Op/Ed to my hometown paper (on smoking laws)

[Ratatosk]

I know, I know -- just repeating the responses I've gotten over the past few years. And their response to my concerns is that I don't HAVE to give smoking establishments our business. We can just stay home. And none of them believe the hard science.

Oh and get this... Recently in Minnesota where a smoking ban was just implemented -- there was a loophole allowing actors on stages to smoke during plays. So several bars in northern Minnesota advertised on the weekends that they were putting on "plays" and all the patrons were "actors".

In our community where smoking is allowed inside restaurants, provided they're enclosed -- the bar owners prop open the doors. Sigh...

You did raise some very good points. Your response was excellent. I hope they do ban smoking where you live. It's WONDERFUL to go to a bar to listen to some good music and not have to worry about smoke.

 

[Ratatosk]

I know, I know -- just repeating the responses I've gotten over the past few years. And their response to my concerns is that I don't HAVE to give smoking establishments our business. We can just stay home. And none of them believe the hard science.

Oh and get this... Recently in Minnesota where a smoking ban was just implemented -- there was a loophole allowing actors on stages to smoke during plays. So several bars in northern Minnesota advertised on the weekends that they were putting on "plays" and all the patrons were "actors".

In our community where smoking is allowed inside restaurants, provided they're enclosed -- the bar owners prop open the doors. Sigh...

You did raise some very good points. Your response was excellent. I hope they do ban smoking where you live. It's WONDERFUL to go to a bar to listen to some good music and not have to worry about smoke.

 

[Ratatosk]

I know, I know -- just repeating the responses I've gotten over the past few years. And their response to my concerns is that I don't HAVE to give smoking establishments our business. We can just stay home. And none of them believe the hard science.

Oh and get this... Recently in Minnesota where a smoking ban was just implemented -- there was a loophole allowing actors on stages to smoke during plays. So several bars in northern Minnesota advertised on the weekends that they were putting on "plays" and all the patrons were "actors".

In our community where smoking is allowed inside restaurants, provided they're enclosed -- the bar owners prop open the doors. Sigh...

You did raise some very good points. Your response was excellent. I hope they do ban smoking where you live. It's WONDERFUL to go to a bar to listen to some good music and not have to worry about smoke.

 

[Ratatosk]

I know, I know -- just repeating the responses I've gotten over the past few years. And their response to my concerns is that I don't HAVE to give smoking establishments our business. We can just stay home. And none of them believe the hard science.

Oh and get this... Recently in Minnesota where a smoking ban was just implemented -- there was a loophole allowing actors on stages to smoke during plays. So several bars in northern Minnesota advertised on the weekends that they were putting on "plays" and all the patrons were "actors".

In our community where smoking is allowed inside restaurants, provided they're enclosed -- the bar owners prop open the doors. Sigh...

You did raise some very good points. Your response was excellent. I hope they do ban smoking where you live. It's WONDERFUL to go to a bar to listen to some good music and not have to worry about smoke.

 

[Ratatosk]

I know, I know -- just repeating the responses I've gotten over the past few years. And their response to my concerns is that I don't HAVE to give smoking establishments our business. We can just stay home. And none of them believe the hard science.

Oh and get this... Recently in Minnesota where a smoking ban was just implemented -- there was a loophole allowing actors on stages to smoke during plays. So several bars in northern Minnesota advertised on the weekends that they were putting on "plays" and all the patrons were "actors".

In our community where smoking is allowed inside restaurants, provided they're enclosed -- the bar owners prop open the doors. Sigh...

You did raise some very good points. Your response was excellent. I hope they do ban smoking where you live. It's WONDERFUL to go to a bar to listen to some good music and not have to worry about smoke.

 

[Uli]

"Nonsmoking sections in restaurants are like nonpeeing sections in pools"<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
I´m not shure who said so, but its true!!

Uli,45, Germany

 

[Uli]

"Nonsmoking sections in restaurants are like nonpeeing sections in pools"<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
I´m not shure who said so, but its true!!

Uli,45, Germany

 

[Uli]

"Nonsmoking sections in restaurants are like nonpeeing sections in pools"<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
I´m not shure who said so, but its true!!

Uli,45, Germany

 

[Uli]

"Nonsmoking sections in restaurants are like nonpeeing sections in pools"<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
I´m not shure who said so, but its true!!

Uli,45, Germany

 

[Uli]

"Nonsmoking sections in restaurants are like nonpeeing sections in pools"<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
I´m not shure who said so, but its true!!

Uli,45, Germany

 

[Emily65Roses]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>jfarel</b></i>
This is the rationale I always here by those opposed to a ban on smoking in public places.
</i></end quote></div>
Just thought I'd point out... "here" should be "hear".

As for not changing minds... I'll agree with that as a whole. But I just wanted to offer this: Before dating me, Mike was a "proud to be a smoker and screw those whiny anti-smokers". Now he gets pissed when anyone smokes near us. Clearly, he's a specialized case, because dating me is what changed it. But it's not impossible to change minds. Sometimes, the smokers just haven't thought of special situations like lung diseases. Though like I said, I do agree, most minds won't be changed.

