Smoking Ban Issues in The USA
Why Ban Smoking?
These people who know better for each of us than we know for ourselves have opened or rather closed a Pandora 's Box just to open another can of worms. As legal citizens, natural citizens and even resident aliens, the people of this nation live with guaranteed freedoms. If a person chooses, they may create a smoke free environment. If others choose to frequent or to not frequent this sort of environment the simple truth is that choice is guaranteed and available. By eliminating this choice, the more righteous voters of this community have dictated that everyone in the community must deal with certain issues that I am sure they never thought of doing.
Look at Lincoln streets; they are a mess. The sidewalks are littered with cigarette butts and other crowds related refuse. Recently large billboards have appeared around town touting the new smoke free Lincoln. Maybe someone will respond with billboards of dirty sidewalks and crammed gutters.
Similarly, it would also be interesting to take note of the more direct economic impact the ban has had upon the city. Cliff's Smoke Shop and the Lodge tavern; long time Lincoln businesses, are gone. Are other businesses suffering? It might behoove these ever so righteous voters to speak with the many former employees of various bars, restaurants, keno palaces and other more smoking populated businesses whose jobs were eliminated because so many fewer people come through the various doors.
Another economic factor involved in this current situation could best be described as hypocrisy. Anyone who voted for this ban and attends events at the Devaney Center is a hypocrite. Anyone who attends the State Fair and voted for the ban is a hypocrite. Anyone who parks in the various garages downtown and voted for the ban is a hypocrite. Many more examples are available but the point remains that a great many things in this city was created using revenue from tobacco taxes.
In addition many other activities that generate revenue attract a large portion of the smoking population. Bars, restaurants, gambling places, sporting events and many more avenues of entertainment provide tax revenue to this city and were reduced by the ban. These places also purchase goods and services from other companies to do business. Now they purchase fewer goods and services and the effect is obvious.
On the other hand most smokers are still smoking, and now, they do it at home, in their cars, on the street, and in your face because they feel justified.
The self righteous can delude themselves into thinking they have done something positive for the community but they are wrong! Drunks still drive, Cell phones still cause accidents, Meth labs still blow up, and People still commit violence upon other people. However, little Johnny can go to a crowded bar and not have to worry about smoke in the air. Wait, Johnny can't go into the bar it is for adults. I guess he will have to stand out on the sidewalk with the rest of us smokers.
Published by Diane Seacrest
She is a 34 year old with a passion to write. Her studies include writing, medical terminology, and medical transcription. I have a wonderful husband and most of my time is spent selling on ebay. I have a do... View profile
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11 Comments
Post a CommentHi there Harleyrider thanks for stopping by! Thank you for sharing the information. Great statement and very clear:)
An association is generally considered weak if the relative risk is under 3.0 and particularly when it is under 2.0, as is the case in the relationship of ETS and lung cancer. Therefore, you can see any concern of second hand smoke causing lung cancer is highly questionable." Note that the Relative Risk (RR) of lung cancer for persons drinking whole milk is 2.14 and all cancers from chlorinated water ranked at 1.25. These are higher risks than the average ETS risk. If we believe second hand smoke to be a danger for lung cancer then we should also never drink milk or chlorinated water.
Since 1981 there have been 148 reported studies on ETS, involving spouses, children and workplace exposure. 124 of these studies showed no significant causal relationship between second hand smoke and lung cancer. Of the 24 which showed some risk, only two had a Relative Risk Factor over 3.0 and none higher. What does this mean. To put it in perspective, Robert Temple, director of drug evaluation at the Food and Drug Administration said "My basic rule is if the relative risk isn't at least 3 or 4, forget it." The National Cancer Institute states "Relative risks of less than 2 are considered small and are usually difficult to interpret. Such increases may be due to mere chance, statistical bias, or the effect of confounding factors that are sometimes not evident." Dr. Kabat, IAQC epidemiologist states "An association is generally considered weak if the relative risk is under 3.0 and particularly when it is under 2.0, as is the case in the relationship of ETS and lung cancer. Therefore,
Hi Megan, I do have an open mind. I do listen to objections. This was when I lived in Nebraska that I wrote this which was in 2005. I am sure there are many opinions.
You have such a closed mind. You don't even listen to the objections or different opinions of other people. If you want to be a respected writer I would suggest that you learn to make a legitimate argument rather than screaming about not getting what you want like a 5 year old. You don't know what you are talking about, obviously, because secondhand smoke IS dangerous to nonsmokers, and Lincoln is NOT trashed with cigarette butts. Now, if smokers want to whine and complain about not being able to smoke wherever they want, they should quit. The ban is for the overall betterment of public health. Oh, and I love how you acknowledge that smoking in public is a health hazard like drunk drivers and texting, but notice that it is illegal to drink and drive and actually there are a lot of places that are creating laws that make it illegal to use a cell phone while driving. So, it's time for smoking to join the club.
Hi mike, first off it's over righteous. Second it's an article that was here a long time ago. They had ventilation then and separate areas for smokers and non smokers. Third no more of a health hazard than drivers texting on their phones or drunk drivers.
I love how you refer to everyone who is against smoking in public as "self-righteous." I believe that we should have a ban on smoking in public places, as it is beneficent to the health of everyone around you.
First off I did lived there for years and two lived there when the ban was put in place so go bash on someone else!
This is a stupid article and argument. I happen to be from good ol' lincoln nebraska and know that those streets are not gross and dirty. There are so many people who don't mind the public smoking ban - even smokers. The bars raise enough money through liquor and alcohol income that they also help fund the parking garages downtown. You don't even live there, so why would you go and bash on something that is a wonderful thing for lincoln!
Hiya Herb:) Wow, never knew that. It is so wierd though. I mean what ever happened to freedom to do as you please? Yeah I think they would find a way to not allow you to smoke in your own house. That is just bad. Thanks for commenting :) Stop by any time:)