Smoking

[ISUKyro]

Obama's got a plan for that too.

Ahhh!! He's planning to kill me!
Does he have a time table???

[GeronimusClone]

Ahhh!! He's planning to kill me!
Does he have a time table???

It's tied directly to the table for patience with the Cyclone men's basketball program.

[ISUKyro]

It's tied directly to the table for patience with the Cyclone men's basketball program.

oh man we're screwed!

[Angie]

Just a reminder to keep this non-political, guys.

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Outside of mod mode - I hate smoking. I know firsthand what even secondhand smoke can do. If I'm lucky enough to bear a child, nobody who has smoke on their clothes will even hold it due to all of the ill effects of smoke.

That being said - it's discouraging to watch liberties taken away. I think it makes sense for restaurants to not have smoking (as there is no way it won't affect other patrons, which include children, or wait staff), but a place like a bar or casino where children are not allowed only makes sense to allow smoking.

[Clone5]

Just a reminder to keep this non-political, guys.

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Outside of mod mode - I hate smoking. I know firsthand what even secondhand smoke can do. If I'm lucky enough to bear a child, nobody who has smoke on their clothes will even hold it due to all of the ill effects of smoke.

That being said - it's discouraging to watch liberties taken away. I think it makes sense for restaurants to not have smoking (as there is no way it won't affect other patrons, which include children, or wait staff), but a place like a bar or casino where children are not allowed only makes sense to allow smoking.

Adults are negatively effected too.

[cmoneyr]

Apparently, Cyclonepride. I guess that is why it is allowed at the casino.

I, too, smoke a cigar on occasion.

I guess I have a couple of issues with the restaurant ban. If I owned a restaurant or a bar and someone told me I could or could not allow smoking in my own establishment, I would not be happy. Why can't smoking be allowed, and let patrons decide whether or not they frequent a particular establishment?

Have you seen the price of smoking materials lately? It is front loaded with tax money, and then smokers are told when and where their actions will be tolerated. If you don't want me smoking, fine, then make smoking illegal. Don't rip me off for the tax money you want with one hand, and then tell me where I can and can't smoke. I guarantee you this. If smoking stopped completely tomorrow, the government would find something else to tax, and it might be something you care about.

Maybe you are a hunter. And maybe they won't take your gun, but what if they tax the **** out of ammunition, say it now costs $45.00 for a shot gun shell, and the hunting license costs $2000.00 per season? Then again, what if they do take your gun because they decide it is of no use to you? Or charge you $5000.00 per year to have a gun permit? Someday someone else is going to get around to denying you something you care about. All in the name of "doing what is right."

For those of you who are happy with the smoking ban, please understand what is happening here. Arbitrary decisions are being made by others about the how, which, where, who, when, what, and how often, of your life, .......... and it is happening every day. All in the name of "doing the right thing", they are slowly but inevitably shaping your life for you.

When gas was in the 4.00 range, we were told that we needed to buy smaller cars that got better gas mileage. Now, less gas is being purchased and the tax money revenue is waning. So, now we are going to be taxed a greater percentage at the pump, and I expect, soon, there will be a little GPS chip in your car and you will be taxed per mile, for road usage, all because we did what we were told to do.

Do you like all terrain vehicles? Well, enviromental wacko's don't. And right now there is a law that says that the paint on the fender of ATV's has to be proven to not contain any lead because a baby might put the fender in to his or her mouth!
That's right. The law that was passed a year ago to protect children from lead painted toys from China, is keeping ATV's from being sold, and the lawmakers, (even though the law and the application of the law to this subject is ridiculous), are doing nothing to write exceptions for it, out of the law. So, indirectly, the use of ATV's will diminish, because the manufacturer can't afford the testing which is required on each individual unit, after it is assembled. I don't think it is a coincidence, that they are not changing the law as it applies to ATV's.

The ban on smoking is not what bothers me, per se. It is the freedom to do so, that concerns me.

I am waiting for the day that I cannot smoke a cigar in my home, because some day I might want to sell the house and my smoking would have had an adverse affect on the next buyer in ten years.

Please excuse the soapbox and the length. Thank you.

tl;dr

[Angie]

Adults are negatively effected too.

I absolutely agree, but adults have the free will not to go to a bar/casino, or to go to an establishment that doesn't allow smoking (such as a restaurant bar). A waiter/waitress can work at one of those other establishments, instead of a bar.

