A statewide smoking ban appears dead for the legislative session, the arguments for business rights and local control having prevailed. But clean-air proponents are calling for it to be a campaign issue. They’re also calling it inevitable. “Ultimately we’ll have a smoking ban, and we’ll have one as soon as a majority of Kansans and elected officials see it in terms of a health question,†predicted state Sen. Pete Brungardt, R-Salina, to Harris News Service.
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56 Comments
Then I hope they ban alcohol from restaurants and bars too.
Bans on smoking in public places are working all over the country, and indeed in many other parts of the world. Kansas will get on board eventually, sure. There is always lots of whining at first, but after a while people get used to it and life goes on. I remember when not only were people permitted to smoke on airplanes, but stewardesses (which is what they were called back then) walked the aisles before takeoff offering free cigarettes. Nonsmokers could do nothing but pray they would be lucky and not seated close to someone befouling their air with poisons. Now it is inconceivable that smoking would be permitted on a scheduled airline flight.
Recently I was told the State of Kansas has virtually no inspection of water withdrawal from our underground water aquifers. Every minute of the day, thousands of pumps gulp out water for electrical power plants, ethanol manufacturing plants, agricultural irrigation and, of course, municipal water supplies … with NO accurate measure or inspection.
Ladies and gentlemen: theoretically the water in the underground aquifers, namely the formerly giant Ogallala water aquifer lying under most of western and central Kansas, belongs to the citizens of Kansas. However the water is being withdrawn FOR FREE by WATER HOGS with the acquiesence of Kansas politicians and bureaucrats.
My guess is ten times the amount of water is being withdrawn as stated in reports prepared by water users and sent for filing to understaffed state water offices with weak and/or unused enforcement teeth.
I predict a large Wichita EAGLE banner headline in the near future:
KANSAS UNDERGROUND WATER SUPPLY DEPLETED. HENCEFORTH DRINKING WATER TO BE TAKEN FROM SURFACE RIVER WATERS POLLUTED WITH RECYLED, REGURGITATED SANITARY SEWAGE FROM UPSTREAM. KANSAS CITIZENS ARE AT FAULT FOR NOT PROTESTING TO THEIR POLITICAL LEGISLATORS AND GOVERNOR.
In the meantime, the new WATER WARS continue to escalate and the public at large is losing.
I have breathed more burning field smoke recently than cigarette smoke. All kinds of emissions here. Let’s tax the smoke.
I believe in balance not banning, the claim that it is work elsewhere so why not here is the same argument a Lemming gives as to why the rest have to follow them off the cliff. There are civilizations where it is an acceptable practice for an Adult to show an adolescent about sex. Shall because it works for them, than we should too? It works because people were not given a choice in the matter not because it was right. Its on the same mentality of the anti-porn movement. There should be some regulation as to where it is, but that is not good enough for some. Even if they are not subjected to it and would have to voluntary be subjected to it. It is the fact that it is going on that bothers the hell out of them! Your “rights” ends and my rights begin at the tip of your nose! If a business allows smoking it like the anti-smoking crowd. It was a decision and both are free to stand by it.
If one is so opposed to smoke they want a ‘ban’, then fine, they can impose their very own ban and not go where folks are smoking.
WOW….was that simple, wonder why so few think of it.
PoliticalMom I usually agree with you. On this one though I think not.
Would you have us return to the days when smoking was allowed in theaters, buses, airplanes, schools, etc?
Restaurants and bars are the only places left where the filthy habit is allowed in public.
Having smoke for 30 + years I KNOW it is a habit/addiction and it stinks.
They don’t like that idea because it might hurt the businesses that choose to be non smoking. They know their own propaganda is false that more people will go to nonsmoking places.
I do not have a problem with choice. If an airline wants to cater to smokers, why not let them? If a movie theatre wants to cater to smokers, then let them.
Same in reverse, it is NOT THAT HARD.
Stink or not, its not your place to dictate who the owner wants to appease. If there is only ONE movie theatre in town, and it allows smoking. THen open up a non smoking one.
It’s just like with booze. Some restaurants serve booze, some don’t. Who are you to tell someone they can’t serve booze if they’re doing it legally?
Do restaurants force their employees to consume booze?
Ban this, ban that. What’s next? Ban sex except for procreation?
It’s ironic that those who hate government interference the most are sometimes the ones screaming the loudest to ban smoking.
“Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose…”
Predestined, should smoking be allowed in schools (it used to be)?
