It Had to Happen...No Smoking in Apartment Buildings?

minir · Post by **minir** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 6:27 am

Hi to all

Its been simmering for awhile and now its started. Those in authority are butting in to make others Butt Out!
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Smoke 'em while you got 'em, people! Puffers may fume, but they're headed for extinction -- one way or the other
By MIKE STROBEL
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Barrie is always such a great barometer.

You may recall I predicted this week that smoking will be banned in apartments and condos.

These two responses come from that fair city to the north:

"Love it. I'm a non-smoker so I can laugh," writes Paul From Barrie.

"F--- you, you smug bastard," writes Ernie From Barrie.

There. The Tobacco War, and a carton of e-mails, in a nutshell.

It's okay, Ernie. I know what nicotine does to a feller.

But like it or not, smoking is going the way of the passenger pigeon and the Great Auk, God rest their souls.

Smokers already are endangered.

You know this. I know this, though I was whelped on a tobacco farm and used to smoke two decks a day.

NOT IN URUGUAY

Smoking doomed? Look at South America, you smokers say, wistfully. Everybody smokes down there, everywhere.

Not in Uruguay, as reader Peter Holt points out. In March, it banned smoking in all public places, including bars.

The president happens to be an oncologist.

Two thirds of Uruguayan smokers back him up.

Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires (Good Airs), has begun by outlawing cigarettes in civic buildings.

Countries from A to Zimbabwe fall like dominoes. Ireland. Italy. Spain. The tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has even halted all tobacco sales.

What, no Bhutan lighters?

Closer to home, such hotel chains as Westin and Marriott have banned smoking in toto.

But the future for smokers lies in Belmont, Calif.

That state is known for fruits and nuts, but pay heed.

Belmont, pop. 25,000, is to become the first city in North America to forbid smoking everywhere but detached homes.

Everywhere. Apartments. Sidewalks. Parks. Cars. CARS?

Draft law is expected next month. Assuming smokers don't blow up City Hall first. They are fuming.

Mychoice.ca, the anti-anti-smoking people I wrote about Wednesday, are much nicer.

"It was deeply disappointing and disturbing to see a columnist of Mike Strobel's usually high calibre endorse irresponsible fearmongering and attempt to incite the public against smokers."

NO PROOF

High calibre? Don't get me started on gun control.

President Nancy Daigneault, who is paid by the tobacco industry, goes on to pitch the usual:

There is no proof, just theory, second-hand smoke is bad.

Sure. The stats are wrong. The scientists are wrong. Common sense is wrong. The world is wrong. Even Uruguay is wrong. But you, Ms Daigneault, you are right.

Just as others were right all those decades insisting smoking was fine, even healthy, despite all evidence.

I wish mychoice.ca and its sort would just stand up and say, "Hey, listen. We know it's bad. Sure, it kills. Yes, yes, second-hand smoke, too. Oh, of course smoke drifts through highrises, by hallways and vents.

"We just wish we could quit. Gawd, do we ever.

"Until then, be kind. Is there some way we can feed our habit? Without feeding it to you?"

In this, "my home is my castle" is crapola.

Can I play Hendrix at 3 in the morning in my castle? Not when it wakes up the building.

Can I keep a goat in my castle? Not when folks on the 19th floor can smell it.

Regular readers know I loathe "nanny states" and red tape.

I hope the free market will block "next-door smoke," that demand from non-smokers will sway landlords and condo builders.

60 BUILDINGS

It has begun. Winnipeg's biggest landlord last month made its 60 buildings non-smoking.

But politicians feel market heat, too. So don't say I didn't warn you smokers a legal ban in highrises will come.

Meanwhile, let's listen to reader Gary Sheppard, 74, of Edmonton, who smoked unfiltereds for 40 years.

"Haven't had a cigarette for over 20 years, but yes I suffer from emphysema," Gary writes.

"My wife came down with cancer and it was the motivation I needed to quit.

"I really feel sorry for smokers and don't have too many answers for them. I don't have much sympathy for the tobacco industry or the government for that matter.

"But I think the main battle is over. There are fewer and fewer smokers."

Wise words, Gary. I wish I had your faith.

