The war continues
Everyone is getting on board.
As many Illinois residents know, Governor Rod Blagojevich recently signed a bull that outlawed smoking in all public places in Illinois. It is a part of the ongoing effort of many states to place more regulations on smokers and tobacco users.
Recently, presidential candidates in both parties, have indicated that they support this movement.
Democrat Hillary Clinton said she supports smoking bans in public places across the country, while Republican Mike Huckabe echoed her sentiment.
Could a national ban be too far away?
Smokers beware. Local officials have been joined by national figures. The nation’s war against tobacco is still underway.
posted by CitizenPatriot at 8:38:00 PM
11 Comments:
If Joe Smith wants to smoke a cigarette and shorten his life, G-d Bless him. But if he starts harming others (i.e., the second-hand smoke argument), is it not the ultimate job of our government to protect the citizenry?
But there's also the free market argument. Let individual establishments choose to go smoke-free and if their business booms, because non-smokers prefer the cleaner air, capitalism will reign!!!
9:46 AM
does it matter....the bill is cool....but that test...wack....wiggiddgywiggidywack....i studied too....that hurt
8:43 PM
As I have stated many times before, this is no infringement of rights. Many noxious chemicals and substances have been nationally outlawed over the past century. Does that mean that they are no longer in circulation? No. However, it does eradicate the stigma of it being the "norm".
Ahhh, what a seductive cancerous aroma these cigarettes emit!
7:43 AM
I personally think that this bill is a good idea. Mostly because non-smokers are incredible biased when it comes to their own health. I don't know about everyone else, but I like going to restaurants without having to hold my breath each time I pass the smoking section.
I can see why smokers would have an issue with this bill, but the toxic chemicals they blow into the air from a cigarette only endangers more of the population. I don't think this bill is going to far, because it concerns the health and well-being of Americans nation-wide.
8:27 PM
I think a national ban is absolutely necessary. The Constitution gives every US citizen the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. How are we supposed to have these things if smokers are spewing harmful chemicals into the air that kill millions of people? This bill to ban smoking will save innocent lives. While many execs in the tobacco industry like to emphasize the amount of people that will be out of jobs if tobacco is no longer grown, the land currently used for tobacco is clearly workable soil and could be used for alternate crops (such as corn, potentially- depending on the soil- which would help increase the use of cleaner emissions from cars). We can only hope that the candidates backing this bill will stick to their word and that the end of smoking is soon to come!
9:34 PM
KEVIN B SAYS smoking shouldn't be outlawed in public places, too much govt.
9:42 PM
Alright, we need someone to play devil's advocate. This board is getting too patisan.
...Elbaum?
11:18 PM
I believe it is the right of every American to be responsible for their own actions. If they do not like smokers then don't go to a bar that allows smokers. This is the nature of Capitalism, if the public has a problem with a company then it is their responsibility to get it changed; however, if the appeal of the company is that they do offer a relatively rare service like allowing smokers then it is their right to provide that service.
I know I already graduated but I missed this.
9:00 PM
Is this a legitimate argument...smoking cigarettes has been borderline social taboo since the miliennium. The nation wide ban is no longer irrational but sincerely understandable.
12:49 AM
The topic of public smoking bans in the entire US would never pass. Too much profit comes from the tobacco industry. To eliminate smoking indoors is a tolerable way to control the second hand smoking situation but for the ban to cover all of a county or city in and outdoors is ludicrous. Personally i think that if the smokers are outside there is enough diffusion of the air for the smoke and its pollutants to be at a safe level. But thats just what i think, not medically speaking.
8:35 PM
I think that by this point and time people know full well that they face a risk of lung cancer from second hand smoke when going into a restaurant or bar. But no one forces them to go there, just as no one forces an employee to work in environment where there's smoke. A statewide ban is unnecessary. Private owned businesses should be given a choice as to whether or not they want to restrict smoking. That way bars wont lose money, and non smokers can be happy as well. -Yana.
11:03 AM
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