Calif. city bans smoking in public places

AP ^ | 3/19/6

[Crackingham]

No more smoking in the park. Lighting up on the sidewalk could bring a fine. Dining on the restaurant patio? Don't bother asking for matches. One of the strictest tobacco bans in the nation went into effect in the Los Angeles suburb of Calabasas last week, making smoking off limits in public places where someone else might be exposed to secondhand smoke: indoor businesses, outdoor businesses, parks, outdoor cafes, even apartment building common areas.

"We just don't want anyone blowing smoke in someone's face. Unfortunately, what smokers do is harmful to everybody else. People should have the right to breathe clean air," said Mayor Pro Tem Dennis Washburn.

California air-quality regulators declared secondhand smoke a toxic air pollutant earlier this year. The city took it a step farther, declaring secondhand smoke to be a public nuisance and approving an ordinance banning smoking in all public places - indoors and out - where people might congregate. Hotels can still allow smoking in up to 20 percent of their rooms, and smoking can be allowed in approved designated areas at shopping malls and work places in the upscale city of 23,000 residents. But if a nonsmoker asks a smoker to stop, the smoker must snuff it or face a possible fine in the hundreds of dollars or even a lawsuit.

"We salute Calabasas for raising the bar," said Jim Knox, a legislative advocate for the American Cancer Society in Sacramento. "Smoke regulations can play a very important role in reducing public exposure to harmful secondhand smoke."

[Cagey]

Goodnight Mrs. Calabasas, wherever you are.

[fanfan]

Ping

[garyhope]

So, like about a billion cubic feet of free air over Calabasses and one cigarette is going to kill someone? What about BBQ's, car exhaust, and cow farts not to mention all the unwashed, smelly hippies (LOL).

[Texas Eagle]

Can the homeless still urinate and (you know what) in public?

[Sam Cree]

"Unfortunately, what smokers do is harmful to everybody else. People should have the right to breathe clean air," said Mayor Pro Tem Dennis Washburn."

What politicians do is also usually harmful to everybody else, hopefully the city will address that too.

[Mrs. Shawnlaw]

Apparently they had to find some way to recoup the sales tax revenue losses from lack of tobacco sales. Issuing fines, tickets and court time must be their idea of getting back the revenue.

I doubt the smog factor over LA is caused by smoking, but thats just me.

[SheLion]

Thanks for the ping!

Help Stop The Attack On Your Rights!!!

The City of Calabasas in an over whelming attempt to stamp out what they feel is an unwanted part of their community has passed a law banning smoking from public places. Not only banning but making it a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1000 fine and/or six months in jail. That is not all if you witness a smoker in the act and don't report them you are guilty of aiding and abiding which holds the same punishment regardless of how you feel about smoking.

Calabasas using its own unique judgment has inacted a law that not only bans smoking but also bans your freedoms, freedoms of choice, the pursuit of happiness and other. Utilizing this law to attack and scapegoat a percentage of its population it deems unfit. Calabasas has chosen to treat smokers as a pariah much in the same way people viewed immigrants coming into this country. These people are not Terrorist they are not attacking or even harming those around you as some may say. If cigarette smoking was the reason behind this why did Calabasas simply ban the sale of tobacco and tobacco related products. They know they can't they feel if they attack the people and try to prove to people it is in their best interest. If Calabasas is so worried about the health and welfare of its people why do they still allow cars and big rigs into their town?

We ask that all people residence of Calabasas and those traveling in and around Calasbasas to stand up for your rights and the rights of your neighbors. Stand up and protest this unlawful and blatant attack on you civil liberties. Boycott Calabasas now! Don't shop in the city of Calabasas.
Drive a little further down the road shop in Augora, Hidden Hills, or Woodland Hills. If these politicians think they can be an isolated city where your freedoms mean nothing showing them that you will not stand for this type of injustice. In the coming days we will also be organizing peaceful protest but this boycott will be the loudest and most meaningful
way to show your disgust to a community who has no interest in protecting the rights of its people.

We as Americans have the duty to defend those who are being persecuted unjustly by those in power. This kind of McCarthyism will no longer be tolerated by the American people. A people whose beliefs are tolerance and justice for all.

Your Civil Liberties Are Under Attack !

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[SheLion]

Goodnight Mrs. Calabasas, wherever you are!

[therut]

This second had smoke myth is just that. However I somtimes get a good laugh back. Arkansas passed a law this last year banning smoking on any hospital property. So now when I need to smoke I get in my Un PC Pick up truck and drive slowly around the hospital property polluting every second but hey no one needs to worry about that second hand tobacco smoke. You should see the employees standing in the streets around the hospital smoking. It is hilarious. They used to have their own gazebo now they stand in the streets.

[fanfan]

LOL!

[The Great RJ]

Certainly fast food wil be the next target of these nannies. I bet tax revenues will drop as people and busineses move out.

[peacebaby]

but they can smoke marijuana at the concerts and in the parks and no one bothers...something smells fishy here.

[R.W.Ratikal]

Does that include smoking mary-jo-wanna?

Why can't these people get as worked up about the Mexican invasion of America? Or the U.N. stealing their money? Or about university gradates unable to read their diplomas?

They have too much time on their hands.

[HarleyLady27]

When are we going to take back our rights????

I'm a 'used' to be smoker, this makes me so mad....who gives who the rights to tell anyone what they can do or not to do?

This PC crap is just that CRAP!!!

You want to stage a 'national' march on supporting smokers, I'll be there!!!

[EVO X]

You want to stage a 'national' march on supporting smokers, I'll be there!!!

You might try the local level first. In our state, the city and county boards are passing all the bans.

[Ptarmigan]

I abhor smoking, but I am against this law. Off topic, I know here at FR, there was a user who was banned because he posted anti-hunting topic and he was into his "anti-smoking" campaign. I have seen that person at other forums. He's a real troll. At one forum I go to, he got banned more than 10 times.

[pyoursu]

My suggestion is that everyone, as they drive through Calabassas on their way to another smoker friendly city, drop a piece of smoking tar saturated clothes line or similar concoctant somewhere on to the city proper for the fine citizens of Calabassas to smell. I was going to suggest getting a cheap cigar, lighting it, and placing it in one of their flower gardens, but would want to suggest breaking the law.

[SheLion]

My suggestion is that everyone, as they drive through Calabassas on their way to another smoker friendly city, drop a piece of smoking tar saturated clothes line or similar concoctant somewhere on to the city proper for the fine citizens of Calabassas to smell. I was going to suggest getting a cheap cigar, lighting it, and placing it in one of their flower gardens, but would want to suggest breaking the law.

I would highly suggest for any smoker driving through Calabassas now, to just keep going.  I wouldn't spend one cent there now.

[The Foolkiller]

I'll go you one better. I'll never set foot in the state of Karloffornia again. They're the ones directly responsible for all this communist crap.