Petitioning for the Repeal of the Smoking Ban (Chicago, East St. Louis: health, businesses)

[illini84]

Originally Posted by Greatday

No - for, I am a non smoker. Yet, I stand with the RIGHTS of the private property owner to decide what to do with their property / business.

Like I said before, I think you'd go squealing to the government if your neighbors all dumped toxic landfills in their backyards. According to you though, private property owners should be able to do what they want with their property.

[aragx6]

And as I've said before I also am a non-smoker.

I know many other non-smokers who are adamantly against any state enforced smoking ban of private businesses.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by illini84

Like I said before, I think you'd go squealing to the government if your neighbors all dumped toxic landfills in their backyards. According to you though, private property owners should be able to do what they want with their property.

Yes - I stand for private property rights.

[illini84]

If you'll also notice on this map which was provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health (http://robertbrandt.homestead.com/fi...keILcounty.pdf), the wealthiest counties (Lake, DuPage, etc.) have the lowest percentage of smokers...coincidence? I think not Or maybe those people just saved all that extra by not blowing hundreds a month on cigarettes!

[Katiana]

I guess it becomes a little murky when the private property owner is providing services to the public. Sort of like in the old south, where owners refused to serve African-Americans.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

I guess it becomes a little murky when the private property owner is providing services to the public. Sort of like in the old south, where owners refused to serve African-Americans.

A business owner can refuse service to any patron they wish to today.

In fact, there was a recent issue of this in, I believe, Atlanta. A resturant owner refused service to O.J. Simpson and his party.

Perfectly legal

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by illini84

If you'll also notice on this map which was provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health (http://robertbrandt.homestead.com/fi...keILcounty.pdf), the wealthiest counties (Lake, DuPage, etc.) have the lowest percentage of smokers...coincidence? I think not Or maybe those people just saved all that extra by not blowing hundreds a month on cigarettes!

I'm sorry what are you trying to prove? I hope those smilies mean you are joking and don't think that the wealth of anyone living in Hinsdale has anything to do with smoking. It's obviously an education and cultural issue, I'm not sure there's a soul here who would argue that.

So again, I ask. What's your point?

[boris63]

Originally Posted by illini84

Then in order to avoid inhaling secondhand cigarette smoke, non-smokers virtually cannot go inside of most private places (i.e. bars, clubs, and restaurants).

To the best of my knowlege ther has always been plenty of non-smoking establishments even before the ban. You can't expect every private establishment to cater to your preferences.

I'd prefer every bar to give me free beer on Saturdays, but I have no right to force them to give me free beer. that's not how it works in a free society.

Supply and demand: Many bar patrons dislike second hand smoke. Most bars allow smoking. A wise businessperson opens a smoke free bar, corners the market on non-smokers, makes a huge profit. Other bars see this and also go non-smoking, until it is no longer more profitable to be non-smoking. The free market ajusts the ratio of smoking to non-smoking bars according to rules of supply and demand. Basic economics.

[boris63]

Originally Posted by illini84

From what I can tell, most non-smokers are either adamantly in favor of the smoking ban, or don't really care either way. I'd venture to say very few non-smokers are absolutely against the smoking ban.

I'm a non-smoker absolutely against the ban. While I personally find smoking disgusting and a terrible choice as far as health is concerned.

I am very passionate about Liberty, freedom of choice. That's why I oppose the ban so absolutely.

[illini84]

Originally Posted by aragx6

I'm sorry what are you trying to prove? I hope those smilies mean you are joking and don't think that the wealth of anyone living in Hinsdale has anything to do with smoking. It's obviously an education and cultural issue, I'm not sure there's a soul here who would argue that.

So again, I ask. What's your point?

Well-educated people are often wealthy. Well-educated, or "smart" people, don't generally smoke. Therefore, the wealthiest counties have the lowest smoking rate.