Ohio approves state smoking ban

Jerrry-NW Ohio wrote:

Since the American Cancer Society put your contributions into a political campaign to pass the No Smoking issue, should they still be a charity organization or a political lobbyist group? I know my cotribution to them is history.

The American Cancer Society is a great enemy of freedom and property rights. It talks cures but delivers politics and coercion. Tell your family and friends not to waste their money contributing to the ACS ever again.

A Brief History of Smoking Restrictions

Adapted from http://www.tobacco.org/resources/history/Toba...

1965: Florida enacts the first statewide preemptive legislation, after a dozen communities adopt clean indoor air ordinances. As of 2003, over 30 states have such legislation.

1969: Ralph Nader asks the FAA to ban smoking on airlines as annoying and unhealthy for nonsmokers, and as a fire danger...

1969: Pan American Airlines creates the first nonsmoking sections on its jumbo jets; United Airlines did the same two years later.

1973: Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) requires all airlines to create nonsmoking sections, and bans smoking in aircraft lavatories, as a result of a tragic fire in an airliner bathroom waste bin that caused a crash killing 124 people. This is the first federal restriction on smoking in public places.

1973: Arizona becomes the first state (in modern times) to pass a comprehensive law restricting smoking in public places. The law forbids smoking in public places like elevators, libraries, indoor theaters and concert halls, and buses.

1973: Federal Government mandates that smoking in bed be forbidden in prisons.

1975: Madison, Wisconsin passes an ordinance limiting smoking, the first community in the nation to do so; the effort was led by Margo Redmond of GASP.

1978: A Roper Report prepared for the Tobacco Institute concludes that the nonsmokers' rights movement is "the most dangerous development yet to the viability of the tobacco industry that has yet occurred."

1979: Minneapolis and St. Paul become the first U.S. cities to ban the distribution of free cigarette samples.

1984: The 1965 Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act is amended to require that one of the four warning labels listed below appears in a specific format on cigarette packages and in most related advertising.

1986: Mr. Potato Head Quits Smoking. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop asks Hasbro to stop including a pipe as a Mr. PH accessory.

1987: Congress bans smoking on domestic flights of less than two hours. Takes effect in 1988.

1987: Aspen, Colo., becomes the first city in the United States to ban smoking in restaurants.

1987: Department of Health and Human Services goes smoke-free.

1988: Pennsylvania's preemptive Clean Indoor Air Act is passed; it requires restaurants with 75 or more seats to provide a nonsmoking section.

1988: SPORTS: Olympics goes smoke-free.

1990: 1964 Cigarette Advertising Code is revised. "The 1990 Ad Code prohibited billboards located within 500 feet of any school and prohibited paid movie product placements.

1990: Airline smoking ban. The smoking ban on all domestic flights of less than 6 hours, except to Alaska or Hawaii, takes effect. Smoking is also banned on interstate buses.

1993: VERMONT is the first state in the nation to ban indoor smoking; bars are exempt.

1994: McDonald's bans smoking in all 11,000 of its restaurants

1994: NY State passes PRO-KIDS Law. Prohibits smoking on school grounds in all schools, kindergarten through 12th grade.

1995: Delta is the first U.S. carrier to voluntarily ban smoking on all flights.

KHartman wrote:

