Comments for Smoke Free Virginia Now http://blog.smokefreevanow.org Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:15:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 Comment on Smoke Free Virginia Regional Meetings by Anne Haynes http://blog.smokefreevanow.org/?p=34#comment-155 Anne Haynes Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:46:14 +0000 http://blog.smokefreevanow.org/2008/06/11/smoke-free-virginia-regional-meetings/#comment-155 I can't make the meeting is NoVA as I am working that day. I would like to be kept in the loop about this topic in NOVA. Thanks, Anne I can’t make the meeting is NoVA as I am working that day. I would like to be kept in the loop about this topic in NOVA. Thanks, Anne

]]> Comment on Smoke Free Virginia Regional Meetings by tere hinton http://blog.smokefreevanow.org/?p=34#comment-158 tere hinton Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:02:59 +0000 http://blog.smokefreevanow.org/2008/06/11/smoke-free-virginia-regional-meetings/#comment-158 I can't come to a meeting tomorrow, but I am interested in supporting any efforts to make northern virginia smoke-free. I can’t come to a meeting tomorrow, but I am interested in supporting any efforts to make northern virginia smoke-free.

]]> Comment on Smoke Free Restaurants by Shirley http://blog.smokefreevanow.org/?p=28#comment-146 Shirley Sat, 08 Mar 2008 15:04:26 +0000 http://blog.smokefreevanow.org/2008/02/07/smoke-free-restaurants/#comment-146 I'm so upset that legislators in Virginia are catering to tobacco manufacturers and smoking advocates that I've decided that we need to take a new stand on this issue. I'm in the process of finalizing a research paper for one of my college courses. It happens to be on discrimination. Virginia restaurants are discriminating against non-smokers that are not receiving happy hour specials because they are not physically sitting in the bar section of the restaurant. Those bar sections have ALWAYS been designated as the "smoking section". I have asked for happy hour specials in the regular section of most of those restaurants and have been denied them because I chose not to sit in the smoke filled room. I can even take it a step further. My husband and I LOVE a bar setting, we just hate the smoke. Why can't we enjoy a bar setting, too. Who said that bar settings include smokers? I say let's change that mentality. Many states have successfully enacted smoke free environments in their restaurants, and very few have been able to prove that their establishments have lost revenue because of it. If we push the discrimination issue, it will force restaurants that only offer those specials in bars and grills, to create two separate areas; one for smokers and one for non-smokers. I believe the cost alone will force restaurants to go smoke free. I'm not arguing that individuasl don't have a right to smoke. My argument is about providing the same specials and environment to non-smokers that smokers have been entitled to for years. It's our turn. I’m so upset that legislators in Virginia are catering to tobacco manufacturers and smoking advocates that I’ve decided that we need to take a new stand on this issue. I’m in the process of finalizing a research paper for one of my college courses. It happens to be on discrimination. Virginia restaurants are discriminating against non-smokers that are not receiving happy hour specials because they are not physically sitting in the bar section of the restaurant. Those bar sections have ALWAYS been designated as the “smoking section”. I have asked for happy hour specials in the regular section of most of those restaurants and have been denied them because I chose not to sit in the smoke filled room. I can even take it a step further. My husband and I LOVE a bar setting, we just hate the smoke. Why can’t we enjoy a bar setting, too. Who said that bar settings include smokers? I say let’s change that mentality. Many states have successfully enacted smoke free environments in their restaurants, and very few have been able to prove that their establishments have lost revenue because of it. If we push the discrimination issue, it will force restaurants that only offer those specials in bars and grills, to create two separate areas; one for smokers and one for non-smokers. I believe the cost alone will force restaurants to go smoke free. I’m not arguing that individuasl don’t have a right to smoke. My argument is about providing the same specials and environment to non-smokers that smokers have been entitled to for years. It’s our turn.

