Health

Re: What's your view on Pennsylvania's new smoking ban?

yandt70 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:40:43 GMT

Also, I agree with you buzzpoet regarding buying a 6-pack in a grocery store. The LCB is another example of a backwards government.

Re: What's your view on Pennsylvania's new smoking ban?

rocc49 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:38:34 GMT

Now that the ordinance is in effect, I see no reason for me to pay for Parking downtown, Eat at Restaurants Downtown, Drink at Clubs and Bars Downtown or take part in any other events Downtown. I will just take the thousands of dollars i spend and sit in the local Tavern, Eat Chips and watch the Sporting events on TV. And i'm only ONE person.

Re: What's your view on Pennsylvania's new smoking ban?

yandt70 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:37:55 GMT

Well buzzpoet...

Since I obviously struck a nerve, allow me to explain myself.

If you read posts prior to the one that rubbed you the wrong way, I have not attacked anyone, except for those who have attacked me. All I want are places I can go to smoke and drink and not offend anyone. I am offended by the government telling me what and where to do it. I believe I also stated that I did not wish to offend non-smokers. However, if I am in an establishment that allows it, I will light up. For the record, having visited Ohio recently, I noticed that several bars have "porches" or "patios" outside that also have full bars for those who wish to smoke. It would be a great alternative for smokers who wish to do so without losing their seat.

Low IQ, I doubt it. Up for any challenge, however.

Unprotected sex...drawing a parallel. If I can be told to any degree what to do and what not to do, where do they stop? Congrats on refraining, you may be as smart as me.

No, I do not consider you a millitant, for the record. I too enjoy the occasional cigar (and LOVED the Lewinski comment).

Re: What's your view on Pennsylvania's new smoking ban?

joesmoker — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:26:39 GMT

So why is a law needed to tell owners what they can and can't do? Wasn't this working before? Owners declared their place of business non-smoking and all of the smokers respected it and did not step into the place ever again. Their business fell sharply and went out of busniess. Now they are saying that it is unfair because a 'tavern' next door allows smoking. All of their old customers now go there and their 'smoke free air' is now stagnant air because nobody wants to go there. Shouldn't you be happy that you can breathe fresh air in your restaurant now just waiting for the CLOSED sig nto be put on your door because you are an ignorant fool for ousting people. Toxic smoke is in the air everywhere from vehicles. Next law is to ban people from driving or using any form of motor. Do you cut your grass with scissors so that you can save your lungs from motor exhaust poluution? 2nd hand smoke is negligible compared to everything else in the air. So ease up on the smokers and enjoy your cancer from the cars driving down the street.

Re: What's your view on Pennsylvania's new smoking ban?

cloverleaf — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:19:55 GMT

We now need new signs that say 'Welcome to Socialist Pennsylvania'. The smoking ban is definitely a socialist move where government is trying to run everything in people's lives. I'm a smoker and I understand how the smell of smoke could bother people while they are trying to eat. However, it's your right not to like the smell of smoke just as it's my right to create the smell of smoke. I hate the smell of beer but I'm not out crusading or telling my friends they can't have a drink with dinner. And I don't buy that second-hand smoke causes lung cancer. Maybe if you're trapped in a room with a chain smoker for 15 years, but everyone once in a while when your out and about? Sorry. If you believe that, explain why some people who smoke heavily for their entire lives never get lung cancer, while people who never touch cigarettes die from it!

It is understandable not having smoking in a work place. I know I'd probably be the first one to accidentally light an important document on fire! But out in bars and restaurants? Come on! As a smoker, one of the best times to have a cigarette is after a meal or with a drink. And the people who work in restaurants and bars who complain? Then find a new job! I'm not a coal miner because I don't want exposed to the hazards of the job. And I'm not a police officer for the same reason!

If you want to make it practically illegal to smoke, why not make it illegal to drink alcohol? There are way more deaths from idiots who drink themselves to death, damage their organs, and get behind the wheel and kill OTHER people. I've never heard of someone committing vehicular manslaughter because they were smoking while driving! And I'm sick of the stigma people place on smokers. If you're an alcoholic or drug addict, that's okay because you need help and it's an addiction. We're going to throw all kinds of social programs at you and make sure you recover. But if you're a smoker, you're dirty, disgusting and are bothering other people. When are we going to be arrested for standing on the corner?!?

And before everyone jumps on my back, saying that I feel this way just because I'm a smoker, my father who is a non-smoker agrees, simply because he despises socialism. (Oh, and in case you are wondering, Barack Obama IS a socialist!)

There is so much more I could say....

Re: What's your view on Pennsylvania's new smoking ban?

M.John — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:02:53 GMT

But if the person next to me at a restaurant eats tons of ice cream, I don't get diabetes. Maybe the residents of PA have a right to out out to eat or drink without having to assume the risk of cancer.

The imposition on smokers is to move outside where they can somewhat limit the effects that their choice has on others. The imposition on non-smokers is lung damage. That's an easy call!

Re: What's your view on Pennsylvania's new smoking ban?

buzzpoet — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:54:33 GMT

anyone making the "argument" that " I'll bet my IQ is as high (or higher) than yours.", clearly has a low IQ.

not sure how I would classify as a "miltant" non-smoker - frequenting my share of bars without complaint, having very good friends who smoke, and myself partaking in an occasional cigar (the way Scharzenegger does, not Lewinsky), but not doing so inside where I might make someone else uncomfortable. I just think if you have a habit that endangers your health, fine, just don't compromise mine, and show some respect for your fellow humans.