A Brief History of Smoking Restrictions
Adapted from http://www.tobacco.org/resources/history/Toba...
1965: Florida enacts the first statewide preemptive legislation, after a dozen communities adopt clean indoor air ordinances. As of 2003, over 30 states have such legislation.
1969: Ralph Nader asks the FAA to ban smoking on airlines as annoying and unhealthy for nonsmokers, and as a fire danger...
1969: Pan American Airlines creates the first nonsmoking sections on its jumbo jets; United Airlines did the same two years later.
1973: Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) requires all airlines to create nonsmoking sections, and bans smoking in aircraft lavatories, as a result of a tragic fire in an airliner bathroom waste bin that caused a crash killing 124 people. This is the first federal restriction on smoking in public places.
1973: Arizona becomes the first state (in modern times) to pass a comprehensive law restricting smoking in public places. The law forbids smoking in public places like elevators, libraries, indoor theaters and concert halls, and buses.
1973: Federal Government mandates that smoking in bed be forbidden in prisons.
1975: Madison, Wisconsin passes an ordinance limiting smoking, the first community in the nation to do so; the effort was led by Margo Redmond of GASP.
1978: A Roper Report prepared for the Tobacco Institute concludes that the nonsmokers' rights movement is "the most dangerous development yet to the viability of the tobacco industry that has yet occurred."
1979: Minneapolis and St. Paul become the first U.S. cities to ban the distribution of free cigarette samples.
1984: The 1965 Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act is amended to require that one of the four warning labels listed below appears in a specific format on cigarette packages and in most related advertising.
1986: Mr. Potato Head Quits Smoking. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop asks Hasbro to stop including a pipe as a Mr. PH accessory.
1987: Congress bans smoking on domestic flights of less than two hours. Takes effect in 1988.
1987: Aspen, Colo., becomes the first city in the United States to ban smoking in restaurants.
1987: Department of Health and Human Services goes smoke-free.
1988: Pennsylvania's preemptive Clean Indoor Air Act is passed; it requires restaurants with 75 or more seats to provide a nonsmoking section.
1988: SPORTS: Olympics goes smoke-free.
1990: 1964 Cigarette Advertising Code is revised. "The 1990 Ad Code prohibited billboards located within 500 feet of any school and prohibited paid movie product placements.
1990: Airline smoking ban. The smoking ban on all domestic flights of less than 6 hours, except to Alaska or Hawaii, takes effect. Smoking is also banned on interstate buses.
1993: VERMONT is the first state in the nation to ban indoor smoking; bars are exempt.
1994: McDonald's bans smoking in all 11,000 of its restaurants
1994: NY State passes PRO-KIDS Law. Prohibits smoking on school grounds in all schools, kindergarten through 12th grade.
1995: Delta is the first U.S. carrier to voluntarily ban smoking on all flights.

It's a sad chronology. I am glad to be old enough to remember a freer America.

LCC wrote:

Reading some of the some of comments from both sides of the issue is both amusing and disturbing at the same time. I am truly disappointed that the issue has caused many people to see smokers or non-smokers as bad people. I am a smoker and I am not a bad person because of my habit. I have many friends who are non-smokers and they are good people regardless of their opinion on the issue.
I am disappointed that the majority of the people of the state of Ohio have decided what is in my best interest and what I should or should not be allowed to do. I am an adult who is capable of making my own decisions. I know that smoking is hazardous to my health but I choose to do it and enjoy it. I am a courteous smoker who tries hard not to expose people who do not smoke to my cigarette smoke. At my work place we have separate enclosed smoking areas; often time’s non-smokers come into this area to take breaks with the smokers. When the non-smokers are in my area I move my ashtray away from them and do not blow my smoke towards them, this is while they are in the smoking room. I have already been pushed into a separate room with its own ventilation system to enjoy my habit, but do I now have to give up this little space because a non-smoker wants this room too. I guess so, even though I have gone out of my way to be considerate to the non-smoker even in my smoking room. I guess my right to enjoy my habit just does not matter anymore. My biggest issue with passage of issue 5 is it is too restrictive. Issue 4 would have allowed for separate smoking areas in public places that had to be enclosed and separated from the non-smoking section. Would that have been so bad? A separate room in the restaurant for smokers? I don’t think so; I think it would have been a good compromise. But then again, my rights as a minority (smoker) do not matter. I wish the people who voted for issue 5 would have read the law instead of relying on the commercials and propaganda before they voted on it. I read the law and it states that the outside smoking area can not have more that 2 walls and a roof. That means if you have a business and you want to build a smoking room separate from the main building you can not do it. What would that hurt? Now as a result when I am at work during the cold winter months I have to go outside in the cold, snow, and wind to enjoy a cigarette. I can tell you right now what is going to happen, the smokers are going to incur more sickness during the winter months because they have to stand out in the harsh winter elements to smoke. This will mean more lost work time, higher health care cost and more work load put on non-smokers. And before anyone tells me to go to my car and smoke, do you know how long it takes for a car to warm up in the winter? It takes time for a car to warm up and start blowing warm air. So by time my 10 minute break is up the car may start to get warm but by then my break is over.

If you have a lit cig in the same room as someone who does not desire smoke, Moving your ashtray does not matter nor dor not blowing smoke at us, If you want to kill yourselves then please do so by all means in your home, not while im eating dinner or having a drink, I dont work my entire life to get cancer from toxic smoke. So you smokers can cloud up an entire establishment with toxic, radioactive, and carcinogenic smoke and I have to inhale it. You should quit smoking and running the cost and burden on the healthcare system, and as for your car being cold? Wear a jacket or stay home.

NWOHIO wrote:

<quoted text>
First of all do NOT compare this to being black. You were not born with a cig in your mouth you chose to smoke.. A black man/woman is born black. They have no choice in that. They can't take off the color of their skin and walk into a resturant. The color of their skin does not cause me to get sick or cause cancer. So don't go comparing your smoking to being black.. You are insulting African Americans by comparing your nasty habit to their ethnicity.