 

[Emily65Roses]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>jfarel</b></i>
This is the rationale I always here by those opposed to a ban on smoking in public places.
</i></end quote></div>
Just thought I'd point out... "here" should be "hear".

As for not changing minds... I'll agree with that as a whole. But I just wanted to offer this: Before dating me, Mike was a "proud to be a smoker and screw those whiny anti-smokers". Now he gets pissed when anyone smokes near us. Clearly, he's a specialized case, because dating me is what changed it. But it's not impossible to change minds. Sometimes, the smokers just haven't thought of special situations like lung diseases. Though like I said, I do agree, most minds won't be changed.

 

[Emily65Roses]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>jfarel</b></i>
This is the rationale I always here by those opposed to a ban on smoking in public places.
</i></end quote></div>
Just thought I'd point out... "here" should be "hear".

As for not changing minds... I'll agree with that as a whole. But I just wanted to offer this: Before dating me, Mike was a "proud to be a smoker and screw those whiny anti-smokers". Now he gets pissed when anyone smokes near us. Clearly, he's a specialized case, because dating me is what changed it. But it's not impossible to change minds. Sometimes, the smokers just haven't thought of special situations like lung diseases. Though like I said, I do agree, most minds won't be changed.

 

[Emily65Roses]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>jfarel</b></i>
This is the rationale I always here by those opposed to a ban on smoking in public places.
</i></end quote>
Just thought I'd point out... "here" should be "hear".

As for not changing minds... I'll agree with that as a whole. But I just wanted to offer this: Before dating me, Mike was a "proud to be a smoker and screw those whiny anti-smokers". Now he gets pissed when anyone smokes near us. Clearly, he's a specialized case, because dating me is what changed it. But it's not impossible to change minds. Sometimes, the smokers just haven't thought of special situations like lung diseases. Though like I said, I do agree, most minds won't be changed.

 

[Emily65Roses]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>jfarel</b></i>
This is the rationale I always here by those opposed to a ban on smoking in public places.
</i></end quote>
Just thought I'd point out... "here" should be "hear".

As for not changing minds... I'll agree with that as a whole. But I just wanted to offer this: Before dating me, Mike was a "proud to be a smoker and screw those whiny anti-smokers". Now he gets pissed when anyone smokes near us. Clearly, he's a specialized case, because dating me is what changed it. But it's not impossible to change minds. Sometimes, the smokers just haven't thought of special situations like lung diseases. Though like I said, I do agree, most minds won't be changed.

 

[coltsfan715]

I think it is great that you are writing in response to them John.

I will say this - take a look around at other states - Florida included. I am sure the information is out there somewhere. I know they voted here in 2000 to ban smoking in food establishments - basically if 75% or more of an establishments income came from food sales they were unable to allow smoking. There was a big to do about it amongst smokers and saying that there shouldn't be a law like that. It sounded as though the law would easily be negated - but in all actuality with like 70% of votes the bill passed.

I agree with you - if you want to put stats into it to give the argument more credibility you could look up what percent of the national population has breathing problems - but it asthma, CF, COPD, alpha 1 antitrypsin, emphysema and so on. Then you can also look up what percent of lung cancer patients actually smoked and what percent of lung cancer patients resulted from second hand smoke and stuff like that. Sometimes giving people in the "let people choose" category factual stuff to grab a hold of works better than making a plea to their "better judgement" which is obvious they don't always have.

I personally just tell people I know that smoke that don't get why I don't want it around me that I don't care if they want to kill themselves but I refuse to let them kill me too.

That and too add - post transplant our lungs are even more greatly affected by cigarette smoke than pre transplant because our bodies immune system isn't as great. A "normal" person with a "normal" immune system can protect the lungs more easily from all kinds of airborne things - ours unfortunately can not do that as well since we are immune suppressed.

I say it is too bad you can't just say .. put it to a vote. I'll bet you in an official vote the non smokers would come out of the woodwork and the no smoking in restaurants would be passed no questions.

Take Care and great job on the reponse.

Love Linds

 

[coltsfan715]

I think it is great that you are writing in response to them John.

I will say this - take a look around at other states - Florida included. I am sure the information is out there somewhere. I know they voted here in 2000 to ban smoking in food establishments - basically if 75% or more of an establishments income came from food sales they were unable to allow smoking. There was a big to do about it amongst smokers and saying that there shouldn't be a law like that. It sounded as though the law would easily be negated - but in all actuality with like 70% of votes the bill passed.

I agree with you - if you want to put stats into it to give the argument more credibility you could look up what percent of the national population has breathing problems - but it asthma, CF, COPD, alpha 1 antitrypsin, emphysema and so on. Then you can also look up what percent of lung cancer patients actually smoked and what percent of lung cancer patients resulted from second hand smoke and stuff like that. Sometimes giving people in the "let people choose" category factual stuff to grab a hold of works better than making a plea to their "better judgement" which is obvious they don't always have.

I personally just tell people I know that smoke that don't get why I don't want it around me that I don't care if they want to kill themselves but I refuse to let them kill me too.

