We here in Delaware have just passed and started the strictest smoking laws in the country.No smoking in any public places that includes all casinos, bars and restraunts and Prisons. If you need to smoke you must be 20 feet from the doorway of any public building.The only exception is a private club like a VFW, ETC. This law was put into place on 11/27/02 do to the fact that second hand smoke is now known to cause cancer.I would like to know what my friends in other states think of this law that started in the 1st state,will it move onto other states? Do you think it violates the rights of smokers? Ron

Man, are in for a can of worms on this one .
I am an ex-smoker that developed a physical problem with second hand smoke about 2-3 years after quiting. Around the time I quit, my company had just passed a smoking policy very similer to yours only with a 50 foot restriction. It's kind of funny sometimes watching the smokers go out to the smoking tents during the winter. Real dedication .

But as to smoker's rights, just what are they? I guess the smoker has the right to ruin their health, but do they have the right to ruin other's? They have the right to smell up their house and belongings, but do they have the right to smell up your house and belongings? Being an ex-smoker, I tend to be a little slanted on this issue but I also know there must be a ballance somewhere.

I personally hope the law spreads because there are many places I just can't go to because I get ill around much smoke. I also know the that it is very difficult for smokers to not smoke for very long at a time because I was there and I remember.
I have a good friend I don't go visit very often because he smokes a great deal in his home as is his right. But I cannot be there because of the smoke. So, I only see him when we can be outdoors and I can stand up wind of hime which limits greatly our time together. I don't buy or return smelly items or smoke stained (Yellowish) lighthouse things or other collectibles, which I feel is my right.

I guess the answer is we both, the smoker and non-smoker have to show each other respect. The need for a law such as this proves this has not happened. I can't make someone quit , but I'm glad I did .

I never smoked but was exposed to second-hand smoke for years. I'm extremely pleased that smoking has been basically eliminated in almost all restaurants in my neck of the woods. Each town decides on it individually. Also. you are not allowed to smoke in State/Public Buildings up here.

I guess it's a tough habit to break but please don't smoke near me if you must light up.

Sorry smokers, ...but those are the facts of life around here.

Bob

Being an ex-smoker and quitting cold turkey on Thanksgiving day in 1978 after smoking for almost 25 years and being at 2 packs a day I can see both sides of the story. If you must smoke then please go to the designated areas and puff all you want. At $2.50 a pack I'm glad you can afford it but just not around me. Florida just passed a law about smoking in public places and I was glad to see it because it now should help stop the occasional smokers and deter the heavy smokers at least a little. If you want to smoke that is fine with me but not around me. I quit and so can all the smokers, and if they can't, abide by the law and pay attention to other's wishes and health.

Rich

The answer to this problem is very simple:
If nobody smoked you wouldn't need smoking laws and you wouldn't have to worry smoker's rights and non-smoker's rights

I guess the moral of this "story" is that a little mutual respect goes a long way.

I don't mind if people smoke, provided that I don't have to share the experience first or second hand.

For whatever it's worth, I quit smoking pipes and cigars about 20 years ago.

Gary

$2.50 a pack? All the Massachusetts smokers will be heading for Florida. I don't smoke and never have but I do see the signs for bargains on butts for over $5.00 a pack up here. I think Taxachusetts taxes the hell out of them.

:rolleyes: Bob :rolleyes:

I have to agree with Gary and Bob. Personally I have never smoked and after losing both parents to lung cancer (heavy smokers) you'll never see me pick up that nasty habit.

It's a persons choice to smoke or not. If you can afford it go right ahead but keep in mind that more and more people are tired of having to put up with someone eles addiction.

Just a side note. When we attend HL events (regionals, reunions, etc) it's nice to see that the greater majority of HL collectors don't smoke. I usually only see a small group standing in the designated area. In fact, as a member of the Hoosier Lighthousing Club, I don't know of any member that is a smoker. It sure is nice that people are begining to see the light.

I'll get off my soapbox now and get back to work. Have a great one.

Don't get me started on this one!!!

For now I will bite my toung and hold back what I want to say on this issue!

I will only say that I do not patronize restaurants that do not have a smoking section. I do not stay long at or try to avoid places that do not allow smoking.

I will never move to Delaware!!!

Stephanie

My health and my families health are number one. More power to Delawares decision!!!!!! I miss living in California. They had very similar laws if not the same. Now I am back living in Tobacco Country! I don't dislike people that smoke. Just do it where everyone doesn't have to be subjected to it.......imho

Let a person sit at a bar all day drinking then watch that person stagger to his car and drive off. Happens all the time with hardly a word ever spoken. remember, it's the sober person smoking the cigarette next to him that's the real threat to our health!!!!! In 21 years at the cemetery I've never buried anyone yet that was run over by an out-of-control cigarette! I DO drink and I DON'T smoke but even I'm smart enough to know which is more dangerous to public safety.

I feel that there are more serious problems that we need to address and quit trying to tell others how to live their lives.

Non smoking casinos and bars? Hmmm, two things that go hand in hand. Lot of little old ladies that are going to be upset with that one. I think there are good things about the law, but they're overdoing it a little. I completely agree with no smoking in restaurants, malls, most public places. But bars? I don't smoke inside my house or my truck. But on certain occasions, I do like to have a cigarette. Like when I'm at a bar. If you don't like it, great. I respect you for that. If you smoke, that's your decision. It shouldn't be forced on people that don't like it. But if you don't like it, don't go to the smoky bars. IMHO.

Move on to other states Ron? California has had the same law for six years. Bars are included, and after the initial grumbling, bar owners had to admit that they did not lose business by asking people to step outside to smoke. Bar employees came down strongly in favor of the law. Why should they have to be exposed to known cancer causing materials simply because they work at a bar?

Congratulations Delaware.

Rich

By the way. The California law and the price of cigarettes finally convinced me that it was logical to quit in January 2000 after 37 years of smoking.

During our voting here in Florida, November of this year, we the people were given a choice. We voted and the majority won. It will now be against the law to smoke in any public building, childcare/daycare building, restaurant/bar, or office. The expection will be for stand-allow bars (Bars that aren't attached to a stripmall or connected to another building). I for one am glad my voted counted and was happy to see the results. My parents smoked in the house, car, restaurants, everywhere, my whole home-life until I moved out at 18. I hated the smell of the smoke and came down with Broncitis (?sp) several times a year because of it. I have never smoked, nor will I ever. I do not allow smoking in my house or my car (much to the displeasure of my dear friend Shortcake ) I do not like smoking nor do I want lung cancer because of someone else's bad habits. As I see it, if your friend wants to kill themselves with cancer, or any other lung related illness, it is their right as a free American to do so. I just don't want to be any part of it and I don't think I should have to put up with it. The smell is repulsive and harm - GIVE ME CLEAN AIR!

By the way, the constant smoke and broncitis is what made me give up bartending - which I enjoyed doing.