Maybe the battle fades. Maybe it just moves to new fronts.

One thing for sure. The snipers are murder.

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minir

chevyman282 · Post by **chevyman282** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 6:37 am

Larry, here in Ohio, the voters decided that no smoking is the law anywhere at a bar, workplace,bowling alley,restraunt ,ect..I guess the only place you can smoke is in your home and then if you have a non smoking spouse, they can make your life miserable..I guess at work, it is ok to breathe in welder fumes, but don't light that butt up!..
chevyman..

minir · Post by **minir** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 6:56 am

Hi chevyman

Been that way here for a couple of years chevyman. No public places, so you see clustered groups standing outside in the freezing cold taking a few puffs.

I was fortunate to have been able to quit about 20yrs ago and thankfully have never looked back. Its tough to do, but worth it in the long run. Almost 10yrs after i quit they removed one of my lungs...Cancer, from smoking.

Smokers dread Hospital stays as they cannot smoke and now Apt. Buildings. That is going to hurt. One always assumed your home was your sanctuary, no longer it seems.

It will become even more restrictive over time i fear. Hopefully those that need too Quit, can.

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regards

Larry

Paft · Post by **Paft** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 1:56 pm

Sweet. No more moving into an apartment previously owned by a smoker and having to scrub months/years of tar off the ceilings and walls just to feel clean in my own home.

Izzo · Post by **Izzo** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 2:00 pm

Stupid

Lefty · Post by **Lefty** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 2:12 pm

Paft wrote: Sweet. No more moving into an apartment previously owned by a smoker and having to scrub months/years of tar off the ceilings and walls just to feel clean in my own home.

Tar makes a good base for a fresh coat of paint.

minir · Post by **minir** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 2:37 pm

Hi Paft, Izzo & Lefty

Paft
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Some Units and Buildings will be Grandfathered in. This allows present Smokers to remain, but once they leave no more smoking. They also talk about moving those Smokers to top floors away from others, as smoke rises it shouldn't contaminate the lower floors? Other Buildings will be strictly Smoke free zones.

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Thanks Guys

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regards

minir

Paft · Post by **Paft** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 2:49 pm

I don't mind having the top floor designated for smokers, so long as I can stipulate when leasing that I am a non-smoker and won't take a room on the top floor. Hell, give smokers their own buildings and non-smokers a seperate set - either option is fine by me. I just dislike having to re-wash, and in my most recent case, re-paint an apartment because of all the tar and smoke that was worked into everything. That's all.

minir wrote:Paft
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Some Units and Buildings will be Grandfathered in. This allows present Smokers to remain, but once they leave no more smoking. They also talk about moving those Smokers to top floors away from others, as smoke rises it shouldn't contaminate the lower floors? Other Buildings will be strictly Smoke free zones.

regards

minir

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 3:14 pm

Paft wrote: Sweet. No more moving into an apartment previously owned by a smoker and having to scrub months/years of tar off the ceilings and walls just to feel clean in my own home.

As much as I'm a fan of living in any environment that was never populated by the Marlboro Man, I don't find it to be the government's place to say whether or not you can slowly kill yourself with tar, if you choose to do so.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 3:27 pm

For living quarters it should be up to the people, either the owners of th home/condo, or the owner of the appartment complex.

minir · Post by **minir** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 5:24 pm

Hi Paft, Jim & YARDofSTUF
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Paft
It isn't easy but they will eventually come to that. In the meantime they'll have to accommodate peoples needs as best they can.

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Jim & YARDofSTUF
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I guess the Government feels that they are footing the Health Bills and doing what the majority of the population wants in this case.

There is no question left any longer/Smoking Kills!

They are now going to eliminate it as much as they can as soon as they can. Simply a matter of time before it becomes totally illegal everywhere imho.

I was a 4pack a day man myself and felt it was up to me. Now i'm no longer as certain that its up to the individual when it definitely affects others health and well being. Especially Kids that have no say in the matter. I now regret having let my own Kids grow up in a household where both my wife and myself smoked like chimneys. Only excuse was we didn't have the facts at hand that they do today.

