"The Smoking Cockroach in: The Darker Wave 3: Smoking Tricks"
Don't you just really love the internet!
Posted on 08/27/2003 4:11:13 PM PDT by Just another Joe
SPRINGFIELD -- Six months of discussion still has not settled the issue of whether smokers should be able to light up in businesses open to the public. The latest proposal would let voters have the final say next year on a total ban everywhere, even bars and bowling alleys, starting in 2005.
On Monday night, about 25 smokers, business owners and industry association representatives told the city council that's a bad idea. The council heard from only one person -- a doctor -- in favor of the proposal. Some people said the proposed total ban would move the city forward too fast. Some said it should be done sooner. Some suggested exempting some buildings from the total ban.
Tracy Kimberlin, director of the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, agreed to head up a committee of people on both sides of the issue that will try to present a compromise proposal to the city council. Kimberlin’s stake in the issue is that some groups, like bowling associations, might not hold tournaments or meetings in Springfield if smoking isn’t allowed in public places. Kimberlin’s committee will meet on Sept. 3 at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce on St. Louis Street at Hammons Parkway. Representatives of the Missouri Restaurant Association and the Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association said they want to meet with the committee to see if they can get some relief for their members who have been, or might be harmed, by the current law or the proposed one.
The city’s current smoking ban is seven weeks old. It bans smoking in restaurants except those that derive at least 50 percent of their profits from liquor sales, or sell at least $200,000 worth of liquor each year, or sell liquor and have a separately ventilated area for smokers to dine, or have fewer than 50 seats. Some owners of restaurants that don’t meet one of the exemptions say they have lost a significant amount of business since the law went into effect.
Three proposals to amend the ordinance are before the city council. One would give an exemption until July 7, 2006, to restaurants that can show they lost at least 20 percent of their business from July to September, compared to the same three months last year. The second proposal would ban smoking, as of Jan. 2, 2005, in all businesses open to the public. The third proposal would put the second proposal on the ballot on Nov. 2, 2004, at the same time as the general election ballot for president, governor and other state and federal offices. The city council could vote on the three proposals at its meeting on Sept. 15, although it’s likely to delay the votes if it’s presented with a compromise to consider.
Representatives of the Knights of Columbus and the Sertoma Clubs told the council that bingo halls should be exempted from a total smoking ban. Proceeds from bingo games benefit some charities and non-profit groups. Bob Chancellor, a former city councilman, told the council that those groups would lose funds because bingo players tend to be smokers -- and he doesn’t believe they will keep playing bingo if they can’t smoke at the same time.
One man said he is part of a group that is collecting petition-signatures to recall all nine council members. Greg Roberts said Operation Springfield Shield believes the council is “out of control.”
That's not what your wife tells everybody, Shorty.
Either your friend was an undergrad or he was writing his Ph.D thesis.
Which is it, FRiend?
But you would think that your permission was a requirement, wouldn't you?
If you're done with the childish "stinky" attack template, would you care to address the subject of your narcissism, which I find stinky?
I have third degree heartburn from listening to you whine, young man.
Now Eric, lad, please let's not get into your little jockstrap fetish. This is a family forum.
What have you contributed ?
By smoking, I contribute one heck of a lot more in taxes than you do, squeamish little fella.
And stop FReepmailing me your insults; it's cowardly, but the behavior's to be expected from you I guess.
Perhaps you should give up smoking!
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Smoking and Heartburn
Despite evidence of related health hazards, not to mention ubiquitous "No Smoking" signs, nicotine continues to hold millions in its addictive grip. More than one fourth of the adult American population smokes cigarettes, cigars, or pipes.1
While smoking causes a variety of damaging effects on the whole body, it is particularly destructive to the upper airway and the digestive system.1, 2
Current research on smoking and heartburn
Early medical reports began characterizing the negative effects of smoking as early as 1859, describing patients with oral tumors.1 While the relationship between smoking and various lung diseases, like emphysema, has long been established,3 clinical studies now link smoking to digestive diseases as well.4-7
Smoking damages the digestive system
Studies indicate that smoking relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). When the LES relaxes or is not functioning properly, acidic stomach juices can reflux into the esophagus, which results in the sensation known as heartburn.
One report showed that esophageal acid exposure increased by over 50 percent after smoking. Interestingly, heartburn episodes were more frequent - 114 percent more likely to occur - during the daytime when sufferers were standing upright. (Typically the force of gravity works in heartburn sufferers' favor during the day.)
Other studies have shown that smoking has harmful effects on salivary function that result in a longer than normal time to remove or "clear" the esophagus of any acid.1,8 The longer it takes for acid to be cleared, the more damage can occur. Notably, other reports contend that smoking changes the composition of the saliva, which normally contains acid-neutralizing chemicals known as bicarbonates. Smokers' saliva contains markedly smaller amounts of bicarbonates, thus reducing the ability of the saliva to neutralize stomach acid that can damage esophageal tissues.5,8
Wide-ranging bodily effects are potentially serious as well
Smoking has been shown to cause an overall level of "digestive stress" that may alter the way in which food is digested and processed.2 In addition, the liver may be damaged by smoking, causing this vital organ to not process drugs and alcohol in normal ways.2
What can be done to reduce smoking-related heartburn?
Because smoking diminishes the natural protective ability of saliva, increases the rate of heartburn episodes, and increases the acid clearance time from within the esophagus,5 any amount of smoking can further increase your chances of developing heartburn. However, moderating your tobacco intake can limit the severity and duration of heartburn symptoms triggered by smoking.
"The Smoking Cockroach in: The Darker Wave 3: Smoking Tricks"
Don't you just really love the internet!
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