Smoking Ban

**MickeyMac** · June-28-10, 01:37 PM

A lot of places are going smoke free. Right here in Michigan you cant smoke anywhere [[except for casinos). Not just here, but Chicago and Las Vegas are like that too.

On one hand smoking dosent really bother me, I have friends who smoke and that is their choice. On the other hand its nice to come home from a bar and not smell like an ash tray.

What do you guys think about the smoking ban??????

**Mikeg** · June-28-10, 01:54 PM

The state legislature abused their authority when they banned the use of a legal substance on private property. The legislature cited their ability to enact the law on the basis of protecting the health and welfare of the workers in those establishments. However, since the law exempted the casinos, it's clear that this law is discriminatory and they really don't care about the impact of second-hand smoke on all workers.

**Detroitnerd** · June-28-10, 01:58 PM

The law was written by people who don't smoke or don't own bars, so they didn't allow the sort of considerations other state laws have made, which allow people to smoke outside and have their drinks and food served to them out there.

**Sstashmoo** · June-28-10, 02:05 PM

Mikeg nailin' it again..

**gazhekwe** · June-28-10, 02:16 PM

I love not having to smell cigar and cigarette smoke when I am trying to enjoy a restaurant meal, but I do think the law is too extensive. They should allow bars and restaurants to obtain licenses for smoking, like they can for drinking. That would be a revenue source for the state, and would allow establishments to choose whether they want to maintain their smoking custom. However, since the law was passed as an employee health protection measure, it would now be difficult to let some places continue to endanger the health of their employees. Silly move, that.

lincoln8740 · June-28-10, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by gazhekwe

However, since the law was passed as an employee health protection measure, it would now be difficult to let some places continue to endanger the health of their employees. Silly move, that.

Would love to see a challenge to the "outside" portion of the ban. There is Zero correlation to employee health and outside smoking.

I said it once already--get ready for it to be banned in parks [[including golf courses) in the near future.

But hey as a smoker, I have had to seek out establishments that don't follow the ban and that is where I go to Drink [[most are in the city but there are a few outside the city)

**gazhekwe** · June-28-10, 02:34 PM

If smokers would learn to be responsible about their butts, no one would think of banning smoking outside. I learned this trick from a boyfriend who served in 'Nam.

Take the spent butt, peel off the paper and scatter any remaining tobacco and dead ash to the winds. Roll the paper into a tiny ball and drop it and the filter in your pocket to dispose of in a safe place. In 'Nam, of course, the point was not to leave any evidence of your passage. Here, the point would be to leave a clean area and not start any inadvertent grass or trash fires.

Another way to look at it is the tobacco is an offering to the spirits in gratitude for your life.

**TKshreve** · June-28-10, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by Mikeg

The state legislature abused their authority when they banned the use of a legal substance on private property. The legislature cited their ability to enact the law on the basis of protecting the health and welfare of the workers in those establishments. However, since the law exempted the casinos, it's clear that this law is discriminatory and they really don't care about the impact of second-hand smoke on all workers.

it's clear that the law is....... also not in the best interests of protecting the welfare of its citizens in general. I mean come on, if you want people to quit smoking and make healthy lifestyle choices, don't give the only hall pass to a casino of all places.

They more or less say you can continue to smoke inside if you gamble [[aka - give the state your money). How transparent. And sickening.

Mikeg - Very good post.

**Detroitnerd** · June-28-10, 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by lincoln8740

But hey as a smoker, I have had to seek out establishments that don't follow the ban and that is where I go to Drink [[most are in the city but there are a few outside the city)

Here we agree. Let's keep those quiet, though. Pretty please.

**Detroitnerd** · June-28-10, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by gazhekwe

Take the spent butt, peel off the paper and scatter any remaining tobacco and dead ash to the winds. Roll the paper into a tiny ball and drop it and the filter in your pocket to dispose of in a safe place. In 'Nam, of course, the point was not to leave any evidence of your passage. Here, the point would be to leave a clean area and not start any inadvertent grass or trash fires.

Yes, this is what I do. I usually come home from the bar with a pocket full of filters.

**rb336** · June-28-10, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by gazhekwe

If smokers would learn to be responsible about their butts, no one would think of banning smoking outside.

first off -- 6 weeks smokeless, thanks to a product to be named later.