Nice try! Didn't work though, discrimination is discrimination. If you had an IQ above dull-normal you'd have realized what I was getting at. Regardless of why or how I got addicted to cigarettes the point remains that Smokers are discriminated against and any discrimination is wrong,regardless of the cause. You really can't come to grips with the fact that you discriminated against somebody, can you? People like you are pathetic! Can't even own up to your actions.

Just remember this on December 7, 2006 before you go to a non smoking establishment (IF YOU SMOKE), I have read different places and you might have also, In Oklahoma (or a state near there) residents are encouraged to call 911 if they spot a smoking violater, 911 really? You would be real happy if you need emergency help and 911 was tied up with smoking violater calls, Belmont California, banned smoking anywhere but your residence, including you car, violaters will be ticketed. Colorado, a couple has been forced to smoke across the street from their home because their attached neighbors (they live in a townhome) didnt like the smell, they sued, they lost. And my very favorite one, Washington D.C., smoking banned in all indoor facilities EXCEPT CONGRESS. Hows that for fair?? If we dont boycott or sue or whatever it takes, give it 6 months and we will be in the same boat. Just think about it.

If you are worried about your kids coming in contact with second hand smoke keep them out of bars. I'll still smoke where ever I want.Ticket me, fine me, whatever,I won't pay it. How much is it going to cost taxpayers to enforce this assnign law.

Jim Cincy wrote:

If you are worried about your kids coming in contact with second hand smoke keep them out of bars. I'll still smoke where ever I want.Ticket me, fine me, whatever,I won't pay it. How much is it going to cost taxpayers to enforce this assnign law.

The good thing is this is civil which means law enforcement IS NOT involved, it is strictly the health department who will be in "charge". I also will smoke when and where I want and I still say BOYCOTT and in about 30 days business owners will be up in arms because they have no business.

If your bothered by the smoke stay home.
Dominoe's delivers.

Debi wrote:

<quoted text>
The good thing is this is civil which means law enforcement IS NOT involved, it is strictly the health department who will be in "charge". I also will smoke when and where I want and I still say BOYCOTT and in about 30 days business owners will be up in arms because they have no business.

It was brilliant, tactically speaking, though, for the ACS and other anti-tobacco industry groups, to manipulate the non-smoking restaurant-goers to pull the lever on a law that will force smokers to either quit smoking (surrender) or form small "clubs" where they can (for now) still smoke (retreat).

But the brilliance is not so much in the manipulation of the non-smoking voters, as much as it is for using businesses as their hammer.

You see, when you light one up, and someone reports you, by the time any Department of Health agent can get to you, you're done smoking, and likely gone from the premises. Good for you, but bad for the owner of the business, who now has a fine (or a warning, if this is their first offense.) And you better believe they will bring 'sniffer' gadgets, if they have to. Remember the clause in the law that "lack of intent to violate the law" is no defense.

Your 'friendly' business owner does not want to pay the fines, so THEY will bear down the enforcement.

And THAT is the tactical brilliance of this law that many of you have passed. No, the police won't be so much involved, except to remove a beligerent customer who has been asked to leave and refuses.(I guess that would be you, Jim Cincy.) It'll be some sort of disturbing the peace or whatever else the officer assesses from the situation.

After they have your information for the other offense, the Department of Health will have an easy time finding you.

Face it, smokers, your neighbors and "friends" have screwed you, but good. Smoke 'em while it's legal.

Non-Cas Fan wrote:

<quoted text>
It was brilliant, tactically speaking, though, for the ACS and other anti-tobacco industry groups, to manipulate the non-smoking restaurant-goers to pull the lever on a law that will force smokers to either quit smoking (surrender) or form small "clubs" where they can (for now) still smoke (retreat).
But the brilliance is not so much in the manipulation of the non-smoking voters, as much as it is for using businesses as their hammer.
You see, when you light one up, and someone reports you, by the time any Department of Health agent can get to you, you're done smoking, and likely gone from the premises. Good for you, but bad for the owner of the business, who now has a fine (or a warning, if this is their first offense.) And you better believe they will bring 'sniffer' gadgets, if they have to. Remember the clause in the law that "lack of intent to violate the law" is no defense.
Your 'friendly' business owner does not want to pay the fines, so THEY will bear down the enforcement.
And THAT is the tactical brilliance of this law that many of you have passed. No, the police won't be so much involved, except to remove a beligerent customer who has been asked to leave and refuses.(I guess that would be you, Jim Cincy.) It'll be some sort of disturbing the peace or whatever else the officer assesses from the situation.
After they have your information for the other offense, the Department of Health will have an easy time finding you.
Face it, smokers, your neighbors and "friends" have screwed you, but good. Smoke 'em while it's legal.

