[SheLion]

[SheLion]

[Road Warrior ‘04]

The city, county nor the state governments should have any right imposing no smoking prohibitions on any owner of a restaurant or bar. It's the owners property and they should set the rules. How about a restaurant make the rule that all chicken or pork must be eaten raw if you are to patronize their establishment.

[HOTTIEBOY]

If you don't want to get wet, don't go in the water.

Yet another way the gubmit is mommie and daddy for those of us who don't know what's best for us.

[goodnesswins]

Washington, the whole state, I believe, is voting on this TODAY!

[Gabz]

"If the county had the authority to act, I would take every reasonable measure to implement a responsible and comprehensive smoking ban," Van Meter said.

"I cannot speak for the board's position on this issue, but I can say that I personally support this measure in the strongest possible terms. The weight of the medical evidence overwhelmingly points to second-hand smoke as a danger to non-smokers.

"We restrict many of life's activities by time, place and manner to ensure public health or safety," Van Meter added. "In my opinion, smoking should be similarly restricted. One person's pleasure should not be another person's health risk."

Van Meter apparently is incapable of reading for himself and only parrots the anti-smoker talking points, he also needs to be seeking another line of work.

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

What about second hand drinking? Izzat dangerous too?

[untrained skeptic]

In my opinion the evidence of second hand smoke being a serious health risk is dubious. However, if people feel that it is dangerous, they have the choice to not patronize places where smoking is allowed.

I'd be happier if people did not smoke in public places. However, I don't see any need for laws to force that on business owners.

I am quite capable of walking out of a resturant that I feel is too smoky. I've done it before and I'll likely do it again.

[Garnet Dawn]

This may very well have an impact on the outcome of the proposed Springfield smoking ban. The council members will know that, if a ban is passed, smokers will move to the suburbs with their dining and drinking dollars.

Strom's ordinance was presented to the council at the Nov. 1st council meeting.
http://www.sj-r.com/Sections/News/Stories/70301.asp

However, Edwards now changed his position and is proposing a compromise.

The contacts are all forms, I'm afraid. The next meeting scheduled on the council calendar is December 6th.
http://www.springfield.il.us/cityclerk/Council%20Calendar.htm

Mayor Tim Davlin's position, which has shifted as the debate has gone on, is irrelevant. Davlin, a Democrat, votes only if there is a tie on the 10-member council.
http://www.springfield.il.us/MAYOR/Mayor.htm - (form)

Support Ban
Ward 5 Ald. Joe Bartolomucci http://www.springfield.il.us/city_gov/council/members/ald5.htm - form
Ward 6 Ald. Mark Mahoney (negative, but plans to listen to both sides at the hearings)
http://www.springfield.il.us/city_gov/council/members/ald6.htm - form
Ward 7 Ald. Judy Yeager
http://www.springfield.il.us/city_gov/council/members/ald7.htm - form
Ward 8 Ald. Irv Smith http://www.springfield.il.us/city_gov/council/members/ald8.htm - form
Ward 10 Ald. Bruce Strom (Strom has yet to introduce the ordinance.)
http://www.springfield.il.us/city_gov/council/members/ald10.htm - form

Possibly undecided
Ward 1 Ald. Frank Edwards hedged his support, causing majority for ban to be lost
http://www.springfield.il.us/city_gov/council/members/ald1.htm - form
Ward 2 Ald. Frank McNeil (will listen)
http://www.springfield.il.us/city_gov/council/members/ald2.htm - form
Ward 3 Ald. Frank Kunz opposes a smoking ban of any kind
http://www.springfield.il.us/city_gov/council/members/ald3.htm - form
Ward 4 Ald. Chuck Redpath (ban restaurants)
http://www.springfield.il.us/city_gov/council/members/ald4.htm - form
Ward 9 Ald. Tom Selinger said he hasn't made up his mind either way
http://www.springfield.il.us/city_gov/council/members/ald9.htm - form

http://www.sj-r.com/Sections/News/Stories/69202.asp