NORTH DAKOTA LEGISLATURE: Tobacco ban gets lit up in House

grandforks.com ^ | 21 January 2003 | Xiao Zhang

[SheLion]

Grosz told his fellow representatives that tobacco costs the state close to 1,000 lives every year and $351 million in medical and productivity costs.

Pulling more figures out of da butt I see.......

Gee, one guy voted against the bill because he was worried that "prohibition would drive smoking underground." Whatever the hell that's supposed to mean. In other states it's been driven out of workplaces, parks, and "public places." The only place left IS underground. And so what? Illegal drugs are consumed "underground." I'll bet he's not for legalizing them.

The "North Dakota Medical Association, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, North Dakota Public Health Association and North Dakota Nurses Association" were all afraid that prohibiting tobacco won't prevent its use (although that is exactly what they claim happens when smoking bans are imposed) and they don't want to lose their funding for tobacco control programs.

Why in the %$#^ world would anybody need tobacco control programs if there was no tobacco to control? And I don't think smoking compares with Prohibition. It isn't the same. People hole up and drink for a part of the day. Smoking is 24 hours a day minus sleep time wherever you are. It's much more visible.

And what's with The North Dakota Grocer's Association supporting the bill? Retailers "spend too much time and money training employees on proper procedures for proof-of-age in selling tobacco products."

Jeez, don't they sell alcohol in that state?

I read that Texas convenience stores average $312,000 per year in cigarette sales. I don't know how that compares to North Dakota or to grocery stores, but it would take a lot of convincing for me to believe they lose money selling cigarettes.

.......The Above Was Written by Squeezer

[SheLion]

Puff

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[SheLion]

[RWG]

I graduated from Minot HS in 1966 at the age of 17. One day at lunch off school grounds I was arrested for smoking cigarettes and had to go to juvenille court. Seems like they are still idiots in north dakota.

[RandallFlagg]

Oh fer cryin' out loud! IT'S A LEGAL PRODUCT!!!

A Republican started this?!

[metesky]

There's no evidence banning tobacco would prevent and reduce tobacco use because no such approach has been implemented, the groups argued. The ban also could take away certain funding forthese groups for tobacco control programs.

It's all about the money and not about health at all. Good to see these slime balls admit it, however inadvertantly.

The best part:

The measure, which would make selling or using tobacco products except for using it for relgious purposes misdemeanors, failed by an 88-4 vote.

Imagine if all the states were stupid enough to pass a law like this! Remember that religious sacrements are tax free!

What could they do if we all exercised our 1st Amendment rights to freedom of religion? Kill the cash cow.

[SheLion]

I graduated from Minot HS in 1966 at the age of 17. One day at lunch off school grounds I was arrested for smoking cigarettes and had to go to juvenille court. Seems like they are still idiots in north dakota.

"1966??!!" Your kidding me! ugh!

[SheLion]

A Republican started this?!

Can we say "RINO???"

[SheLion]

What could they do if we all exercised our 1st Amendment rights to freedom of religion? Kill the cash cow.

Which reminds me:

[KS Flyover]

"It's all about the money and not about health at all. Good to see these slime balls admit it, however inadvertantly."

Exactly. I bet the "anti-tobacco" groups about crapped their collective shorts when this bill made it out of committee. LOL

[Docbarleypop]

My dad graduated from Des Lacs (just outside of Minot) in 66, then went to Minot State. small world!

[OBone]

It always amazes me that Americans don't seem to realize that for every law passed a new bureauracy and supporting group is born.

[Judith Anne]

Defeated 88-4? Who on earth were the four that are, apparently, all ate up with the goofies?

[GailA]

Guess they couldn't forgo their TAX MONEY in order to stop kids from having access to EVIL tobacco.

[Kerberos]

"Oh fer cryin' out loud! IT'S A LEGAL PRODUCT!!! "

Your just a nicotine addict dude. (Nothing personal just applying drug warrior logic here)

[logic101.net]

Damn! I wish that would have passed! I'm a smoker who is tired of the BS incrimentalizm towards this. It would have shown the end game; and it would have been fun to watch!

MARK A SITY
http://www.logic101.net/

[Publius6961]

If these clowns managed to outlaw a legal substance, what's next?

Milk?
Peanut butter?

[Wolfie]

Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, was legal unitl the early 1900's.

[Publius6961]

I think we all had better get a good look at the wisdom of the Constitution.
Nothing is clearer now, than the idea that it is there to protect us from our government.
Not from each other; I can deal with that!