ban smoking in public places

Virginia’s governor just signed a law that will prohibit smoking in most restaurants beginning 12/1/09. I never thought I’d see this in Virginia, but I am very glad! Kaine signs restaurant smoking ban into law

I love it that y’all can’t ruin my dinners anymore with smoke!

WE need healthier places, and the smoking around those public places is not fair to those of us who do not smoke and who do not want it in our lungs. We can’t let them shorten our life span.

Smoking kills not only the stupid ones who smokes, but also innocent people around, and the area around them gets gross to be in.

I have no idea how to ban it though, but I’m willing to help if someone does!

Tennessee just passed a law banning smoking in public places. WOOHOOO!! Unfortunately, the ban does have a few exceptions including bars and other establishments that restrict the age of those who can enter. On the other hand all restaurants do have to comply with the ban so we will now be able to go out and enjoy a nice dinner with out being bombarded by a cloud of smoke from across the room.

and prop 201 passed. It basically bans smoking in all public places here, and between 201 and 204, arizona is taxing the hell out of cigarettes, which I hope will serve as a deterrent to smoking for teenagers and casual smokers.
I just hope that the new laws are enforced, because honestly the law can ban anything but it’s useless if it’s not enforced. And with my asthma, I am hoping desperately for enforcement. I’m so tired of smokers who think they can poison the air anywhere they want. I’m tired of smokers leaning up against “no smoking” signs and blowing smoke in my face when I’m entering a building. We all have our rights, and one of my rights is a smoke-free entrance to public buildings.
I’m not even going to get started on the jerks who think that cigarette butts are acceptable littering. Because I just want to smack those morons.
It’s common sense, people. Common sense and respect. because breathing is sort of important to me.

...but not giving up either. I’ll call this “half done” since I rarely am subjected to passive smoke in establishments, but I still have to walk through clouds of it in public places.

Here’s an interesting news article about a sharp decline in heart attacks after a ban on smoking in public. Perhaps not scientific proof, but more than a coincidence in my opinion.

Second-hand smoke causes cancer. Smokers who pollute other people’s air are risking other people’s lives with their selfish choices.

I had a smoker’s cancer at age 29. I never smoked in my life. I was exposed to second-hand smoke for years and years. Can I prove that second-hand smoke caused my cancer? No. But there’s nothing else even as close to being likely.

If a person is going to make an unhealthy choice, that’s their business. But please don’t make me breathe it. Not even one lung-full, please. It causes me terror. I’m lucky to be alive today and I don’t want to go back there.

(And just for fair warning, I am making this entry to express my opinion, not to put it up for debate. I reserve the right to delete comments that I dislike. I encourage expressions of dissenting opinions on entries under a person’s own goals. Thanks for understanding.)

...Scotland banned smoking from public places. It’s made life far more pleasant when you’re inside, but unfortunately many people choose to smoke at the entrances, which are apparently included in the text of the act but no one seems to enforce that part.

I claim at least partial credit since I voted for one of the parties currently in power.

In Arizona there are laws about where you can smoke but they are never enforced. I have asthma and I’m sick of pulling out my inhaler every time I want to go into Target. I shouldn’t have to. And anyone who’s ever been in a “non-smoking” section at a restaurant can tell you that you might as well be sitting in the smoking section because the whole bloody restaurant smells like an ashtray.
There’s probably nothing I can do about it, but this is going on my list anyway.