I’m in a blue state this week, Massachusetts to be exact. I left my hotel to try to find a place to watch some football and I found out that MA, like a few other blue states is fast becoming a non-smoking state. MA passed their non-smoking law this past July. After a little research, I found out that Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, and New York have similar laws. I already knew about the California law. As a matter of fact, a few years back, Del Mar, CA tried to outlaw smoking in public! You couldn’t even walk down the street with a lit cigarette! I’m not sure how that turned out. I moved! Several other states have laws based on the seating capacities of the establishments. All around the country there are laws infringing on the rights of smokers to kill themselves in public!
The blue states are supposed to be where all the “open-minded” people reside. Yet, they increasingly infringe on the rights of business owners. They make decisions for the owners of restaurants and bars without concern for how it may affect their livelihoods.
I understand that smoking is bad for me. I’m pretty sure that every other person that smokes knows this as well. If they don’t, they probably should be eligible for retroactive abortion. I’ve also read reports saying that second hand smoke is bad for you also. I’ve also read reports that say that they can neither confirm nor deny the effects of second hand smoke. But most smoke could be dealt with by the use of better ventilation.
A survey of over 1500 bartenders survey found that though most did not smoke, they felt that smoking should be allowed in bars and restaurants. They also believed that it was hurting business. Either way, that’s not the issue here.
Article comments
1 - bhw
I don't think it's that easy for employees to just go find another place to work. Smoke-filled environments are unsafe, and employers should be required to provide a safe environment for employees.
When you talk about the rights of business owners being infringed upon, I can only reply with one of the standard replies given to me by conservatives when I write about the government restricting certain rights that I happen to cherish: you do not have a constitutional right to smoke or run a business that allows smoking. The constitution does not mention these rights, so they don't exist. Therefore, states are permitted to write laws to restrict or outlaw these activities, as they see fit.
Stick that in your pipe and, uh, smoke it [outside somewhere].
;-)
2 - andy marsh
come on now...I see help wanted signs in just about every restaurant window I drive by!!!
I could see them legislating the amount of air that had to be moved...you know ventilation requirements...
3 - bhw
I meant that if there were no restrictions on smoking and an employee wanted to work in a smoke-free environment, it would not be that easy to just go and find another [smoke-free] place to work.
4 - andy marsh
I guess I've lived in right to work states for to long...I haven't lived in a union type of state...like NJ, CA or here in MA for a while...that's where these things seem to happen
5 - curt
andy,
here's my personal opinion. i feel the government should be able to legislate non-smoking policies in government buildings, restaurants or places where children gather; but i do not think that smoking in bars or gambling establishments should be illegal.
6 - andy marsh
there you go...it's ok in the chuck-e-cheese...but leave my strip joint alone!!!
7 - curt
btw, i smoked for 17 years...not a radical anti-smoker though - there are a few smoking bars here, where i spend some time with the pool leagues.
once in awhile i actually enjoy the smell of smoke (but not often)...not too many strip joints out here in montana.
8 - andy marsh
in va beach they're bikini bars...but being in a tobacco state...there aren't to many non smoking places either. The fromer smokers can be the worst kind of anti-smokers
9 - curt
how 'bout those steelers and bears, huh? did your "gintes" play today?
10 - andy marsh
they were supposed to...but they forgot to show up!!! got beat by the Cards!!!
11 - curt
bummer - am watching the highlights now, had to work today.
12 - andy marsh
good to see you back...you're one of the more reasonable left leaners around here curt...I can actually have conversations with you without trying to pull my hair out!
13 - curt
well, we've had our moments, but it all comes out in the wash...i appreciate the dialogue.
so when are you gonna quit smokin'? i tell you what, i'm a recovering alcoholic (since 1980), and getting off the nicotine (in 1987) was 10 times harder!
14 - Anonymous
go here and search for bill# S1926. This is the Smoke Free Act, there
will be names & emails of supporting goverment officials. Have as many people as possible email them
to show that smoker's do have representation in the state. As far as I understand today is the
final hearing before it goes to the senate and assembly. We still have a chance to do this, let's
reclaim our state!!!!