enoughlaws

05-24-2005, 7:04 PM

ok... if you dont smoke... fine... if you live in america... "the home of the free???" here we go... if you dont like a restaraunt or bar because of smoke "DONT GO" if you dont like a certain movie "DONT WATCH" really people.... this is a free country... you are not forced to stay in a place with smokers!!! you can leave or go some where else... so lets ban certain people... "Even VETS" from doing or eating where they want! yes... this is America... lets make a few more laws... so we have to sign to get cold medicine... our cheerleaders my be arrested for cheering... for speaking on a radio station about racy remarks!!! yes we are free here... (thats a laugh) just what are we fighting for???

the media watchdog

indy_voice

02-08-2005, 3:24 PM

I couldn't disagree with this ban more! The city council members need to check with the American Medical Association and they will find that more adults and children die from obesity than smoking and second-hand smoke! Shouldn't they spend their time protecting these people and ban "super-sized" fast food and such? How about a weigh-in at a restaurant before they are allowed to order from the regular menu?

While they're at it, perhaps they should check the facts and see if alcoholism isn't a more dramatic problem in our city. How many smoking drivers are accused of smoking a pack of cigarettes, getting in their car and killing a family with their vehicle on their way home? While they're banning fast food they can also ban alcohol! I'm much more frightened of a drunk driver killing my child than I am of them spending an hour in a restaurant inhaling a bit of "second-hand" smoke while sitting in the non-smoking section.

Each car produces significantly more cancer causing pollution on our drive to and from work. Are they going to ban cars in Indianapolis? Can you imagine?? Passing a ?no-car? ban? I rather doubt it!

Smokers don't deny that the habit isn't healthy. We do however, live in the United States where we have choices and freedoms. These freedoms are slowly but surely being taken away as ?Big Brother? decides what is best for us. Enough is enough.

Personally, I will never patronize a restaurant or lounge that doesn't have a smoking section and I hope my fellow cigarette smokers do the same. Let the city council members explain to the owners of these establishments why they are losing income!

Sincerely, Mel

fedup24

09-24-2004, 5:19 PM

Here is my thoughts on these NON SMOKING bans. The way I see it, if I am in a resturaunt, and a non smoker comes in and sits down, they made that choice. When you walk into any resturaunt or building, if you do NOT see a "This is a non smoking establishment" sign, then you make the choice to still go in and sit down. Therefore, why complain about someone smoking in public, when you know its not smoke free? I think places would be mroe affected then what non smokers think. Just because California or New York said they didnt see change, doesnt mean we wont. Most places I have been to around Indiana, I look all around and see a smoker in every other chair...showing me most people who smoke like knowing they can go to their favorite bar, or club and smoke if they eat or drink. Yes, us smokers have the right to smoke, but non smokers keep screaming "WE HAVE RIGHTS TOO!"" But yet, non smokers are tryin to take smokers rights away by basically sayin the only places we should be allowed to smoke is our own home. How is that fair for everyone? If places allow smoking, then why not do something that makes everyone happy? Totally section off two sides...one for smoking and one for non smoking. Everyone wins. I know plenty of non smokers that do NOT complain when they go somewhere that is not smoke free, because they know it was THEIR choice to go in there knowing it was not a smoke free establishment. Smoker and non smokers alot have rights. Second hand smoke is deadly, no one argued that...but we have air pollution, cancer, AIDS....all these things are just as deadly and more of a killer. Cacner comes from many things, not just smoking. Most bars/clubs get business from smokers more then non smokers, and in Indy, this WOULD be a problem if they all went smoke free. I have NOT been to any bar/club that wasn't fll of smoke, from most people in there smoking. If you do not like the fact it is smoking, then go somewhere else, otherwise the arguments are pointless, when this is all about choices. We choose to smoke, you choose to open the doors to a place you KNOW is not smoke free. It seems non smokers are more interested in THEIR rights, then everyones all together. Outside public places, going non smoking is also something else I find quite pointless. We are outside, with air....how does my smoke affect someone with all the other toxins in the air already? Alot gets blamed on smoking. The cigarette industry started putting warning labels on cigarettes in the late 70's, early 80's I believe and if someone chooses today to start smoking, that is THEIR choice....not the industry, not your's, not mine. Smokers shouldn't have to be told, they can only smoke in their own homes. Like that is going to stop people from dying or getting ill. You could wake up tomorrow and find out you have cancer...going to blame smokers? In all honesty, I believe finding a medium is better then taking away one sides rights just so another side hushes up and gets their way, not caring this is a FREEDOM OF CHOICE country. Some people only smoke when they drink, some only smoke when stressed...some smoke every 5 minutes...this is their choice. If we go out to a club, or a resturaunt, we should be able to smoke there, granted in our own section. I dont agree with places having smoking and non smoking but not having anything between the two areas. Just because we are smokers, does not mean we don't have the same rights as others. Getting rid of smokers does nothing. There is plenty in this world to take your life quicker and easier. Everyday you walk out your door could be your last. My adivce to non smokers yelling and screaming about "their rights," next time you go somewhere, stop and look at the doors, if there is NOT a sign that says "No smoking" or "this is a non smoking establishment," remember it was YOUR choice to still walk through them, no one forced you. And when you sit down and see someone light up, dont complain...you knew it was a chance when you ignored the fact it wasnt smoke free. You cant limit our rights just so you get your way. Something can be done to make most people happy. We have rights as well and non smokers need to realize its not all about them in this world.