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Thanks Fellas

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regards

minir

RoscoPColtrane · Post by **RoscoPColtrane** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 8:04 pm

I'm glad they are making these laws. Im sick and tired of walking by smokers and having to breathe in that filth. Granted they have their smoke areas but the smoke is still blown else where.

blacklab · Post by **blacklab** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 12:45 am

minir wrote:
I was fortunate to have been able to quit about 20yrs ago and thankfully have never looked back. Its tough to do, but worth it in the long run. Almost 10yrs after i quit they removed one of my lungs...Cancer, from smoking.

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regards

Larry

Hi Larry

Twenty years already?

I was thinking about when we used to duck hunt together and then drink a couple of bottles of whiskey to warm up after the guns were put away. I remember we solved a lot of the worlds problems then, but I don't remember you smoking, or maybe I just don't remember if it bothered me. I guess you were just good company.

I know I had quit a year or two before I started working for your dad. My mother had lost a breast to cancer, and on a trip to the doctor with her I saw her x-rays. I think I quit within a week. It was not too long after I moved back to Peterborough that she died, only 41. Must be getting close to 40 years now, and I have never had tobacco in my mouth since. Even quit the happy tobbaky for a few years.

Terry

minir · Post by **minir** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 2:23 am

Hi RoscoPColtrane & blacklab
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RoscoPColtrane
When your a smoker you don't notice the odour it leaves. Once you quit however it really does hit you. I can smell it off the clothes of others and it can almost make you gag at times.

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blacklab
Must have been that 2nd bottle that has dimmed your memory Terry.

Quite often i'd smoke one of my pipes in the blind as it was the ideal place to do so and kept my hands warm too.

Damn Terry, time flies doesn't it. It just struck me it will be 11yrs. on the 19th that i had my operation, so it is a good 20yrs since my smoking days. I also have never even had a puff since. Wouldn't want to try quitting again...Too Hard to do!

I will call you today to say Merry Christmas. I called a few people today and like us they're getting old and we spent sometime catching up on the good old days and shared more than a few laughs. Nice to be in touch again and twice as nice their there to take my call.

Sleep well my Friend.

larry

blacklab · Post by **blacklab** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 4:19 am

minir wrote:Hi RoscoPColtrane & blacklab
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I will call you today to say Merry Christmas. I called a few people today and like us they're getting old and we spent sometime catching up on the good old days and shared more than a few laughs. Nice to be in touch again and twice as nice their there to take my call.

Sleep well my Friend.

larry

Hi

As you can see I am still up.

Trying to get a couple of computers working. My wife's, so it will download her e-mail and my lappy so it will download my e-mail. Using Thunderbird on both of them as well as my main system. All set up the same, but the main one is the only one that will collect the mail. These frigging things are getting to me. I have to finish a program I am working on to control a compressor by Monday morning and I have not even started it yet.

I guess a cup of tea and then off to bed -not setting the alarm. Oh yea, got another 8" of snow in the driveway I have to plough before Monday as well.

Terry

minir · Post by **minir** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 5:07 am

Hi blacklab

I've been up all night as well. This getting old Sucks!

I've been spinning CDs and enjoying some great tunes. Did a little more fine tuning on my system and it has improved by at least another 20%

Didn't think that was possible without major changes, but i was wrong. Sounds absolutely wonderful now. Of course the late night clean power helps.

Sounds like you have a full day in front of you, why don't you call me when you and if you get a moment so i won't interrupt your work.

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Love ya

larry

Rivas · Post by **Rivas** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 5:10 am

I wonder ....if smoking is banned what about alcohol ?
Drinking driving, fights, killings ....

What about fast food restaurants = obese people, heart problems, diabettes ....

Doesnt make sence, it's stupid.

Izzo · Post by **Izzo** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 10:18 am

rivas wrote:I wonder ....if smoking is banned what about alcohol ?
Drinking driving, fights, killings ....

What about fast food restaurants = obese people, heart problems, diabettes ....

Doesnt make sence, it's stupid.

Ya, might as well ban cars while we're at it. Also should make a law to force people to eat their veggies too.

Prohibition didn't work in the past and it won't work now.

.....and every apartment i've ever rented has been cleaned by the staff

blebs · Post by **blebs** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 11:04 am

rivas wrote:I wonder ....if smoking is banned what about alcohol ?
Drinking driving, fights, killings ....