[Shinyhappyclone]

I smoked for 20 years. A great habit I picked up at Iowa State that I blame on Dynamics and Differential Calc. Man, it was awesome. I loved to smoke, and still would love to smoke.
Being a serial quitter, I have finally been made smoke-free forever by a lot of reasons. Our government taxxing it out of existence helps and I really don't have a problem with that selective tax engineering.

I vividly remember--when I still puffed--two hurtng Hawkeye fans lighting up behind me at Kinnick in the stands at a 1990's hawkeye/cyclone game. I mean, can you live 3 hours without sucking one down? The smell nuaseated me. And I smoked!!!

[Balrog]

Same here. At some point I hope they put provisions in medicare to deny coverage of treatment of smoking related health problems to those who have a history of smoking.

How many years have we known that smoking kills and causes serious health problems? It isn't a matter of IF a smoker will develop serious health issues, it is a matter of when.

People can smoke all they want, I guess. Kill yourself all you want, just don't do it around me or other non-smokers, and don't do it on my dime.

I agree 2002, and while they are at it, quit charging me the same amount for garbage pickup that you charge a family of ten. I have my garbage set out once or twice a month 'cause there is only me in this house. It's on my dime.
And, while you're at it, I don't want to be taxed for the school's and colleges around here, because I don't have any children. It's on my dime.
And oh, by the way, I don't think people who don't pay any taxes, should be given the privilege to vote and have a say in who is elected, who then spend the tax money I have to pay (like for schools) where some of these people's kids go, who's parents don't pay any taxes. It's on my dime.
And oh, by the way, while you are at it, I want all alcohol banned, made illegal, because my grandmother was killed by a drunk driver, and my guess is I am paying tax money for someone somewhere to be treated for his kidneys going to hell in a hand basket because he has chosen to get drunk once a week every week of his life. It's on my dime.

[ISUAlum2002]

I agree 2002, and while they are at it, quit charging me the same amount for garbage pickup that you charge a family of ten. I have my garbage set out once or twice a month 'cause there is only me in this house. It's on my dime.
And, while you're at it, I don't want to be taxed for the school's and colleges around here, because I don't have any children. It's on my dime.
And oh, by the way, I don't think people who don't pay any taxes, should be given the privilege to vote and have a say in who is elected, who then spends the tax money I have to pay (like for schools) where some of these people's kids go, who's parents don't pay any taxes. It's on my dime.
And oh, by the way, while you are at it, I want all alcohol banned and considered illegal because my grandmother was killed by a drunk driver, and my guess is I am paying tax money for someone somewhere to be treated for his kidneys going to hell in a hand basket because he has chosen to get drunk once a week every week of his life. It's on my dime.

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not. No matter, I like the way you think.

[Clone9]

I agree 2002, and while they are at it, quit charging me the same amount for garbage pickup that you charge a family of ten. I have my garbage set out once or twice a month 'cause there is only me in this house. It's on my dime.
And, while you're at it, I don't want to be taxed for the school's and colleges around here, because I don't have any children. It's on my dime.
And oh, by the way, I don't think people who don't pay any taxes, should be given the privilege to vote and have a say in who is elected, who then spends the tax money I have to pay (like for schools) where some of these people's kids go, who's parents don't pay any taxes. It's on my dime.
And oh, by the way, while you are at it, I want all alcohol banned and considered illegal because my grandmother was killed by a drunk driver, and my guess is I am paying tax money for someone somewhere to be treated for his kidneys going to hell in a hand basket because he has chosen to get drunk once a week every week of his life. It's on my dime.

This is all exactly right. Just because you don't like one thing, you can't single it out without thinking about all of these other issues. We all pay for people and things that we don't use. Get used to it....its called government. And no matter how big or how small it is, it happens all the same.

[Cyclonepride]

I agree 2002, and while they are at it, quit charging me the same amount for garbage pickup that you charge a family of ten. I have my garbage set out once or twice a month 'cause there is only me in this house. It's on my dime.
And, while you're at it, I don't want to be taxed for the school's and colleges around here, because I don't have any children. It's on my dime.
And oh, by the way, I don't think people who don't pay any taxes, should be given the privilege to vote and have a say in who is elected, who then spends the tax money I have to pay (like for schools) where some of these people's kids go, who's parents don't pay any taxes. It's on my dime.
And oh, by the way, while you are at it, I want all alcohol banned, made illegal, because my grandmother was killed by a drunk driver, and my guess is I am paying tax money for someone somewhere to be treated for his kidneys going to hell in a hand basket because he has chosen to get drunk once a week every week of his life. It's on my dime.

