Texas Smoking Lounge
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.
Got it in an e-mail from a family member.
Glad you posted it.
Yep. Something strange about such "sensitive" souls choosing to live in a congested urban environment, too. Ever notice all the "dead bodies" that pile up around these wilting violets?
Texas Smoking Lounge
Everyone they've ever known or been related to has died a horrible death from smoking or being in the company of someone who smokes.
The only thing that really dies in their company is freedom.
Hello, anybody there ? You are not going to turn this around until you recognize that you smokers need to stop being rude and obnoxoious about smoking everywhere all the time.
California - San Leandro City Gun Tax Helps Abused Children The city of San Leandro has collected over $189,000 in taxes on gun sales since voters approved the three percent tax on handguns and ammunition in 1998. An organization that works with abused children will be the first recipient of the tax funds.
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Taxes on guns of course! Taxes on Fast Foods soon. Libs are dangerous when in power.
Gee! Cute. You don't want to know what I was going to post!
Becki
You think the 74% who support the ban is overstated ? Even with bias its a long way to 51% from 74%.
WE can't have any upity slaves can we.
Its tough to argue why a nonsmoking retail clerk can have a smoke free environment while the nonsmoking waitress who arguably works harder has a smoke filled environment. So far the only arguments i have heard from smokers is 1) Tough, no one made them take the job (sounds mighty white of them) or 2) They will make more money on tips
So far I haven't heard a convincing argument.
I think I know. LOL!
They really are dangerous, Mark. Half of the U.S. are libs. Sad, isn't it.
Interesting question. But that isn't the environment we are in right now so its not relevant and what you have done is change the subject to maybe avoid answering the original question.
Let me set the stage for the current environment a little clearer. Right now the nonsmoking clerk we will call Martha works for Sears has a right to work in a nonsmoking environment. Her sister Mary on the other hand is a trained waitress who works for Smokey Bar and Grill, one of two restaurants in town who both allow smoking. Why does Martha have a government protected right to work in a nonsmoking environment while poor Mary isn't allowed the same priviledge ?
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