Comments on: St. Paul Smoking Ban http://minneapolis.metblogs.com/2006/03/30/st-paul-smoking-ban/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:58:31 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Urgewyrm http://minneapolis.metblogs.com/2006/03/30/st-paul-smoking-ban/comment-page-1/#comment-1114 Urgewyrm Mon, 03 Apr 2006 05:27:03 +0000 http://minneapolis.metblogs.com/2006/03/30/st-paul-smoking-ban/#comment-1114 The concept of a state wide ban on smoking is actually pretty laughable. The amount of money taken in ( especially now with the ridiculous tax hikes per pack ) is enormous and no politician or state government is going to give up a cash cow like that. The concept of a state wide ban on smoking is actually pretty laughable. The amount of money taken in ( especially now with the ridiculous tax hikes per pack ) is enormous and no politician or state government is going to give up a cash cow like that.

]]> By: Greg http://minneapolis.metblogs.com/2006/03/30/st-paul-smoking-ban/comment-page-1/#comment-1113 Greg Sun, 02 Apr 2006 19:53:18 +0000 http://minneapolis.metblogs.com/2006/03/30/st-paul-smoking-ban/#comment-1113 Even when legislated through elected officials, the smoking ban is still government infringing upon private businesses. If people don't want to sit in a smoking bar, they don't HAVE to go there. We're not talking about a publicly funded library; these are independent businesses and consumers making choices about where to spend their money and time. What's next? A statewide ban on cell phones in coffee shops because they disturb half the population? Even when legislated through elected officials, the smoking ban is still government infringing upon private businesses. If people don’t want to sit in a smoking bar, they don’t HAVE to go there. We’re not talking about a publicly funded library; these are independent businesses and consumers making choices about where to spend their money and time. What’s next? A statewide ban on cell phones in coffee shops because they disturb half the population?

]]> By: Amanda http://minneapolis.metblogs.com/2006/03/30/st-paul-smoking-ban/comment-page-1/#comment-1112 Amanda Sun, 02 Apr 2006 03:57:07 +0000 http://minneapolis.metblogs.com/2006/03/30/st-paul-smoking-ban/#comment-1112 While I'm also not happy with the way the local laws have gone down, as a former smoker, I really like going out now. I've gone out to bars tons more since the ban, and bowling is also a lot more fun without the haze. I feel for the smokers, but, hey, at least the weather's getting warmer now. While I’m also not happy with the way the local laws have gone down, as a former smoker, I really like going out now. I’ve gone out to bars tons more since the ban, and bowling is also a lot more fun without the haze. I feel for the smokers, but, hey, at least the weather’s getting warmer now.

]]> By: Bob from ALAMN http://minneapolis.metblogs.com/2006/03/30/st-paul-smoking-ban/comment-page-1/#comment-1111 Bob from ALAMN Sat, 01 Apr 2006 21:33:12 +0000 http://minneapolis.metblogs.com/2006/03/30/st-paul-smoking-ban/#comment-1111 I hope it helps you quit too, Nate. I've been there, and done that. Now I am the spokesperson (and blogger) for the American Lung Association of Minnesota. For the record, we have ALWAYS preferred a comprehensive statewide law over the "crazy quilt" of local ordinances in Minnesota today. If you doubt this, just Google our name and you will see for yourself. I was quoted in Friday's Star Tribune saying just that... However, some of our state lawmakers can't seem to do the right thing (popular, too -- poll after poll shows broad support for smoking bans, in both urban and rural areas) and pass the Freedom to Breathe Act. So we are doing what California did 20 years ago -- passing so many city and county ordinances that the holdouts in the Capitol finally see the light. The "all or nothing" argument only gives you "nothing." This is killing people, folks. We have waited long enough. I hope it helps you quit too, Nate. I’ve been there, and done that. Now I am the spokesperson (and blogger) for the American Lung Association of Minnesota.

For the record, we have ALWAYS preferred a comprehensive statewide law over the “crazy quilt” of local ordinances in Minnesota today. If you doubt this, just Google our name and you will see for yourself. I was quoted in Friday’s Star Tribune saying just that…

However, some of our state lawmakers can’t seem to do the right thing (popular, too — poll after poll shows broad support for smoking bans, in both urban and rural areas) and pass the Freedom to Breathe Act. So we are doing what California did 20 years ago — passing so many city and county ordinances that the holdouts in the Capitol finally see the light.

