Are Rock Hill and Greenville classier? (Charlotte: hotels, taxi, tax)

[bandibadji]

Now that Rock Hill and Greenville have no smoking ordinances, I am inclined to believe that they are classier cities. Are their citizens more educated than we? Seems as though Charlotte is obsessed with being one of the last larger cities in the US to care about the health of its citizens. Where are the "Green" people when we need them.

[anifani821]

Dear me, Bandi, I really don't see the connection!

[nyxmike]

No, they definitely aren't "classier" and I also don't see the connection.

[guyL]

yes much classier

[chicagocubs]

Rock Hill classy???

uuuuuuuhhhhhhhh............not in my definition.........

[bandibadji]

Originally Posted by anifani821

Dear me, Bandi, I really don't see the connection!

Both Rock Hill and Greenville have passed anti smoking ordinances. I am comparing these cities that have taken an intellectual stance against public smoking and comparing them to Charlotte which still allows smoking in most public places. Sorry I didn't make my statement clearer.

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by bandibadji

Both Rock Hill and Greenville have passed anti smoking ordinances. I am comparing these cities that have taken an intellectual stance against public smoking and comparing them to Charlotte which still allows smoking in most public places. Sorry I didn't make my statement clearer.

I guess I just don't equate smoking or not smoking in a public place w/ "class." I just see it as "restrictive" or "less restrictive" - and a matter of government legislating individual rights.

Also, I see smoking/not smoking as a restaurant issue . . . like legislating that menus must give all the nutritional info for each item. I think the owners of establishments should decide whether they have smoking areas or are completely smoke-free, as the public will really determine whether the policy is accepted or not. Free market. If people are uncomfortable b/c there is smoking, they won't patronize an establishment, so then the owner makes the decision how to handle that. I think we have way too much legislation dictating public behavior. But I know that is not the popular stance. If it were, we wouldn't see the government stepping in w/ cockamamie attempts to curb obesity by creating laws (like the one in NY) wh/ tax soft drinks containing sugar, and not taxing those that contain aspartame (wh/ is a dangerous drug, in my opinion, but that's a different thread).

But equating smoking or not smoking to class . . . just don't get the connection. I think cigar bars in upscale hotels, w/ cherry paneling and leather furniture, brandy snifters and waiters in tuxedos are quite classy.

[Weedydidi]

Personally, I find the word "classy" to be a very tacky word, indeed.

It just so happens that the STATE of NC's Constitution has a clause which prohibits municipalities from creating "smoke-free" laws.

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by Weedydidi

Personally, I find the word "classy" to be a very tacky word, indeed.

It just so happens that the STATE of NC's Constitution has a clause which prohibits municipalities from creating "smoke-free" laws.

Hey, Weedy! With this state's tobacco history, one can see why that occurred. A restriction established in a different world, as it were. One could certainly argue that such a restriction is not very 21st Century. Or one could argue that it preserves individual rights (especially of the business owner).

[bibit612]

Originally Posted by bandibadji

Now that Rock Hill and Greenville have no smoking ordinances, I am inclined to believe that they are classier cities. Are their citizens more educated than we? Seems as though Charlotte is obsessed with being one of the last larger cities in the US to care about the health of its citizens. Where are the "Green" people when we need them.

Not aware of this...did you mean no smoking in restaurants? Because the bars are still smoking...