(Heads Up VA Business Owners) Virginia Senate passes indoor smoking ban

United Pro Smoker's Newsletter ^ | Feb. 14, 2006 | Rosalind S. Helderman

[SheLion]

[SheLion]

"Smokers Rights neither promotes smoking nor denies the health risks of smoking. Instead, we defend the interests of adults who choose to smoke; we promote freedom of choice for employers and proprietors who wish to accommodate smokers on their premises; and we speak out against those who want to discriminate against smokers or ban smoking completely. Last but not least, we promote greater courtesy and tolerance between smokers and non-smokers. "

DON'T LET THE HEADLINES FOOL YOU
Court throws out challenge to EPA findings on secondhand smoke - (December 2002) - The ruling was based on the highly technical grounds that since the EPA didn't actually enact any new regulations (it merely declared ETS to be a carcinogen without actually adopting any new rules), the court had no jurisdiction to rule in the matter.  This court ruling on the EPA report is NOT a stamp of approval for that report. Judge Osteen's criticisms of the EPA report are still completely valid and is accompanied by other experts.

The State of Virginia is  becoming another Anti-occupied prohibition casualty,
banning smoking from restaurants and bars!!!

IF YOU CAN'T SMOKE, DON'T GO! - KEEP YOUR WALLETS SHUT!
OVER 600,000 Virginians ARE SMOKERS!

Public property: That which is purchased and maintained by tax dollars for the benefit of all people.

Private property: That which is not purchased or maintained by tax dollars and is for the benefit of the property owner.

[VA_Gentleman]

OVER 600,000 Virginians ARE SMOKERS!

And OVER 10,500,000 are NON-SMOKERS!

I know I'll catch heat on this thread, but I don't have any problems with the banning of smoking in restaurants and bars. I welcome it. One local restaurant here in Richmond, the Strawberry Street Cafe, went non-smoking this past year, and their profits rose because people wanted a non-smoking restaurant.

[SheLion]

I know I'll catch heat on this thread, but I don't have any problems with the banning of smoking in restaurants and bars. I welcome it. One local restaurant here in Richmond, the Strawberry Street Cafe, went non-smoking this past year, and their profits rose because people wanted a non-smoking restaurant.

That's wonderful.  These bans should be left up to the business owner and his patrons.  NOT the government.  We do not need more government intervention into our personal lives.

But it looks like the beautiful state of Virginia will be over taken by the anti-smokers that have swooped in and is about to choke the states private business economy.

Pity.

[mysterio]

Nationwide within 10 years. West Virginia or Kentucky will be the only hold out, so it will become federal and the fedgov will withhold highway funds from states not participating.

We've lost the fight. But at least they are coming after fat people next.

[tfecw]

"The bill is unlikely to survive review in the House of Delegates. Yet its passage on the floor of the Senate "

It failed in the senate this time last year. Here's the break down

* YEAS--Bell (r), Blevins (r), Colgan (d), Devolites Davis(r), Edwards (d), Herring (d), Howell (d), Locke (d), Lucas (d), Marsh (d), Miller (d), Norment (r), Potts (r), Puckett (d), Puller (d), Quayle (r), Saslaw (d), Stolle (r), Ticer (d), Wagner (r), Whipple (d)--21.

NAYS--Chichester (r), Cuccinelli (r), Deeds (d), Hanger (r), Hawkins (r), Houck (d), Lambert (d), Martin (r), Newman (r), Obenshain (r), O'Brien (r), Rerras (r), Reynolds (d), Ruff (r), Stosch (r), Wampler (r), Watkins (r), Williams(r)--18.

RULE 36--McDougle(r)--1.

NOT VOTING--0.


Break down by party

r 8 (yes) 14 (no)
d 12 (yes) 4 (no)


* I got the stats from here But i had to add the R's and D's so expect a couple of typo's ;)

[SheLion]

Nationwide within 10 years. West Virginia or Kentucky will be the only hold out, so it will become federal and the fedgov will withhold highway funds from states not participating.

We've lost the fight. But at least they are coming after fat people next.

We haven't lost the war yet though.

If smokers stop going out to private businesses that can no longer accommodate them, and if smokers started rolling their own cigarettes which is quite legal.  (All cities and towns have a Smoke Shop for the supplies), then the lawmakers WILL have to go after someone else to make up for all the lost revenue that the smokers have dumped into the economy all these years.  The states are going to lose big time!

And believe me, they will go after someone else.  Like you said:  overweight people are already on the chopping block.

Nationwide within 10 years. West Virginia or Kentucky will be the only hold out, so it will become federal and the fedgov will withhold highway funds from states not participating.

We've lost the fight. But at least they are coming after fat people next.

We haven't lost the war yet though.

If smokers stop going out to private businesses that can no longer accommodate them, and if smokers started rolling their own cigarettes which is quite legal.  (All cities and towns have a Smoke Shop for the supplies), then the lawmakers WILL have to go after someone else to make up for all the lost revenue that the smokers have dumped into the economy all these years.  The states are going to lose big time!

And believe me, they will go after someone else.  Like you said:  overweight people are already on the chopping block.

[SheLion]

"The bill is unlikely to survive review in the House of Delegates. Yet its passage on the floor of the Senate "

It failed in the senate this time last year. Here's the break down:

Thank you!  I didn't have time to look this part up! :)

[tfecw]

"But it looks like the beautiful state of Virginia will be over taken by the anti-smokers that have swooped in and is about to choke the states private business economy"

Hey, government knows best don't you know. How can you go wrong when a republican is sponsoring the bill. /disgust

[AppyPappy]

As long as it is voluntary, it's cool with me. But someone wants to start a cigar bar, they should be allowed to do so.

