OK Smoking ban

[CAOlover]

What the hell whats up with all these smoking bans. Oklahoma just passed the ban and now my favorite smoke spot is no more this sucks! Sorry just venting

[kansashat]

Does this include smoke shops?

I used to smoke occasionally in various bars in OKC. There was a cigar bar in the downtown area (Bricktown), will it have to eliminate it's smoking?

I used to get some dirty looks at one bar where management allowed cigar smoking, but the cigarette sucking patrons would give me the stinkeye.

[CAOlover]

Resturants and bars

[caudio51]

I hear ya! Jersey just passed the same thing! Come April 15th I will be shunned to cigar shops....

[RumblePen]

Atleast you can smoke in cigar shops. You can't smoke anywhere in my town, oh except for nursing homes if they meet a dozen and a half requirements. (I'm not kidding, that is the only place where the New Bedford Board of Health allows you to smoke. You can not smoke in Tobacco Shops, Cigar Bars, or Private Clubs under their redefinition of the Mass Smoking Ban)

[caudio51]

Originally Posted by RumblePen

Atleast you can smoke in cigar shops. You can't smoke anywhere in my town, oh except for nursing homes if they meet a dozen and a half requirements. (I'm not kidding, that is the only place where the New Bedford Board of Health allows you to smoke. You can not smoke in Tobacco Shops, Cigar Bars, or Private Clubs under their redefinition of the Mass Smoking Ban)

That is so stupid

[Hammerhead]

Originally Posted by caudio51

I hear ya! Jersey just passed the same thing! Come April 15th I will be shunned to cigar shops....

Didja happen to notice that it goes into effect on the same day your taxes are due? So, you get to lose your freedom, and have your money robbed from you at the same time while they do it. Go figure.

[12stones]

Is anyone else writing to their congressmen over these issues? If we sit by and let them keep doing this to us, they'll keep doing it and we'll have no one to blame but ourselves.

Sorry to hear they were able to pass this.

[VoteKinky06]

Seems like a new state every day.......

[danisirish]

Originally Posted by 12stones

Is anyone else writing to their congressmen over these issues? If we sit by and let them keep doing this to us, they'll keep doing it and we'll have no one to blame but ourselves.

Sorry to hear they were able to pass this.

I've written to my state representatives and all they responded with is that "we stand by the public's decision"

[12stones]

Originally Posted by danisirish

I've written to my state representatives and all they responded with is that "we stand by the public's decision"

I'd be curious to know what decision that is. Most places don't put it on a ballot and if they do they don't really advertise it so I'd like to know just who's deciding these things. Okay...I'm trying not to get all riled up about this.

[caudio51]

Originally Posted by 12stones

I'd be curious to know what decision that is. Most places don't put it on a ballot and if they do they don't really advertise it so I'd like to know just who's deciding these things. Okay...I'm trying not to get all riled up about this.

I agree. It should have been a public ballot.

[smokepiper]

Here is another letter that I just posted to state rep. Jon Husted. He is my state house representative. It is only by letting our reps know our minds we can quell the voices of the anti-smoking zealots. Pleas, for the sake of all of us that can still smoke in public, write your congressman/woman, state representative, Senator, Local councilman. It can only help.

Thanks,

D



Mr. Husted:

I am writing to express my concerns over recent smoking bans throughout this country. From sea to shining sea, it seems that smoking of all sorts is being banned. In fact it seems as though it is being discussed more than problems with substances that are illegal.

Throughout the history of this country as well as this region, tobacco has been a staple to the economy. Now politics dictates that tobacco is no longer acceptable. It seems as though elected officials are intent are removing tobacco from everyday life.

I understand, that there are those that do not partake or particularly enjoy tobacco. I would not wish to make them endure some hardship because of something I enjoy. However, I feel that in many cases it is that actions of zealots that have taken rights from so many like myself. In Washington state, for example, it is now illegal to smoke in a tobacco shop. Many states and municipalities have or are considering similar legislation.

This seems to be the Prohibition of this century. The prohibition of alcohol in the twenties was a failure for similar reasons. Taking American's rights away is not the answer. What would happen if alcohol consumption was prohibited again? There would be outrage. I feel that these issues are linked.

There are few greater enjoyments in my life than smoking a cigar with friends and family conversation and an adult beverage. Please do not take my right to enjoy a legal substance in public, because of a few outspoken people.

Mr. Husted, as my elected representative I urge you look carefully at this issue. If it does come to a vote, allow it to be well debated. Even let the people decide through referendum.

I'm sure there are other issues that are pressing. However, at least on of your constituents is watching this issue. There may be more like minded people watching too.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to seeing what happens with this issue in the future.

Sincerely,

Daniel Weber

[Raoul in Colorado]

....the "writing was on the wall" 3 years ago yet nobody wanted to invest time and cash to gear up for the fight..., not smokers, not bar owners, not cigar magazine editors, not smoke shop owners; nobody, except a meager few, wanted to get off their sorry lazy asses and fight......nobody, now its too late; as a gun owner I thank God every day for the pugnacious NRA..., the same people that hate smoking and smokers are for the most part the same ones who hate guns and gun owners.....; those having a vested interest in smokers rights could have formed an NRA-type organization to fight this crap...., but alas....they instead allowed them to be intimidated, guilt manipulated and shit on by anti-smoking zealots and the hateful, lying, condescending organizations that champion their cause......cheers!!....

[PassThis]

Definately an interesting time for cigar smokers. We just had a ban pass here in So Cal in the city of Calabasis. The ban prohibits smoking in the entire city! You can be fined if caught smoking outside on the sidewalk. Pretty lame. Nice to see some states are not allowing the bans to pass, such as VA.

Things will eventually turn around, they can't keep taking away our freedoms.