]]> Comment on Investigation proves the air in a non smoking section of a restaurant is dangerous and smoking bans make a difference by Average Citizen http://blog.smokefreevanow.org/?p=32#comment-153 Average Citizen Fri, 07 Mar 2008 07:30:13 +0000 http://blog.smokefreevanow.org/2008/02/27/investigation-proves-the-air-in-a-non-smoking-section-of-a-restaurant-is-dangerous-and-smoking-bans-make-a-difference/#comment-153 You people make so much up. Have you ever noticed most bar staff smoke? Why not leave it up to the individual bar or restaurant to decide to be smoke free? You people just believe in total control over people's lives that you don't believe in freedom in allowing people to make a choice. It is always couched in the "public health concern" argument. This is a total cover-up. If the public was concerned, then establishments would be free to set their own smoking policies and consumers would be given a choice as to frequent that establishment or not. Yet, you believe it is not about choice or individual freedom. You place a blanket ban. What happened to individual liberties and choice? You people make so much up. Have you ever noticed most bar staff smoke?

Why not leave it up to the individual bar or restaurant to decide to be smoke free?

You people just believe in total control over people’s lives that you don’t believe in freedom in allowing people to make a choice.

It is always couched in the “public health concern” argument. This is a total cover-up. If the public was concerned, then establishments would be free to set their own smoking policies and consumers would be given a choice as to frequent that establishment or not.

Yet, you believe it is not about choice or individual freedom. You place a blanket ban. What happened to individual liberties and choice?

]]> Comment on VFHF 2008 Smoke Free Legislation by Thom Bolick http://blog.smokefreevanow.org/?p=13#comment-49 Thom Bolick Sat, 23 Feb 2008 22:16:41 +0000 http://blog.smokefreevanow.org/2008/01/14/vfhf-2008-smoke-free-legislation/#comment-49 I want to commend Senator Whipple and Del Hamiliton for the courage of introducing very important legislation to stop smoking in public places. Maybe soon we can visit restaurants in Virginia without having to hang our cloths outside to air out from the filthy smoke provided by smokers Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help. Thank you very much I want to commend Senator Whipple and Del Hamiliton for the courage of introducing very important legislation to stop smoking in public places. Maybe soon we can visit restaurants in Virginia without having to hang our cloths outside to air out from the filthy smoke provided by smokers
Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help.
Thank you very much

]]> Comment on Editorial Pressure? by KT http://blog.smokefreevanow.org/?p=29#comment-148 KT Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:24:22 +0000 http://blog.smokefreevanow.org/2008/02/09/editorial-pressure/#comment-148 The guy needs to lose his re-election. 1) with this guy, the bills obviously won't get a fair chance 2) Why is this bill being decided by the ABC/Gaming sub-committee in the first place? The guy needs to lose his re-election.
1) with this guy, the bills obviously won’t get a fair chance
2) Why is this bill being decided by the ABC/Gaming sub-committee in the first place?

]]> Comment on Victory in the Senate! by Patty http://blog.smokefreevanow.org/?p=27#comment-136 Patty Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:19:20 +0000 http://blog.smokefreevanow.org/2008/02/05/victory-in-the-senate/#comment-136 Than k you KT. I feel for your daughter, I know what it is like. I was told by an attorney that if I tell a person I am severely allergic to tobacco smoke and they still smoke in defiance, they could be charge with attempted murder. Maybe you should have stayed around for the police. I have never pushed the issue, so I don't know for sure. I do wish that people could put down their defenses and look at what they are doing. I hear all the time from former smokers how they can no longer stand the smell of tobacco and they are sorry that they did not realize how bad it was while they were smoking. Good luck to you and your daughter. I had this as a child and out grew it for awhile. I hope your daugher will as well. My allergies came back in my adult life and have continue to worsen. I hope that laws will change for both of us. Than k you KT. I feel for your daughter, I know what it is like. I was told by an attorney that if I tell a person I am severely allergic to tobacco smoke and they still smoke in defiance, they could be charge with attempted murder. Maybe you should have stayed around for the police. I have never pushed the issue, so I don’t know for sure. I do wish that people could put down their defenses and look at what they are doing. I hear all the time from former smokers how they can no longer stand the smell of tobacco and they are sorry that they did not realize how bad it was while they were smoking. Good luck to you and your daughter. I had this as a child and out grew it for awhile. I hope your daugher will as well. My allergies came back in my adult life and have continue to worsen. I hope that laws will change for both of us.

