What do you think of the Belmont, CA smoking ban?
930457
I believe the ban is an extreme. Upon the face of it, it may sound healthy by those that oppose smoking, but in reality this sets the precident, and validates the ideation that citizens are incompetant to handle their personal freedoms and respect for their community. It opens pandora's box. Becareful what you wish for, you just might get it. \n\nI wonder if this type of "ban" and social acceptance is how Saddam got his start in Iraq with the peoples blessing?
848313
issue 4 failed and 5 passed, which is what i think it should be.  if you go to the link below, scroll down just passed half way and you'll see the results.\n\nyeah sarah, and if you meet someone who thinks it's unconstitutional, you can think of it as a health code violation.  i mean, restaurants need to follow the cleanliness of floors, bathrooms, freshness of ingredients, etc.  now most pro-smoke people won't buy into the argument that smoke is invading their personal space and second hand smoke does kill, so apply it this way, how would people feel if someone coughed some contagious disease in their face, or on their food, or even on their kids?  same with smoke.
740873
They just passed a law in a city near San Francisco that prohibits smoking anywhere but a totally detached home.  If you live in a townhouse or apartment it's against the law to smoke.  Next they will be in your home telling you what you can and can't eat.  It's effing ridiculous!
429493
I am on your side.  All these sniveling little fairies can go to hell.  We have a right to smoke.  The worst of the group are these little assholes who used to be smokers and now feel the need to dictate to us where we go, what we do, and how we live.  People like you are what we need to make this country great again.  Thank you for taking the time to educate the morons that have replied negatively.
923722
This is the only current information I could find for you.\n\nWhile the bill could still be changed right up until the vote, here is what the latest understanding of the bill is, which was released Friday. \n\nThere would be a policy that would not allow any restaurants to allow patrons under age 18 to smoke.\nThere would be no smoking in any place of employment, retail store, mall, bowling alley, sports arena, or outdoor county park.\nSmoking would be allowed in bars.  Also, any restaurant with a bar inside will be exempt from the ban, as long as the bar is physically separated with walls or doors.\n"That would allow places like Hacienda or Friday’s or whatever restaurant that might have a clearly separated bar and restaurant to allow smoking," explains County Councilman Andy Kostielney.\n\nAside from bars, smoking would also be allowed in any business that only allows patrons 18 and over, which includes tobacco shops, bingo and social halls, as well as private clubs.\n\nPunishment for not following the law \nIf the law is passed, and businesses do not obey, the punishments are as follows. \n\nA first offense gets only a verbal warning. \nThen, there will be a written warning for a second violation.\nBusiness owners will be slapped with a $100 fine for a third violation.\nAfter that, each additional violation would cost businesses $500.  \nLastly, the fourth will cost $200. \nMoney collected would go towards the county's enforcement of the ban.
239388
good.  this way you won't smoke.  it's a very unhealthy and expensive habit.  you can get lung cancer and give it to others too from second-hand smoke.  there is nothing good about it so please, do yourself and others a favor by not smoking.  \nthank you.
787734
Ok, so you are in the minority here- along with my aunt who smoked well into her 90's (she's almost 101 years old now). However, have you thought about what the effects of second hand smoke can do to other people? I have to stear clear from my cousins home (both are chainsmokers)- who I love much but I've had to take my daughter- who has asthma to the ER (after a visit to their house).  \nI'm glad so many places are getting smokefree and I feel like it's rather selfish of people who want the smoke to stay when it's affecting the HEALTH of OTHERS.
350091
Good for that judge.  I wish more judges would uphold the smoking ban.  Most smokers are not considerate of others.  They throw their cigarette butts on the ground and some have even carelessly burned down homes or caused massive fires. \n\nNot only that, there are undisputed facts as to the ill effects smoking causes to one's health.  I had an uncle who died from smoking cigarettes.  It caused damage to his lungs and he had to have part of his lungs removed and he had to breath through this machine. But he still kept on smoking afterwards anyhow.  \n\nSo, I'm so glad the judge upheld that smoking ban.  Maybe if there are more smoking bans, more people would quit smoking.
417271
Hi, I live in Georgia and we are already "smoke free". We cant smoke in any public building. This means, as you said, restaurants, bars, etc. We aren't allowed to take a lit cigarette in grocery stores, laundry mats or any convient store. Also our work force here is the carpet industry, and most carpet mills run 24 hours, 7 days a week. Alot run swing shifts, which consist of working 12 hour shifts. Now even our mills are saying "no smoking" on their property, not even in your own vehicle. If observed doing this you will be terminated. And I'm not even really sure when the voting of these laws were. So I too, would like speak against this issue. I understand non-smokers have rights, but doesn't smokers have any rights at all?
41806
An automobile puts more toxins into the atmosphere than any tobacco smoker does.  Should cars be banned?  It is always easier to point the finger at someone else and say their behavior is bad for your health than it is to accept one's own faults.\nSmoking is a bad habit.  So is overeating.  Should fat people be banned from public places?\nOur society should spend more time and effort preventing the next generation from smoking tobacco.  It may already be too late to change people who smoke now.
