Debateful

I concur with most of what you have said because I don't disagree with the ban in theory. Perhaps the businesses will bounce back and like I said, only time will tell. But the issue goes deeper than that. The problem being a statewide, blanket ban and I forsee a Federal ban as well, is the politicos speak with forked tongues. They said the ban was enacted in the interest of public safety and then turn around only to compromise for a fee of coarse. WTF? How does that enhance public safety? This then leads to pay to play policies which will then divide the classes even more so. There have been bar raids intended only to go after the owners for allowing smoking. Meanwhile, Chicago had more than 30 shootings in one weekend and yet at yesterday's Cook Co. board hearing the main issue was Foie Gras which was also banned recently. Again I ask you WTF? It appears to me the focus is not where it should be and this sort of comparitively petty bantering is not specific only to local gov't bodies. They need to get back to basics and start to prioritize what really benefits public safety. In my opinion, the smoking ban and the likes are a diversion tactic used to appeal to our political correctness while ignoring the 800 lb. gorilla sitting in the room.

Legislating human behavior is slippery slope. Now, there is proposed legislation in Cal. to ban smoking in privately owned Condos and I believe I heard it will stretch to include one's own vehicle. Where does it stop? Perhaps alcohol bans will be next.
Before we know it, we will be likened to a Communist society. That is why I will stand behind my statement it verges on the destruction a free society.

Don't you think you're being a bit dramatic? I don't think that banning public smoking is going to make us say, "Okay, next step: Let's take away people's private property and share wealth among everyone." It's just about public welfare. It's no different than the law that says everyone is required to wear a seatbelt. And as for smoking being banned altogether, I like that idea. Am I going to be kicking and screaming in the streets if that never becomes law (which I don't believe it ever will)? No, but I definitely would be if people were allowed to smoke where ever they wanted in all public places. I'm all right with smoking not being banned altogether, as long as I don't have to deal with second-hand smoke. That would be a "live and let live" solution that I would be content with.

And the USA would never ban alcohol again, because that miserably failed. The day that this country bans alcohol and actually regulates the law, I will eat this keyboard.

So couldn't the same be said of you? You're here complaining about a smoking ban instead of the crime rate.

And in NYC Giuliani created the lowest crime rate in NYC by focusing on low-level street crimes like loitering.

Over the top statements won't win you a debate. Smoking Ban ->nextstep-> Communism lol

Dramatic? No. Cynical..... you bet. I have been around long enough to understand how the increasingly Liberal gov't in this Country operates. If BO gets elected your "next step" scenario won't be far from reality. Start preparing the special sauce for your keyboard.

I am not here to win, only to give a different perspective and maybe give one pause before one jumps on the next intrusive bandwagon. I said this ban is the foot in the door which leads to Socialistic, Gov't policies and behold, that statement is supported with the proposed legislation in Cal. But that's OK... I will get the last laugh in due time.

Stick around...it gets better.

Stick around...it gets worse.

Now hold your hatchets folks!

I do not agree with this smoking ban.
I think it should be up to the business owner weather or not they allow smoking.
If non-smokers are offended then they have the freedom to go somewhere else.
Now do I think people should smoke around tons of people, no.

I don't believe this is the answer.
If you don't like a menu a restaurant has, do you tell them to change it?
If the chairs are uncomfortable to you make them buy new ones?
No, you go somewhere else.
To answer another concern I saw on here they ARE trying to implement a smoking ban in cars. My car. That I own.

I do feel this is wrong.
Not to mention alcohol is just as dangerous. You can get several health problems including liver failure, pancreantitis, high blood pressure, cancer, and heart failure. Same things that smoking causes, not to mention drunk driving causes an insane amount of deaths in itself. Drunk driving effects people just like smoking...inhaling smoke could create health problems, they most likely won't, but could. So could a drunk driver t boning you through an intersection, this is also something you can't control. But do they ban drinking in public places? Of course not, that would be absurd, especially in a bar. Just like smoking is.

There's my two cents for the collection jar!

Best Regards,
TheTinGirl

As long as you smoke in some designated area, I don't have a problem with it.

2nd hand smoke is a health hazard, (on top of being smelly and disgusting) and smokers need to recognize this and have enough respect for others to keep it away.