SURE! They don't want US but they want our money!
They are all Hypocrites
Posted on 06/01/2002 9:42:38 AM PDT by Gabz
Smoking bill now law in Delaware
By Joe Rogalsky, Staff writer
WILMINGTON - Gov. Ruth Ann Minner signed Senate Bill 99 - perhaps the country's most stringent antismoking legislation - into law Friday.
The measure, which takes effect Nov. 27, prohibits smoking in virtually every public place. Fire halls and fraternal organizations are exempted while holding fund-raisers.
"Cigarettes are legal, and we are not abridging the rights of people to smoke," said Gov. Minner, who backed the ban during her State of the State address in January.
"What we are doing is limiting the effect smoking will have on those who have not chosen to smoke themselves."
About 150 supporters turned out for the ceremony, which was held in Rodney Square.
Members of the Kick Butts Generation, a group of teens who oppose smoking, carried signs with slogans such as "Party of 700,000 for smoke-free restaurants please" and "My 8-year-old sister and her lungs are grateful."
The measure's lead sponsor, Sen. David B. McBride, D-Hawk's Nest, said support from grass-roots groups such as the Kick Butts Generation spurred SB 99's passage.
"This law is the right thing for the First State," Sen. McBride said. "It will be the most protective law in the nation. We have demonstrated that the will of the people can prevail."
California is the only other state with a smoking ban similar to Delaware's.
Rep. Robert J. Valihura, R-Talleyville, said Delaware's law gives credibility to the antismoking movement.
"No longer can smoking proponents claim that California's law was an aberration," said Rep. Valihura, a cosponsor.
"No longer can their law be dismissed as folly of what has been called the 'left coast.' "
Some lawmakers have criticized Gov. Minner for supporting a smoking ban while advocating a 35-cent per pack increase in the state cigarette tax.
The tax hike, along with new money-generating rules for the state's three slot machine parlors, were proposed by Gov. Minner to raise $70 million. Casinos are included in the smoking ban.
"Some have said it is hypocritical to pass a smoking ban while proposing an increase in the cigarette tax," said Gov. Minner, whose husband died of lung cancer.
"Well, it is not. Both are tools for reducing smoking, and that is what we want to do."
Denis McGlynn, president and CEO of the gaming and motorsports entities at Dover Downs, estimated the state will lose $57 million in annual slot revenue because of the smoking ban. State estimates have not been completed, but will be later this month.
Any money the state loses because of the ban, Gov. Minner said, will be made up through long-term savings on health care.
"I was faced with a choice between the health of Delawareans for decades to come on one hand and having to work a little harder to make next year's budget balance on the other," Gov. Minner said.
"Let me tell you - that is not at all a hard choice for this governor to make."
Joe Rogalsky can be reached at 741-8226 or jrogalsky@newszap.com.
Not PERHAPS - it is the MOST stringent.
WRONG!!!!!!
She is abridging the rights of people with business licenses to smoke in their own premises. People with home based businesses will be unable to smoke in their own homes. If that is not an infringement of rights - then there are no such things as property rights in the people's Republic of Delaware.
Hate to tell you this Senator - but it wasn't the will of the people - it was the will of a highly paid anti-smoker organization that sent out 10,000 post cards in this state of only 800,000.
BTW Senator - are you aware that the anti-smoker organization that orchestrated the efforts to remove my private property rights is being investigated by the IRS for it's illegal lobbying activities??????
Interesting that you should bring that up.
the other article in the same paper on this issue this morning talks specifically about the enforcement of it.
Smoking enforcement still being debated in Delaware
What really torques me, and a bunch of other folks - is the governor wants to raise cigarette taxes by 35 cents a pack to pay for raises for the same state employees that will be enforcing this measure.
I DON'T THINK SO.
"No longer can smoking proponents claim that California's law was an aberration," said Rep. Valihura, a cosponsor.
I think this Republican may be in for a rude awakening when it appears that his term in office was an aberration.
Local political pundits believe Ruth Ann will be following in the footsteps of her mentor - and this was just one further nail in her political coffin.
SURE! They don't want US but they want our money!
They are all Hypocrites
I always knew we had two left coast.
"Some have said it is hypocritical to pass a smoking ban while proposing an increase in the cigarette tax," said Gov. Minner, whose husband died of lung cancer.
"Well, it is not. Both are tools for reducing smoking, and that is what we want to do."
Spoken like a true Nanny State Mommy.
My personal choice of words about these people are not permissible posting here!!!!
People are starting to see what is happening. Smokers and non-smokers alike. It IS out of control!
What with the war and the turmoil in the world, all these nico-nazi's have to worry about is second hand smoke.
They need to set their PRIORITIES!
Wonder why.....................
That's the heart of the issue. Does a business owner retain the right to dictate what behaviors will be allowed on their own property? Evidently, in the State of DE, the answer is no.
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