Smoking Ban bill as been passed (Scranton, Wilkes-Barre: house, high school, college)

[ff18wife]

Originally Posted by okaydorothy

Oh I am so happy to see this pass. While I do feel for the people who smoke, there are more people now that do not smoke so its a majority that rules.

When our parents come over, they smoke outside and always have. Its a rule in my house. We have seen too much cancer and emphysema to have my children around smoke.

Way to go PA
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Same thing here...we do not allow smoking in our house..never have, never will. Funny thing is growing up both parents smoked and now my sister and I both won't allow it anywhere near our kids. My father quit probably about 20 years ago. Mom says she can quit anytime but doesn't...go figure. She did once or twice over the last few years for a few months at a time but then blamed someone/something for making her go back.

[Retired Law 08]

Some more Info...

The Times-Tribune - Smoking ban passes

[The Commish]

Originally Posted by MrKrabs

I can deal with that....at least it will be banned anywhere where children are present, and anywhere where people will be trying to enjoy a meal. I can deal with little corner bars being one last place where smokers can go and indulge in their habit.


Anyways, that might be a good thing. Think of 90% of the neighborhood bars in Scranton....they tend to be in residential areas, can you imagine if all the smokers had to go outside to smoke and they would all be congregated outside these bars right by people's houses? Most of whom would be drunk and loud in the late night hours, probably disturbing the peace (and littering)...I'd rather them inside smoking.

I hadn't heard that angle before.

That's interesting, but the corner bars you're referring to aren't exactly heavily-used enough to cause much of a problem. Most smokers aren't going to be "drunk and loud," unless you know a couple of especially boisterous small bars.

Originally Posted by MrKrabs

I don't feel for the people who smoke....they're drug addicts, and selfish ones at that....they spew their fumes into the air, not caring who has to breathe them in, they constantly litter their butts on the ground.

I don't feel for them, the only thing I have to say to them is:

That is exactly how to treat smokers- with disdain.

It actually helps them quit.

[ashley19]

[quote=MrKrabs;4064472]I don't feel for the people who smoke....they're drug addicts, and selfish ones at that....they spew their fumes into the air, not caring who has to breathe them in, they constantly litter their butts on the ground.

I totally agree with no smoking in restraunts and enclosed in areas. As far as everywhere else, it is ridiculous. This is becoming a communist country. Pretty soon they will tell you what to wear and what time to get up everyday. As for you MrKrabs, when you stop driving your car, using your lawn mower, and anythng else that omits toxins in the air, then you can talk. Smoking "spews" less fumes in the air then all the equipment that you use on a daily basis. I just can't wait to see what the winers are going to complain about next.

[FightinPhils]

Originally Posted by ashley19

I totally agree with no smoking in restraunts and enclosed in areas. As far as everywhere else, it is ridiculous. This is becoming a communist country. Pretty soon they will tell you what to wear and what time to get up everyday. As for you MrKrabs, when you stop driving your car, using your lawn mower, and anythng else that omits toxins in the air, then you can talk. Smoking "spews" less fumes in the air then all the equipment that you use on a daily basis. I just can't wait to see what the winers are going to complain about next.

Cars are a necessity, as is cutting my grass....inhaling burning carcinogen-laced tobacco rolled in paper is not....especially when you're forcing others to breathe it in.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by ashley19

I just can't wait to see what the winers are going to complain about next.

Well from my firsthand experience I can safely say that the Republicans have already done a great job at diverting everyone's attention away from the REAL probems at hand (impending recession, quagmire in Iraq, rising energy prices, urban sprawl, falling value of U.S. currency, destruction of U.S. credibility with our allies, etc.) in order to focus on "Adam and Steve." Apparently the "whiners" have realized that they can't fix any REAL problems, so they're instead focusing on destroying civil rights.

[ashley19]

You always have the option to ride a bike and use a hand pushed mower like they did in the old days. They are not necessity, they are a convience.

[ashley19]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

Well from my firsthand experience I can safely say that the Republicans have already done a great job at diverting everyone's attention away from the REAL probems at hand (impending recession, quagmire in Iraq, rising energy prices, urban sprawl, falling value of U.S. currency, destruction of U.S. credibility with our allies, etc.) in order to focus on "Adam and Steve." Apparently the "whiners" have realized that they can't fix any REAL problems, so they're instead focusing on destroying civil rights.

Nicely put.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by MrKrabs

Cars are a necessity, as is cutting my grass....inhaling burning carcinogen-laced tobacco rolled in paper is not....especially when you're forcing others to breathe it in.

Exactly. I often agree with Ashley, but in this case I don't. I may wish to move to Scranton simply so I can at least walk SOMEWHERE every once in a while as compared to living here in the 'burbs where you can't even walk down the street to a playground because there aren't any sidewalks, but I realize that I'll still need a car (albeit a more fuel-efficient one like a Corolla or a Civic) to get me to broader destinations such as the arena, stadium, relatives' homes, etc. Sure, I could call a cab, but then I'd just be using a vehicle anyways. Same with a bus.

HOWEVER, she may be on to something with the lawn mower comment. I work for a home improvement store in the West Side of the Wyoming Valley, and even though we're situated near Kingston, a town where most people's lot sizes are 1/4-acre or less, nearly nobody will purchase an electric lawn mower, whether it be corded or cordless. These are very energy-efficient, require no gasoline, etc., but I'm routinely selling GAS mowers to people with postage-stamp-sized lots. Why? I live on 3/4 of an acre and need a gas push mower, but what's the excuse for those who live on tiny city lots to be using those gas-guzzlers? If everyone in the city who lived on smaller lots switched from gas mowers to electric mowers, I wonder just how much cleaner our air would be?

[FightinPhils]

Originally Posted by ashley19

You always have the option to ride a bike and use a hand pushed mower like they did in the old days. They are not necessity, they are a convience.

Try riding a bike on I-81 between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. I might as well jump off a bridge if I was going to do that, and get it overwith.

Please, these tired old arguments from the smokers are ridiculous. Following your logic, we should do away with health inspections, since why should the government be controlling the health and sanitation conditions of restaurants, food stores, etc.? We should do away with safety seat laws for babies and small children, right? I should be able to take a dump on your sidewalk while I'm at it, right? Or maybe I should be able to march up and down my street at 3 AM beating a drum and playing a tuba while I'm at it!

Certain laws are needed for the greater public good. A smoking ban is another example.

Why smokers think they have the right to spew their cancerous fumes wherever they want and at whomever they want is the height of ignorance. Nobody is telling you that you can't smoke, just that you can't subject others to your filthy habit.

And honestly, this ban is fairly watered-down compared to other states.....small bars that do less than 20% of their business in food will still be able to allow smoking, as will private clubs, cigar/tobacco shops, and portions of casinos. I think this is more than a fair compromise.