Maine: It's nearly the last gasp for smoking bar patrons

MaineToday.com ^ | December 29, 2003 | ELBERT AULL

[Madame Dufarge]

Mills says the ban may also convince smokers to fire up fewer times while out on the town,

In true full-tilt control freak mode, the idea that smokers just won't go "out on the town" never becomes part of the airhead's equation.

and minors to stop associating smoking with recreational drinking.

Yes, much better that the minors not smoke while recreationally drinking. That much more money available for the beer, I guess.

[DumpsterDiver]

The bars were as hopping as ever- the smokers just stepped outside and had a smoke,

I'm not sure if it's only going to apply to public buildings, but starting next year Californians who light up must be at least 20 feet from any building entrances.

[uglybiker]

[SheLion]

Thanks for the post ! People need to know about this abuse of property rights by the nico-nazis.

Your welcome! I emailed several to let them monitor the comments made by our posters.

Property Rights and nico-nazis are words that shouldn't even be connected in a sentence.

[SheLion]

Let's see..........where else is Partnership for a Tobacco Free Maine spending the money that is being paid for by the Maine Smokers?

Well, for one.......they are using our money to sponsor "5 Race Teams" and Race Tracks across the state called Kick Butts Racing.  Oh yes.  Kick Butts Racing.  Imagine parking next to THESE teams in the pits.

The race cars aren't little mini's either.  They are the pro stocks.  One tire for a pro stock runs about $90 dollars.  And we all know how many tires the teams go through, right?

How about paint jobs every week after a bang up Sunday?  How about fuel?  How about the uniforms?  Oh yes!  Our taxes paid on Maine cigarettes are paying for all of this!

Partnership For a Tobacco Free Maine spending $10,000 plus $4500 at Wiscasset Race Track,

Sunday 26th of May 2002. 

 

Maine has its priorities crossed. Back in January, health advocates urged lawmakers to spare successful programs in anti-smoking funds.

Maine receives annually $55 million from the Tobacco Settlement, to which the smokers in Maine are paying for. Although Maine had a choice how to spend the money, it was intended for education and to pay for any sick smokers on welfare, should there be any.

House Speaker Michael Saxl said that given the $248 million budget shortfall facing the state, there must be room for some cuts in the health programs.

Attorney General Rowe said that Maine is one of the few state’s that has committed "most" of the money to health programs. I say "Show me the programs!" Most of this money is being spent on pet programs.

For instance: The Partnership for a Tobacco Free Maine is sponsoring Speedway 95, and Wiscasset Race Track. Memorial Day, the "prestigious" Partnership for a Tobacco Free Maine is awarding the winner of the Coastal 200- $10,000. With $4500 going to the runner-up.

I wonder how many people this money could have helped that can’t afford health insurance. I wonder how many people this would have helped in nursing homes who have no insurance. I wonder how this money could have helped with children’s nutrition, prescription drugs, child care and substance abuse.

Governor King states Maine Health Care is failing. The money PTFM is wasting at a racetrack could have been spent in a kinder more gentler way.

William Corr, executive director of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free kids says Big Tobacco is targeting our kids, while Corr is targeting the wallets of all who pay cigarette taxes in Maine.

This is a blatant slap in the face to all that pay cigarette taxes.

Click here for full story

 

[SheLion]

and smokers seem to be willing to take any level of abuse (full disclosure- I'm a non-smoker). It's a pretty co-dependent relationship.

Thank God, through Free Republic, there are MANY of us that have found other wonderful means of being able to enjoy a LEGAL product without paying into the state coffers.

American's aren't stupid. It's the American way to shop cheap. heh!

[SheLion]

Yes, much better that the minors not smoke while recreationally drinking. That much more money available for the beer, I guess.

Got to laugh to keep from crying.

[Taxman]

What really, really upsets me about these no-smoking laws is that there has been no effective Constitutional challenge made to overturn them.

[VRWC_minion]

"I'm trying to live it up until Thursday," said Brown, 21, as he smoked a Lucky Strike cigarette.

Oh, the irony.

[VRWC_minion]

'We'll just stay home and drink a six-pack there.' "

Thank God. The last thing we want is for you to be drinking a six-pack's worth of beer before navigating your way home in your car. The consequence of these laws will be to save lives from the drunk driver who stays home. The drop in revenues is small to the lives involved.

[SheLion]

You know, it's one thing to use the taxes on cigarettes that smoker's pay,  for Help Lines to help smokers who sincerely want to quit, and for all the Big Pharm helpers like the Patch, etc., to give to non-insured smokers who want to quit......but to use our money for asinine TV ads; sponsoring race teams and race tracks; and to march into privately owned business's and dictate to them about their new "policy," whether they want it or not...............is way over the top, IMHO.

And the wait staff who are all for this smoking ban?  (I haven't run across MANY),  knew from the first moment they applied for the job that smoking was allowed.  A lot of their wages and tips came from the smoking patrons.

What will these non-smoking wait staff do now when they are laid off, or if they are lucky enough to have seniority, to have their tips cut in half?  They can "breath clean air," but this clean air won't put food on their tables or gas in their cars.

[SheLion]

What really, really upsets me about these no-smoking laws is that there has been no effective Constitutional challenge made to overturn them.

From the "chatter" I hear, there are groups in New York and Florida suing over this matter. Stay tuned.

[SheLion]

I'm not even talking to you..........

[VRWC_minion]

Happy (smokefilled) New Years.

[Gabz]

I hear, there are groups in New York and Florida suing

And there is at least one in Colorado, they are still working out the details in Delaware and there are several others scattered throughout the country.

[1Old Pro]

I'm still waiting for some bright thinker to find a way around these stupid laws.

[VRWC_minion]

I'm still waiting for some bright thinker to find a way around these stupid laws.

Quit ?

[Taxman]

Of course, given the "Nanny State" mentality of most Americans, it would not surprise me at all if a "penumbra" were found which would allow the politicized (Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Clintoon!) judges to uphold the no smoking bans.

Time for some Civil Disobedience?

[SheLion]

And there is at least one in Colorado, they are still working out the details in Delaware and there are several others scattered throughout the country.

Thanks, Gabz!

I thought I heard something about CO, but didn't want to say for sure.

It's through Forums like Free Republic that many others learn the truth about the State Health Coalitions and what they are doing to undermine our economy!

[Taxman]

It is soooooooooo difficult to be non-PC in a PC world.

I wish them all the success -- I am counting on them to be successful.

Does anybody know if Ann Coulter moved to Florida? She said she was leaving NY, because of the smoking ban, and moving to FL. But then Florida passed a smoking ban (70% approval by the voters).

We can still smoke in VA, but many restaurant owners don't allow smoking, which, as noted, is their right. So, I don't patronize them -- If they don't allow smoking indoors, I take my business elsewhere.