The “all or nothing” argument only gives you “nothing.” This is killing people, folks. We have waited long enough.

]]> By: Nate http://minneapolis.metblogs.com/2006/03/30/st-paul-smoking-ban/comment-page-1/#comment-1110 Nate Fri, 31 Mar 2006 23:06:14 +0000 http://minneapolis.metblogs.com/2006/03/30/st-paul-smoking-ban/#comment-1110 I am in complete agreement that it should have gone statewide or not at all. Yes, Thomas, it is COMPLETELY ironic that people are now complaining that our locally controlled government is causing such a fuss. I am a smoker that actually encourages the ban. I hope it gets me to quit :) I am in complete agreement that it should have gone statewide or not at all.

Yes, Thomas, it is COMPLETELY ironic that people are now complaining that our locally controlled government is causing such a fuss. I am a smoker that actually encourages the ban. I hope it gets me to quit :)

]]> By: Foster http://minneapolis.metblogs.com/2006/03/30/st-paul-smoking-ban/comment-page-1/#comment-1109 Foster Fri, 31 Mar 2006 20:41:57 +0000 http://minneapolis.metblogs.com/2006/03/30/st-paul-smoking-ban/#comment-1109 St. Paul? Is that some kind of suburb? No wonder they're behind! St. Paul? Is that some kind of suburb? No wonder they’re behind!

]]> By: Thomas http://minneapolis.metblogs.com/2006/03/30/st-paul-smoking-ban/comment-page-1/#comment-1108 Thomas Fri, 31 Mar 2006 20:17:38 +0000 http://minneapolis.metblogs.com/2006/03/30/st-paul-smoking-ban/#comment-1108 "government" did tell anyone, anything. (Isn't it nice to have a strawman?) A particular city's governing elected officials made a choice for that city. Is that not why we elect officials: to make decisions on our behalf? Usually those who grumble about "government" do so against "Big Government" and argue for more local control. Ironic isn't it? Even more ironic, perhaps, is that I actually agree with your conclusion: this policy would be more appropriately implemented on a statewide basis. I'm curious: would you also have zoning regulations (which can also be described as "telling businesses in one city - but not the next - how to run their businesses) implemented on a statewide basis? “government” did tell anyone, anything. (Isn’t it nice to have a strawman?)

A particular city’s governing elected officials made a choice for that city. Is that not why we elect officials: to make decisions on our behalf?

Usually those who grumble about “government” do so against “Big Government” and argue for more local control. Ironic isn’t it?

Even more ironic, perhaps, is that I actually agree with your conclusion: this policy would be more appropriately implemented on a statewide basis.

I’m curious: would you also have zoning regulations (which can also be described as “telling businesses in one city – but not the next – how to run their businesses) implemented on a statewide basis?

]]> By: Lex http://minneapolis.metblogs.com/2006/03/30/st-paul-smoking-ban/comment-page-1/#comment-1107 Lex Fri, 31 Mar 2006 16:40:55 +0000 http://minneapolis.metblogs.com/2006/03/30/st-paul-smoking-ban/#comment-1107 And, apparently from the other side as well. I have no issues with a smoking ban. I just think it should have gone statewide or not at all. I'm also uncomfortable with the slippery-slope of government telling private businesses in one city - but not the next - how to run their business. And, apparently from the other side as well.

I have no issues with a smoking ban. I just think it should have gone statewide or not at all.

I’m also uncomfortable with the slippery-slope of government telling private businesses in one city – but not the next – how to run their business.

]]> By: Bob from ALAMN http://minneapolis.metblogs.com/2006/03/30/st-paul-smoking-ban/comment-page-1/#comment-1106 Bob from ALAMN Fri, 31 Mar 2006 13:27:48 +0000 http://minneapolis.metblogs.com/2006/03/30/st-paul-smoking-ban/#comment-1106 Yes, we are already hearing the same old nonsense from the pro-smoke crowd. Yes, we are already hearing the same old nonsense from the pro-smoke crowd.

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