I Wont Be Hiding.

Jim Cincy wrote:

<quoted text>I Wont Be Hiding.

Nor should you, dammit!
Land of the free -- except if you smoke.

Priority wrote:

<quoted text>
Ok, I forgot, smokers dont know anything, look up how many business have closed since this "Smokefree" business started. Then tell me everything will be OK.

OK here we go again.. more business increased their sales after the ban. Unfortunately business will close it happens every day. Even before the ban. Owning a restaurant or bar is one of the riskiest business' to start. In fact banks hate loaning money out to you if you are going to try to start one of these because of their high risk of failing.

suzyq wrote:

If you don't want to be around smokers then don't go into any place that allows it! No! You want to be able to go anywhere don't you? Everyone else has to bow to your wishes! I own a business and think that I ought to be able to have a say in how I run my business. I pay plenty of taxes, etc and should have a say. Just stay out of the places that allow smokers and we won't miss you.

Your one to talk.. you want us to stay home so you can smoke where ever you want.. hello it's only an hour your asked not to smoke.. not a life time

mike wrote:

<quoted text>so where do you live because i want to go there i dont know of a city that is safe to breath in do you drive a car if so stop your killing my kids by doing so with acid that come out of it if i farted would you and there and smell it or walk away

I don't know about you.. But where I go and eat they don't have cars inside blowing carbon monoxide in my face while I am eating. Don't worry there will be smog lows soon to help with the car problem. Just ask anyone from Calif..

Dave in Cincy wrote:

<quoted text>
Nice try! Didn't work though, discrimination is discrimination. If you had an IQ above dull-normal you'd have realized what I was getting at. Regardless of why or how I got addicted to cigarettes the point remains that Smokers are discriminated against and any discrimination is wrong,regardless of the cause. You really can't come to grips with the fact that you discriminated against somebody, can you? People like you are pathetic! Can't even own up to your actions.

Calling names.. WOW you show your true colors.. Amazing when you are angry you name call. Oh and there is a big diff. You can put your cig out and come in and eat.. A black man or woman can not take off the color of their skin and come in and eat..

Debi wrote:

<quoted text>
The good thing is this is civil which means law enforcement IS NOT involved, it is strictly the health department who will be in "charge". I also will smoke when and where I want and I still say BOYCOTT and in about 30 days business owners will be up in arms because they have no business.

But Debi it can become a Police officer problem if you are asked to put the cigarette out and you don't You see the restaurant can call the police because you are causing problems. Then they can site you on many other things if you do not do as asked..

NWOHIO wrote:

<quoted text>
OK here we go again.. more business increased their sales after the ban. Unfortunately business will close it happens every day. Even before the ban. Owning a restaurant or bar is one of the riskiest business' to start. In fact banks hate loaning money out to you if you are going to try to start one of these because of their high risk of failing.

Despite the common thread of dining establishments and bars of all stripes, don't forget about the REST of the business world, many of which already HAD established smoking rooms, and the like. Now, under this law, such rooms are illegal to smoke in!

This law simply doesn't stop with the eateries and er,'drinkeries' of Ohio. This affects everywhere that there are employees, even homes.

KHartman wrote:

<quoted text>
I wonder how that works exactly? How far beyond their own property does the hospital's influence extend? Are they monitoring the actions of employees that are off-site (but still within view of the hospital's external video cameras?)
Unless there's a union, the hospital COULD fire those that smoke, even though it's not on their propery.
But I really think this is a litter issue. You shouldn't drop your trash ANYWHERE but in a proper container. Why should a stranger have to clean up your mess? Courteous smokers don't drop their cigarette butts in the streets.

We smokers "being couteous" have gotten us where we are now, not smoking in someone's home or car that doesn't smoke. Or asking a person next to you "Do you mind if I smoke?" I have always done this. But NO that wasn't good enough for the non smokers, they wanted it all. So now the new law. I will not be couteous again to strangers. Only family and friends.

NWOHIO wrote:

<quoted text>
But Debi it can become a Police officer problem if you are asked to put the cigarette out and you don't You see the restaurant can call the police because you are causing problems. Then they can site you on many other things if you do not do as asked..

I actually am good friends with some of the police officers where I live, it will not be a problem for me because effective next week I will no longer be dining out until patio season. I did speak to a woman in a small town who has a restaurant/bar, she is firing all non related workers and only having family work. Thats what will happen in a lot of outer counties outside of Franklin. And thus starts the lost job for workers.