Norwegian County Backs Smokers' Rights (a basic human right)

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040414/ap_on_fe_st/norway_smoker_s_rights ^ | Wed Apr 14,2004 | OSLO, Norway

[RickGolden]

Norwegian County Backs Smokers' Rights

OSLO, Norway - A Norwegian county has declared smoking to be a basic human right in a dispute over a ban imposed on one town's workers.

Levanger, a township of about 18,000 people in central Norway, banned all smoking by municipal employees during working hours on or off city property at the beginning of the year.

The ruling, which made national news Wednesday, came after three opponents of the rule, all local council members from the right-wing Party of Progress, asked the county governor's office to assess the ban's legality.

In a letter to the city dated Tuesday, the county declared the ban invalid because it violates the European Human Rights Convention.

It said the city can ban smoking on its property, but not, for example, if a worker was driving their own car or on private property.

The county cited a section of the convention that protects citizens' private lives.

The letter said "a total ban on smoking during working hours is a measure that is not reasonable in relation to the goal of the ban."

Birger Meinhardt and Steinar Holten, two of the politicians who lodged the complaint, celebrated the ruling on the steps of the Levanger town hall by lighting up the biggest cigars they could find.

"Just like before Jan. 1, 2004," Holten told the Troender-Avisa newspaper as he puffed on the cigar.

[A CA Guy]

At last a place for smokers to freely vacation.

[qam1]

American Freedom is Alive and Well in Levanger, Norway

PING

[Iberian]

Some day we will vote our vote.

[spootiskerry]

Where is our American freedom? I have friends in prison for growing pot. They're on the "list" to enter the DAP (Drug and Alcohol Program) to become Re-habilitated...and the guy in charge of teaching that program was arrested for DUI outside the prison...where's the justice????

I hate smoke. Cigarette or otherwise. If someone wants to kill themselves with it or destroy brain cells w/mind altering substances...let 'em. HOWEVER, when it comes to BASIC rights...the RIGHT TO SWING YOUR ARM ENDS WHERE ANOTHER MAN (OR WOMAN'S) NOSE BEGINS. That means, that if you want to smoke...go on with it, but not in my air space, cause I'm choosing not to.

Can we ever agree on this issue????

[metesky]

Who's this "we", newbie?

[albee]

"That means, that if you want to smoke...go on with it, but not in my air space, cause I'm choosing not to."

Thank you for your brilliant insights, spootiskerry, Free Republic Memeber since APRIL 14, 2004!

Can I call you an whaaaaaaaaaaaambulance?

[DefCon]

"... I have friends in prison for growing pot..."
- - -
Too bad you are not there with them.
Welcome to Free Republic.
Dumass.

[CSM]

Where is it called out that your right to breath air free of ETS exists? How does that "right" for you to not be inconvienanced give you the "right" to infringe upon another person's private property?

No one forces you onto private property where smoking is allowed! Let the owner decide!

[Just another Joe]

As long as it's "your" air space, defined by property you own, then yes, we can agree.
If you're defining air space as anywhere you happen to be then no, we can't agree.

[Gabz]

You don't really expect s/h/it to answer do you?????

[CSM]

Actually, no I don't. I am expecting to find out this is another cowardly troll!

[Just another Joe]

You don't really expect s/h/it to answer do you?????

Don't really care if s/h/it does or doesn't answer.
s/h/it isn't the only audience I'm speaking to/for.

[Gabz]

I know that........was just pulling your leg.

Your point is well taken, except of course my the brainwashed kool-aid drinkers.

As CSM says, propably just another troll.........there seem to be a lot of them lately.

[Just another Joe]

propably just another troll.........there seem to be a lot of them lately.

It's election year and FR has become known for it's activism, changing the course of any given election, and as the 800 lb gorilla.

[spootiskerry]

Gee, I must have been mistaken. I thought this was an intelligent, civilized group of thinkers, but instead I've stumbled into a trashy, self-righteous den of sanctimonious plebes. Apparently put-downs and name-calling are the M.O. on this site and not higher level discourse.

When I read this notice:

Please: NO profanity, NO personal attacks, NO racism or violence in posts.

...I thought...well...

but again, for the extremists at the bottom of the gene pool, you spout your claims of "freedom" as getting to do precisely whatever it is you want and f*** everybody else. Go back to the texts of our Constitutional writers and get a brigher perspective.

Hurl your epithets if it will make you feel like a bigger he/she/it, as you earlier referred to me. Your disregard for humanity and goodness in general is what has become so ugly in this world. If I weren't so depressed by all of you and your comments, I'd come back to see if there was just one or two signs of intelligent life out here, but I know what I'll find...MOTS.

[Just another Joe]

I posted no attacks.
Come back and tell me why you think you have the 'right' to tell a private property owner what legal activities can occur on their property.

[Just another Joe]

As for the s/h/it, state your preference and I'll be glad to accomodate you.

[Gabz]

There is nothing epithetic in the shorthand use of s/h/it when referring to one whose gender is unknown.

It seems to me you are the one seeking to limit the rights and freedoms of others, not the other way around.

[Wolfie]

Penumbric rights to privacy are tricky things.