I remember smoking outside an establishment, on a bench, next to a butt disposal device. A woman came out, sat next to me [[up wind, mind you) and proceeded to ask me to put out my cigarette. there were three other benches with no one sitting on them. I looked at her and asked if she was nuts. I held back from just exhaling a huge cloud of smoke at her.

**Sstashmoo** · June-28-10, 03:31 PM

rb, hang in there, it's doable. I quit about seven years ago.

I have no desire now and when I smell someone else smoking OR that smokes [[they stink), I definitely have no desire to start again. I seen a guy last week driving a beemer holding his cigarette outside the window and sticking his head out occasionally taking a drag. What a moron, that car reeks inside, guaranteed.

As a non smoker, I'm all for a non smoking ban, anywhere.

lincoln8740 · June-28-10, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by Sstashmoo

As a non smoker, I'm all for a non smoking ban, anywhere.

So tobacco should be illegal?

I know thats what the whiners want eventually but most don't have the guts to say it--good for you

**wolverine** · June-28-10, 07:08 PM

I know 15 smokers out here in Chicago. All 15 of them think the ban was an excellent idea....even in the winter when they have to go outside in freezing temperatures.

So anyway, let's just forget the issue and move on with our lives.

**Roq** · June-28-10, 07:45 PM

I don't smoke and I'll admit it is nice having a drink without being in a cloud of smoke but one aggravating side effect of the smoking ban is that now parents feel entitled to bring their freaking babies to the bar. Ugh, I'd rather sit next to five smokers than one crying kid.

Parents: bars are for grown-ups!

**rb336** · June-29-10, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by Sstashmoo

As a non smoker, I'm all for a non smoking ban, anywhere.

sorry, can't let that one go. BAN NON-SMOKING!!!!!!

**Sstashmoo** · June-29-10, 07:27 AM

oops!

I'm for mandatory smoking areas....

**Mikeg** · June-29-10, 07:46 AM

At the bottom of this Oakland Press article are lists of the House and Senate members and how they voted on the smoking ban measure. I know that this information will influence my vote in the August primary election for Senate.

**GOAT** · June-29-10, 12:47 PM

I would hope a server or worker at the Casino takes the State to court over the exemption of the ban in casinos. Isn't there health worth the ban as well?

Btw, I am not a fan of smoking bans across the board. I think that as long as there are dedicated rooms or areas for smoking or non-smoking then the choice is up to you.

...just playing devils advocate.

**Searay215** · June-29-10, 01:13 PM

Make tobacco a controlled substance and ban it all together......all it does is kill people. Tell me ONE real good reason why it should not be banned? This ought to get some of you screaming at me.....I love it!!

lincoln8740 · June-29-10, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by GOAT

I would hope a server or worker at the Casino takes the State to court over the exemption of the ban in casinos. Isn't there health worth the ban as well?

.

That actually would be great for us smokers because they won't just invalidate that portion of the law they will invalidate the whole thing!!!!

**Sstashmoo** · June-29-10, 01:38 PM

Searay, I agree with you. I said that even when I smoked. I'd like to see someone try to introduce anything on the market, comparable today, it would never be allowed. FDA would shoot it down yesterday.

lincoln8740 · June-29-10, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by Sstashmoo

Searay, I agree with you. I said that even when I smoked. I'd like to see someone try to introduce anything on the market, comparable today, it would never be allowed. FDA would shoot it down yesterday.

alcohol, fatty foods, sugar, driving,

**Sstashmoo** · June-29-10, 02:25 PM

Quote: "alcohol, fatty foods, sugar, driving,"

Alcohol is not harmful in moderation

Fatty foods in moderation, are not excessively harmful

Sugar, again in moderation is ok

Driving is as safe as one makes it.

Smoking is always harmful, containing known carcinogens, etc.

Stosh · June-29-10, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by Sstashmoo

Quote: "alcohol, fatty foods, sugar, driving,"

1)Alcohol is not harmful in moderation

Fatty foods in moderation, are not excessively harmful

3)Sugar, again in moderation is ok

4)Driving is as safe as one makes it.

Smoking is always harmful, containing known carcinogens, etc.

1) It is to an alcoholic. 3) Not to a diabetic 4) You can't control others actions.