]]> Comment on Editorial Pressure? by Chefreney http://blog.smokefreevanow.org/?p=29#comment-147 Chefreney Mon, 11 Feb 2008 19:24:21 +0000 http://blog.smokefreevanow.org/2008/02/09/editorial-pressure/#comment-147 In 1990 a law went into effect requiring all commercial airlines to make both domestic and international flights smoke-free. Just like restaurants, airlines are privately owned. Like restaurants, airlines tried to voluntarily comply with their customer demands by creating smoking and non-smoking sections on an airplane. However, it was soon discovered that the 2nd hand smoke from the smoking section was recycled into the non-smoking section of the plane, just like in restaurants. Eventually, the government was forced to step in and mandate that all air travel be non-smoking in order to protect passengers and crew. Dear Delegates: please understand that the non-smoking legislation before you is just as important and urgent as the airline bill in 1990. Do the right thing, and put it through to a full vote by the General Assembly. In 1990 a law went into effect requiring all commercial airlines to make both domestic and international flights smoke-free. Just like restaurants, airlines are privately owned. Like restaurants, airlines tried to voluntarily comply with their customer demands by creating smoking and non-smoking sections on an airplane. However, it was soon discovered that the 2nd hand smoke from the smoking section was recycled into the non-smoking section of the plane, just like in restaurants. Eventually, the government was forced to step in and mandate that all air travel be non-smoking in order to protect passengers and crew.

Dear Delegates: please understand that the non-smoking legislation before you is just as important and urgent as the airline bill in 1990. Do the right thing, and put it through to a full vote by the General Assembly.

]]> Comment on Occasionally, the RTD prints something good on this issue by Chefreney http://blog.smokefreevanow.org/?p=30#comment-149 Chefreney Mon, 11 Feb 2008 18:57:49 +0000 http://blog.smokefreevanow.org/2008/02/11/occasionally-the-rtd-prints-something-good-on-this-issue/#comment-149 The testimony given Thursday night by the opposition to the smoking-ban legislation was quite interesting. One person testified that there is "risk in everything", and the government does not regulate a person's right to take risks. For instance, if someone wants to bungee jump they have the legal right to do so; therefore, we should not regulate the risks involved with smoking either. Everyone should have the right to engage in what others may consider risky behavior, with one caveat; that the risk taker does not endanger those not interested in taking the same risk. I 100% agree that you have the right to smoke, as long as that choice does not endanger me. Unfortunately, when you smoke, whomever is around you is 2nd-hand smoking, even if they don't want to. By all means, light up and smoke at your own risk, just not at mine. The testimony given Thursday night by the opposition to the smoking-ban legislation was quite interesting. One person testified that there is “risk in everything”, and the government does not regulate a person’s right to take risks. For instance, if someone wants to bungee jump they have the legal right to do so; therefore, we should not regulate the risks involved with smoking either.

Everyone should have the right to engage in what others may consider risky behavior, with one caveat; that the risk taker does not endanger those not interested in taking the same risk. I 100% agree that you have the right to smoke, as long as that choice does not endanger me. Unfortunately, when you smoke, whomever is around you is 2nd-hand smoking, even if they don’t want to. By all means, light up and smoke at your own risk, just not at mine.