Regarding your sex comment - nope, I always had more sense than that. And if you want to do it - by all means proceed, it's not going to give me a disease. No need for laws against that.

Re: What's your view on Pennsylvania's new smoking ban?

Rican_Havoc — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:37:30 GMT

Ted

The place I referred to was Dave and Buster's or Funfest (family oriented places that also serve alcohol at a connected Bar) and yes you are 100 % correct in saying it's illegal for minors to be in Bars.

Re: What's your view on Pennsylvania's new smoking ban?

JRGraff08 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:31:06 GMT

I love how Pittsburgh yearns and desires to get people to come here and spend money and even be like "real" cities, yet they are totally ignorant to the policies and laws that help make other cities more progressive, modern and clean. For example, you can actually go to a bar in New York City and enjoy this thing called breathing. Imagine that. Even our comparable neighbor to the West (OH) has a statewide smoking ban and its efforts have paid off with much cleaner establishments and happier customers who aren't interested in lung cancer training.

Years ago, my grandfather quit smoking when 'cold turkey' was the only method available. No patches, no medicines, no support groups, no Nicorette. Flat-out cold turkey was the only way to go. We also didn't have the medical technology to know just what it was that smoking really did to you and those around you.

I find it an atrocity that with all the technology and medical care we have today to combat such an addiction that people aren't lining up for help in droves for help. I personally consider this ban a failure; a failure because it bans smoking in most of the places where it's already banned as opposed to where it needs to be banned: 100% of ALL bars and restaurants REGARDLESS of food income. No acceptions. No loopholes. New York, California, Ohio and many others have banned smoking 100% and businesses have not plummeted. Shame on you, Harrisburg, for granting these loopholes and acceptions. Thanks for implementing a ban that is still like the rest of Pennsylvania: babysteps towards better progression.

Re: What's your view on Pennsylvania's new smoking ban?

buzzpoet — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:27:21 GMT

replying to alexios who said... "you might want to check the research used to determine that second hand smoke is carcinogenic. its a bit fuzzy and that is being generous. the anti-smoking campaign has turned into a witch hunt that would put salem to shame."

You're right. Smoking and second hand smoke is good for you. That's why after a night at the bar, my social-smoker friends always say "man, my throat and lungs are killing me"... and my lungs are burning too the next day (I don't smoke). No pain, No gain, right? You're right. It's gotta be healthy.

Wake up. This isn't the 1950's.

Re: What's your view on Pennsylvania's new smoking ban?

yandt70 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:17:06 GMT

Having been fairminded about this from the jump, let me say that the militant smokers and non-smokers need to chill out.

To the militant smokers: ice cream and tomatoes do not cause cancer. Smoking "can" cause cancer. The peanut analogy was more accurate.

To the militant non-smokers: I hope you have never had unprotected sex with a stranger in your life. Similar dangers are likely. I neither fat nor sickly. Also, I'll bet my IQ is as high (or higher) than yours. Would you like the government to put a ban on unprotected sex too?

Re: What's your view on Pennsylvania's new smoking ban?

buzzpoet — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:03:55 GMT

In reply to "bluesguy"...

Contrails are not "unburned jet fuel", it's just water vapor. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contrail

Rarely do you find a running engine inside of an establishment where you're eating a meal or enjoying a beer.

Regarding the tax - well, if the state and local governments of Pennsylvania had a clue how to run a government, they wouldn't need that much in tax to begin with...they'd cut hundreds of millions in wasteful spending, including subsidies of insurance and medical coverage for government-employed smokers and subsidies for hospitals forced to treat smokers at taxpayer expense. This new law won't chase away smokers. Most of them are too fat or sickly to run away.

Let's all welcome Pennsylvania smoking policy to the 20th century (yes, I know it's the 21st century now). Now if only you could buy a freakin 6 pack in a grocery store like in every other state in the Union.

Fairtax.org

Re: What's your view on Pennsylvania's new smoking ban?

lee r — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:00:01 GMT

I think the law is not right ,

i think that up to the poeple to smoke or not too and it should not be ban from all area;s

so with this law the way it is ,so what next ,a group of poeple tell us not to do something els,

Re: What's your view on Pennsylvania's new smoking ban?

alexios — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:53:55 GMT

you might want to check the research used to determine that second hand smoke is carcinogenic. its a bit fuzzy and that is being generous. the anti-smoking campaign has turned into a witch hunt that would put salem to shame.

Re: What's your view on Pennsylvania's new smoking ban?

alexios — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:44:05 GMT

This ban is nothing but a joke...and a bad one at that. first, if people want to smoke, that is their choice. if an establishment allows smoking and you don't like smoke....don't go there.

the economic realities of the current market will make smoking a thing of the past. as greater numbers of people don't smoke and don't want to be around smokers, businesses will cater to that demographic and smokers will be squeezed out. that's why my wife and i only patronize establishments that are non smoking.

the biggest joke is that casinos are exempt. to our politicans, who feign concern about our health, people who visit and work at casinos are different than everyone else. it would be great if the people who are so concerned about their health would not visit a casino. but some how i think they will go anyway.