You would get rep for this post too if I could.

[Clone9]

Just a reminder to keep this non-political, guys.

---
Outside of mod mode - I hate smoking. I know firsthand what even secondhand smoke can do. If I'm lucky enough to bear a child, nobody who has smoke on their clothes will even hold it due to all of the ill effects of smoke.

That being said - it's discouraging to watch liberties taken away. I think it makes sense for restaurants to not have smoking (as there is no way it won't affect other patrons, which include children, or wait staff), but a place like a bar or casino where children are not allowed only makes sense to allow smoking.

Angie, while I totally respect your right to not want someone who smokes to hold your baby, I think it is an irrational fear. That tiny (really, really tiny) amount of smoke the baby would get would do absolutely nothing. Don't get me wrong, because I definitely don't think parents should smoke in the house or car with kids at all, but rare exposure won't really do anything....outside of a possible allergic reaction, which is just as likely to happen with any other substance as well.

[jdoggivjc]

Apparently, Cyclonepride. I guess that is why it is allowed at the casino.

I, too, smoke a cigar on occasion.

I guess I have a couple of issues with the restaurant ban. If I owned a restaurant or a bar and someone told me I could or could not allow smoking in my own establishment, I would not be happy. Why can't smoking be allowed, and let patrons decide whether or not they frequent a particular establishment?

Do you also have a problem with someone (being the government) telling you you must pay your employees a certain minimum wage, that per OSHA regulations you must provide a safe working place for your employees, that you must meet a government-mandated level of cleanliness that is subject to inspection, that certain foods must be cooked to certain temperatures, and that people under the age of 21 aren't allowed to order beverages from the bar? The point is - somebody's ALREADY telling you what you can or cannot do in your establishment, and a lot of that has to do with the safety and health of your employees and patrons. Quite frankly, I have no problems with the ban on smoking in restaurants. I will say, however, I am much more open to allowing smoking in places such as bars and casinos than I used to be.

[Balrog]

Do you also have a problem with someone (being the government) telling you you must pay your employees a certain minimum wage, that per OSHA regulations you must provide a safe working place for your employees, that you must meet a government-mandated level of cleanliness that is subject to inspection, that certain foods must be cooked to certain temperatures, and that people under the age of 21 aren't allowed to order beverages from the bar? The point is - somebody's ALREADY telling you what you can or cannot do in your establishment, and a lot of that has to do with the safety and health of your employees and patrons. Quite frankly, I have no problems with the ban on smoking in restaurants. I will say, however, I am much more open to allowing smoking in places such as bars and casinos than I used to be.

No, Jdog, I don't have a problem with any of those things and I never have had a problem with them in the 14 years I was in the restaurant and club business. I knew from the outset, before I got into the business, that these things were just another part of doing business, and I can tell you that the restaurants I operated (as a kitchen manager in two different places, a club manager, and as an assistant manager) were very clean; we consistently scored in the upper ninties at every venue.
What I have a problem with, is the hypocrisy this ban represents. As I said previously, it is not the ban on smoking per se, it is the fact that you can smoke in a casino because it represents a huge amount of money to the state. Then I am told that it isn't allowed in my establishment.

That tells me that the government doesn't care about safety for safety's sake, they care about the money that the casino's operation represents.

It tells me that I guess it is okay for a casino to pay three dollars less per hour minimum wage, and they only have to score 55% on their health inspection, because they operate under a different set of rules, than the little guy.
If I owned a restaurant or bar in this town, and they were making that particular distinction I would not be happy.
If I reserve the right to serve whomever I wish in a bar, why can't I allow smoking if my employees know from day one it is a smoking establishment, and the patrons entering the door know it is a smoking establishment?
For crying out loud, make smoking illegal, I don't care, but don't charge me huge taxes for it, and then tell me it isn't allowed in my place of business, when you allow it in a casino.
Jdog, I too, would be satisfied with the smoking ban in restaurants.
No smoking in a McDonalds. I am fine with that.
At issue is the bar that offers food to their patrons. There are many bars and clubs in this town that had built a clientele that allowed smoking, and now that it has been prohibited, they are suffering because of it.
Maybe, just maybe, they wouldn't have opened a bar or restaurant in the first place, if they knew smoking was not to be allowed.
Now the owner is stuck with the lease payments, all of the overhead, waning customer flow, and the hypocrisy......... while the smoking continues at the casino........................

Edit: By the way Jdog, I love your attempts to get to the other side!