No one wants to allow smoking in schools? Hmmm…I wonder why not?
It used to be the way things were in “the good ol’ days”.
Kansas state senators like BUMGARDT (Brungardt) are for business interests only.
He/They will sell OUR SOULS to the devil for a few dollars in campaign money.
We need to eliminate these corrupt officials from our state senate in November
I want cell phone use in public banned. It is annoying and dangerous. My son has almost been killed on several occasions by idiots in parking lots who could not wait til they were home to place their call. Ban cell phones!
KansasNative, I don’t smoke but I’m against a ban on smoking in private businesses. I don’t think bringing up schools is an apple to apple comparison. Aren’t most schools supported with public money and even tho there are private schools they aren’t available to everyone due to the costs. Deciding whether to go to a private business is truly a choice - no law says you must go there until a certain age, can’t think of one that is the ONLY place a product may be found…
Linda, does a person have a right to breathe air that does not contain carcinogenic substances at their place of employment?
McCain could be known as WORSTEST PRESIDENT EVER except that he won’t be elected (but then George wasn’t elected at first either.)
oops…wrong thread!
Yes, but again there is some choice in that place of employment, isn’t there.
I don’t go where the smoke isn’t controlled. I’ve walked in and back out doors quickly when I discover a person can’t breath in there.
I do frequent places where smoking is allowed and the business owner has installed ventilation systems that seem really effective.
I should stay out of this as I see both sides and don’t really have strong feelings about anything more than PLEASE don’t make laws that take away more personal freedoms. That’s the sticking point for me. I’ve seen too much of that and don’t want it to become so commonplace that we don’t remember if we don’t stand up for personal freedoms when they take away the one that affects us there won’t be anyone to stand up for us either.
Martin Niemöller’s “First they came…”
I don’t believe it will hurt businesses to ban smoking, in fact it might increase business because there are places I don’t patronize due to the fact that I can’t tolerate the cigarette smoke.
It works well in communities that have the smoking ban in place. Why is it so hard just to take it outside? I think it’s pretty rude and inconsiderate when you don’t care about exposing others to your poisons.
If someone is sitting next to me and drinking alcohol, it doesn’t affect me at all..but if that person lights up, that’s a whole different thing. Maybe it’s time smokers learned to put other’s needs ahead of their own…the world might be a better place if there were fewer selfish and rude people.
THEN DON” GO TO THE PLACES THAT THEY ALLOW SMOKING!
it really is that simple. If they want your business, they’ll make sure you aren’t exposed.
So leave the law be. You’ve already GOT restaurants tha cater to non smokers. Why you gotta take away mine too? It’s just a power trip is all it is.
take it outside, yea sure. First it was that, then it was they’d stick you out in an area with no shelter at all, then they tell you you can’t smoke in the parking lot for christ sake someone 100 feet from you will go ‘cough cough’. Then they move you to the sidewalk and try to take that away from you until you tell them the sidewalk is public property.
It’s crap. I want to sit down and smoke a cigarette after I eat. I’d like to not have to get up and leave, especially if its windy, cold, raining, or damn it i just want to have fun with friends.
All this whining just makes me mad. Restaurants have bent over backward installing big ventilation systems and I KNOW they work because I’ve dined with people who are ‘cough cough’ allergic to smoke and not one tear, not one cough, nada.
Slap on a nicotine patch before you go into eat, maybe it will help.
“does a person have a right to breathe air that does not contain carcinogenic substances at their place of employment?”
Sure, most certainly….and they should pick their employer and place of employment accordingly.
Historically the primary purpose of government is to protect private property, from threats outside and from within. Not to take it or dictate is use.
“I think it’s pretty rude and inconsiderate when you don’t care about exposing others to your poisons.”
And many think “it’s pretty rude and inconsiderate when you” dictate to them how they elect to run their business, or what they can and can’t do with a legal product on THEIR property. If you don’t like to be around smoke, as I don’t, YOU take it outside and go somewhere else, as I do. I refuse to be around detectable smoke but respect others and their right to do as they decide, especially concerning their property.
The continual erosion of our personal freedoms will take this country down to one where the state (government) is more important than the individual. The concept of the sanctity of personal property from government intrusion is a cornerstone of our nation and our constitution. It’s worked well…lets leave it alone.
I wonder why work safety is not an issue in restaurants for some people.
Would you say the same thing if Boeing decided that it no longer had to be responsible for providing a safe work environment for its employees?
Should the government rescind OSHA and let companies do whatever they will?