What about fast food restaurants = obese people, heart problems, diabettes ....

Doesnt make sence, it's stupid.

What is wrong is that suddenly, peoples rights have been violated. I don't care if your a smoker or not, it is not up to the Government to regulate what you put into your own body. Lets flip the tables a bit. What if nonsmokers were voted to have to sit with the smokers? Now how do you feel?

Trans FAT! This is next people. Government requiring removal of Transfats from restaurant produced foods etc.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 00225.html

The door was opened. Now, can it ever be closed?

minir · Post by **minir** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 4:14 pm

Hi Izzo & blebs
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Izzo

Ya, might as well ban cars while we're at it. Drinking driving, fights, killings ....

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There are already Laws against these abuses Izzo, most involving fines or jail time. Smoking is a different situation entirely imho. There is definitive proof that Smoking causes harm to others and they are using that info to control its usage.

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blebs
Though i don't entirely agree with this situation it is for the benefit of the majority that this law is to be passed.

The thing that sways me most is the children who have no choice but to live in these environments that may well be affected and have health issues not of their own doing down the road. Not really fair to them. Adults can make choices, kids cannot.

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Whether we agree or not i fear its time has come and Tobacco is going to be mandated out of existence.

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Thanks for your replies Fellas.

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regards

minir

blebs · Post by **blebs** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 5:19 pm

It's just wrong that the Government has anything to do with it. I can agree that it May be beneficial, but the government has no business stepping in and imposing others wishes on someone else. We had two issues on the ballot here. One was pro tobacco and the the other, obviously not. Not even the smokers wanted to see anything about the habit become law, so they voted no on pro tobacco and no on the issue that passed. It was a confusion issue for many voters. That's how things get passed around here. People don't understand what they are or aren't voting for and then all suffer the consequence.

I know, I'm beating a dead horse, but I can't help but wonder what individual freedom will get the voter axe next, this is what troubles me.

minir · Post by **minir** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 6:08 pm

Hi blebs

It's just wrong that the Government has anything to do with it.

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Basically Government is made up of your Friends and Neighbours blebs. They are the people whom you voted for, that comprise Government and they have obviously heard the voices of not only the people but of the scientists and health experts as well.

There is no question...Smoking Kills or at the very least harms people and in this case its second hand smoke at issue as much as smoking in general.

They the Government in the best interests of society in general have determined this to be the best route to take.

Drunk driving went through a similar situation wherein it was tolerated more or less, but as time and many more people suffered from these actions a Zero Tolerance stand was taken and few if any argue that decision. I see little difference in protecting the public on this issue.

Just my opinion blebs.

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regards

minir

blacklab · Post by **blacklab** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 7:59 pm

blebs99 wrote:It's just wrong that the Government has anything to do with it. I can agree that it May be beneficial, but the government has no business stepping in and imposing others wishes on someone else. We had two issues on the ballot here. One was pro tobacco and the the other, obviously not. Not even the smokers wanted to see anything about the habit become law, so they voted no on pro tobacco and no on the issue that passed. It was a confusion issue for many voters. That's how things get passed around here. People don't understand what they are or aren't voting for and then all suffer the consequence.

I know, I'm beating a dead horse, but I can't help but wonder what individual freedom will get the voter axe next, this is what troubles me.

Hi blebs

If not the government, then who. That is what governments should be doing, making laws for the masses. Like it or not we are part of a society. How we live must conform to the masses. This is why we have governments, they should make rules for the good of most of the people.

As far as smoking it is like drinking and driving. Drinking and driving is frowned on because it is not only you who may suffer form your actions, but there is a good chance others may suffer too. Second hand smoke is something I don't like to smell so why should I put up with it. If someone could come up with a way for smokers to smoke so I don't have to breath it, I would not care who smokes. All that should happen is the price of smoking products should be taxed to cover the complete cost of health complications.

I don't know about anywhere else, but in most places in Canada a pack a day smoker could make the payments on a new car.

One thing I often wonder is why is it mostly the younger people who smoke, and girls are the fastest growing segment of smokers?

blacklab