Texas, San Antonio to be Anti Smoking Battlegrounds

WOAI.COM ^ | 12/17/02 | n/a

[Madame Dufarge]

"It's not fair that people have to hold their breath and run a gauntlet of smoke in order to get into a building."

So this is what it's come to, the good ol' USA:

From this:

To this:

[dtel]

I agree, hence my post.
If they win here, they can win anywhere.
I am surprised they are willing to take on ole San Antone at this stage of the game.
Very bold move.

[johnb838]

Dr. John Nava of the Bexar County Metropolitan Health District compared smoking cigarettes with carrying a loaded gun in public.

What a maroon. It is perfectly legal to carry a loaded gun in public in Texas. Without a license.

[weegee]

Camel and Malboro give away free boxes of cigarettes every night in the bars (they require the patron to fill out some mailing info and their driver's license is examined).

A light smoker doesn't even need to buy cigarettes these days. The state of Texas alcohol laws does not permit a bar to give away alcohol (some still do at times but they violate law). The tobacco giveaway could likewise be outlawed.

Until it is though, there will be a way around a hefty sin tax on tobacco. And set the price high enough and non-smokers will get free packs of cigarettes to trade bar patrons for drinks (or outright cash).

At the same time homosexuality is being legalized because it couldn't be enforced and there are pushes for legalizing marijuana, there are people pushing from restricting legal behavior (if tobacco is so bad, ban it outright, not incrementally).

[swarthyguy]

THis is CRAP about the workers. What an excuse.

More non smokers who work in bars will see a reduction in income. Smokers tip more; ask any bartender. And they don't go where they're not welcome. One smoking establishment near here, surrounded by non smoking towns is packed. The owner loves it that the towns around him have banned smoking. As he said, you wouldn't be here with your friends if they could smoke in CleanAirville.

There is something VERY unnatural about a bar with 150 proof bottles on the shelf with no ashtrays.

[johnb838]

Sorry dude, that's liberal crap. People up north are far far fatter than people down here.

[maxwell]

There is something VERY unnatural about a bar with 150 proof bottles on the shelf with no ashtrays.

Hear hear.

[lonestar]

My mother, a non-smoker, lived with a chain smoker for 50 years. She will be 87 in May and has no health problems related to smoking.

[Mark]

"What a maroon. It is perfectly legal to carry a loaded gun in public in Texas. Without a license."

For how long?

[SheLion]

San Antonio:

[golder]

"You have no right to place the lives of others in danger," he said. Nava said the prime beneficiaries of tough anti smoking laws will be waitresses, bartenders, and other service industry workers.

I have mentioned it before, it bares repeating. The main assault will come from the labor laws. That was the, very successful, tactic used in my state, California. Good luck, you'll need it.

[Madame Dufarge]

The main assault will come from the labor laws.

100% correct.

That's the hammer they used on Cape Cod, and it worked.

[SheLion]

Did that answer post#9?

No. But I heard that the report the WHO did was just a remake, rehash of the same one they did a few years ago. Nothing new added. Words just changed around.

I wish Max would come in. He knows about this WHO study.

Calling MAX!!!!!

[tarawa]

If it's a long gun, there aren't really any state restrictions. You can legally walk down the street with a 12-gauge over your shoulder. The cops might bust you for public disturbance, or some such, but having the gun is legal.

[SheLion]

There is something VERY unnatural about a bar with 150 proof bottles on the shelf with no ashtrays.

You know it! And the anti's can't use the excuse that liquor doesn't stink, because we all know it sure does!

They keep saying that smokers stink, well, ever smell old beer breath? And I am guilty of it, just as well. I know, because I have been there done that.

[J Jay]

Four of the eight "most overweight" cities in the USA are in Texas.

Yep, too many enchiladas around here.

[dtel]

SheLion, you keep pretty close tabs on this, are they that emboldened now that they have NYC smokeless?
The whole thing is mindless, they shut down smoking and then bitch because tax revenues go down.
Is this a great country or what?

[SwatTeam]

I quit smoking about 10 years ago after smoking pretty heavily for about 35 years. Can't stand to be around cigarette smoking, it smothers me and it stinks. But I just don't go where there are smokers. I don't care if people smoke as long as they are not up wind of me. I detest being around someone who puts on a half bottle of perfume or aftershave. Maybe those of us who choke on that should start complaining.

Nahhh I think people should be allowed to live their life free of interference as long as what they are doing is legal. And last time I checked, cigarettes were legal.

[Mark]

You can legally walk down the street with a 12-gauge over your shoulder.

But that sounds so much like AMERICA and FREEDOMS. Libs will have to put a stop to such things without their control.

[maxwell]

Calling MAX!!!!!

Yes dear?