Is cigarette smoking a Civil Right?

[Trams]

quote:Originally posted by Artiem

Hello all, short-time lurker, first-time poster. Just saw an article that's somewhat on point . . . My pet peeve is the ban on hospital grounds. They should at least have a shack SOMEWHERE for the poor souls who not only smoke, but also have a lot of extra stress in their lives at the moment -- since they're at the hospital!

Yes, the hospital.  The place designed to help people recuperate from their diseases and illnesses.  Allowing people to smoke.  That's irony right there, people!!

[Double A]

If the hospitals were really serious about the health of their employees and patients they would serve healthier food and limit the junk sold in their vending machines. Are there any studies on the obesity levels of health care workers?

Could you imagine the lawsuits if employers suddenly started firing overweight employees because of their unhealthy lifestyle? The collective howls of discrimination by the throngs of Oklahomans squealing like pigs would be deafening. Smokers are easy targets, if these "so called" healthy lifestyle advocates had any real backbone they would focus on the #1 health problem in the U.S., people killing themselves with junk food. You know, it bugs the **** out of me  that the junk fast food agribusiness industry kills more people than the tobacco companies every year, yet they don't even have warnings on the side of their products or when lawsuits have been filed against these companies they are thrown out while tobacco companies have been forced to shell out milllions.

As far as the guy getting fired for having nicotine in his system goes... it's a sad day for Americans if the government or employers are allowed this far into our private lives. If it is allowed, I say put the fat fux on the unemployment line too! They cost a hell of a lot more in lives and dollars than the smokers.

[cannon_fodder]

Smoke 'em if ya' got 'em!

I dont care if you smoke or if you engage in any other activity for that matter.  AS LONG AS IT DOESNT NEGATIVELY EFFECT ME.  Go forth and smoke, shoot some white powder into yourself, snort some coke... I dont care.  As long as it doesnt effect me.

The problem is, down the road those things do effect me.  Obvisouly I dont want some jackass hyped up on cocain driving towards me, nor do I want to pay the icnreased healthcare premiums caused by smokers on my plan.  Sorry.  You can smoke all you want to, but YOU accept the consequences.  Pay more for your healthcare and please dont stand right next to the entrance ofa smoke-free building and smoke (in exchange, I promise not to be the jackass who complains aobut the smoke ina bar/bowling alley/cigar shop).

On the same topic, a private employer should be able to set nearly any rules for working in his establishment.  If you dont like it quit.  In a perfect world, insane rules, racist or sexual discriminating practices will harm that employer to the point they are no longer competitive.  Obviously, some things still need the government to help control, but most things should be left to the owner.  Smoking among them (else we may end up with men at hooters, fat women as strippers, and unqualified people in important jobs).

/ramble.

[shadows]

I don't believe smoking should ever be considered a civil right although two classes of our population enjoy it.  The smokers and the undertakers.  [][][]

[Townsend]

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin looking to give city government power to decide smoking laws

http://www.kjrh.com/dpp/news/local_news/governor-fallin-wants-smoking-laws-changed

Oklahoma's governor is urging the Legislature to change the state's smoking laws -- by placing them in the hands of local government.

Currently the laws are dictated by the state, but Gov. Mary Fallin wants that authority to be passed on to the municipalities.

"I urge the legislature to restore local rights to allow cities to be able to pass smoke-free ordinances, as tobacco is the number one killer in Oklahoma," she said. "If a community wants to take action to improve the health of their citizens, let's let them do it."

So far, 10 cities have passed resolutions in support of this measure. Most recently, Sand Springs joined that group.

"It's time that we look at not only the rights of smokers, but we look at the rights of folks who do not smoke," said Rocky Rogers, Sand Springs city manager.

But Rogers was quick to say that even if local governments were to be given the power, smokers shouldn't be afraid of any overly strict laws.

"We're certainly not there to put down an oppressive hand, of any sort," he said. "We're there to discuss and find out what works."

One smoker, however, is a bit skeptical.

"It's my choice," said Debra Linebarger. "I don't think the government should be telling me what I can and can't do, personally."

In addition to Sand Springs, the other communities that have passed resolutions in support of this measure are Oklahoma City, Seminole, Tahlequah, Muskogee, Elk City, Hulbert, Prague, Clinton and Cordell.

[sauerkraut]

I'd have to say "NO", because it affects others. Your civil rights end where my nose starts. Smoking also drives up the cost of medical bills. A person ill from smoking can run up thousands of dollars in medical costs and we all have to pay for that in one way or another. I never smoked, and I understand it's tuff to quit, but it is what it is. It has been said that Smoking is slow motion suicide.

[sauerkraut]

I don't believe smoking should ever be considered a civil right although two classes of our population enjoy it.  The smokers and the undertakers.  [][][]

Don't forget the cig. makers they need to hook people to that habit to keep their profits up and have a job, and don't forget the gov't tax collectors, the gov't makes a pretty penny on the taxes that smokers pay. If no one smoked the gov't would lose tax money and cig companies would be outta business.

[heironymouspasparagus]

As if we weren't already a laughingstock to the nation on so many occasions....  Failin' does it again....

[guido911]

As if we weren't already a laughingstock to the nation on so many occasions....  Failin' does it again....

Oklahoma has been a laughingstock for a while now. When did it begin?

[heironymouspasparagus]

Oklahoma has been a laughingstock for a while now. When did it begin?

When Arkansas cleaned up their act...

[Red Arrow]

Oklahoma has been a laughingstock for a while now. When did it begin?

1907

[Townsend]

AG rules cities cannot mandate smoke-free parks

http://newsok.com/cities-cannot-mandate-smoke-free-parks-oklahoma-attorney-general-opinion-rules/article/3754509

Drive to a local city park in Oklahoma, and you might see a sign letting you know you're banned from smoking in that park. These signs are apparently irrelevant, as are the ordinances they help enforce. An Oklahoma attorney general opinion released Feb. 5 ruled that cities cannot ban smoking in outdoor areas that they own or operate. The ruling was based on the fact that Oklahoma's state law bans cities from passing smoking laws that are stricter than state law.

[Townsend]

TW FB post:

OKLAHOMA CITY– A Senate panel on Monday killed a bill that would have allowed cities and towns to pass ordinances stricter than state laws governing tobacco use.