HA! Check out the smoking deck in northern Maine! Add 60 degrees below zero wind chill and it's not very comfortable, to say the least.
Posted on 06/11/2004 9:14:25 AM PDT by SheLion
PROVIDENCE -- A bill to ban smoking in restaurants, bars and virtually all public places, with a few notable exceptions, won unanimous approval in the House of Representatives Thursday.
But unanimity was not achieved until several provisions were plucked out so opponents -- mostly Republicans -- could register specific objections while supporting the bill as a whole.
While the bill states that "Smoking shall be prohibited in all enclosed public places within the state of Rhode Island"after March 1, 2005, it allows some exceptions.
Perhaps the most controversial exemption is the state’s two video lottery terminal (VLT) parlors at Lincoln Park and Newport Grand.
The House originally wanted to eliminate the exemption after Oct. 1, 2006, but Senate negotiators insisted that the exemption be permanent for fear the state would lose money if smokers went elsewhere to play video slots.
Exemptions for small clubs (with Class D liquor licenses, defined membership rolls and fewer than 10 employees) and neighborhood bars (Class C liquor licenses, no food, fewer than 10 employees) were also made, but those exemptions will expire on Oct. 1, 2006.
Nearly 45 minutes of debate and two attempts to make floor amendments on the bill were needed to ensure that the fly-fishing club to which North Smithfield Rep. Robert Lowe belongs would remain exempt from the smoking ban.
Legislators finally solved the problem by changing the requirement that a club with a Class D liquor license would be exempt only if it is a "non-profit charitable corporation" to a "non-profit or charitable corporation." Lowe’s club is non-profit but not a charitable organization.
Cities and towns are forbidden -- "pre-empted" in the argot of the lawmakers -- from passing stronger anti-smoking measures until Oct. 1, 2006.
A number of communities have what are called "cancer clauses" in their labor contracts with firefighters and, less frequently, police officers, that say anytime one of the workers is diagnosed with cancer, it is presumed to be a work-related injury entitling the worker to disability. Because of that, some of the municipalities negotiated a provision in contracts that prohibits smoking by those employees even when they are off-duty.
The smoking bill passed by the House Thursday would forbid employers from imposing such a requirement on off-duty employees.
Raising the question of overriding those "cancer clause" contract provisions, Rep. William Enos asked, "Are we going to repair this or pass it as it is?"
Fox answered, "Pass it as it is."
Noting that one object of banning smoking is to help prevent cancer caused by second-hand smoke, Republican Rep. Nicholas Gorham said, "The problem with this bill is that it is suffering from a cancer itself; the cancer of special interests."
Majority Leader Gordon Fox, who sponsored the House version of the bill, called it "a good, progressive piece of legislation." He acknowledged that it was the product of compromise and that people would oppose some of its provisions, but he said it protects "99 percent of the people of Rhode Island" from second-hand smoke at work or indoor public places.
The bill voted on Thursday was the product of long negotiations among the leaders in the House and Senate and the sponsors of the slightly different bills that arose in each chamber so it is not likely to change as continues down the often-winding path of legislative procedure. A Senate version of the smoking ban, sent over to the House several weeks ago, will now be amended to conform with what was passed Thursday and both versions will go back to the Senate. If, as expected, the Senate in turn approves both, they will then go to Gov. Donald L. Carcieri for his signature or veto.
While Carcieri has been generally supportive of smoking bans in past public statements, he could not be reached for comment Thursday on the specific legislation passed by the House.
Ooops! I thought I had read that VT had a statewide ban also,guess I need some better fact checking skills.
I know many of us are encouraging tourists to go to NH and VT for vacation, if they are smokers. Because Maine is totally smoke free now in all "private" business's, no less.
I think VT is ok for now. But I wouldn't lay a bet on it.
I'm speechless.
Pull all cigarettes off of every counter in all 6 states that have banned smoking and let the lawmakers pound sand.
I agree. There has got to be something we can do.
I'm speechless.
I'm totally devastated. We are being put under some pretty heavy thumbs, don't you think? Or Jack Boots.........however one wishes to view it.
I think New Hampshire will be the only New England state without a statewide ban.
They better stick to their guns....I love their license plates..."LIVE FREE OR DIE"
Irony ping.
Make the gooberments ban cigs
They won't.....to BIG a cash cow. BUT Isn't it very irresponsible of them to allow such a dangerous substance to be gotten so easily and them profit from endangering the lives of innocent children? I really think if enough smokers pushed it...we could blow it up in their faces.
This is not California or Florida, where smokers can go outside all year around.
Well, Big T would have to do it. And since they fell to their knees in front of the Attorney Generals, I really don't see them taking this stand, unless they are becoming totally put upon in order to finally grow a set and stand up to this garbage.
But it would have to come from Big Tobacco. The stores that sell tobacco products will NEVER pull cigarettes from their shelves. From "wench cometh their money" you know.
That's why I am currently trying to figger out a way to Shrug!
HA! Check out the smoking deck in northern Maine! Add 60 degrees below zero wind chill and it's not very comfortable, to say the least.
Their ban doesn't start until March 2005, I think I read.
SHRUG????? What the heck is that?! LOL! Sounds kinky. hehe!
Oh hell let's just cut to the chase and outlaw cigarettes completely nationwide. That's what we did with drugs, which most people know cigarettes have more adverse health effects than all drugs combined, and prostitution and such and it has worked so well in those areas.
Besides, this could be my last opportunity to make big money before I retire.
Oh REALLY???!!!!!!
Oh REALLY???!!!!!!
Really.
It would be any manner of getting the government hands out of my pockets. Work at a low paying job that ensures no taxes paid, move to NZ, etc. Basically think of how half the country's population is being carried on the shoulders of the other half of the population. Just like Atlas carried the world on his shoulders. Now think "Atlas Shrugged". I just need to figure out where Galt's Gulch is.
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