good thinking!
Posted on 05/04/2006 6:36:27 AM PDT by SheLion
HONOLULU -- Hawaii lawmakers have approved one of the strictest smoking bans in the country. The bill prohibits smoking in almost every public space.
The governor is expected to approve the bill. She is a former smoker herself and has always been openly in favor of legislation to encourage smokers to give it up and to protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke.
The bill prohibits smoking in all public places including: bars, restaurants -- even open air restaurants -- office buildings and any place workers would be affected by smoke.
"I think this is a huge step forward for public health in Hawaii and we are just ecstatic now that all workers in the state will be afforded a state smoke-free workplace," said Deborah Zysman, of Tobacco Free Hawaii.
About the only place you would be able to smoke would be your car, on your bike or in your home.
The airport now has designated smoking places, but under the bill the entire airport would be off limits to smokers.
Smokers would have to smoke at least 20 feet away from the entrance to any business or office.
The fines for violation would be $50 for smokers and up to $500 for businesses.
Smokers seemed resigned to the new stricter ban.
"Even though I am a smoker I think the writing is on the wall for all of us smokers that it is time to give it up," Jim Cook said.
"I don't think it is really a bad thing because there are a lot of people, elderly, a lot of people who can't handle cigarette smoke it affects," Yvonne Lindley said.
Nonsmokers said they feel freer knowing bars and office entrances will be smoke free.
"I am really happy about it. I have been a nonsmoker since 2000. I hope this makes other people want to stop smoking," Jeanette Simons said.
The new smoking ban is scheduled to go into effect on Nov. 16.
Thank you Gabz! I wrote! And the link you provided made it really easy!
Thanks!
I'm now thinking of Alaska.
I just want to throw up when I read a lawmaker calling a private business "public!"
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.
What did you expect from the state that put price controls on gasoline, again? Bunch of statists.
Thank you!! I realize smoking isn't for everyone, but hey! We all have to live and share this earth. There are wonderful provisions to help with cigarette smoke when every one goes out for an evening out, etc.
In this day and age, when everyone is trying to stop discrimination, here we go again. But I guess the anti's think that's discrimination against the part of society that smokes is ok. But we all know it's just plain wrong!
Will the smoke from volcanos be banned too? Those emit more pollutants than all the world's cigarette smokers combined if they got together and smoked simultaneously.
good thinking!
Her asinine statement not only makes me want to continue to smoke, but to make darn sure that if I go on vacation, that state who gets the money won't have a smoking ban!!
Your remarks made me grin. Okay. When all the smokers have been "delt with" who are the antis going to move on to? I can think of any number of future victims.
Your remarks made me grin. Okay. When all the smokers have been "delt with" who are the antis going to move on to? I can think of any number of future victims.
Oh yes! Me too. I can think of several "groups" of people they can go after. But once they get their teeth into someone or some thing, they are like a pack of wild dogs and just won't let go.
I've never smoked cigarettes, but nevertheless I'm a staunch supporter of individual (and therefore, smoker's) rights, and I gotta tell ya, I'm going to take up the habit on general principle if these busybody Socialist bastards don't stop their overtly Tyrannical "social engineering"...
It's horrifying the way the government can now go into a private business and run it. I never thought I would see the day!
You should write to the Governor and tell her what you think. I did. And I am sure many others did as well.
This link (provided by Gabz), makes it real easy to send the idiot Governor a little unhappy email!
Tell the governor of Hawaii just what you think of this smoking ban.
http://www.hawaii.gov/hellogovernor/
These forced smoking bans on private businesses make no sense and I am truly surprised that the business owners just sit quietly and let them come.
two words Liquor License's,they are very expensive and can be taken away.
Well, a lot of bars across the country that have forced smoking bans are caught letting their patrons smoke.
The bar owners are issued a fine. Sometimes, the smoking patron is also fined. But I have never heard that their liquor license was taken away or even threatened.
Markamn is correct about the liquor licenses.
Many, many places have had their liquor licenses threatened, and some places have lost them over the smoking bans.
In Delaware, for example, if you have 3 violations of ANY law, not just liquor laws, or smoking bans, or health codes - a liquor license holder is brought before the Alcohol Commission and can lose their liquor license. They are the only businesses that can be put out of business for violating the smoking bans.
It is the reason I have always stated that smoking bans are a back door to prohibition. A bar without a liquor license is no longer a bar.
Tyranny is Tyranny no matter what letter the person has next to their name.
How can they call themselves Republican if they won't let me open "Bostonian Rightist's Pub" and let my customers smoke? Aren't Republicans pro-business?
"Who died and left HER King?"
King Kahmeamea? LOL!
This is really stupid. I'll be posting later on our current state-wide smoking ban that's being pushed for in Wisconsin. :(
Just makes me want to wring some ************'s ******* neck.
Is that pinglist in comment #2 a smokers' rights pinglist? If so, mind adding me?
"Even though I am a smoker I think the writing is on the wall for all of us smokers that it is time to give it up," Jim Cook said
Grow a spine, jim.
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