No smoking...

[Dog Moon]

So, a new law was passed today. Rather, it was passed a few months ago and was instituted on Thursday. There's no smoking in public places any more, likes bars and restaurants. My friends and I were at a bar this evening and saw the mayor of Minneapolis with a party bus of people who apparently are going from bar to bar and smoking outside to protest against this new law. It just seems weird that a law like this would be passed in the Hennepin County [I'm from Minnesota, btw] and the mayor of Minneapolis is doing something like that. Of course, it is highly likely that after this one time, the mayor will forget about this and go on with his life. Now, I'm not really much of a smoker, but this whole idea just seems contradictory and many people are complaining about this law infringing on the rights of people who smoke, though those people were all smokers. Businesses have been purchasing little metal containers for people to put their cigarettes in, but they aren't in front of every business and plenty people are now putting their cigs out on the street instead of in an ash tray inside.

[I'm not drunk, btw. I was just thinking about this and wanted to rant a little. It's my first rant. ]

 

[reanjr]

Businesses have been purchasing little metal containers for people to put their cigarettes in

You mean ashtrays?

In Michigan, a bill was recently passed to make it non-smoking in public places or within 6 feet of a doorway (with the usual exclusion of restaurants, bars, smoke shops, and casinos). The absurdity comes in when Detroit is excluded from the law. Even worse, the bill almost went forward with a clause to make United Auto Worker facilities immune to the law as well. This just doesn't strike me egalitarian.

Fortunately, the UAW thing went away, but we still can't smoke within 6 feet of a building. A similar bill for Wayne County (Detroit's county) was killed in 1999 by resident lobbiest. Unfortunately, no one was listening to him this time.

 

[Dog Moon]

Originally posted by reanjr
You mean ashtrays?

Well, I meant the specific style. The ashtrays with the roundish bottoms and the pole sticking up with a hole at the top, as opposed to any ashtray, though I guess I coulda said that...

 

[jonesy]

There's no smoking in public places any more, likes bars and restaurants.

Been that way here for a while now. Our government seems to be trying make smokers extinct. Several corporations have started banning smoking at the workplace as well.

Sure am glad I don't smoke.

 

[Ao the Overkitty]

New York has had such a law for a couple years now (or at least a year. time is blending together). I'm actually for it, but then again, I'm asthmatic. Actually commented on how nice it was to not be hacking and coughing when I went to go see Enter the Haggis at a pub a week ago. There have been protests from some bars, but the law has been relatively well received here.

 

[Ranes]

Our government seems to be trying make smokers extinct.

Smokers are perfectly capable of doing that themselves.

 

[IronWolf]

Columbus, OH just moved to a no-smoking in restaurants and bars (a few exceptions) and I think it is great. It is really nice to be able to go somewhere and not go home smelling like smoke or worrying about sitting too close to the smoking section. There are still a rather vocal group of people here who oppose it but I imagine that will fade with time.

 

[Nightcloak]

There are still a rather vocal group of people here who oppose it but I imagine that will fade with time.

This is true, those of us who believe in the supremacy of property rights are in the minority these days

But I an happy for those who have health issues, that at least gives a silverlining to the whole thing

 

[GlassJaw]

Being able to go to a bar or club and come out not smelling like smoke is awesome.

A lot of the cities in the Northeast are pasing similar laws. Boston did so last year and Providence did so recently as well.

 

[Mystery Man]

As an ex-smoker who sees the health problems due to smoking and being around smoke I'm glad to see something being done for the health of the community. I'm also fearful of what is around the corner, I don't like government regulating, or trying to regulate behavior. This law is having a tough time getting passed in my neck of the woods for this reason (among others).