Kaine again seeks smoking ban
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today renewed his push for a ban on cigarette smoking in bars and restaurants.
"The scientific evidence about the health risks associated with exposure to secondhand smoke remains clear and convincing," Kaine said.
"I am compelled by concern for the health and well-being of all Virginians, as well as recognition of the high public costs of secondhand smoke, to once again ask the members of the General Assembly to approve this necessary and reasonable legislation."
Kaine said the Virginia Department of Health estimates that secondhand smoke is responsible for 1,700 deaths per year.
The legislation again likely faces a tough road in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Reader Reactions
Uhm… yea! I am an excercise fanatic and I DO like my sweets! but that effects MY BODY/HEALTH.
Second hand smoke is the worst.
Pl get a clue* I have watched my own loved ones die from this toxic poison. My grandmother now lives on an oxygen machine.
Stop ignoring the elephant in the room. Everyone knows-
I used to know someone fixated with people smoking in certain places—he filed suits, petitions & formal letters of complaint every chance he could get. He weighed like 400 lbs & wasn’t exactly shy about his eating habits. Another person I knew ranted about people smoking in restaurants. But he drove like a maniac, kept a radar detector in his car (along with this tall silver coffee thermos that looked like a silo) & flew as far above the speed limit as the laws of physics would allow. A real motorhead.
Look closely at those calling for smoking bans in the name of health.
If smokers want to kill themselves, that is their choice but don’t infect others with second hand smoke,which BTW! is ten times worse. Public places are just that! PUBLIC Places.
Can we move into the 21rst century already?!
I am a state employee i work in the field and i have a supervisor that chain smokes in our truck all day everyday.If i say anything i will loose my job for some crazy madeup reason. I think alot about my health but i need to work the bubba mentality at my agency is keep your mouth shut. The gov needs to get the smoking under control in state agency first before moving on to any other ban.
I agree with Edolphs. Put it on the ballot. Let the people decide. The politicians, except for Kaine, are too nutless to see it through like Dc and NYC.
While I agree that personal responsibility should be the chief guideline for how we go about our day to day lives, I can’t agree with this. You say they can simply choose not to patronize a place, but in reality they are forced to choose against it because of the physical effects cigarette smoke has on them. Smoking in public is an act that infringes upon others’ personal liberties by exposing them involuntarily to a something which makes them uncomfortable. In my opinion, a person has the right to walk into any establishment and breathe freely. We shouldn’t kid ourselves into thinking a person has the right to light up wherever he or she wishes.
Given the known costs of smoking to Virginia, a ban makes sense. Making restaurants and bars smoke-free has worked very well elsewhere.
I feel it should be banned because why should my lungs have to suffer? If a place is bad enough I will not go in it or return. We have several favorites that have gone smoke free and do a booming business. Other states have passed it. I say put it on the ballot and let the voters decide for once and all since we know the politians won’t go thru with it.
I feel compelled to say although I don’t smoke - in or out of bars and restaurants - there are too many personal choice decisions being made in the name of (fill in the bank) in our society. It is time we were responsible for making decisions on our own whether or not to patronize places or participate in events.
Post a Comment(Requires free registration)
- Please avoid offensive, vulgar, or hateful language.
- Respect others.
- Use the "Flag Comment" link when necessary.
- See the Terms and Conditions for details.
Advertisement