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KansasNative
Posted April 20, 2008 at 4:49 pm | Permalink
I wonder why work safety is not an issue in restaurants for some people.
Would you say the same thing if Boeing decided that it no longer had to be responsible for providing a safe work environment for its employees?
Should the government rescind OSHA and let companies do whatever they will?
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If Boeing was serving dead meats and rapidly decaying fruits and vegetables like restaurants, then I would be concerned about work safety.
It can get pretty bad in their cafeterias Reg!
I am always amazed that people on here who can’t afford the basics of life can still afford to smoke anyway. It’s a habit I couldn’t afford.
One person in the family with 1 pk a day habit is $90 to $100 a month. That would buy alot of groceries.
Let’s take it to a public vote. Since only 23% of Kansans smoke, I’m pretty sure how it will go.
Let’s vote on banning cell phones.
Did you know that next year they are doing away with public telephones?
This is because of cell phones.
Now what if I am out somewhere stranded and I need to make a call?
ksgrm
Posted April 20, 2008 at 5:06 pm | Permalink
I am always amazed that people on here who can’t afford the basics of life can still afford to smoke anyway. It’s a habit I couldn’t afford.
One person in the family with 1 pk a day habit is $90 to $100 a month. That would buy alot of groceries.
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Oh great, I suppose germ wants to tell people how they can spend their money!
And I thought Reds were for individual freedom!
I don’t care how anyone spends their money but when someone says it is the republicans fault that this person couldn’t pay their gas bill and it was turned off, but I know that person is a smoker - well you just draw your own conclusions.
It could well be germ that one day NONE of us will be able to pay our gas bills without sacrificing another necessity or luxury.
There are people who barely scrape by on the wage they make as it is.
If you are comfortable in judging others you are free to do so.
ok I said it before but they will not print it in the opion line. If you turn off your car I will quit smooking.
KansasNative when someone says you ‘republican keep voting’ for them as if that is the reason she can’t pay her gas bill how am I being judgemental is saying that by quitting smoking she could have paid that bill.
Nothing judgemental there just informative.
Well of course Grm would take a swipe at me for that, it’s only natural. I told you when they keep voting to raise the cigarette tax that there are people who are so addicted that it won’t matter what price you raise it to, they’ll still smoke because …duh they’re addicted.
I’m one of those people. It’s not a CHOICE for me. I have to smoke. I know that sounds absurd to someone who doesn’t. And I know it makes those angry who have quit.
it sucks to me, because I truly believe its a huge waste of money too. And I’m angry that its being taxed to the point of making it harder for me to pay my bills. There was a time when this wasn’t taxed to death. Of course, that’s been done by those same people who thought that if they taxed it enough, it’d make people quit because THEY don’t like it.
It’s almost like abortion, they don’t want people to have abortions, because they want to punish people who have sex in some sick twisted way. THey also don’t support birth control so they think they’re forcing people who have sex to ‘pay the consequences’ with a baby.
The fact that I am so addicted to cigarettes, which are LEGAL, I shouldn’t be freaking punished for it. For years and years and years there were higher class people who smoked as well, and they didn’t have to suffer because others didn’t like it.
So…it’s that great thing now that I can’t pay my bills, but still smoke, and now those people who insisted on raising the rates and all can point their finger at me and say ‘oh you bad person’. Thanks. I appreciate it.
Pmom what irratates me about you isn’t that you smoke. That is your right. It’s the way you always assign blame on the right. It just isn’t so. What state has the strictest anti-smoking laws in the country. That would be CA. They were the first to ban smoking in bars even. You know that right wing state on the left coast.
Smoking is your privelege and in your home or the open areas where no one else has to smell or inhale I have no objections. I don’t lobby for smoke free environments but when I go in a smoking restaurant before leaving I always let management know why I am leaving. I did this a few times before Jimmy’s Diner went smokefree. I can only guess that I wasn’t the only complainer.
Sorry to take a dig at you but you need to accept that your habit is yours and the republicans had nothing to do with it.
It comes from both sides, the smoking thing. However, it isn’t the libs fault that everything ELSE had gotten so expensive and our economy is crashing.
By the way, why would you go to a restaurant knowing they allow smoking more than once…just so you can complain about it more than once?
I worked as a waitress in plenty of places where smoking was allowed…and NOT one complaint. Ever. So I seriously doubt there were gobs of folks complaining.
I also find it interesting that you found it convenient to pick on me during a hard time, go figure.