Kickkc

11-14-2003, 2:13 PM

Re. the issue of subsidizing tobacco growers and court costs related to suing the tobacco companies and how much taxpayers' money is spent on these things, do you know how much tax revenue the state gets from tobacco products? Do you know how much the state gets in settlement money from the tobacco companies? Don't kid yourself -- the government can't afford to penalize smokers too much, because a huge part of the budget depends on the money that smoking brings in.

As far as non-smokers objecting to paying for health care costs for smokers, you'd better hope you don't do anything that someone could consider detrimental to YOUR health and refuse to pay for your health care. "You were in a car accident and broke your neck? Sorry, all us people riding the bus aren't going to pay for your health care because you should have known the kind of chance you were taking getting into that car in the first place."

Kickkc

11-14-2003, 1:20 PM

I would have to disagree and say this issue is extremely black-and-white. People engage in all kinds of risky behaviors that endanger not just their own health but the health of others as well. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in this country -- does that mean we should outlaw McDonald's and Hardee's and KFC and make people eat only food that is healthy? Should parents who buy their kids fast food be charged with child abuse?

Let the marketplace decide what the community truly wants or does not want. Let establishments (restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, etc.) decide whether they want to allow smoking or not. I am a smoker, but I would not object to my favorite restaurant banning smoking, as long as it was their decision, based on what their patrons tell them they want, and not one mandated by politicians fixated on one problem while ignoring seven others. I am much more concerned about being killed by some moron driving erratically and causing accidents because he is talking on his cellphone and not paying attention to the road. We can't even get laws passed to require seat belts in trucks or school buses, for crying out loud!

I think it is beyond hypocritical to ban smoking in restaurants because that might be bad for someone, but then turn around and say you've got no problem with those same establishments serving red meat smothered in fatty cream sauce and hot fudge sundaes for dessert. Some people might say that is a person's choice to eat high-fat/high-cholesterol/high carb foods; I would argue that it is also a person's right to smoke and a business's right to allow its patrons to smoke. The government has no business telling us what we can and can't do to our own bodies. If you don't like to be around smoking, don't go to bars and restaurants that allow it. If that establishment can't sustain its business without implementing a smoking ban, then it will fold. If it can, then people who want to smoke can go there and smokers can work there and nobody else has to be bothered.

