Smoking ban passes Senate 21-14

[Republican Vet]

Ben Reposa and James Meholic are dedicated smokers. They love lighting up and inhaling the sweet tobacco fumes, especially when accompanied by good beer and good conversation. Reposa could tear through a pack or two a day, especially during a night on the town.

But when the Maryland Clean Indoor Air Act of 2007 went into effect on Feb. 1, 2008 (simultaneous with a Baltimore-specific ban), they did not rage against the dying of the light. They just politely stepped outside when their nicotine cravings hit, as did most Maryland smokers. As the state’s ban on smoking in bars and restaurants approaches its first anniversary, it appears that the age-old tradition of smoking in bars has been quietly snuffed out.

“Like anything, you get used to it. All in all, it’s for the best. I don’t want to be a burden on someone else’s health,” said Reposa, who has cut back to four or five cigarettes per day since the ban went into effect.
A year later, Reposa, 26, and Meholic, 27, end up bellied up to the bar at Friends in Fells Point for a weeknight dinner. As they tucked into a meal of burgers and Guinness, their server, Sasha Klevytska, noted that the ban has been good to Friends and its dinner business. It’s also been good to her.

“I am so much happier — my eyes, my lungs, everything would just hurt. And you stink,” said Klevytska, 34.
Now Klevytska can see clearly and breathe deeply. At closing time, she whizzes through a cigarette — and ash-free clean-up routine. And when she leaves for the night, the smell of cigarette smoke no longer lingers on her hair and clothes.

[Republican Vet]

Happy Contented Soul wrote:

<quoted text>
Smoke Free, you're just another name changing troll living on Fantasy Island.
IMO you also have no more military experience than abusing GI Joe dolls.
In Maryland we have a wide and ever expanding choice of bars, restaurants, clubs ( including VFW posts, and American Legion halls), and other business establishments to smoke in, because the owners and members know which side their toast is buttered on. It didn't take them long to understand that the Gerbers coupons and food stamps that you cheap mother effin antis use for collateral just were not acceptable.
You have no place in any free society.
People just don't want to be around filth like you any longer!

NAME ONE FOOL? Name one bar that allows smoking in Maryland? Come on punk, name one. Chicken????

[Stupid is a stupid does]

Oh well, the lifestyle police have made it to the heartland.

So much for free will and personal responsibility.

Tell me, who is going to pay for all these "rescued" people when they live an extra 20 years?

Are you going to fund their social security, medicare, medicaid, etc; etc; etc;?

You people are a bunch of idiots if you think these types of laws a good thing. All you are doing is handing over another industry to organized crime. You've just funded more gangs and terroism. Just like you're doing with your drug and alcohol laws. Bravo!

[WhoRu]

See these none smoking liberals are the left over draft dodging war protesters that smoked pot.
The same ones that drive drunk and cheat on their taxes, The same ones that talk on thier cell phones in cafes,and while they drive.
But god forbid someone wants to smoke a ciggy.

[CONFEDERATE_1978]

Republican Vet wrote:

<quoted text>
I'm also a die hard Republican and a 20+ year Army Veteran and agree 100% with John. Smoking is over in any public or private bar, restaurant or casino. It's your nasty harmful smoking habit KEEP it to yourself. All employees deserve a safe work environment in 2009.
If you want to kill yourself with the smoke knock yourself out, but HOW DARE you think you still can harm others with your second hand smoke.
Sorry pal but your smoking world is closing in on you fast.
We here in Maryland went smoke free in both public and private bars over a year ago and overall it is a HUGE success. Not one bar or restaurant in my area has closed and most boost business has increased and with a better class of people, and that includes the American Legions and VFW's. People just don't want to be around your filth any longer.

Your no more a republican than obama.......your an acs blogger full of shit...I bet the closest you ever been to the military was a commie reunion party with hanoi jane.

[CONFEDERATE_1978]

Republican Vet wrote:

<quoted text>
NAME ONE FOOL? Name one bar that allows smoking in Maryland? Come on punk, name one. Chicken????

go to west maryland air head........you aint got a clue except for being a NARC.

[CONFEDERATE_1978]

Republican Vet wrote:

Ben Reposa and James Meholic are dedicated smokers. They love lighting up and inhaling the sweet tobacco fumes, especially when accompanied by good beer and good conversation. Reposa could tear through a pack or two a day, especially during a night on the town.
But when the Maryland Clean Indoor Air Act of 2007 went into effect on Feb. 1, 2008 (simultaneous with a Baltimore-specific ban), they did not rage against the dying of the light. They just politely stepped outside when their nicotine cravings hit, as did most Maryland smokers. As the state’s ban on smoking in bars and restaurants approaches its first anniversary, it appears that the age-old tradition of smoking in bars has been quietly snuffed out.
“Like anything, you get used to it. All in all, it’s for the best. I don’t want to be a burden on someone else’s health,” said Reposa, who has cut back to four or five cigarettes per day since the ban went into effect.
A year later, Reposa, 26, and Meholic, 27, end up bellied up to the bar at Friends in Fells Point for a weeknight dinner. As they tucked into a meal of burgers and Guinness, their server, Sasha Klevytska, noted that the ban has been good to Friends and its dinner business. It’s also been good to her.
“I am so much happier — my eyes, my lungs, everything would just hurt. And you stink,” said Klevytska, 34.
Now Klevytska can see clearly and breathe deeply. At closing time, she whizzes through a cigarette — and ash-free clean-up routine. And when she leaves for the night, the smell of cigarette smoke no longer lingers on her hair and clothes.

lIKE i SAID YOU damn SURE ARE NOT A REPUBLICAN..........Maybe a RINO but most likely a commie with nobama.

