Puff-Snuff Huff (Pataki signs statewide public smoking ban)

New York Post ^ | March 27, 2003

[Wolfie]

Gov. Pataki yesterday reluctantly signed a stringent statewide ban on smoking in public places - just minutes after the Legislature overwhelmingly passed the controversial measure.

The statewide ban will supercede the Big Apple's own smoking law - which is set to go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Sunday - and kill some of the exemptions in the city ordinance.

[unixfox]

Tyranny seems to be alive and well in N.Y.

The voters are to blame for those they elected are the ones controlling them.

[Flyer]

"It's the strongest public-health policy in the state of New York that we've ever had," Fuschillo said.

If it is really about our health have the anatomy to prohibit cars, alcohol, junk food, plate glass windows, multi-story buildings, soccer, slippery sidewalks, hot weather, cold weather, running with scissors, chicken bones, anything weighing over 9.7 ounces. . .

[Wolfie]

Its called a Dugout, one side holds the tobacco, the other a cigarette shaped one-hitter. Be careful where you buy one, the Government disapproves.

[VRWC_minion]

The voters are to blame

Couldn't agree more. If we didn't have a pesky democratic republic this crap wouldn't be happening.

[Puddleglum]

Man, just reading this article makes me want to light up a defiant cigarette - and I quit years ago!

I guess Big Brother has turned into Big Mamma, knowing what's best for us and making us wash behind our ears and all that. They now form a tag team of motivation and rationalization to take property rights away under the guise of knowing what's best for you.

Pretty soon they'll be requiring you to order vegetables when you go out to eat, and they'll hire some unemployed minders from Saddam Hussein's ex regime to make sure you do so. That'll keep our insurance costs down and all, you see...

[rocky88]

I can't beleive I campaigned for this guy. All that time wasted going door-to-door and he turns out to be a puppet of the American Lung Association et al.... I'm so disappointed - I should have worked for Golisano!

This is a final nail in the coffin for many struggling bars and restaurants in downtown Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Albany. Will local governments be able to assemble to overturn the ban???

[unixfox]

Plus....We need to have those elected live up to their promises. It's way past time to keep allowing these LIARS to stay in office until the next election rolls around. When they violate the "will of the people" (Oh I love that cliche) they should be thrown out IMMEDIATELY. Keeping them on a pedastel only gives them more power to control.

[metesky]

You just love the tyranny of the majority, don't you butt boy?

[metesky]

This is a final nail in the coffin for many struggling bars and restaurants in downtown Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Albany.

Back door prohibition has been their aim all along.

Will local governments be able to assemble to overturn the ban???

No.

[Fury]

The Morality Police strike again.

Meanwhile, NY State has a ~$12 BILLION budget deficit - and the budget will be late again.

Well, at least they got the smoking ban in place. What a bunch of hooey

I'm giving serious thought to leaving the state. I was looking at buying a home. The school district where I was looking warns they may have to raise the school tax rate ***25%***. Living in a tent is looking appealing.

[xp38]

I wonder if this will apply to Native run Casinos or are they exempt from NY state law and separate sovereign entities?

[VRWC_minion]

Our constitutional government has worked fairly well for the past couple hundred years in balancing the majority's tyranny. Shall we overthrow the government ? That is your natural right.

[VRWC_minion]

Keeping them on a pedastel only gives them more power to control.

We do have the right to overthrow tyrants if the government no longer serves us. Maybe we can get a call to arms out to the smokers and they can rise up and overthrow this tyranny, right after their smoke break of course.

[Wolfie]

heh...funny how people only get upset about "tyranny of the majority" when they finally find themselves on the receiving end.

[A2J]

The Morality Police strike again.

While I would be considered by many to be a member of the "Morality Police," I do strongly believe that government has no right to regulate whether a private business decides to allow smoking in it or not.

[logic101.net]

I strongly hope this has a negative impact on tourism.


MARK A SITY
http://www.logic101.net/

[VRWC_minion]

I wonder if this will apply to Native run Casinos or are they exempt from NY state law and separate sovereign entities?

Interesting question. I believe that in general, for most laws, if the law applies to the entire state and the state itself is not exempt from it then it applies to the tribe. Also, the tribe would be able to use any exemptions that state allows.

[isthisnickcool]

It's my air, too. Why can't folks just smoke their coffin nails outside?

No, it's NOT your air. It's the govt's air in New York. And the law has to do with OUTSIDE. Read what's posted.

Many people are such damn wimps. And that includes the smokers and non-smokers. The non-smokers cry about a little second hand smoke. The smokers have been beaten up such that they act like cattle and just do what they are told.

My wife had an interesting comment regarding this New York law. She said "they must have a lot of jails".

[jimt]

I very much appreciated your #28. My sentiments exactly.

[VRWC_minion]

Then its best not to piss the majority off by being inconsiderate and selfish.