[beltfed308]

Sunday night I was watching on the history channel a show titled "Hitlers technology". In one sequence they had medical research done by the Nazi's. The campaigne and actions that they used as far as smoking laws and such are no different than what we are seeing now.

History repeating itself. Too bad that the same technique tying the Nazi movement in to current rabid hysteria could not be used to expose exactly what this crap is. PEOPLE/Property control.

[L98Fiero]

"One local restaurant here in Richmond, the Strawberry Street Cafe, went non-smoking this past year, and their profits rose because people wanted a non-smoking restaurant."

As a smoker, I would still frequent a non-smoking eating establishment. I go in, order, eat and leave. With less people hanging around after a meal smoking, table turnover is greater and more meals are sold. Thus, higher profits. Fair enough, good business move.

That said, I will NEVER go to a non-smoking drinking establishment. The problem lies in restaurant/bars. Those restaurants that depend on a good bar income will feel a hit. Bars are going to be hit hard. If some enterprizing person wants to open some non-smoking bars, more power to them. If there is a market that needs filling, fill it! That's how these issues should be solved in a capitalist society, not by government, IMO.

[SheLion]

Hey, government knows best don't you know. How can you go wrong when a republican is sponsoring the bill. /disgust

I don't know what disgusts me more........the forced smoking bans or a damn RINO that promotes them.

If the lawmaker can't be trusted to stand up for 25-30% of his constituents, then how can he ever be trusted with anything else?  If he screws some, he will screw them all!

[VA_Gentleman]

I agree that government shouldn't force a business to go non-smoking; perhaps they could incent restaurants to go non-smoking through tax cuts.

Go to California some time. It's amazing to get home after a night at the bars and not smell like an ash tray. Unless you've been out there to experience it, you don't realize how nice it is.

[SheLion]

Sunday night I was watching on the history channel a show titled "Hitlers technology". In one sequence they had medical research done by the Nazi's. The campaigne and actions that they used as far as smoking laws and such are no different than what we are seeing now.

History repeating itself. Too bad that the same technique tying the Nazi movement in to current rabid hysteria could not be used to expose exactly what this crap is. PEOPLE/Property control.

I was given heads up on that Hitler documentary.  But I didn't have the stomach to watch it.  And yes, the forced smoking bans ARE shades of Germany past.

Scares me to death to think of what the lawmakers will/who they will go after next.  Doesn't it you?

Sunday night I was watching on the history channel a show titled "Hitlers technology". In one sequence they had medical research done by the Nazi's. The campaigne and actions that they used as far as smoking laws and such are no different than what we are seeing now.

History repeating itself. Too bad that the same technique tying the Nazi movement in to current rabid hysteria could not be used to expose exactly what this crap is. PEOPLE/Property control.

I was given heads up on that Hitler documentary.  But I didn't have the stomach to watch it.  And yes, the forced smoking bans ARE shades of Germany past.

Scares me to death to think of what the lawmakers will/who they will go after next.  Doesn't it you?

[tfecw]

"I agree that government shouldn't force a business to go non-smoking; perhaps they could incent restaurants to go non-smoking through tax cuts."

You are contradicting yourself. Perhaps we can let the market entice restaurants and keep the government's nose out of private affairs. As you pointed out it, it worked out well for this restaurant in Richmond

"Go to California some time. It's amazing to get home after a night at the bars and not smell like an ash tray. Unless you've been out there to experience it, you don't realize how nice it is."

Start your own bar and make it non smoking. No need to go to CA or ask the VA government to trounce private business rights.

[Sunshine Sister]

Then explain why so many restaurants go belly up because people can't smoke there? If you don't like smoking that is well and good, but can't you please just avoid restaurants that allow smoking?

[Sunshine Sister]

It's not a pity at all the way I see it! Then anti smokers are going to be paying a LOT more in taxes to make up what the smokers pay. I'm lovin' it. I can't wait to hear all the complaints from non-smoking tax payers. What excuse to complain do you think they will use?

[SheLion]

I agree that government shouldn't force a business to go non-smoking; perhaps they could incent restaurants to go non-smoking through tax cuts.

Go to California some time. It's amazing to get home after a night at the bars and not smell like an ash tray. Unless you've been out there to experience it, you don't realize how nice it is.

Think about this:

You'll be next on something you like that is legal...  you wear cologne?  Packing a few extra pounds?  Enjoy a drink now and then?  Tag...  you're it.  You are next.

I agree that government shouldn't force a business to go non-smoking; perhaps they could incent restaurants to go non-smoking through tax cuts.

Go to California some time. It's amazing to get home after a night at the bars and not smell like an ash tray. Unless you've been out there to experience it, you don't realize how nice it is.

Think about this:

You'll be next on something you like that is legal...  you wear cologne?  Packing a few extra pounds?  Enjoy a drink now and then?  Tag...  you're it.  You are next.

[SheLion]

Go to California some time. It's amazing to get home after a night at the bars and not smell like an ash tray. Unless you've been out there to experience it, you don't realize how nice it is.

CALIFORNIA: 5-year-old ban in bars leaves owners, customers fuming

5 January 2003

"I think if the government helps me one more time I'll be out of business," Newlove said as most of his customers nodded in agreement.

article here

California Smokers Use Prohibition Tactics to Get Around Ban

While cops try to sniff out the worst offenders, in many cases they're butting up against organized opposition. Bartender phone trees warn each other of impending busts, powerful fans blow away tell-tale scents of "smokin' in the boys room" and tin cans double as ashtrays in case of an unexpected visit by police.

click here