Nunn wants smoke ban in Capitol

Lexington Herald-Leader ^ | Feb. 19th, 2004 | By Laura Yuen

[CourtneyLeigh]

"Frankfort's hazy halls and gathering rooms have been fully displayed at the same time legislators are considering bills that would put a stop to local smoking bans such as Lexington's. Nunn said his idea for a smokeless Capitol had nothing to do with the other proposals.

Nunn said he wants to protect women, children and fellow lawmakers such as Rep. Robin Webb, D-Grayson, who is allergic to smoke. The two legislators said they have unsuccessfully asked members of the Legislative Research Commission to adopt an internal policy that would safeguard the public.

"I'm not for an outright ban, but just a balance to protect those who do have health-related problems that keep people like me from functioning," said Webb, who said smoke gives her headaches and burns her eyes, throat and nose.

But Rep. Perry Clark, D-Louisville, says Nunn's bill represents a growing number of restrictions against smokers. "Pretty soon we'll have to leave the Earth to smoke," said Clark, who said he and his colleagues already try to be courteous around non-smokers. "

[CourtneyLeigh]

I personally use to be a smoker, but had to stop, because I had realized it was ultimately just a nervous habit and not worth dieing over. Then about (7)seven years ago my mother became allergic to smoke. Not just cigarettes, but to extremely strong aromas/density of any smoke, perfumes, and room scents that in turn cause her lungs to tighten up, blood pressure to rise, and she gets migraines. It's not the fault of either her or the source of the smoke that this happens to her, but the fact is it does.

If it weren't for non smoking sections in restaurants and hotels, we'd never enjoy a day out of the house. I thank God for the rights of all people smokers and non. In addition, I think that the recipe for cigarettes changed drastically about 70 or 80 years ago. There was a time smokers didn't die from cancer because they didn't bleach filters, have filters, or have nicotine in the cigarettes back then.

Why can't we have the old fashion recipe of Cigarettes back that were natural and just plain good for you! Tobacco is a healthy plant God gave the world, we poisoned it with chemicals making it an addiction and a disease carrier for the lovers of it.

Another question: Why don't the manufacturers create a healthy cigarette, tobacco with minerals and vitamins, INSTEAD of nicotine and chemicals. If it's going to be a popular action people participate in all day, then make us healthy, don't kill us.

I bet back in the days of personally rolled tobacco, the only problem you had to worry about in cigarettes was the tobacco getting too humid or bugs in the leaves!

If there should be any kind of ban it should be against the drugs, chemicals, and filters placed in cigarettes, not to mention whatever the hell they put in them darn menthol's (my old fave) that causes people to cough up blood at times.

Regarding the news article specifically, to all the politicians who smoke, what are you going to say to the children, spouses, and family of the person who falls down in a stroke because their body's health limitations couldn't bare to breath in cigarette smoke. What will you be feeling the day you find yourself reading in the paper about a child having to be on asthma medicine, or having bronchitis and it's do to the level of second hand cigarette smoke in the home.

It's like my mom always says when she's too hot, " I can't take off any more clothes, but you can put more on!". So in return to the smoker, "I can't go around all day wearing a gas mask, but you can take that smoke outside!".

What's the harm in that? Keep the cigarettes in your offices, in your cars, but don't force others to have to contend with it anymore than you'd force your politics on anyone.

[CourtneyLeigh]

I'd also like to add, my beautiful sweet niece had to have tubes put in her ears at a very young age due to her allergies to dust, pollen, mold, dog dander, and cigarette smoke. Her other in-laws all smoke, her parents take her over to see them on choice occasions, and both her and her father (who also has allergies) come away with small eyes due to lid puffiness, swollen faces due to sinuses congestion, headaches, and they are worn out physically and all they did was sit around with family and enjoy dinner and a little conversation. Just about 5 or 6 hours.

When that little girl gets older and wants to enjoy fresh air where she works because of a SEVERE allergy, then how freely equal is it for her to find out that she might have to work amongst cigarette smoke.

The place I work at has two indoor annex for smoking and a beautiful courtyard, that provides a wonderful atmosphere for breaks and lunches all year round for both the smoker/non smoker.

I'd also like to add at my work place the non smokers insist on taking "oxygen breaks" with our smoker friends, so as to show we support their rights, and ours.

[CourtneyLeigh]

Bump,, uhm bump, ~ BUMPING!!! :

[Normal4me]

Just remember not to smoke during your "oxygen breaks". Can cause an awful explosion!

[tbird5]

I used to smoke about 20 years ago, and I'm now smoking again. I let my children and guests smoke in my house. In the 70s when everyone smoked, it was thought rude not to let people smoke if they wanted to. Everyone thinks the smoker is rude, but it's the nonsmokers who are the most rude ( no class)!

[Normal4me]

Yeah, I am working at a major construction site right now. We have drywall dust, paint fumes, welding fumes, PVC glue fumes, carbon monoxide fumes from equipment and guess who showed up today? OSHA. They cited three people for freyed extension cords and left(go figure). Smoking is the least of my worries. I'll bet more fatties die from heart disease than do smokers, shall we ban fatty foods too? I'm glad you don't smoke but don't try to ban a legal product(s), the government needs the tax revenue to blow on socialist programs ya know.

