Smoking -- attitudes in Chicagoland (Stockton: environment, estate, job)

[STLCardsBlues1989]

Ya. I don't thinks smokers get respected. You can disapprove of their smoking, but I hate when anti-smokers are pushy and mean about it. Obviously not all are. I don't smoke but I don't try to demonize those who do.

I didn't know Clinton and Obama smoked. That's interesting.

[FormerStocktonian]

STLCardsBlues1989 and Avengerfire, good points.

Yeah, what about the exhausts from thousands of commuters traveling throughout Chicagoland? I'm sorry, but you need to stop driving your cars because it is affecting my health. And take away electric powerlines because they cause cancer. Oh and close off lower wacker drive as exhausts linger under the ground. And stop selling the Chicago hotdog because it is not heathy for my diet!!!

Like I said, I totally understand people not wanting to enhale smoke while enjoying dinner in a public restaurant. If we can't smoke in restaurants, that's fine. But like I said, in bars and casinos? Tell me, if you gamble or go to a bar, who here does not smoke?? And if you are a non-smoker employee? I'm sorry, but there are jobs out there that you can get where you won't be exposed to smokers. It is the business owners decision to decide whether or not they want to allow smokers or not.

Why, as a smoker, can't I file a lawsuite against discrimination for being a smoker? I mean, people have a right not to smoke and breath healthy air, but where do we stand as smokers? Are we being looked upon as crack heads?

[sukwoo]

I don't quite understand some people's response to the ban. If its okay to ban smoking in restaurants, why isn't it okay to ban it in bars? I understand that many people associate drinking and smoking as going together, but years ago, people associated drinking with driving. too. Its only after many years of conscious raising that we realize the danger of drunk drivers. Likewise, we've gradually come to realize the danger of second-hand smoke.

[sukwoo]

Originally Posted by FormerStocktonian

And if you are a non-smoker employee? I'm sorry, but there are jobs out there that you can get where you won't be exposed to smokers. It is the business owners decision to decide whether or not they want to allow smokers or not.

So you don't believe in government-enforced working safety standards? Do you also have a problem with OSHA?

[prairiestate]

Originally Posted by FormerStocktonian

...Are we being looked upon as crack heads?

Somewhere between crackheads and being Hitler-esque, but apparently that's what you want.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

I don't quite understand some people's response to the ban. If its okay to ban smoking in restaurants, why isn't it okay to ban it in bars? I understand that many people associate drinking and smoking as going together, but years ago, people associated drinking with driving. too. Its only after many years of conscious raising that we realize the danger of drunk drivers. Likewise, we've gradually come to realize the danger of second-hand smoke.

I know of many people that only smoke when they drink.

Half the morons in the bar that used to bum smokes were these social smokers and they still are.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

So you don't believe in government-enforced working safety standards? Do you also have a problem with OSHA?

Close down all the factories that have cancer causing fumes and materials. Try to get OHSA to do that, they will not. The government is full of hypocrits.

[FormerStocktonian]

First of all, people like to enjoy their meals without having to smell smoke. I myself being a smoker cannot eat and smell cigarette smoke. Eating and smelling smoke is not really comforting.

As far as OSHA and cigarette smoke, those are two different issues. Of course there are standards that have to be set for employers to provide a safe work environment. OSHA was set up for undustrial and hazerdous material. OSHA was set up to maintain safety in the work environment. In my research, I have never seen anything related to cigarette smoking. Look at your Federal law posters in your office regarding OSHA or if you work in a factory, look at your law posters containing OSHA rules. There are no statements in which it refers to smoking issues. OSHA statements reflect work environments in which employees are not exposed to hazerdous materials or dangerous industrial equipment

[FormerStocktonian]

Originally Posted by prairiestate

Somewhere between crackheads and being Hitler-esque, but apparently that's what you want.

That is where the United States is headed, government telling us what to think and what to feel.

[sukwoo]

To me, the ability to work without exposure to lung cancer promoting toxins is an important part of a safe working environment.