So this is what it's come to, the good ol' USA:
From this:
To this:
Posted on 12/17/2002 3:37:04 PM PST by Mark
Texas, San Antonio to be Anti Smoking Battlegrounds
LAST UPDATE: 12/17/2002 12:26:17 PM
(SAN ANTONIO) -- An unlikely coalition of health and community action groups says it is poised to make Texas the 'most unfriendly state in the nation for big tobacco' in the coming year. The groups, which include health organizations like the American Cancer Society and community associations like the PTA, along with a core of experienced public interest lobbyists from Austin's political community, are pushing initiatives on the state and local level with the goal of outlawing smoking in all workplaces and public buildings in the state.
"Buying a pack of cigarettes does not entitle you to take away the clean air from the 85% of Texans who do not smoke," the group's spokeswoman Suzanne Lozano, a San Antonio nurse, told supporters today.
Among the initiatives include proposals before the Texas Legislature to raise the cigarette tax a dollar a pack, and to outlaw what's called 'pre-emption,' a tactic used by tobacco lobbyists to pass luke warm smoking limitations statewide and then forbid cities from passing stronger measures.
Julie Winckler of TRUST for a Smoke Free Texas says that's a prime tactic of the tobacco lobby.
"We feel it's easier to pass anti smoking measures on a local level," Winckler said. "We feel people are more passionate there."
The anti tobacco forces today released a Scripps Howard poll showing 74% of residents of San Antonio support a tough measure being proposed here, which would ban all smoking in all public places, and even place restrictions on smoking outdoors. San Antonio would join Boston among major cities with the country's toughest smoking control laws, and the San Antonio measure is seen as a model for proposals the groups hope to approve statewide.
San Antonio is seen as a key battleground for anti smoking laws because of it's huge tourism base. Bars, restaurants, hotels, and other businesses that cater to tourists generally resist restricting the behavior of their clients.
"Second hand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States," San Antonio Emergency Medical Services director Dr. Don Gordon said. "It is responsible for 56,000 innocent deaths per year."
Dr. John Nava of the Bexar County Metropolitan Health District compared smoking cigarettes with carrying a loaded gun in public.
"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.
"Working in the service industry does not force you to give up breathing clean air," he said.
Lozano said the measures would leave citizens with the right to smoke "in their homes and in their cars and nowhere else," adding that businesses would not only be required to ban smoking inside, but the current practice of allowing smokers to lurk around entrances smoking would also be outlawed.
"There would be an area within so many feet of a public building where smoking out also not be allowed," she said. "It's not fair that people have to hold their breath and run a gauntlet of smoke in order to get into a building."
The groups are also pushing for 'comprehensive' tobacco prevention measures in schools, citing statistics released yesterday which show smoking among high school students hitting its lowest level in more than a quarter century.
"Now that we have proven solutions to reduce tobacco use, Texas' leaders have more of an obligation to implement them in our state than ever before," said Carter Headrick of the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.
So this is what it's come to, the good ol' USA:
From this:
To this:
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).
Hear hear.
For how long?
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.
100% correct.
That's the hammer they used on Cape Cod, and it worked.
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!!!!!
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.
Yep, too many enchiladas around here.
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.
But that sounds so much like AMERICA and FREEDOMS. Libs will have to put a stop to such things without their control.
Yes dear?
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