Rep. Roger Landry said that after his decade-long battle against cancer, he puts health concerns over personal freedoms cited by the bill's opponents.
''I don't think we're chipping away at people's rights as much as steering (CONTROLLING) them toward a more healthy lifestyle,'' said the Sanford Democrat.

Well, well; the chickens are coming home to roost. All progressive democrat (communists) are alike. This is the result of liberalism; first they destroyed the public schools and universities and brainwashed America's youth, now they move on to controlling the adults and worker's of America.

This is a sign that the end is near. So I'm going to max out my credit cards and eat more fatty foods. Smoke more, Drink more, and run with scissors. I think I'll even go out and look for someone to have a meaningless affair with. The sky is the limit. Sorry Shelion but this Smoke Nazi victory makes me madder than heck.

''We're tired of working in an environment that is not safe or healthy,'' said Rep. Leila Percy, a Phippsburg Democrat who works as a singer and bandleader in the haze of clubs that serve alcohol.

She shouldn't be moonlighting. It obviously affects her decision making in her day job.

It is my opinion that these laws i.e. smoking, cell phones, helmets, seat belts.. have more to do with the insurance lobby in this country. If the feds and states were so worried about our 'health' then what about the lack of security at our borders?? NOW that IS a huge health risk.. bombs, chemical & biologicals coming into this country thru Mexico or Canada!

What a witch! What nerve! Thanks, KS! It just keeps getting worse! UGH!

This is a sign that the end is near.

As I sit here at age 50 waiting for 80mg of Vicodin to get to the pain from MIDCAB open-heart surgery performed last week, (this after 6 heart caths in 2 years to keep an artery open), I know without a doubt that smoking is killing me a little at a time. The hold it has on me is unlike any other.

If the government truly had smoker's welfare in their minds, they'd be funding a silver bullet project akin to the moon shot to stop the addiction once and for all for those that want to quit but lack whatever it takes to do so. That's where the tobacco settlement money should have gone.

Instead, it, the government, is completely ignorant of what an addiction this is for some people. They think outlawing smoking will stop smoking and there is nothing anywhere to support that.

Screw them all.

Stupid people don't learn from history.

Lawmakers have become lawgivers in their own minds.

They need to be whacked-down a peg or two!

Many smokers will open speak-easys in their basements and have "some friends" over for a smoke and a beer.

The bar business will suffer greatly as these "clubs" begin to proliferate in New York City and in other stupid states.

The state site hasn't posted the vote yet, so it's too early to identify our enemies.

I'll be 50 in Jan. I am blessed with excellent health. I am a moderate smoker from a line of heavy smokers. My grandfathers smoked well into their 90's Pall Mall and Camel. I wish your helath was better but I agree with you on how the money should be spent. God Bless You and I hope things improve.

What a disingenuous argument, sir. The number of smoke free bars and restaurants has been steadily proliferating without government intervention.

Or perhaps you're one of those Freepers that pisses and moans about Big Government only when your causes are affected. If you don't see the connection between private property rights and free association, you're on the wrong forum, buddy.

Here's a link to common sense.

''We're tired of working in an environment that is not safe or healthy,'' said Rep. Leila Percy, a Phippsburg Democrat who works as a singer and bandleader in the haze of clubs that serve alcohol.

Then go sing opera, JERK!

"Perhaps the over 10% of the people with respiratory disorders (like mine) may make up for the number who will refuse to go to a bar or restaraunt if they can't smoke at the table. I really do not know. I guess you have to be one of us who currently feel locked out to know that a ban on smoking may not be the same thing as the Nazi oppression some of you seem to think."

You should use your freedom and make the investment to open a smoke free bar or club. If you want to have the experience then take the risk and see if the market exists. Otherwise it is a Nazi move to seize the property rights of the owners of these establishments!

There are more places that you can't smoke than places you can. The main reason bars are fun is because most people in bars are fun. Most people in bars smoke. Most smokers are easy going and open (unless you try to take away one of the last places they can smoke and socialize). Take smokers out of bars and you may as well take the alcohol out too. If smoke bothers you go to a non-smoking bar and hang around with the one dull person who'll be there. Ever notice that ice cream parlors are not that happening?

''We're tired of working in an environment that is not safe or healthy,'' said Rep. Leila Percy, a Phippsburg Democrat who works as a singer and bandleader in the haze of clubs that serve alcohol.

The funny thing is that Leila will no longer be able to find as much work and her side income will suffer due to the number of bar owners that will not be able to afford to hire a band. If I were a bar owner or in an association for bar owners, she would be blacklisted for this act of seizure of my personal property! Then she would no longer have to worry about "working" in a smokey environment.

Selfishness at its worst!

Told you so.