Kaine pushes again for restaurant smoking ban

If you're implying employment loss due to regulation of tobacco as a drug by the FDA, or the eradication of tobacco as a product legally sold in the states, in any fashion, employment will actually increase. Land used for tobacco farming could be used for other, more labor intensive agriculture or some totally different type business, such as a green technology. ATF agents would still have employment. Fines, paid by those illegally growing tobacco, would go to localities & states.

You left out the unemployment.

loss due to the eradication of tobacco products, from the retail market, could be replaced by the elimination of tax loopholes, for large corporations & the wealthiest citizens. Productivity, on the job, will increase dramatically. No smoke breaks, less sick leave, less cost,(for medical care, clean up, etc), acres of fertile land available for food products, parks, college agriculture sites. Overall revenue would actually increase.

Do you have any idea how much our taxes would go up if all tobacco products were "erdicated"?
It sounds to me like you have a rare desease, and I hope you are having it looks at by professionals. May I suggest Johns Hopkins?

There have been cases in which 1 allergic to shellfish, died, just because a waiter walked by that person's table, carrying a tray of broiled lobster. So why are smokers & their enablers so resistant to the fact that 2nd & 3rd hand cigarette smoke is hazordous to others? 1 may have the freedom to choose to slowly ruin his or her health by smoking tobacco. Yet 1 doesn't have the right to endanger others, be they family or strangers.

smoke from tobacco products is comprised of many deadly, toxic ingredients, such as formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, DDT, Benzene, Butane, lead, arsenic, ammonia, nickel, polonium & many more. An elementary school student knows these as dangerous. Obese people may cost others, as to insurance premiums, for instance, (even that is to a lesser degree than smokers cost nonsmokers), but if they're nonsmokers, they don't cause the illness & death of others. If 1 must smoke, then 1 is a drug addict. As such, they should be treated in the fashion of other addicts. Aided with treatment to quit & denied access to that which is killing them & all who come into contact with them.

Wow, interesting that you would remember what I said months ago. It may sound dumb to you that smoke bothers me so adversely; but, to me it's way more than annoying. I contract a sinus infection and upper respiratory ailments from second hand smoke. I am glad your son is a considerate smoker, but for his sake, I hope he can quit. And you are quite correct that I will not be satified until tobacco is eradicated. It is a deadly product!

Non smokers aren't going to be satisfied until cigarettes are banned from the world. And yes, since you brought it up, your obese son does afffect my wallet.
I will stick to my point that there are hundreds of non-smoking restaurants and bars in the Hampton Roads area, you have no need to go to ones that do allow smoking. My son is an adult, 35 years old, he is the first one to tell you smoking is bad, he will also tell you that he enjoys smoking. Yes, at times he says he would like to quit, but that time has not come as of today. He is a polite smoker by not smoking around others who don't smoke, but if he wants a beer and a burger then he will go to a place that allows smoking. He should have that option, becuase you aren't going to be there and never will. You are also the one that stated smokers should not be allowed to smoke in their car because it bothers you when you pull up next to them at a stop light. Please excuse me, but that's the dumbiest thing I've ever heard.

Although I believe that most people care about others, It is amazing to see how many people really do not want to understand the dangers of secondhand smoke to themselves and others. Jobs are scarce, so many young adults and non smokers do not have the option to give up their jobs in places of business that allow smoking. As a result, their possibility of getting severe and deadly compications (cancer) is tripled.

It is not the smell that causes the problem folks, it is the burning and inhalation of chemicals found in tobacco, such as embalming fluid, acetone, and butane, that can cause problems when inhaled. No, it does not happen to everyone but do you want to put your family members at risk? What about heart health? Anyone have high blood pressure? Nicotine constricts blood vessels and nicotine is also found in secondhand smoke. Kids breathe it in also - Is this ok with you? People who smoke are definitey as important as those who don't- I would like to see a healthier environment for everyone. Peace.

No wonder your son hasn't compained about the sales tax, at .30 cents a pack it's one of the smallest in the Country. Even doubling it as the Governor has suggested, is way below most States. All of the info. is available, just Google it. For you to imply non-smokers should quietly sit by and allow smokers to pollute their airspace or dictate where they can dine is ludicrous. Perhaps you should be a tad tougher on your son in encouraging him to quit rather than being an enabler. I know it's tough, I have a son who has a serious weight problem but at least sitting next to him won't damage your health (though admittedly his health issues affect everyone's pocketbook regarding health care costs.)I feel sorry for your son and his addiction and hope he can find a program to quit that works for him.

Anti-smokers will never be satisfied until cigarette smoking is banned EVERYWHERE in the Commonwealth. Banning restaurants and bars is just the beginning. This same group of people need to stop and think about the tax revenue coming from the sale of cigarettes, because if that money disappears it will have to be off-set by another tax increase and we are talking a serious tax increase. Is that what you really want?
My son smokes and has not complained about the sales tax increase, as a matter of fact he said he wished a pack costs $500. Maybe then he would be able to quit.
Government intefence and dictating that a privately owned restaurant/bar cannot allow smoking is simply wrong. It's not as if non-smokers don't have hundreds if not thousnads of places to eat in Hampton Roads that do not allow smoking, but NO they aren't satisfied with that, they want to control a privately owned business. It's simply WRONG!

