Hi,
Here is more news on proposed Chicago smoking ban. I am so happy Mike Ditka finally is taking a stand again!!! Way to go! We need to remind the Chicago aldermen that they will be violating our Constitution and Bill of Rights, just like all the other cities with current bans have done, if they pass a smoking ban. Restaurant owners, just like every citizen in this country, are supposed to be guaranteed the Right to Private Property.
As pointed out by Maureen Martin (senior fellow for legal affairs for the Heartland Institute) this past Monday, "In a U.S. Supreme court decision during the early 1970's involving leafletting Vietnam War protesters turned away from a shopping mall, the Supreme Court said a place of business does not become public property just because the public is invited in. By that same reasoning, a restaurant or bar is not public property."
We are adults making a choice to use a legal product. Maybe others don't like it.....maybe it is not a healthy choice,
but it is our choice....that's the way it needs to remain in the USA if we are to remain an icon of freedom for the rest of the world. Our image has suffered serious tarnishing over the last several years....let's not make it worse!
This is not about unproven junk science health theories from Extremist Special Interest Groups (like the ACS) who lobby on dangers from SHS, it is about freedom!!
Garnet Dawn
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http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_193125107.html Jul 12, 2005 11:50 am US/Central
Ban Would Snuff Out Smoking
Ditka, Restaurant Owners Speak Against Proposal
Mike Parker Reporting
(CBS) CHICAGO Before the smoke cleared Tuesday, Coach Mike Ditka tried to clear the air over a sweeping plan to ban smoking in virtually every indoor public building in Chicago.
Ditka was one of many restaurant owners who engaged in a heated debate Tuesday morning about the city’s proposed smoking ban. Some restaurant and bar owners are worried the proposed ban could snuff out business.
The debate raged at City Hall as public hearings on the proposed ban were held.
If the measure is approved, Chicago will have the most restrictive anti-smoking ordinance in the nation, tougher even than New York City and Los Angeles.
Various health experts also came to City Hall to testify on behalf of the ordinance as restaurant and bar owners called for its defeat.
“All you are trying to do is really hurt the restaurant business and the rest of the businesses’ business, really,” Ditka said. “And that bothers me a lot.”
But Ald. Ed Smith is a believer in the ban.
“I’m here to trying to do my job. I’m here to try to make sure people are healthy,” said Smith, who proposed the ban. “That’s all this is about. I am not trying to browbeat anyone.”
The Health Committee is hearing testimony on the proposal to totally outlaw smoking in restaurants, bars, malls, sports stadiums and train platforms in the city.
But that proposal did not browbeat Mike Ditka. He showed up without his usual cigar to tell the aldermen it will hurt not only restaurants, but cripple the convention business here.
“Now, I drove down Michigan Avenue yesterday, and I bring this up as a point. I got behind a CTA bus, and I thought I would be asphyxiated,” Ditka said. “Are we going to outlaw CTA buses?”
“When we drop our business down and lay off people, where will they work?” asked Billy Goat Tavern owner Sam Sianis.
The American Cancer Society is prepared to testify that the danger of secondhand smoke can be controlled.
“It’s important for everyone who does not smoke to not be exposed to secondhand smoke,” said Mary Maryland with the cancer society. “All of the other major cities have stepped up and passed an ordinance. Now it’s important for Chicago to step up and do the same.”
Ald. William Beavers, who is a renowned cigarette smoker, says this proposal will never pass without compromises. Ald. Smith says he’ll be willing to listen.
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