UT: Senate Passes Smoking Ban (heads up Utah!)

ksl.com ^ | January 20th, 2006

[SheLion]

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A bill that would ban smoking in Utah's bars, private clubs and some workplaces passed its second reading in the Senate today.

It's a major hurdle for the bill sponsored by Senator Michael Waddoups of West Jordan.

The bill will need to pass the Senate one more time before it can move on to the House for consideration.

If it passes the House, it would make Utah the tenth state to ban smoking in bars.

Utah already bans smoking in most public places. However, the bill would exempt hotel rooms.

Waddoups says he wants to protect the health of bartenders, wait staff and musicians who are affected by second-hand smoke.

The Senate is expected to give a third and final vote on the smoking ban Friday.

[GermanBusiness]

[And it's a pity that our own kind is against us just because we choose to use a legal product.]

But you *would* be at home with the German liberals and communists.

They feel that this is all about "toleration". They see toleration for smokers like toleration for Muslims and gays.

You have a point that maybe you should have been given the pleasure of just having a thread to blow off steam and have noone disagree with you. But the FR mission statements says nothing of smoker's rights so I was accidentally rude and infringed on your thread. Sorry. I won't mess with another pro-smoking thread.

[NavyCanDo]

One unexpected result of the Washington State 25 Foot Smoking ban from a public entrance - cigarette butts are being tossed in the curb's or smash on the sidewalk causing an unsightly mess. The State Government tried to solve one problem but caused another. So what's new.

[GermanBusiness]

[The State Government tried to solve one problem but caused another.]

The inconsiderate cigarette butt throwers caused another problem. Some of these people think they can just throw their garbage everywhere...into the air...onto sidewalks. It is about personal responsibility.

[mysterio]

Another good reason to never visit Utah.

[Melusine]

Legislators can't lose by instituting these bans. In fact, they don't want smokers to quit. They can appease the health fanatics, knowing that smokers will continue to buy cigarettes no matter how restrictive the laws become and the tax money will keep rolling in. If you want to have an impact, quit smoking and convince everyone you know to quit. Then watch the politicians' heads explode when they realize that that revenue stream has dried up.

[SheLion]

One unexpected result of the Washington State 25 Foot Smoking ban from a public entrance - cigarette butts are being tossed in the curb's or smash on the sidewalk causing an unsightly mess. The State Government tried to solve one problem but caused another. So what's new.

Do you remember the cigarette butt receptacles the city's and towns used to have around?  Like outside of all the businesses?  They disappeared.  So!  Where are smokers supposed to put butts?  Another harassment to all smokers, I say!

[SheLion]

you want to have an impact, quit smoking and convince everyone you know to quit. Then watch the politicians' heads explode when they realize that that revenue stream has dried up.

No reason to stop smoking.  Roll your own.  I save over $300 dollars a month just by rolling my own.  And the state coffers be damned!

Well, here is one alternative:

Can't stand the high taxes?

Afraid to order off of the Internet?

Then start rolling your own!!! I find everything but the machine downtown at the local Smoke Shop.  Also, Rite Aid and grocery stores also sell the bags of tobacco and the filtered tubes.

I roll out a beautiful carton for a little under $8 dollars.  Premiums in my state are now up to $45-$50 a carton.  Can you imagine the money I have saved over the past 4 years since I now roll my own?  It's mind boggling.

under $50.00

Check StuffYourOwn for prices on tobacco

$1.99 for 200 filtered tubes

and

Smokers United

Roll Your Own Tobacco Store

Roll Your Own Magazine

[SheLion]

Best to just quit smoking and forget about it.

Best you shut up now and forget about it.  We will never change your mind and you will never change ours.  And you aren't making many friends on our Conservative smoking threads.  In fact, I have already added you to my list.

[Melusine]

Thanks for the info. :-)

[GermanBusiness]

[They can appease the health fanatics, knowing that smokers will continue to buy cigarettes no matter how restrictive the laws become and the tax money will keep rolling in.]

This is true. All economics textbooks use smokers as an example of people who will pay any price at all for a product. They then explain why governments, therefore, chose to triple and quadruple the price of cigarrettes and earn big bucks. You can have 75% of the cost of a pack of cigarettes as taxes...and they will still pay. Wonderful idea.

In another timeline, it may have been another addictive product that got grandfathered in as acceptable. If that product didn't bother others, it would actually be encouraged because of all the tax revenue it can bring.

A great example of an addiction that doesn't bother the people in the immedaite vicinity will be gambling in Las Vegas. When I go to Vegas, I enjoy the big fountains at the Bellagio and the 4 star restaurants and the great shows...that are all subsidized by the addicated gamblers. I am thinking: gamble some more so they can build even more cool attractions...please gamble some more so I can always get a $49 room at the Luxor. ;-)

[SheLion]

So wait a second: You are saying that an alpha male who doesn't let anyone invade his space is a girlie-man for doing so?

I believe a real man doesn't priss around wearing light loafers and sticking his prissy nose in the air when ever he smells something that HE doesn't like. 

I believe strongly that anyone who just sits back and takes another's smoke is a girlie-man himself.

Real men don't bitch.

And you are OK with AIDs patients smoking near you? And someone is a girlie-man for not accepting that?

I don't live around anyone with AIDS. 

[SheLion]

Another good reason to never visit Utah.

One state I never traveled to.  And I sure won't now.

[SheLion]

Thanks for the info. :-)

You are welcome!

[GermanBusiness]

[Another good reason to never visit Utah.
One state I never traveled to. And I sure won't now.]

Utah is 90% Republican. It is one of the few places in America where you're least likely to hear liberal crap. Believe me, if you're conservative, you will love Utah. You can't find a more conservative American state.

[SheLion]

You can have 75% of the cost of a pack of cigarettes as taxes...and they will still pay. Wonderful idea.

No we will not!  Many smokers are now rolling their own.  State coffers be damned.  The lawmakers shot themselves in the foot with cigarette taxes.  Believe me.

When I go to Vegas

Bet you don't bitch about the smokers in VEGAS now do you!  That's because they have the huge smoke eaters.  You have to look to see if anyone is smoking because you sure can't see or smell smoke.

Viva Las Vegas!

[GermanBusiness]

[Real men don't bitch.]

Real men don't allow others to blow smoke in their face.

If someone asked politely and they looked like they didn't have AIDs, I might let them smoke near me. But they would have to ask first and I would prefer they smoke a cigar.

[GermanBusiness]

[Bet you don't bitch about the smokers in VEGAS now do you! That's because they have the huge smoke eaters]

Yes. The casinos in Las Vegas have their act together on ventilation more or less.

[calex59]

I am sorry, but after having read many of your post I can only conclude that you are NOT an american as you claim and further you must be a flaming liberal. Only a liberal would have such a blatant disregard for others rights to engage in a legal activity and a you diplsy a distain for property rights that a conservative would never have.

In addition you are probably one of the dumbest people I have ever had the pleasure of seeing on FR.

PS, don't take the pleasure part seriously please, it was sarcasm and I have doubts about your ability to understand that!

[calex59]

Oops on post 58 that is diplsy=Display

[GermanBusiness]

[Only a liberal would have such a blatant disregard for others rights to engage in a legal activity and a you diplsy a distain for property rights that a conservative would never have.]

The discussion was about how long it will remain a "legal activity". Not for long. The handwriting is on the wall. Democracies are voting smokers off the island.

I have stated 1000 times, German liberals would agree with you. For them it is about "tolerance" for smokers, Muslims and gays.