And if you don't like your work environment but you stay because you care more about making a lot of money than the things you have to put up with, there's a word for that, no matter what your profession, even if you "have went to college."

lbuccini

11-12-2003, 2:52 PM

I think it is great that people are getting involved. Its important to have your voice heard. I am in support of the ordinace! Those who are not...I understand your concerns and worries but they have never been validated. Restaraunt and bars that have been affected by smoking bans in other states have NOT been affected. There is also the fear that the government is going to take control of ever part of our lives. Oh' you silly people by passing this they are saving lives. No one wants to take you rights away. Those who want to smoke ....you make a choice and 1 out of every three of you will die!!! You are playing roulette! Those of us who choose to live a full health live can't do this when we are breathing in second hand smoke! Its unfortunate, but by reading many of your messages...it doesn't seem like many of you are very informed on the issue. I would suggest before forming your opinion...do your research. Understand how and why second had smoke kills (reasearch is not ambiguous as someone suggested earlier). Any medical journal or official website will provide you with a plethora of information. Alos, I think it nieve to assume people can just find another job. No, many times that is not an option. These issues are not as black and white as some of you are making them. There are many other variable that fall into place that many are not taking into consideration. I think its great to express your view point and I'm sure most of you are logical realistic people, but often times when emotions get involved peoples realism tends to dissapear ....Please express opinions in an intellectual manner.....be educated and informed on the issue. There are a lot of issues that many of you are failing to realize And there are many resources out there that can supply you with the research and data that is needed to support an issue!

L. Buccini

jeeptracks

11-11-2003, 2:14 PM

No Smoking, Quit Smoking, Stop Smoking, a cigarette in a circle with a line drawn through it (looks a lot like an ashtray to me), smokers are getting barraged with negative energy. My grandmother had a saying, "You can catch more flies with honey than you can vinegar" I believe that this is true with smokers as well. Instead of a "NO SMOKING" sign how about one with a set of pink lungs painted on it. To replace "Quit Smoking" or "Stop Smoking" perhaps we could try "Heal Your Tobacco Addiction". November 20th is the Great American Smoke Out. Smokers everywhere are going to try to "Quit Smoking" I would like to challenge all smokers to not "Quit Smoking" and instead try to "Heal Your Tobacco Addiction". I am relatively certain that the reason many smokers still smoke in spite of the risks involved is because we are not getting our emotional needs met in areas of our lives. So don't "Quit Smoking", but do search for what you are missing in your life because cigarettes are a bad substitute for joy.

Donna Jaffke New Whiteland

jbussell

11-11-2003, 10:59 AM

Again we debate smoking as a right and not a privelege. Wake up society and realize smoking costs tax payers money. Not only do we supplement the tobacco growers/companies but we also spend billions of dollars to pay for healthcare needs of smokers as well as court cost and attorney fees to combat what is known as a health hazard practice. Let's become a sensible society and follow practices that improve life and liberty, not detract or destroy them. Go Beulah!

angelgirl40

05-14-2003, 8:35 AM

I have been a smoker for 30 yrs but i respect people who do not smoke and i understand why the state is trying to put into law non-smoking but what i don't understand is why bars feel they should be exempt from this law. Many restaurants are smoking do the bars not feel they will lose there business also? California made into law non-smoking for everyone, bars restaurants even some parts of parks where children are, no one lost there business, I think maybe our council people should look into how california made non smoking a law out there. Smokers will still go to bars and restaurants no matter if they are smoking or non--so bar owners stop whinning there are restaurants that feel the same way you do--if it's good for the goose it's good for the gander--council either make it non for all or don't pass the law, no one should be exempt from a non smoking ban

cristine18

05-14-2003, 12:48 AM

I am deeply disappointed and angerd by the City-County Councils decision to table the no smoking ban Tuesday evening. This is a case of elected officials not looking out for the wellfare of the public. How could the majority of the council vote against this ordinance!? Was someone taking money under the table? Does the big tobacco companies have that much of a lobby with Indianapolis government? Are there that many council memebers worried about their re-election that they wouldn't do the right thing? The dangers of second hand smoke are well documented. I work in a bar and don't smoke---cough, cough.