You are just way too funny with your comment of "a small amount of smoke from a handful of crushed leaves"...how about many handfuls in a small unventilated room? Does your monikor come from the use of a "white powdery substance" or the pretty bird or a person who relocates from the North to South during winter? Give me a break! Most States and other Countries recognize the dangers of second-hand smoke as a viable health hazzard. I have experienced a sinus infection and bronchial problems from one addicted smoker so I know what I am talking about. You, Mr./Mrs./Ms. Snowbird are incredibly arrogant and dreadfully misinformed.

The American Lung Assoc. of Va. will hold what it's calling "Lobby Day" on Wed., 1/21/09. Participants will march on the General Assembly in Richmond to give voice to the 75% of Virginians who want a smokefree Va. If you or family or friends can attend, it would be fabulous. We will meet with legislators to explain the dangers of secondhand smoke (as if anyone has to be told.) For more information, contact David DeBiasi, R.N., B.S.N, Director of Advocacy at DDebiasi@lungva.org.

A small amount of smoke from a handful of crushed leaves and some paper
that is mixed with the air of a decently ventilated venue is harmful to your health?
If anybody believes that, then I have some ocean-front property in Ohio I would like to sell them.
Smoke from tobacco is a statistically insignificant health risk.

http://pasan.thetruthisalie.com

are covered by federal & state laws. Car inspections, which are required in many localities, also cover car exhaust emissions. Toxic smoke from all sources not personal tobacco use are covered under federal, state & local laws & ordinances. 1st, 2nd & 3rd hand tobacco smoke, permeates clothes, draperies, tablecloths, furniture, etc, thereby endangering all unfortunates exposed to said items for up to days, not minutes, later. Deaths from auto accidents, shootings, illicit drug use & work accidents combined, don't total the no. of tobacco related deaths, each yr., in the USA. Nicotine addicts, as all illicit drug addicts, live in states of denial. All who feel they should have the right to endanger others, are enablers.

You people are so childish in your feeble attempts to belittle Governor Kaine by referring to him as "Timmy" and "Little Tim." My guess is you folks may have 1/100th. of the amount of responsibility he has so why don't you give it up? It only makes you look stupid.

I opened a restaurant/bar about a year ago when Kaine was trying to ban smoking. I decided I would open with the rule of No Smoking until 9:00 PM.
Well, guess what? I can't tell you how many people turned right around and left because of it. I stuck to my guns for about 6 months and had no choice but to allow smoking all the time. I was hoping to get enough non-smokers to make it, however, it wasn't happening. Once I allowed smoking, my business increased and I began paying my bills. I now believe that the government has enough control. I don't tell you what to do in your house, so don't tell me what I can do in mine. If non-smokers don't want to come in, they don't have to. I did install a smoke eater and it really seems to keep the smoke to a minimum. Please Gov. don't do it! I really want to stay in business.

Right on Governor!!!! It is impolite to expel gas in public. It is just as unseemly that we have to smell the vile odors of those who polute their bodies and our good air. What is even more upsetting is that every public and government building allows smokers to use patio areas and gazebos to practice this nasty habit, leaving no outdoor area for those who just want to breath clean air. I say that smokers should not be alloiwed to smoke within 100 feet of others without asking permission. Sounds drastic? Well, it does not sound as bad as getting cancer through another person's vice.

GettingItRight posted...
"We better get used to the big-government thing since 51% of the voting population (sheep) decided they needed their shepherd, BO, to lead them to the promised land where they will be taken care of. This sort of thing is just the tip of the iceberg for our state and nation where legislating morality seems to be in vogue. Hope you like socialism!

Hey, some of us are listening and Getting it Right. The operative word being 'right(s) - or the loss thereof. I for one am not one of those sheep! Rather, a sheep dog - keeping these wolves at bay!

Agreeably, there are so many other things to address and Timmy goes off smearing the papers with this 'smoking thing...So sad! Meanwhile, our traffic and roadway situation continues to deteriorate at an exponential rate, the crimes on persons and their property increases and the cops are becoming 'goose-stepping' icons of the liberals as they charge down our respective doors unannounced and batter our 'societal rights' indiscriminately.

Excerpt from Doctor Tabor...
"What is really unhealthy is Gov. Kaine's obsessive need to impose his opinions on others through the force of government.

Its not just smoking, it is on every issue that comes to him, he invariably comes down on the side opposing individual freedom."

Doc, I for one am listening! I've read up on the full story behind the "dixie-crats", and I know exactly what you're speaking of regarding the 'individual freedom' erosion mantra of all the democrat power mouths.
It is sickening and sad that we've come so far to be taken aback now...Very sad!