Posted: Jun 21, 2008, 10:24 PM CST
kidatheart wrote:I'm doing very well, thank you, and yourself?
No problem with respecting the wishes of others and not smoking in certain areas, such as the workplace, hospitals or even a non smoking restaraunt, but I don't understand why the choice for each individual business owner was taken away altogether.
The staff working in places where they were exposed to second hand smoke as non smokers should have been able to go to the labour board or OSHA with their complaints if forced to do something they weren't comfortable with. There are laws in place to deal with such situations. They just have to be enforced.I personally know several people that lost huge money and had no choice but to lay off staff after smoking was banned and a few who shut down their businesses permanently.
I agree pretty much with the Kid on this issue. I don't have an issue with banning smoking in "most" public places.
However, I do not agree with taking away the option from the business owner. When this done, this is called facisim. Owners should be allowed to make the decision for their own best interest. If people do not want to breath the smoke in a particular restaurant or bar, they can move on to another that does not have smoking. This is referred to as freedom of choice or just plain "FREEDOM".
Remember, once you allow the government to take away your freedoms, they will keep taking until they have complete control of your lives (which they want).
Here in Lexington even with smoking being banned, businesses are charging a smoking fee and allowing patrons to smoke if they want. That way when they get cited by the city (about $100), the fees take care of the fine.
If the smoking bans continue and progress towards harsher penalties, bars and restaurants will eventually become private membership clubs.
Some employers here in the states are even starting to fire people if they smoke any time or any where (including their own home) since they pay for the health insurance premiums. Fine, what about the obese, the moutain climbers, weekend race car drivers, etc., etc.
Aren't these people taking unnecessary risks as well?
Smoking should be banned in all public places: click here to read the entire thread »