Karl Turner, R-Maine
Marching in lockstep with Gov Baldacci, DemoRAT
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.
I think the Sarge has met some of our finest.
"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."
I really believe they think they are exempt, that they do no wrong.
I'm just saying that out of all the articles I have read about bars and smoking, they were slapped with a monetary fine.
I never heard of them being threatened over losing a liquor license.
And yes, I know, they are expensive.
Success fuels ambition.
I got you added. Thanks!!!! :)
I never heard of them being threatened over losing a liquor license.
I don't believe I have seen too many articles on the issue either, but I am going based upon what the head of the Alcohol Beverage Commission (ABC) in Delaware stated during a public hearing after the ban went into effect. A hearing I attended, and spoke at.
I also recently spoke with an ABC agent in Virginia who told me that if a ban had gone into effect here, liquor licenses would be in jeopardy for violations of it. Same story in Maryland.
The governor is expected to approve the bill. She is a former smoker herself
So...let's see...they are therefore faced with the choice of....being put out of business....or...being put out of business. I got it.
"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.
You've got it exactly.
And with that I have to leave to take my daughter and her friend over to her friend's house and head for my bartending job - in a bar that permits smoking :)
Watch out for those drunks LOL But the government and the sheeple will probably get them next anyway.
That's one of the biggest problems facing us- no one has the guts to tell these people where to stick it. We are in a very un-popular position these days; it seems that anyone not going with the flow is ridden into the dirt. It is very hard to stand-up for something, with all the flak you have to take.
Hell, I've been called a survivalist nutcase, freak, menace, nuts, crazy, insane, selfish, you name it.( most of us here have been called all that and worse) Of course, nothing worth doing is easy, especially taking the stands that we are. They see us as a speed-bump on the road to their socialist paradise, and they will try to run us right over. To not conform is our biggest sin, in their eyes.
*Sigh*
Add her name to the list of shame
*Mike Bloomberg Republican pushed a city ban before the state and is the ultimate anti-smoking Nazi
*NYC Councilman Odo (Staten Island) a Republican who introduced the New York City ban .
*All 38 Republican NYS Senators voted for the statewide ban (It should be noted that the GOP had a big 38-24 majority in that chamber) and George Pataki Republican governor signed it.
* John Rowland Republican Governor Connecticut also signed a total ban in his state.
* Mitt Romney Republican Governor of Massachusetts also signed a total ban in his state.
* As well Republican governor Lincoln Almond in Rhode Island
* And Republican governor James Douglas of Vermont
* Republican Linda Lingle of Hawaii is poised to sign a smoking ban in her state.
* Rep. Mike May (R-Parker) sponsord the bill to ban smoking in Colorado, Republican govenor Bill Owens signed it.
* Rep. Sen. Michael Waddoups (R-Taylorsville) sponsord the bill to ban smoking in Utah, Republican govenor Jon Huntsman signed it
* In Georgia in 2004, The Republican controlled house passed a smoking ban. It was stopped from becoming law by the Democrat controlled senate!!!!!!! In 2005 the Republicans took control of the Senate and Governorship and guess what? The newly Republican controlled Senate passed it and Republican Sonny Purdue Signed it.
* The chief sponsors of the Delaware smoking ban were Republicans Reps. Deborah Hudson (Fairthorne) and Robert J. Valihura Jr.(Edenridge). The smoking ban passed in the Republican controlled house, in fact the original bill exempted bars but the Republicans later added it.
*It was a Republican Senator Karl Turner (Cumberland) that originally sponsored the ban in Maine
* Senator Thomas Kean Jr.(R-Union) in New Jersey sponsored the bill to ban smoking in New Jersey
* Senator Bill Mims ( R-Loudoun) and Sen. J. Brandon Bell II (R-Roanoke) sponsored the bill to ban smoking in Virginia (Failed).
* State Rep. Barb Vander Veen (R-Allendale) is attempting to bring a smoking ban to Michigan
* State Rep. Doug Meslow, R-White Bear Lake is attempting to bring a smoking ban to Minnesota .
* Rep. Mark Gottlieb (R-Port Washington) and Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) are attempting to bring a statewide smoking ban to Wisconsin.
* Susan E. Cornell (R- Hatboro) and Jake Corman (R-Bellefonte) are trying to bring a smoking ban to Pennsylvania
* Senator Robert Odell (R-Lempster) attempted to bring a smoking ban to New Hampshire (but failed)
* Beulah Coughenour City Councilman, R-Indianapolis attempted (but failed) to bring a smoking ban to that city
* Kurt Odenwald, R-Shrewsbury attempted (but failed) to bring a smoking ban to St. Louis county.
Kind of makes me wonder why I bother to vote for "Smaller Government" Republicans.
And that's the truth!!!
Karl Turner, R-Maine
Marching in lockstep with Gov Baldacci, DemoRAT
I can deal with it, I only go to bars and restaurants which are smoker friendly anyway. If and when a similar ban occurs where I live, then so be it, they will lose my money...........
Once word gets out, vacationers who smoke aren't likely to head to Hawaii any more. I don't know if travel agents will be informing them of this idiotic law or not but they certainly have an obligation to.
Aloha, Hawaii......Island of fools.......
When Maine forced a total smoking ban two years ago, that was the end of my going out to eat! I tried once, but ran through my meal so fast just so I could get back to my vehicle, it just wasn't worth the money.
Once word gets out, vacationers who smoke aren't likely to head to Hawaii any more. I don't know if travel agents will be informing them of this idiotic law or not but they certainly have an obligation to.
I was a Government Travel Agent when Northwest started that smoking ban on all their airlines. I informed everyone before they booked on Northwest.
Aloha, Hawaii......Island of fools.......
United States - Run By Fools.....
There are no Republicans in Boston.
I don't vote for republicans any more. I vote for the person, usually Constitution party or Libertarian. I no longer care what happens to the two major partys.
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