a person can and can't drink.

That's just another red herring argument from the smokers side.

No real surprise.

I quit smoking 20 years ago.... I also just got back from a 25 mile bike ride... something I couldn't do twenty years ago.

But I could have a smoke whilst I played missile command at the Oakley Bowling Alley... now that's freedom!!!

[Caveat Emperor]

Originally Posted by Redsfaithful

I guess as long as an employee doesn't have to enter that room you might be onto something, but that seems unlikely.

Nobody puts a gun to someone's head and forces them to work in a bar that has "smoking room." That is a personal choice.

[Yachtzee]

Originally Posted by Caveat Emperor

Nobody puts a gun to someone's head and forces them to work in a bar that has "smoking room." That is a personal choice.

Maybe not a gun, but I'm sure if you talked to people who work in bars, you'll find many of them don't have the economic freedom to choose where they work. If faced with the choice of risking long term health consequences or putting food on the table or keeping a roof over one's head, I think most of us in that situation would choose the "smoking room."

[GAC]

Originally Posted by paintmered

I voted against the ban and I'd vote against it again if given the chance. That said, I do enjoy going to a bar more now than before the ban.

Now that's interesting, because I know you're a non-smoker.

Why, if you care to give the reason, did you vote No?

[GAC]

Smoking is a vile, nasty habit that destroys lives.

It's also an addiction that is hard for a lot of people to quit.

Second-hand smoke is dangerous and the non-smoker should be protected from exposure. That has been proven.

And this comes from a person who has smoked for 30 years.

I was never a heavy smoker, like a two pack a day guy, and I don't say that to justify smoking either. My home is smoke free due to the kids. The majority of my smoking has been at work during breaks/lunches.

I have always deeply respected the position of non-smokers. They shouldn't have to be exposed to it.

But I still contend that a common sense law could have been written that protected both sides.

If an establishment wanted to allow smoking then the burden should have been placed on them to erect a room (structure), that met guidelines set by the law (state) that protected the non-smoker.

If you can't do that, then smoking is banned in order to protect the employees and non-smoking patrons.

What is so hard about that?

And how do you non-smokers feel about a law that still allows smoking at bars with outdoor patios? I know it's a better situation then indoors; but the air is still filled with hanging cigarette smoke.

[Cyclone792]

http://www.rwjf.org/programareas/fea...=8060&pid=1141

Massachusetts Smoking Restrictions Linked to Drop in Heart Disease Deaths, Study Finds

A study to be published in the August issue of the American Journal of Public Health finds that coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality rates among Massachusetts residents decreased significantly following the introduction of the state's smoke-free air ordinance in 1993, United Press International reports. Using a model to gauge the health implications of the smoking restrictions, researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health found that, between 1993 and 2003, smoking prevalence decreased from 20.5 percent of adults ages 25 to 84 to 14.5 percent. Across the same period, meanwhile, annual CHD mortality decreased by 31 percent, from 199 deaths per 100,000 people to 137 deaths per 100,000 people. Based on the results, the researchers determined that the decrease in smoking had resulted in 425 fewer CHD deaths over the 10-year study period. The authors further suggest that expanding comprehensive tobacco control programs to other states could reduce the number of deaths stemming from tobacco-related disease (United Press International, 6/20/08; Kabir et al., American Journal of Public Health, August 2008 [subscription required]).

http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/abst...urcetype=HWCIT

The full study requires a subscription, but there it is for those who are able to access it.

[Redsfaithful]

Originally Posted by Caveat Emperor

Nobody puts a gun to someone's head and forces them to work in a bar that has "smoking room." That is a personal choice.

Labor isn't as liquid as you seem to think it is. There are plenty of people working at bars and restaurants because the choice is working there or working nowhere.