]]> Comment on Victory in the Senate! by KT http://blog.smokefreevanow.org/?p=27#comment-140 KT Sat, 09 Feb 2008 13:25:03 +0000 http://blog.smokefreevanow.org/2008/02/05/victory-in-the-senate/#comment-140 Hi Patty - I am so sorry for your illness. My daughter has recently been diagnosed with allergies & asthma. We became concerned because she would have immediate difficulty breathing when we would go out to eat, sitting in non-smoking section. Whenever she because in contact with second-hand smoke anywhere she has tightness in her chest, hard to breathe, etc. So, we had her tested. And, of course, second-hand smoke is one of the biggest triggers for her. My sister in law has been hospitalized twice in the past couple years for serious breathing issues - triggered by concentrated amounts of cigarette smoke (going to a concert). You are right on! I backed a smoker's right to chose until these recent events. Why should the have the right to chose an activity that endangers another's health and happiness. Thomas Jefferson was right and so are you. Our right to not be hampered by a smoker is just as important. We would not need a law if smokers were considerate; actually, many are, but a few are not. Those few, like the posters above, who believe it is their right to contaminate the air we breathe, is the reason these laws are now needed. They are not going to stop smoking in public places no matter what and folks like Michelle who are determined to smoke in public violating an asthmatic's right to breathe even if the laws pass. These attitudes are exactly why we need the laws now. I actually had the police called on me for complaining to a smoker who caused my daughter to have an asthma attack in front of Bruesters. The incident escalated when they said they had the right to stand their and smoke. At that point, I was furious they did not care about my daughter's health. So, I told them I had the right to stand there and lecture them on the dangers of smoking and how I hoped laws would be passed. I also told them I hoped the taxes on tobacco continued to increase until they had to chose between smoking or eating ... since my daughter has to chose between breathing or not. They called the police on me. I wished I had stayed until hey arrived, but I had to get her home. And, of course, she was now crying because she thought the incident was her fault. I can't wait unil we have the laws so when I see Michelle sneaking that cigarette in public I can call the police! I don't have the right to drive 100mph because it endangers others therefore smokers should not have the rigtht to smoke in public endangering the health of others. Hi Patty - I am so sorry for your illness. My daughter has recently been diagnosed with allergies & asthma. We became concerned because she would have immediate difficulty breathing when we would go out to eat, sitting in non-smoking section. Whenever she because in contact with second-hand smoke anywhere she has tightness in her chest, hard to breathe, etc. So, we had her tested. And, of course, second-hand smoke is one of the biggest triggers for her. My sister in law has been hospitalized twice in the past couple years for serious breathing issues - triggered by concentrated amounts of cigarette smoke (going to a concert). You are right on! I backed a smoker’s right to chose until these recent events. Why should the have the right to chose an activity that endangers another’s health and happiness. Thomas Jefferson was right and so are you. Our right to not be hampered by a smoker is just as important. We would not need a law if smokers were considerate; actually, many are, but a few are not. Those few, like the posters above, who believe it is their right to contaminate the air we breathe, is the reason these laws are now needed. They are not going to stop smoking in public places no matter what and folks like Michelle who are determined to smoke in public violating an asthmatic’s right to breathe even if the laws pass. These attitudes are exactly why we need the laws now. I actually had the police called on me for complaining to a smoker who caused my daughter to have an asthma attack in front of Bruesters. The incident escalated when they said they had the right to stand their and smoke. At that point, I was furious they did not care about my daughter’s health. So, I told them I had the right to stand there and lecture them on the dangers of smoking and how I hoped laws would be passed. I also told them I hoped the taxes on tobacco continued to increase until they had to chose between smoking or eating … since my daughter has to chose between breathing or not. They called the police on me. I wished I had stayed until hey arrived, but I had to get her home. And, of course, she was now crying because she thought the incident was her fault. I can’t wait unil we have the laws so when I see Michelle sneaking that cigarette in public I can call the police! I don’t have the right to drive 100mph because it endangers others therefore smokers should not have the rigtht to smoke in public endangering the health of others.

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