You do realize that the antecedent to "they" in your sentence is the citizens of the state/city. Legislators aren't going to just cook up these ordinances for the hell of it. Somebody is lobbying for these laws. It's up to everyone to pay attention and lobby/vote accordingly. Silence is a tacit vote for the majority.
So what? Why should anyone have to suck down the smoke from other people's cigarettes? That's just fvcked up.
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I bet you'd say that while sitting in traffic behind a big-rig joyfully sucking down the fumes... which are many, many times more carcinogenic than tobacco smoke. The irony is astounding.
There is no proof whatsoever that ETS in an outdoor environemnt is hazardous to your health. None. There is, however, proof that diesel fumes ARE hazardous (although the chances are quite small) when exposed in an outdoor area.
Apples to oranges. There is no proposal to ban certain people from the beach - their proposal is to ban a certain ACTIVITY on the beach.
I agree about individual rights, but the individuals comprising the majority have decided that the "right" to enjoy a smoke-free, butt-free beach outweighs the "right" to smoke on the beach.
BTW, if this law went before my city counsel, you can bet I would be writing to my counselman asking him to vote against it, but if everyone else just stays silent, it will pass and there's nothing I can do about it, save lobbying to get the law repealed.
You can't please everybody.
When the chain smoking newborn pops out I'll agree with you, until then I'll hold that smoking is an activity & has nothing to do with personal rights.
We have laws against people using snowmobiles/ATV's/etc. on some public lands, I don't see this as being any different. Again, it's not the people but the activity.
You're welcome on beach, just light up somewhere else.
Viper GTS
"They" are the city council who are quite capable of doing whatever they wish unless a strong and vocal group is opposed to their desires. "They" don't have to worry because smokers are in the minority and when it comes election time, that minority vote doesn't matter. Does the inability of a minority to rectify a bad situation make it right because the misinformed and/or uncaring, silent majority goes along?
Like I said earlier, it won't be long now in this smoking witchhunt before cities ban smoking anywhere, even in private homes, within city limits.
After that's done, what's next up on the agenda of force-fed utopia?
I'm well aware you don't smoke, you post the same thing every time you argue this. You used to smoke, don't any longer. It wasn't directed at you.
As far as smoking being a personal right, I would completely agree - In your own home, on your own property, OR in public where people around you don't object.
Viper GTS
The REAL problem. I don't really care why or how the cigarette butts got there, most likely it was becuase they werent properly disposed of at some point in time. Littering is the ugly problem. Throwing butts everywhere isn't the extent of the problem either.
Im totally against the ban on smoking in restaurants. Thats a privately owned business, and the owner should be able to make the choice over whether or not he wants to allow smoking.
But the beach is a different story. I know this is california, but if jones beach in nyc is any indication of how crowded beaches get, Im glad for the ban. Its public property, and its not so much of a litter problem as it is a nuisance. Fat people, children and black people can be there all they want, as long as theyre not smoking or playing their radio too loud. Individual rights include my right to not have to inhale YOUR smoke while Im at the beach.
If theres no one around, I dont see why anyone should care whether someone is smoking or not. The litter isnt so much of a problem as the smoke in my face. Im an ex-smoker, so I know both sides. I would feel bad smoking walking down a crowded street cause I knew I was bothering everyone.
Like it or not, beaches are public, and they HAVE to reflect what they people want, within reason. You and your dog doesnt have an inalieable right to take a dump anywhere and stink up a otherwise beautiful park, and you dont have a right to smoke a pack and stink up the otherwise fresh sea air. Its not the same as saying we dont want black people there because theyre black.
You are being discriminated on not because you are a smoker, but because you are SMOKING.
But the beach is a different story. I know this is california, but if jones beach in nyc is any indication of how crowded beaches get, Im glad for the ban. Its public property, and its not so much of a litter problem as it is a nuisance. Fat people, children and black people can be there all they want, as long as theyre not smoking or playing their radio too loud. Individual rights include my right to not have to inhale YOUR smoke while Im at the beach.
If theres no one around, I dont see why anyone should care whether someone is smoking or not. The litter isnt so much of a problem as the smoke in my face. Im an ex-smoker, so I know both sides. I would feel bad smoking walking down a crowded street cause I knew I was bothering everyone.
Like it or not, beaches are public, and they HAVE to reflect what they people want, within reason. You and your dog doesnt have an inalieable right to take a dump anywhere and stink up a otherwise beautiful park, and you dont have a right to smoke a pack and stink up the otherwise fresh sea air. Its not the same as saying we dont want black people there because theyre black.
You are being discriminated on not because you are a smoker, but because you are SMOKING.
They should ban people from driving near the beach, so their car's exhaust doesn't contaminate the beach goers. They should also track stack pollution from factories/industrial sites that migrate toward the beaches and shut them down, too.
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