Smoking bill now law in Delaware

Delaware State News ^ | Jun 01, 2002 | Joe Rogalsky

[Gabz]

perhaps the country's most stringent antismoking legislation

Not PERHAPS - it is the MOST stringent.

[Gabz]

"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.

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.

[Lexington Green]

Now we got to reassign our anti-terror cops to enforce our anti-smoking laws

[Gabz]

"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."

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??????

[Gabz]

Now we got to reassign our anti-terror cops to enforce our anti-smoking laws

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.

[Gabz]

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.

I think this Republican may be in for a rude awakening when it appears that his term in office was an aberration.

[Gabz]

Gov. Minner's original mentor in politics was former Gov. Sherman Tribbett - he acquired the moniker of "One Term Sherm" when he was defeated by Pierre S. DuPont in 1976.

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.

[Still Using Air]

I'm a smoker. These people are Butt Heads.

[SheLion]

Some lawmakers have criticized Gov. Minner for supporting a smoking ban while advocating a 35-cent per pack increase in the state cigarette tax.

SURE! They don't want US but they want our money!

They are all Hypocrites

[sobieski]

Rehoboth Beach, DE is one of the top gay spots in the U.S. The governor could take steps to reduce the toll that buggery brings on the state, but she doesn't. Wonder why...

[Pontiac]

"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.' "

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.

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

I'm sure these same people support the use of mary jane for "medicinal purposes." What a bunch of GD busy bodies. GOO GOOs at their worst. These people want to make every citizen a criminal.

[SheLion]

I pray NASCAR pulls out of DOVER! Hit em in the pocketbook! Would serve Delaware right!

[Jorge]

I quit smoking 3 years ago but IMHO the anti-smoking nazis are really out of control.
Perhaps smokers need to band together and find a way to fight this nonsense...

[Gabz]

That's as good a description as any.

My personal choice of words about these people are not permissible posting here!!!!

[SheLion]

I quit smoking 3 years ago but IMHO the anti-smoking nazis are really out of control. Perhaps smokers need to band together and find a way to fight this nonsense...

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!

[Gabz]

And that 35 cent tax increase is earmarked for a pay raise for the same state employees that are going to enforce this smoker-ban.

[concerned about politics]

"This law is the right wrong thing for the First State," Sen. McBride said. "It will be the most protective oppressive law in the nation. We have demonstrated that the will of the people socialist collective Borgs can prevail."

[Gabz]

I'm well aware of just what Rehoboth Beach is. The Gov also has a large base of supporters there.

Wonder why.....................

[NittanyLion]

If that is not an infringement of rights - then there are no such things as property rights in the people's Republic of Delaware.

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.