You are very wrong, my good man! The number one chronic complaint other people have about me is that I am not discerning enough in who I like. Former co-workers, friends and neighbors would always say, in response to me saying, "Oh, have you met so and so, he/she is really nice", that, "it doesn't mean that much when you say you like someone, Kate because you like everybody." So don't even pretend to know me, buddy because you don't! The only people I don't like are selfish smokers who carelessly inflict harm on others. And that is because after 25 yrs. and endless data from the Surgeon General to the actual greedy tobacco corporations, the harmful ill effects of second-hand smoke are clear.

Nice red herring.

Kate, your rants will do nothing to get ANY bill passed!

This should be good...

Please explain how your bad attitude on some message board will get a non-smoking bill passed. Answer. Not a thing

Please explain why you cannot go to a non-smoking establishment. Answer. She will have nothing to complain about

Please explain how you feel it necessary to go up to complete strangers and whine and complain about smoking. Answer. She's on a power trip.

If smoking were banned every where (which it will never be) what on Earth will you have to btch about? Answer. She goes after anything that SHE (and only she) thinks is bad for you.

Get help Kate.

well thought out ideas, here is mine: If you have a resturant that wants to be non smoking then there is no reason to have a smoking section. Make the entire place non smoking.

If you think the only way to go is have a smoking, then make the entire place a smoking area...

A smoking area is like a no peeing section for the swimming pool it just doesn't work well!!!

Just post a sign on the door that you are either a smoking or non smoking resturant...

I think I'd like to drink and drive and the government should make no law to stop me.

I think I would like to kill half the idiots who post here; what right does the government have to punish this form of expression?

I think I would like to expose myself to a schoolyard full of children; get the government off my back.

I think I should be able to dump my trash and waste wherever it is convenient, so back off Uncle Sam.

Stop thinking so hard Rodin, you are starting to hallucinate. The government has every right to make a law in the interest of public safety and health.

Laws you dislike are hardly evidence of a government conspiracy. Please get back on your meds.

I'm kind of hoping for bans on fat people, tattooed women, earringed men, and drive thru windows (promotes sloth, wastes gas)...

Well...after smoking, what's next on the list to ban? Beer, wine and spirits? Since beer, wine, and spirits go hand in hand with smoking, then banning beer at bowling alleys, bars, and restaurants will help reduce the urge to smoke! WOW!

Next we'll ask the legislature to ban fast food restaurants.

I think smoking is bad, therefore it must be banned by the government.

I think abortion is bad, therefore it must be banned by the government.

I think alcohol is bad, therefore it must be banned by the government.

I think any religion but mine is bad, therefore all others must be banned by the government.

I think owning a gun is bad, therefore it must be banned by the government.

I think insulting speech bad, therefore it must be banned by the government.

I think that soon enough, noone will be able to talk, eat, drink, smoke, hunt, or worship, and we'll all be part of the newest communist country in the world, the United Socialist States of America.

Or, we can look around our own personal feelings, and remember that, just because there's something you believe, that someone else might not have the exact same belief, or a different opinion, and while not necessarily wrong, is still different. And being different, and allowing those differences, is what makes this country what it is, as opposed to other countries.

The "B" shouldn't be for the Billions in tax revenue you say is generated from tobacco products; but, for what it really is: "Blood" money. All the money wouldn't be enough to pay the outrgeous medical costs related to smoking nor the lost wages due to illnesses nor the emotional upheaval to countless people who have lost their lives and loved one to this dreadful product. I will not be silenced nor intimidated to do the right thing and that is to get this bill passed.

Are you an ex-smoker?
Bottom line:
-Business owners should determine this issue;
-Government should not put their nose in the RIGHTS OF PROPERTY OWNERS. NEVER. EVER. ZILCH.
-Business owners should determine whom they cater to.

If you see us close to the doorway/entrance, then ask the owner/manager to simply place the buttkit/ashcan further away from the entrance...and then guess what? That's where you'll find us smokers...enjoying our freedom, as well as generating BILLIONS in additional tax revenues in local/county/state/federal taxes.
Yeah - that's billions...with a "B".

While it's a good thing to be passionate about things. Name calling and putting other people down, Only makes you look worse than inconsiderate smoker or any other inconsiderate person out there. It doesn't take a "smoker" to be rude and do things that are not very polite or to be carless about other peoples rights and feelings. Being angry, rude and putting people down yourself, is not going to get anything accomplished.

Kate, you state that smokers are unable to think for themselves, a position that is completely assinine, but you attempt to garner support for your viewpoint by joining the crowd.

If I were a Michigan asthmatic, I think I would have chosen NOT to work in a smoky environment.

I'm just sayin...

jmo

Unfortunately, smokers will never have this kind of common sense and courtesy. Apparently the tar they pump into their lungs also manages to get to their brains.

why don't we ban obese people from buffets..nothing I hate more than going to the buffet and some obese person trying to weasel the last chicken leg away from me....I almost got my hand injured..then after that we could ban old people from driving...you know to the grocery store or drug store..after all they hold up traffic and endanger my safety and they ride those little motorized cart through Wal-Mart...almost got my foot run over..to say nothing of the ones with those walkers....they always seem to get in the way just as you are trying to get in or out of a doorway....this is what we need...more government intervention into our lives...taking away our freedoms.

It's not as simple as going someplace else... unless there is a smokefree Planet I'm unaware of. Smokers light up wherever and whenever they please. It doesn't matter if it's a crowded boardwalk art show or a park or a beach or entering or leaving a large venue with masses of crowded people. They have to have their "fix". It is selfish and reckless behavior to pollute everyone else air because of their addiction. If smokers want to kill themselves, go right ahead. In fact, do it as quickly as possible. But when in the presence of others, how about refraining until you are in your own smelly car or at least sufficiently removed from crowds. Is that asking to much?

Try it sometime and come down off your soapbox. If you don't like to smell smoke or to be around it then by all means choose not to patronize that dining facility, But please STOP trying to take the freedom of choice from others by playing on others fear. IF you DON't LIKE SMOKE DO AS I DO AND GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

I think you are incorrect in stating most people can think for themselves. Smokers can't rationally think for themselves because their bodies and brains are too addicted to the noxious cigarette chemicals. If smokers could truly think for temselves they wouldn't be so selfish as to light up in a crowd; spew unhealthy smoke toward others at parks, beaches, and everywhere else; demand to pollute restaurants with innocent others, even children; toss lighted butts out of their car windows; stand in front of doorways allowing their stench to waft inside and on and on and on. It's way beyond time to rid the world of this deadly, filthy habit. An asthma attack brought on by second hand smoke killed a restaurant employee in Michigan. Hawaii is considering a total ban on cigarettes at all county beaches, parks and recreation areas after children performing a school project picked up 2,000 cigarette butts in 30 minutes. Come on, smokers, give it up!!!