That and too add - post transplant our lungs are even more greatly affected by cigarette smoke than pre transplant because our bodies immune system isn't as great. A "normal" person with a "normal" immune system can protect the lungs more easily from all kinds of airborne things - ours unfortunately can not do that as well since we are immune suppressed.

I say it is too bad you can't just say .. put it to a vote. I'll bet you in an official vote the non smokers would come out of the woodwork and the no smoking in restaurants would be passed no questions.

Take Care and great job on the reponse.

Love Linds

 

[coltsfan715]

I think it is great that you are writing in response to them John.

I will say this - take a look around at other states - Florida included. I am sure the information is out there somewhere. I know they voted here in 2000 to ban smoking in food establishments - basically if 75% or more of an establishments income came from food sales they were unable to allow smoking. There was a big to do about it amongst smokers and saying that there shouldn't be a law like that. It sounded as though the law would easily be negated - but in all actuality with like 70% of votes the bill passed.

I agree with you - if you want to put stats into it to give the argument more credibility you could look up what percent of the national population has breathing problems - but it asthma, CF, COPD, alpha 1 antitrypsin, emphysema and so on. Then you can also look up what percent of lung cancer patients actually smoked and what percent of lung cancer patients resulted from second hand smoke and stuff like that. Sometimes giving people in the "let people choose" category factual stuff to grab a hold of works better than making a plea to their "better judgement" which is obvious they don't always have.

I personally just tell people I know that smoke that don't get why I don't want it around me that I don't care if they want to kill themselves but I refuse to let them kill me too.

That and too add - post transplant our lungs are even more greatly affected by cigarette smoke than pre transplant because our bodies immune system isn't as great. A "normal" person with a "normal" immune system can protect the lungs more easily from all kinds of airborne things - ours unfortunately can not do that as well since we are immune suppressed.

I say it is too bad you can't just say .. put it to a vote. I'll bet you in an official vote the non smokers would come out of the woodwork and the no smoking in restaurants would be passed no questions.

Take Care and great job on the reponse.

Love Linds

 

[coltsfan715]

I think it is great that you are writing in response to them John.

I will say this - take a look around at other states - Florida included. I am sure the information is out there somewhere. I know they voted here in 2000 to ban smoking in food establishments - basically if 75% or more of an establishments income came from food sales they were unable to allow smoking. There was a big to do about it amongst smokers and saying that there shouldn't be a law like that. It sounded as though the law would easily be negated - but in all actuality with like 70% of votes the bill passed.

I agree with you - if you want to put stats into it to give the argument more credibility you could look up what percent of the national population has breathing problems - but it asthma, CF, COPD, alpha 1 antitrypsin, emphysema and so on. Then you can also look up what percent of lung cancer patients actually smoked and what percent of lung cancer patients resulted from second hand smoke and stuff like that. Sometimes giving people in the "let people choose" category factual stuff to grab a hold of works better than making a plea to their "better judgement" which is obvious they don't always have.

I personally just tell people I know that smoke that don't get why I don't want it around me that I don't care if they want to kill themselves but I refuse to let them kill me too.

That and too add - post transplant our lungs are even more greatly affected by cigarette smoke than pre transplant because our bodies immune system isn't as great. A "normal" person with a "normal" immune system can protect the lungs more easily from all kinds of airborne things - ours unfortunately can not do that as well since we are immune suppressed.

I say it is too bad you can't just say .. put it to a vote. I'll bet you in an official vote the non smokers would come out of the woodwork and the no smoking in restaurants would be passed no questions.

Take Care and great job on the reponse.

Love Linds

 

[coltsfan715]

I think it is great that you are writing in response to them John.

I will say this - take a look around at other states - Florida included. I am sure the information is out there somewhere. I know they voted here in 2000 to ban smoking in food establishments - basically if 75% or more of an establishments income came from food sales they were unable to allow smoking. There was a big to do about it amongst smokers and saying that there shouldn't be a law like that. It sounded as though the law would easily be negated - but in all actuality with like 70% of votes the bill passed.

I agree with you - if you want to put stats into it to give the argument more credibility you could look up what percent of the national population has breathing problems - but it asthma, CF, COPD, alpha 1 antitrypsin, emphysema and so on. Then you can also look up what percent of lung cancer patients actually smoked and what percent of lung cancer patients resulted from second hand smoke and stuff like that. Sometimes giving people in the "let people choose" category factual stuff to grab a hold of works better than making a plea to their "better judgement" which is obvious they don't always have.

I personally just tell people I know that smoke that don't get why I don't want it around me that I don't care if they want to kill themselves but I refuse to let them kill me too.

That and too add - post transplant our lungs are even more greatly affected by cigarette smoke than pre transplant because our bodies immune system isn't as great. A "normal" person with a "normal" immune system can protect the lungs more easily from all kinds of airborne things - ours unfortunately can not do that as well since we are immune suppressed.

I say it is too bad you can't just say .. put it to a vote. I'll bet you in an official vote the non smokers would come out of the woodwork and the no smoking in restaurants would be passed no questions.

Take Care and great job on the reponse.

Love Linds