Oh please PMom..you can quit smoking if you want to. I went into the Quik Trip the other day and watched a woman buy two packs…it cost her OVER $8!!! How the heck can anyone afford to smoke? And that doesn’t even compare to the cost to your health and to the taxpayers when you get sick.
I don’t buy that you HAVE to smoke…that’s a cop out. Chantix seems to work well…I’ve known quite a few long time smokers who now have managed to quit with that drug.
My very favorite restaurant allows smoking…and why should I have to put up with the smokers? The place fills up everyday and maybe one or two people light up…which ruins it for those like me. It won’t hurt their business one bit when the smoking ban goes through. I’m all for personal rights, but your rights stop where other’s start..and others (and I) have the right to breathe clean air.
Why don’t you add up what you spend on cigarettes in one year and see if that doesn’t motivate you to quit…there are a lot of better things you could be doing with that money.
“I also find it interesting that you found it convenient to pick on me during a hard time, go figure.”
Yeah the cons and certain self proclaimed libs are good at that political mama.
So take your food out if you love it so much. You don’t have the right to dictate what others do!
I can’t quit just because I want to. If you only knew.
People DIE because they can’t quit smoking. Do you think they decide, oh gee, I really want to smoke myself to death? Do you think that it is fun to wake up and have your chest hurt and teeth yellow and fork out tons of money?
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Political_mama
Posted April 20, 2008 at 11:50 pm | Permalink
So take your food out if you love it so much. You don’t have the right to dictate what others do!
I can’t quit just because I want to. If you only knew.
People DIE because they can’t quit smoking. Do you think they decide, oh gee, I really want to smoke myself to death? Do you think that it is fun to wake up and have your chest hurt and teeth yellow and fork out tons of money?
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The only way to ever get anywhere in life is to take the words “I can’t” out of your vocabulary. That goes for you too, JR.
And WHY should I take my food out just because a couple of people in a restaurant don’t have the self discipline to smoke outside? The majority of us DON’T smoke…why SHOULD we have to cave to the bad habits of a few?
If I can quit smoking, anyone can.
well if this is not true of the left take away a person rights to please you. How much does it cost you to fill up your car farmore than a smoke does. When you turn your car off which gags me to death with your exchaust than maybe than I might stop smooking. You are the people that stop for a train and let your car run for 30minutes while the train goes buy. You know how carbon you put in the air, It would take a smooker a life time to put that much in the air as your car does in that 30 minutes think of it. Turn your car off when you are stoped. Or do you not understand english. You are the same that are trying to take the rights away from women. On abortion. I say go live with bush
mineisit..I think YOU need to learn how to speak and write English.
BTW, I ALWAYS turn off my car engine when waiting for a train to pass…whatever the heck that has to do with the subject of smoking bans!
Pmama, I know how it is to feel that you can’t give up smoking. I’m down to 4 cigs a day and quite frankly feelin’ pretty darn good about that. But I can’t seem to get past that 4. On one hand I think it’s pretty darn good cutting back that much; on the other hand, if I can go all day at work without one, why don’t I totally quit? I don’t know, but it’s my choice to do it or not. It’s hard, but I do believe that one can do anything they truly want. Right now I focus on not beating myself up over 4 a day until I have the courage to stop that too. I’m taking pride in my small successes such as not heading out of the house for a smoke first thing in the AM. (I don’t smoke in my house) I’m also not smoking all day at work and I’m not really missing it that much. Sure, you get a jones here and there but I try to think of something else for a few minutes, then the jones is gone. I still seem to ‘need’ one after I get home from work, but then I don’t smoke the rest of the evening. Bottom line is I’m taking it one day at a time and celebrating small successes. I know that it isn’t any harder for me than it was for someone else, and by god if my mother and brother could do it then certainly I can, can’t I?
Anyway, until you want to quit you won’t.
Mary if you do not know what that has to do with smooking You should go to school and learn. I speak good english passed with all A’s in school so I did not take time to check it big deal. You breth in more smog from a car than you do a smoke. Got it. You must be blond. Do not know much hey. Go to school and learn about the what can harm you the must. The smog from the cars and suv’s you ride around in. Not a smoke. If you do not like do not go where they do smoke you cry baby. Get a life.
oh hell Mary is going to die I did not spell check again. That is to bad got the hint. And I lit another smoke. Yea tastes soooo good.
You need more than a spell check.
Call me when you need to start breathing treatments, my home health agency can always use the business.
+1
WBR,
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