Minnesota Smoking Ban (living, cost, legal)

[Auntie Bob]

I think most are missing the point. It's not about whether or not smoking is hazardous to anyone's health. It's not about smoker's rights vs non-smoker's rights.
It's about the rights of a business owner to chose to allow or disallow a legal activity in their establishment, according to what's most advantageous to their business.

Many places had gone non-smoking long before there were any laws in place, simply because that's what their clientele preferred. Some had not, since their main clientele were smokers.

Since going into a bar or restaurant is done by choice and not necessity, Government had no business stepping in and taking over the decision making for the establishment owner.
Why does Government always think it knows what's best for people and why do people just blindly accept that fact? Look at your Government people, do you trust them with ANYTHING these days?

And why have we all become so helpless that we feel we NEED Government to make these kinds of choices for us? Weren't any of us smart enough not to go into places we didn't like?
But, it's all a moot point now. We'll all be protected from having to make any decisions on our own, thanks to our Government.

[knke0402]

Originally Posted by molochai2580

You decided to go to the bar didn't you?

That is beside the point anyway, Minnesota has a smoking ban in place so that is no longer an issue here. Please provide a valid example of smoker's ruining your life.

Health care-

If Health INsurance companies didnt spend BILLIONS of dollars a year on those suffering from Smoke related illnesses, there would be more money to provide cheaper health care to those with problems caused naturally. Why should people use up health care benefits because they chose to smoke their whole lives.

Another reason why I must pay more, even though I dont smoke.

[Auntie Bob]

Originally Posted by knke0402

Health care-
If Health INsurance companies didnt spend BILLIONS of dollars a year on those suffering from Smoke related illnesses, there would be more money to provide cheaper health care to those with problems caused naturally.

Perhaps. But, there's also the issue of the drug companies charging unconscionable prices for drugs, hospitals passing on the cost of treating the uninsured and... people having things like nose jobs and boobs done under skeptical 'reasons' so that insurance will pay for it too.
At least share the blame for your high insurance rates with all that deserve credit. Oh, and let's not forget the million dollar bonuses to the CEO's AFTER they get caught cheating.

[knke0402]

Originally Posted by Auntie Bob

Perhaps. But, there's also the issue of the drug companies charging unconscionable prices for drugs, hospitals passing on the cost of treating the uninsured and... people having things like nose jobs and boobs done under skeptical 'reasons' so that insurance will pay for it too.
At least share the blame for your high insurance rates with all that deserve credit. Oh, and let's not forget the million dollar bonuses to the CEO's AFTER they get caught cheating.

Exactly- good point.

[knke0402]

Originally Posted by Auntie Bob

Perhaps. But, there's also the issue of the drug companies charging unconscionable prices for drugs, hospitals passing on the cost of treating the uninsured and... people having things like nose jobs and boobs done under skeptical 'reasons' so that insurance will pay for it too.
At least share the blame for your high insurance rates with all that deserve credit. Oh, and let's not forget the million dollar bonuses to the CEO's AFTER they get caught cheating.

Exactly- good point.

Thats the overall problem with our health care in general. Those who abuse the system, well, really do ABUSE the system. people who receive free health care are more willing to visit a doctor for issues that probably could be taken care of without the advice of a professional, well because its free.

Also, pharmacuticals are killing this country and everyone knows it. Big pharmacy runs Washington, and if you disagree, look at whose housees your sentors and representatives are living in. Many are owned by presidents, ceos, cfos, of major pharmacy companies.

The same from smoking can be said for overweight people. People choose not to be healthy-who know they arent being healthy from stops at Fast Food, to poor diets, to lack of excercise (hello people, its your body-take care of it-excercise should almost be done the same as brushing your teeth, showering, breathing, drinking water and eating). If more people took care of themselves, doctors could stop giving so much attention to those who diliberatley abuse their body.

If I get sick from something naturally caused-or a virus, or something, I have to wait in line and pay up the ars because the hospital/clinic is saturated with individuals who are ill from poor decisions.-because they smoked cigarettes, drank alcohol, ate at McDonalds everyday for 10 years.

[Auntie Bob]

Originally Posted by knke0402

If I get sick from something naturally caused-or a virus, or something, I have to wait in line and pay up the ars because the hospital/clinic is saturated with individuals who are ill from poor decisions.-because they smoked cigarettes, drank alcohol, ate at McDonalds everyday for 10 years.

So what's the answer? Legislate everyone's behavior to the Nth degree?
Smokers aren't any more to blame for your high insurance rates than anyone else that makes poor decisions. Whether it's riding a motorcycle without a helmet, eating at McD's every day or any number of other unhealthy things people chose to do daily.
Personally, I don't want Government making those choices for me though.

[knke0402]

Originally Posted by Auntie Bob

So what's the answer? Legislate everyone's behavior to the Nth degree?
Smokers aren't any more to blame for your high insurance rates than anyone else that makes poor decisions. Whether it's riding a motorcycle without a helmet, eating at McD's every day or any number of other unhealthy things people chose to do daily.
Personally, I don't want Government making those choices for me though.

The Government isn't saying you can't smoke.
The Government is saying you cannot smoke in public areas because it causes harm to other individuals. Its not different than the Government saying you cannot drive your car while being naked, or taking a pizz in public.

[Minnehahapolitan]

Originally Posted by knke0402

The Government isn't saying you can't smoke.
The Government is saying you cannot smoke in public areas because it causes harm to other individuals. Its not different than the Government saying you cannot drive your car while being naked, or taking a pizz in public.

So every bar in the state of Minnesota is part of the public domain now? Interesting.

[Globe199]

Originally Posted by Minnehahapolitan

So every bar in the state of Minnesota is part of the public domain now? Interesting.

Yes. They are.

The same way that restaurant food is regulated -- chefs aren't allowed to put chlorine bleach in their food.

If the public are allowed into an establishment, it must be regulated as such.

[Minnehahapolitan]

That isn't a proper comparison. Food is sold, and its safety is thus regulated. If a restaurant doesn't watch the temperatures of its food, or check cross-contamination, the patron will never know.
Have you ever walked into a place where it is questionable if there is smoking allowed?