[CONFEDERATE_1978]

John wrote:

Why do you insist on insulting everyone with that tired old article? Your esteemed source is on the tobacco payroll - what else is he going to say?
==========
Dr. Jerome Arnett Jr. is associated with the Competitive Enterprise Institute who criticises health and safety regulation and argues through its Death by Regulation project that overregulation itself can be deadly. For example, they have claimed that automotive downsizing due to federal fuel economy standards may increase road accident deaths, and have criticised the delayed availability of new medical therapies due to Food and Drug Administration rules. CEI scholars have also claimed that the health risks of secondhand smoke have not been adequately proven, and thus restrictions on smoking are unwarranted.
...CEI has received funding directly from various tobacco companies.[8],[9],[10] For example, the listing on the Philip Morris Glossary of Names: C gives the note “Received public policy grant from Philip Morris (1995); Pro-market public interest group dedicated to advancing the principles of free enterprise and limited government.“

For your information big tobacco hasnt paid anyone anything in over 10 years since the MSA went down,or did you forget.Seems that ASH and ACS didnt want tobacco companies to be able to say anything against what smoke free said.....so the smoke free lies could run unemcubered....nice ay.

[John]

CONFEDERATE_1978 wrote:

For your information big tobacco hasnt paid anyone anything in over 10 years since the MSA went down,or did you forget.Seems that ASH and ACS didnt want tobacco companies to be able to say anything against what smoke free said.....so the smoke free lies could run unemcubered....nice ay.

Liar, liar pants on fire.

[Happy Contented Soul]

Republican Vet wrote:

<quoted text>
NAME ONE FOOL?

Republican Vet aka Smoke Free.

next...

[Happy Contented Soul]

Republican Vet wrote:

Ben Reposa and James Meholic are dedicated smokers. They love lighting up and inhaling the sweet tobacco fumes, especially when accompanied by good beer and good conversation. Reposa could tear through a pack or two a day, especially during a night on the town.
But when the Maryland Clean Indoor Air Act of 2007 went into effect on Feb. 1, 2008 (simultaneous with a Baltimore-specific ban), they did not rage against the dying of the light. They just politely stepped outside when their nicotine cravings hit, as did most Maryland smokers. As the state’s ban on smoking in bars and restaurants approaches its first anniversary, it appears that the age-old tradition of smoking in bars has been quietly snuffed out.
“Like anything, you get used to it. All in all, it’s for the best. I don’t want to be a burden on someone else’s health,” said Reposa, who has cut back to four or five cigarettes per day since the ban went into effect.
A year later, Reposa, 26, and Meholic, 27, end up bellied up to the bar at Friends in Fells Point for a weeknight dinner. As they tucked into a meal of burgers and Guinness, their server, Sasha Klevytska, noted that the ban has been good to Friends and its dinner business. It’s also been good to her.
“I am so much happier — my eyes, my lungs, everything would just hurt. And you stink,” said Klevytska, 34.
Now Klevytska can see clearly and breathe deeply. At closing time, she whizzes through a cigarette — and ash-free clean-up routine. And when she leaves for the night, the smell of cigarette smoke no longer lingers on her hair and clothes.

