Tobacco-Dependent N.C. May Ban Smoking

Fox News ^ | 2/6/05 | Fox News

[wagglebee]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina's largest city may soon ban the state's cash crop from bars and restaurants.

Charlotte-area legislators are petitioning the North Carolina state government, which restricts local municipalities from imposing their own smoking bans, to make an exception to that rule.

[wagglebee]

"While North Carolina has a certain tradition for tobacco use and smoking, we also have a tradition of limited government," he said. Bishop was the only commissioner to vote against the smoking ban.

And these ridiculous laws mocks both traditions.

[Free and Armed]

I weep for my state as I put another pinch of chew in my mouth.

[ArmyBratproud]

I don't use tobacco products....but I do support the right of others to do so.

If a food joint or bar is smoky...well, I don't have to eat there. No one forces me to do so.

[mykdsmom]

NC Ping?

[PistolPaknMama]

"There's no reason to wait and let other people die when we can prevent those deaths," said Susan Burgess, a Charlotte (search) City Council member.

Major barf alert. Mz. Burgess doesn't give a rat's ass about other people dying. I'll drive up there and ask her myself. It's about control.

My daughter lives in FL where there is smoking ban and a lot of bars and businesses have gone out of business.

These are PRIVATELY OWNED businesses that should be able to decide if they want to allow smokers or not. If they don't, fine. Post a sign on the front door, and the smokers can go to another privately-owned-non-governmental-business that does allow smoking.

If I was offended by Sandlewood incense, then I would not go to whatever shop or restaurant that burns Sandlewood incense. If cigarette smoke was offensive to me, then I would not go to an establishment that allowed smoking. AGAIN, it is up to the owner of the NON-GOVERNMENTAL business to decide what kind of customers he/she will accomodate. Whoever is not on the accomodation list, go the freak somewhere else. The Constitution does not provide for your allergies, discomforts and general whiney-ness. In fact, stay home. It'll be like dining at Burger King where you can have it your way.

[PistolPaknMama]

If a food joint or bar is smoky...well, I don't have to eat there. No one forces me to do so.

Praise the Lord and pass the biscuits! Somebody finally said it!

[Just A Nobody]

The problem is everyone complains but no one does anything to STOP it. Once these laws are put in place it is almost impossible to repeal them.

Write letters, make phone calls,check out www.nycclash.com,
www.forces.org - ANYTHING. NYCClash have sponsored all kinds
of things and have a large membership but can get no where with Bloomberg. Forces is an international organization. These laws are just one more step in the march to socialism.

[mysterio]

These laws are just one more step in the march to socialism.

We're still marching? Wake up and look around. We got there years ago. And yet, we still keep tossing the ball to the same politicians. Not all of them have a (D) in front of their names, either.

[clee1]

You said it, FRiend.

[TheLion]

More intrusive laws being forced upon the sleeping masses. When they wake up, it will be too late.

[TaxRelief]

NC *Ping*

Please FRmail Constitution Day, TaxRelief OR Helms if you want to be added to or removed from this North Carolina ping list.

[B4Ranch]

I DO use tobacco products....AND I do support the right of others to do so also.

If a food joint or bar is too smokey for me...well, I don't have to eat there either. No one forces me to do so.

[RepublicanReptile]

Well, I used to work in a restaurant. We had this head waiter who was really annoying, and kind of a control freak, so one day he convinced the boss to ban smoking. The next day we did it, and we were serving our most popular menu, backbone and collards. We had the emptiest restaurant that night. After a week of that, tobacco use was reinstated. My boss told me that never before had tobacco smoke smelled like money to her.
I know I won't eat out as much if smoking is banned completely. It is totally stupid.

[billbears]

Dan Bishop, who sits on the surrounding area Mecklenburg County Commission, disagrees. "While North Carolina has a certain tradition for tobacco use and smoking, we also have a tradition of limited government," he said. Bishop was the only commissioner to vote against the smoking ban.

Well my, my, my. Dan Bishop was the only commissioner to vote against more government control and not further destroying tobacco, which this state was built on. Wow, there must be only one Republican on Mecklenburg County Commission. No, that's not it. Johnny, maybe you could tell me something...Perhaps you could explain why Bill James and Jim Puckett did not join Bishop in his stance. Considering that all Republicans are good and Democrats are bad in your partisan world. Hmmm, must be some more of 'bitterness' expecting Republicans to act conservatively. Or is it just more of the new Dole Republicans that expect they know what's better for us than we do ourselves?

"For us to put a rule in that says, ‘There shall be no smoking here in the Senate of North Carolina,' is just rude," said state Sen. Hugh Webster

Well at least there's one Republican in this state besides Dan Bishop with at least the sense God gave a mule

[JohnnyZ]

Johnny, maybe you could tell me something...Perhaps you could explain why Bill James and Jim Puckett did not join Bishop in his stance.

Probably because they weren't at the meeting you inbred hick who we love anyway :) Puckett, at least, is on record opposing the proposal. http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/local/10623429.htm

[sheltonmac]

There is a similar bill worming its way through our state legislature here in Minnesota, and our "conservative" Republican governor has already promised to sign it if it passes. I sent him a letter reminding him of his duty to protect individual liberty and private property rights. I'm hoping that he listens to what I have to say since we both attend the same church.

[billbears]

Probably because they weren't at the meeting you inbred hick who we love anyway :) Puckett, at least, is on record opposing the proposal.

Ah, insults. I love 'em. Doesn't sound like much of a representative if you ask me. Especially considering, at least in most cities, new business is broadcast in some form as to what the agenda will be for the meeting. And in this case, it was their 'wish list' to our Senate. I would expect a conservative who is 'on the record' against the proposal would want his constituents to know his stance. Ah, but there's that standing up for what you believe thing and acting on it again. And we know new Republicans couldn't do it if they tried

[JohnnyZ]

Doesn't sound like much of a representative if you ask me.

So you have no idea why Puckett and James missed the meeting but you denounce them anyway.

Your ignorance is soaring to perfection!