Posted on 01/09/2003 5:14:01 PM PST by SheLion
ANTI-TOBACCO EFFORTS PRAISED.
7 January 2003
Maine program earns high grades.
by Michael O'D. Moore of the Bangor Daily News Staff
When it comes to regulating (controlling) tobacco consumption, Maine compares to a report released early today by the American Lung (Liar) Association.
On four key measures the state got two A grades, a B and a C. The four measures, respectively, are spending on anti-smoking programs; restrictions on youth access to tobacco; cigarette taxes; and smoke-free air rules for public and PRIVATE places.
Maine was among just four states - California, New York and Rhode Island were the others - that earned two A grades.
It certainly is a good reflection of how Maine is doing compared to other states," said ED MILLER, President of the American Lung (Liar) Association of Maine.
The association calculated that smoking costs Maine $876 million a year in health care costs and LOST WORK TIME. Nearly a quarter of Maine's adults and high school students smoke.
Although Maine's smoking rates dropped in the 1990's, anti-smoking advocates are EAGER to get the rates down further through education and cessation efforts. (FORCED CESSATION?)
Maine tied for seventh with nine other states for its $1-a-pack TOBACCO TAX.
Maine placed sixth best for its policies regulating smoking at work, school,BARS and other establishments. (Other?) In 1999 a law went into effect banning smoking in all restaurants.Maine was the only state that got a C, with most states getting a D or F.
MILLER said the ranking down-graded Maine because state statue allows smoking in designated areas (rooms that must meet special rooms statewide. He knows of no school that has one, he said.
Changing that law isn't on the association's agenda THIS year. Miller said his group's first smoking priority is to maintain the use of about $50 million Maine receives annually as its portion of a settlement to a lawsuit brought by 45 states (Attorney Generals) against tobacco companies for health care-related programs. (Golf Courses and Car Race Tracks? Balancing state budgets?? Growing gardens in ELLSWORTH???!!! Great spending!)In July 2001 the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids ranked Maine first among states in using the funds for health-related programs. (Yes! Crummy TV ads, T shirts, and field trips, among some).
Governor John Baldacci already has made a campaign pledge not to tap the money for other uses. (Too late. The pet programs are in place, Governor).
Miller said the association will support a bill to be sponsored THIS session by SEN. KARL TURNER; REPUBLICAN-Cumberland, to ELIMINATE the exemption that allows smoking in TAVERNS, LOUNGES and most POOL HALLS. (Most?) The issue is likely to be contentious: In 2000 a similar bill was DEFEATED after a three-hour long public hearing before the Health and Human Services committee. Almost all of the speakers were AGAINST IT.
Miller said predictions that eliminating smoking from restaurants and bars in CALIFORNIA would-be economically disastrous haven't come true. Now, he said, his association plans to argue that exceptions for bars and the like in Maine should be eliminated as a matter of FAIRNESS to their workers and to restaurants were smoking is prohibited. (LEVEL PLAYING FIELD AGAIN!)
State Sen. Karl Turner (REPUBLICAN - Cumberland)
Sad, isn't it? And it's the business owners who are suffering so much. How about them? Doesn't our great government care about them??
Let me know if you get an answer, and let me know if it comes back. Another gal wrote to him this afternoon, and her email came back. :(
When I have to sit there and inhale the second hand smoke, have its stench on my clothes and hair and simply smell it, my freedom is being destroyed.
Why don't smokers simply suck on an exhaust pipe; its much cheaper and doesn't poison any one else.
Think what would happen if I went into one of these smokers places and lit a candle of incense; stuf that really smelled gross. I no more have the right to poison your air than you do to poison mine with tobacco.
I do like the idiocy of those that claim that the government has no right. Of course it does. That is why you drive on the right, pay attention to traffic signals, wear a motorcycle helmet, carry car insurance, and a thousand other things that you do without question.
The most interesting part of these responses is that I get nothing but ad hominem attacks from addicts who can think of nothing else. Your addiction really is offensive. You and it do stink. And, if you can step back a moment, you'd see what a wasteful, non-productive habit it is.
How about this, Tactless: We stink? Well, we can bath, wash our hair and our clothing. But your bigotry goes clear to the bone. There is no washing off YOUR stink.
This isn't about you. It's about the business owners in the poor economy about to go on another depressing ride of no revenue. But since you want to make this all about you and your prissy nose, I guess your another one who could care less about lay-offs and closings. Seek help! Fast!
Your email to Karl? At the Yahoo one?
:::snip whiny blather:::...When I have to sit there and inhale the second hand smoke,...my freedom is being destroyed.
If it were true that you "have to sit there and inhale the second hand smoke," your freedom WOULD be encroached. So. Now that I've agreed with you, where is the place that you are FORCED to go and where you "have to sit there and inhale the second hand smoke"? Are you forced to enter restaurants/bars that welcome smokers? No? Do the places you HAVE to go (DMV, grocery stores, govt. buildings, etc.) permit smoking where you are? C'mon, Tacis, join in here. Let's see if you and I, both reasonable people, can solve this problem.
:::snipped asinine comment about incense:::--I no more have the right to poison your air than you do to poison mine with tobacco.
Which "air" is yours, Tacis? Post a sign at the door saying "THIS IS TACIS'S AIR--DO NOT FOUL IT!" and no smoker will ever enter. On the other hand, you do NOT own the air in MY restaurant, so I'll post a sign outside saying "THIS IS NOT TACIS'S AIR--SMOKERS WELCOME (TACIS, STAY AWAY!)" That'll work, won't it? No? Whyever not? Surely you don't expect me to respect your right to "your" air if you don't respect "mine."
:::snip endless inane diversionary statements:::
The most interesting part of these responses is that I get nothing but ad hominem attacks...
Take the log out of your own eye before bitching about the mote in someone else's.
:::no ad hominems here, no, not at all:::--from addicts who can think of nothing else. Your addiction really is offensive. You and it do stink. And, if you can step back a moment, you'd see what a wasteful, non-productive habit it is.
Point is, Tacis, it's none of your business. Get it? Why is that so hard for control freaks to understand? It's very simple, really...pay attention, now...
MY. HABITS. ARE. NONE. OF. YOUR. BUSINESS! Your bigotry really is offensive. You and it do stink. And, if you can step back a moment, you'd see what a wasteful, non-productive habit it is.
Very well said, Max! Very well said, indeed!
Does the R stand for ratfink or retard? I thought at first glance it was a political party affiliation.
Glad to hear it!! I emailed Samantha so she can try to resend hers. Thanks for letting me know, Madame Dufarge!!
Sad, isn't it? And our newly elected Governor is death against smoking as well. And with RINO'S in office kissing up to him with the smoking issue, I think the smoker's in Maine are in for a rough 4 years.
I just pray that there are enough of us to keep them on their toes and let them know that we aren't all dumb a$$es out here and DO know what is going on.
Not only the people, but the business owner's themselves. I sure can't see loss of revenue and letting workers go because a business can't afford to keep them anymore. These bans are disastrous.
And the anti's are using California as a "good" example, when in fact, California is really huring because of the ban even after 5 years. This should be left up to the business owner and his patrons. Not have the government come in and dictate. This will just open the doors to bigger control.
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