This is the unedited vesion for all of you anti-smoker nazi's out yonder in fantasy land...
Ben Reposa und Dgames Meholic sind engagiehte Raucheh. Sie mögen oben beleuchten und die süssen Tabakdämpfe inhaliehen, besondehs webuhnn sie bom gootn Bieh und bom gootn Gespräch begleitet webuhrden. Reposa konnte durch einen Satz odeh zwebuhi ein Tag, uh uh, besondehs während eineh Nacht auf deh Stadt heftig zehreißen. Abeh als die Mland saubehe Innenluft-Tat bon 2007 in Effekt an Feb. einstieg. 1, 2008 (simultan mit einem Baltimore-spezifischen Behbot), rasten sie nicht gegen das Stehben am Licht. Sie gehade traten höflich Außenseite als ihr Nikotin crabiggs Erfolg, uh uh, wie die meisten Mland Raucheh. Da das Behbot des Zustandes auf dem Rauchen in den Stäben und in den Gaststätten seinem ehsten Dgahrestag sich näheht, uh, scheint es, duuhhhh, daß die historische Tradishun des Rauchens in den Stäben ruhig hehaus geschnüffelt worden ist.„Wie alles, duuhhhh, ehhalten Sie zu ihm behwebuhndet. Uhhh....Alles in allem, ist es für das beste. Ich möchte nicht eine Belastung auf dgemand andehes sein Gesundheit, uh,“ sagte Reposa, das Kürzung zu bieh odeh fünf Zigaretten pro Tag hat, uh, da das Behbot in Effekt einstieg. Ein Dgahr späteh, blähten Reposa, 26 und Meholic, 27, Ende oben bis zum Stab an den Freunden im Fells Punkt für ein weebuhknite Abendessen auf. Da sie in eine Mahlzeit deh Burgeh und des Guinneß, ihr Bedieneh, Sasha Klebytska behstaootn, gemehkt, uh, daß das Behbot zu den Freunden und zu seinem Abendessengeschäft gut gewebuhsen ist. Lee me lone!Es wird auch zu ihr gut gewebuhsen.„Ich bin sobiel glücklicheh - meine Augen, meine Lungen, alles würden gehade behletzen. Und Sie stinken,“ sagte Klebytska, 34. Dgetzt kann Klebytska offenbar sehen und tief atmen. Zu schließendeh Zeit sie whizzes durch eine Zigarette - und Asche-freies Reinigungprogramm. Und webuhnn sie für die Nacht behläßt, uh, ggleibt deh Gehuch des Zigarettehauches nicht mehr auf ihrem Haar und Kleidung zurück.

[youou]

Republican Vet wrote:

<quoted text>
NAME ONE FOOL? Name one bar that allows smoking in Maryland? Come on punk, name one. Chicken????

Chicken???...more like a weasel...

You are dealing with one pisssed off addict. Nobody agrees with him/them. This is a site which is occupied by 8-10 hard core smokers who repeat the same ole crap on a daily basis...

Don't waste you time with them...HCS is one who is uneducated and considered white trash by many.

[youou]

your

[Happy Contented Soul]

http://www.topix.net/forum/health/smoking/TJB...

[John]

Free_America wrote:

Hey dipstick, sorry if I don't believe you, every place that has had a ban was hurt by it. Here is a bar in St Louis by an anti-smoking activist. He opened with much fan fair. He thought a non-smoking bar would make a killing, WRONG He wound up closing and re-opening as a smoking allowed bar. You can stomp your feet and talk about nicotine fixes and all that bull$hit. The bottom line is that going out is a luxury and no-one is going to spend their hard earned dollars where they are not catered to. You ask any legitimate businessman and they will tell you that if you are turning between 14-20% profit you are doing good. If you lose 20+% of your business because of a ban you are hurting. Yes, I know you claim that non-smokers go out more after a ban. That is not the reality, the majority go out the same as they use to. So the bottom line is that businesses are hurt.

Hey dillweed - sorry if you don't believe me. Actually, that is a lie. I couldn't give a sh1t if you don't believe me. Also sorry that you aren't going to be able to smoke in restaurants or bars any longer. Dang it. Another lie. BUSTED! Howya like dem apples?

[CONFEDERATE_1978]

John wrote:

<quoted text>
Hey dillweed - sorry if you don't believe me. Actually, that is a lie. I couldn't give a sh1t if you don't believe me. Also sorry that you aren't going to be able to smoke in restaurants or bars any longer. Dang it. Another lie. BUSTED! Howya like dem apples?

Uh,we always smoke in restaraunts..........there very easy to find in kentucky and in tenn..........the smoking ban hasnt changed anything for most southerners.
While most folks just said screw it and stayed home or ordered takeout,which has seriously harmed the hospitality industry. But hey firs we got prohibition then we got a great depression,looks like history is repeating itself yet again.........see ya at the smoke easy.smoke if ya gotem if not find a local bootlegger.

[gary]

First of all, I AM NOT A SMOKER, and hate the smell of it, but what happened to a persons right to choose. Heres a thought, if you dont like smoke, dont go into a smoking establishment. Isnt that pretty simple. If it is true that business will pick up with the smoking ban, dont you think the business could opt to be no smoking on there own. Why do we need more and more laws telling us what we can do, and where we can do it. Within reason of course. I see no problem with banning smoking in restaraunts. Nobody likes to have smoke blowing in there face while they are eating, but a bar. Come on. If your talking about employees in these places, heres a thought. DONT WORK THERE. pretty simple eeh?

[Free_America]

John wrote:

<quoted text>
Hey dillweed - sorry if you don't believe me. Actually, that is a lie. I couldn't give a sh1t if you don't believe me. Also sorry that you aren't going to be able to smoke in restaurants or bars any longer. Dang it. Another lie. BUSTED! Howya like dem apples?

Hey nimrod, we will be a smokeasy. Here it is up to the local law enforcement. They have no intention of enforcing the ban. The ban here goes into affect July fifth so on Independence day we plan on having a peoples republic of Madison party Complete with this picture on the TV screens
http://banthebanwisconsin.wordpress.com/2009/...
and the USSR national anthem blaring on the Jukebox all night, indoors and out. Since it is an election year it will be the beginning of our fight to get rid of every politician that brought us these draconian laws.