594055
I wouldn't group the "Ten Commandments" phenomenon with the ban on smoking.\n\nThe reality is that those Americans who are hyper Christian and believe that the Ten Commandments should be posted all over government buildings live in states where smoking is permitted every where.\n\nAnd states that are baning smoking are often the most progressive states, and are the states that are more secular.  For example, California is the first state to ban smoking in restaurants; California is also super progressive, left wing, environmentally minded, educated, wealthy, etc.\n\nSo as an American, yes I think all this Ten Commandment crap is stupid and ridiculous.  Yes the Ten Commandments are the basis of law in the Judao/Christian world, but aren't we supposed to have separation between church and state?\n\nBut as far as the smoking ban; I think it is the greatest thing ever.  Don't get me wrong, I like to smoke every once in a while, but when I smoke I do it where it won't bother other people.  The reality is that a minority of any population smokes (even in France only 30% of the population smokes), but yet we all breath in the smoke if we are in a public space where others are smoking.  \n\nPeople who smoke and don't understand how it bothers others are like these guys who drive in their car with loud music,  so every body else can hear.  Great you appreciate loud music, but that doesn't mean I want to listen.  \n\nOK smoke your cigarette but please don't do it around my family.  Well, now there is a law that protects the health and enjoyment of the majority.\n\nHaving to breath an others cigarette in a restaurant is the equivalent of somebody pissing in my glass of water.  I can't live without air, I can't chose not to breath, so if you smoke around me we are both smoking.
15628
I don't think that smoking should be banned in bars and in clubs. If they are banning things that are bad for you they wouldn't be able to drink there either. I think that if you are so health oriented you shouldn't be in the bar so if you don't want to be around smokers don't go in the bar. Drinking and smoking go hand in hand and some people that drink like to smoke only when they drink. I think it should be up to the bar owner. If the waitresses don't like being around it , get another job at a bar that doesn't allow smoking.
410377
I don't smoke, but always did say I'd never forbid others to do so, and you're right, it's fascist, BUT my attitude changed because some other substances, much less harmful than nicotine, are also forbidden. So, now they only have to ban alcohol (well, for you Americans, it's AGAIN :)), meat (killing animals), expressing your opinion, and other liberties, and we'll have ourselves a nice little clean world where you play like a good sheep or get incinerated. Long live utopia, where all the people are happy ('cause if they're not happy, they're dead).
706721
I grew up in the 60s and 70s in a family that smoked and none of us, not even one of us has died or gone to hospital for smoking related illness.  There needs to be a compromise on this issue, but when the people with money and nothing better to do than try to force everyone to be like they are set an agenda, the rest of us pay.  Where I live, a ban on smoking was recently passed (by a 7% margin, by the way, out of only 30% of registered voters weighing in), because these whiny, holier-than-thou control freaks couldn't be happy that we already had an ordinance requiring restaurants to have separate smoking sections with separate ventilation systems.  Now all the restaurants that invested all  that money in those separate rooms and vent systems are going to have to give them up to these jerks.  Recent talk shows have aired the voices of business owners saying that their business has suffered from the bans, while cities around them report increases, as those of us who still appreciate the concept of a free country drive to less fascistic communities to dine out.  Restaurants are private businesses and if someone can't stand the chance of smelling cigarette smoke, they most certainly do not have to go into them.  This no compromise attitude is very un-American, in my opinion.  Sadly, people these days usually just roll over when new laws go through and they'll just say, "OK, you took that right from me, at least I can still smoke in my car and house."  I just wonder how long that will be true. Hail Oceania!
201031
No, i wouldnt be in favor.  i'm not a smoker, but i do think that it should not be outlawed.  There are many things that have no benefit to society, but are not outlawed.  Like pantyhose, or boston cream doughnuts, or comb-overs.    We cant just start outlawing everything.\nI DO think it should be restricted to private residences, so people can chose whether they want to be around second hand smoke.
348524
I would but NO. And why? By keeping it illegal I think they are just trying to make a private thing. Ya know, people complain about the second hand smoke from cigs could you imagine the mass witch fest that would go on because of that & the fact o contact buzzes. Then wht about the job market? Don't already have enough problems with drunk driving too? It does sound great but the reality is just to impracticle. Maybe you are fine & still live life happily but many others would not. I just say becareful when you have it in tow & I do what you like in private. I've seriously thought about it.... More than once. The cops really don't bother anyone, people are just gonna be at the wrong place at the wrong time & catch the heat. That's just life. Most smokers aren't really winning at the game of life, really most of them aren't.... I guess there's just some it works for & say cool!
425623
I agree, no wants to smell smoke when they eat.... however.... I strongly disagree on banning it from bars, cigs and beer go hand and hand for most people, infact people who dont smoke, will often ONLY light up while drinking.