19
JAN

Look at other side of smoking ban

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This letter to the editor appeared in Chicago's Daily Herald today - thought it was worth repeating:

Look at other side of smoking ban

To the anti-smoking folks writing letters to the media: There seem to be two major themes coming through loud and clear.

First is a patent hatred of people who smoke. These are your friends, relatives, co-workers, employers and employees, not to mention perfect strangers who have done you no harm. Somewhere between 60 and 90 million of us … depending on who is counting.

It takes a special kind of hate and heartlessness to force people from all walks of life, race, economic status, age, disability, etc. out into the cold to smoke. And outdoor smoking areas --no more than three walls mind you -- can't serve drinks, food, entertainment, TV, heat? This is America?

The second notion is that somehow smokers are forcing you to inhale their smoke. Can someone cite one instance where a smoker forced a non-smoker into an establishment that allows (excuse me, allowed) smoking? Maybe it's just me, but if there is something about a place I don't like, I don't go there. What is so difficult about this concept? A cigar bar? Why then Mr. and Ms. Non-smoker, don't go there if it offends you. But rather the attitude of these people seems to be "change the world to suit me". After all, isn't it "all about me"? No compromise? Again, this is America?

The most successful propaganda is based on the theory that the biggest lie repeated often enough sinks into the subconscious. Then, it becomes religion-like.

Spencer Hendron
Lake Barrington

Jan 19, 2008 9:16 am   Email to a Friend

Comments

The Ochre Stalker on Mar 07, 2008 11:24 am

Your ignorance is sickening. True, others aren't necessarily forced by the smoker to inhale the fumes. However, and this may surprise you, most people have to [i]breathe[/i] and smoking pollutes the air that all of the people around you have to breathe. In addition, they don't have a profound hate for smokers, but a hate for the addiction the smoker suffers that makes them not at all concerned for the health of those around them.

Don't speak purely out of anger. Think things through and think some more. Don't just impulsively spout this bulls**t.

anxo otero on Feb 08, 2008 12:17 am

Where I come from in Northern Spain we smokers dont really care about smoking bans, actually tobacco shops are becoming a great place for smokers to meet and socialize and no one will mess around with your right of free person, basically if they do not like the smoke in bars and restaurants then they dont go there or look for one (if they can find it) that does not have a smoker.

I would like to have some information about tobacco, I do not get anymore tobacco with the flavors of the Chesterfields of the 60's specially in the roll you own tobaccos, anyone knows any brand that comes closer.

Regards to all and keep your freedoms alive

Anxo

gini on Feb 04, 2008 4:05 pm

I'll cite a scenario of when a nonsmoker would be forced to breathe smoke: a struggling, single-mother Latina working as a waitress or bartender at a smoking restaurant/bar, who does not have the luxury of quitting because other establishments aren't likely to hire her.

Latina? Are we talking about America? Even without a highschool diploma and was a US citizen why wouldnt she be able to get a job at McDonald's or any other fast food restaurant. Maybe a Target or Kohls or grocery store? All of which do not allow any smoking.

AM on Jan 30, 2008 4:33 am

KC: Hate to say it, but that theoretical situation you proposed is preposterous. What about the fact that no one in the world is necessarily forced against their will to take a job as a waiter/waitress in a restaurant, and could easily have asked about the smoking status of the business they were applying for, before taking a job?

If allowing smoking in businesses is such a bad thing for any businesses to do, do tell me why there weren't ever any major epidemic of workers dying back in the peak American era of smoking(1950s-1970s) from SHS, or how not one death certificate in history has ever linked the cause to SHS? Not to mention to underscore my point more, why is the average lifespan in Japan longer than in the U.S., despite it having a higher smoking rate among its population?

Ranting aside, I loved reading this letter, due to how so spot-on true this letter is. In today's world, it's very sad how true the saying, 'if you repeat a lie enough, it becomes the truth', rings.

jimc_007419 on Jan 29, 2008 11:29 pm

Tobacco farmer's are what helped this country grow. Smoker's pay a lot more tax then non-smoker's, but they get to tell smoker's what they can an can't do.. Everytime this country need's more money, they tax the smoker!! Why don't they tax the fitness center's, heathfood stores, place's like that?? Put more tax on booze.. Smoking ban's are just a bunch of BS!! Just another way for this government to control us. If all smoker's were to set up a peaceful march to Washington then something would be done about it.. I work an pay taxes, I smoke an pay more taxes, I drive an pay even more taxes. This country should be called the united states of taxes!!! Not America the new name is UST an instead of having star's an stripes just have a bunch of dollar sign's$$$$$$$$ that's seem's to be all this country is about anymore the money!!!

KC on Jan 24, 2008 11:08 pm

I don't know about the U.K., but here in the U.S. there weren't any bars that offered a nonsmoking atmosphere before the bans took effect. And as for the letter, I'll cite a scenario of when a nonsmoker would be forced to breathe smoke: a struggling, single-mother Latina working as a waitress or bartender at a smoking restaurant/bar, who does not have the luxury of quitting because other establishments aren't likely to hire her.

pat on Jan 20, 2008 7:46 am

and im afraid this sounds like great britain, these governments dont mind taking the revenue from cigarette sales then they have the cheek to send us all out side.

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