[Dan from Michigan]

While I disagree with you on banning cigarettes and alcohol, I can respect an honest position for an outright ban over some of these taxites.

[Republican Wildcat]

That Capitol is one of the smokiest places you can go. People smoking everywhere. They must have installed a heck of a ventilation system because somehow the place doesn't smell like all the time.

As far as this proposed ban, I guess on the House floor would probably be reasonable, although he seems to be going a lot farther. It's really tacky that they do smoke so much on the floor.

[MonroeDNA]

Legislators are routinely exempt from the laws that they pass.

[CourtneyLeigh]

I just want to say for the record, I'm not actually supporting the ban of cigarettes, or even (alcohol, how did that come up). I'm simply posting that it can be harmful, and smokers/nonsmokers alike should be given full free respect. Just like people who eat fatty foods. It's your body, do with it what you like, as long as everyone that is in your presence is also respected.

I would never tell someone in a negative way that the smoke is bothering me, I'd get up and move/leave my place where ever I'm at.

Like I said in my comments above, it didn't use to be a killer. It used to be as simple as having something to just, well, smoke.

And please, do not ban the fatty foods. LOL

[CourtneyLeigh]

In the old days, my family too would allow guests and family to smoke. We had ashtrays, and they'd sit down wind of us out of respect. Now where we live, we have a hallway with huge windows. When we do have smokers up, they usually are happy to take a break from dinner/conversation to smoke in the hall, while others cleanup or use the restroom.

It would be rude to have guests over and not allow them to smoke, then again it's your home. You should let them know ahead of time, if their smoking is non-preferable.

That in itself is even more respect to them. The average guest doesn't want to offend their host anymore than the host does the guest.

[Gabz]

I am sorry to hear of your mother's health problems, and will keep her in my prayers.

Thank you also for stating publicly what many people refuse to acknowlege - that while cig smoke does have these effects on some people, it is not the only cause.

As to the chemicals in manufactured cigarettes - I agree with you totally. When my husband and I switched from store bought cigarettes to making our own, the difference was almost immeidate. Even my smoke sensitive sister-in-law was unaffected being around it. Straight tobacco, without all the additives in it burns cleaner and will go out if left unattended in the ashtray because the additives that keep manufactured ones burning are not there.

As to nicotine, there has always been nicotine in all tobacco - it's a natural occurring part of the plant itself. Do the manufacturers manipulate the levels up and down, of course.

As to smoking in our offices - places that permit that are becoming fewer and farther between because of the nanny state meddling do-gooders that force private businesses to be smoke-free against their will through unwanted laws and regulations.


I am willing to accept the bans in public (government owned and operated) buildings - but when they move into the private sector is when I draw the line. Let the market decide, owners, customers and employees should make those decisions, not the government and definitely not people who will never step foot in most of the businesses they want control over.

[CourtneyLeigh]

Really, nicotine is a natural chemical in the tobacco. Well then I guess it's not a carcinogen after all. I'd always heard that cigarettes were carcinogenic(spelling error), I'd always assumed that it was because of the nicotine, plus the bleached cotton/synthetic filters.

Folks if you're going to smoke, try rolling your own tobacco in brown paper. Or buying non filtered, natural paper cigarettes.

And for those that smoke pipe, don't forget to pay attention to your pipe tobacco. Know what is in it!

[CourtneyLeigh]

Thanks Normal4me very funny!

[Gabz]

We'd all be in major trouble if nicotine was the carcinogen the antis have tried to make people imagine it is..........tomatoes, peppers and eggplants all containe nicotine (as do all member plants of the nightshade family).

With that said - anything in the wrong dose can kill you........water is necessary to maintain life - but too much can kill you.

The EPA has classified sunlight as a Class A carcinogen, (the same as SHS) - however nearly all living things need sunlight to maintain life. And not everyone gets cancer from too much exposure to sunlight.

The label "carcinogen" is used as a scare tactic in many instances to either promote an agenda - or extort money from businesses.

The poison is in the dose.

Don't get me wrong - I am not promoting that anyone smoke nor am I saying it is a healthy habit - but it is also not the deadly killer the propagandists wish people to believe. Does it cause health problems in some people? Like anything else, of course. Does it kill everyone? Absolutely not.

[metesky]

Smoke troll.

What's with the bold, slick? Afraid we wouldn't hear ya?

[Hillary's Folly]

Tobacco is a healthy plant God gave the world

True, All plants were given to mankind by God, for our use, not abuse. This, of course, includes marijuana and hemp, coca, and poppies.

[Great Dane]

Another question: Why don't the manufacturers create a healthy cigarette, tobacco with minerals and vitamins, INSTEAD of nicotine and chemicals. If it's going to be a popular action people participate in all day, then make us healthy, don't kill us.

Appearantly they have developed a safe cigarette, but the ANTI's got their knickers in a twist over that too, you see it has nothing to do with health, purely a matter of control.

By the way nicotine is a natural substance occuring in tobacco, as well as in many vegetables.

[Great Dane]

It would be rude to have guests over and not allow them to smoke, then again it's your home. You should let them know ahead of time, if their smoking is non-preferable.

I have to disagree, a mans home is his castle, if he chooses to have a smokefree home, so be it, we have lots of friends who do not allow smoking in their home, and thats fine with us.