Bad Economic Times Rolling Back Smoking Bans Somewhat

[Sun Vaporer]

As reported here, it appears the bad economy is causing a rollback on some smoking bans. Looks like we are all going to have to "vape" our way though this mess and there will be more places that welcome our e-cigs. Happy Vaping--Sun See Economic fears are snuffing out smoking bans - U.S. business- msnbc.com

[LaceyUnderall]

What is ridiculous about this article is this line: "In recession, lawmakers seemingly more willing to take side of business"

Wait. Did I miss something? Don't we live in a free market society? I must have missed the memo when it became the American way to tell a private business what type of establishment they must run.

This is the exact reason why it is not only important to vote, but to know what your lawmaker actually stands for and how easily they can be persuaded. And for those who want to blame our losing of rights on the liberals... I say take a look at some of these republican govs who are running with these full, no concession smoking bans.

But thanks Sun... good article find there.

[TropicalBob]

Do not lose sight of the fact that tobacco users of all kinds amount to one out of five adult Americans. So .. when an article says government sides with business, another meaning is it is siding against four out of five Americans who don't smoke, probably don't like smoke, and wish the whole smoking thing would "go away." Those people will not be happy with smoking allowed again anywhere outside a private home or vehicle.

Your elected officials listen to the electorate, all right. The majority. Those are the ones who elect officials, who will cater to the wishes of the many over the demands of the few.

I was a smoker during the Golden Years, when we lit up where we pleased, when we pleased. Theaters, hospitals, airplanes, grocery stores, barber chairs, clothing stores, every workplace. We were an unbelievable nuisance, in retrospect. There's no "right to smoke," so why were we tolerated as long as we were? I'm surprised we weren't killed in a general uprising. We were arrogant idiots. We stunk. Our second-hand smoke stunk. We few irritated the many. And we are paying now for our irresponsible actions back then. With a spite bordering hatred from the many to the dwindling few.

Shake your fists all you want. Rant to the sky. Write a passionate personal letter to Obama. Shout out how your personal freedom of choice is more important than the desires of the majority. When the noise quiets, the Golden Past will remain relegated to pages in history books.

Look at what Congress is working on. Things will only get worse for tobacco users. Huge tobacco tax increases were only a beginning.

[LaceyUnderall]

I was a smoker during the Golden Years, when we lit up where we pleased, when we pleased. Theaters, hospitals, airplanes, grocery stores, barber chairs, clothing stores, every workplace. We were an unbelievable nuisance, in retrospect. There's no "right to smoke," so why were we tolerated as long as we were? I'm surprised we weren't killed in a general uprising. We were arrogant idiots. We stunk. Our second-hand smoke stunk. We few irritated the many. And we are paying now for our irresponsible actions back then. With a spite bordering hatred from the many to the dwindling few.

So we should be thanking you then for where we are?

And you are right... There is no "right to smoke". However, there is a right to run your private business the way you want to.

[Misty]

Ahh..TB..wasn't it great though..loved that freedom
For us here, it's not that long ago!
Our laws just changed this summer - I could smoke at restaurants, bars before....Don't miss that grungy smell but if I didn't have e-cigs - I would still be smoking for sure..

[sherid]

1624: On the logic that tobacco use prompts sneezing, which too closely resembles sexual ecstasy, Pope Urban VIII issues a worldwide smoking ban and threatens excommunication for those who smoke or take snuff in holy places. A century later, snuff-loving Pope Benedict XIII repeals all papal smoking bans, and in 1779, the Vatican opens its own tobacco factory.

1633: Sultan Murad IV prohibits smoking in the Ottoman Empire; as many as eighteen people a day are executed for breaking the law. Murad’s successor, Ibrahim the Mad, lifts the ban in 1647, and tobacco soon becomes an elite indulgence—joining coffee, wine, and opium, according to a historian living under Ibrahim’s reign, as one of the four “cushions on the sofa of pleasure.”

1634: Czar Michael of Russia bans smoking, promising even first-time offenders whippings, floggings, a slit nose, and a one-way trip to Siberia. By 1674, smokers are deemed criminals subject to the death penalty. Two years later, the smoking ban is lifted.

1646: The General Court of Massachusetts Bay prohibits citizens from smoking tobacco except when on a journey and at least five miles away from any town. The next year, the Colony of Connecticut restricts citizens to one smoke a day, “not in company with any other.” Though some statutes remain on the books for decades, enforcement diminishes, and by the early 1700s, New England is a major consumer and producer of tobacco.

1891: Angered by the shah’s generous tobacco concession to England, Iranians protest widely, and the Grand Ayatollah Haji Mirza Hasan Shirazi issues a fatwa banning Shiites from using or trading tobacco. The tensions spark the Tobacco Rebellion—the culmination of a long-standing confrontation between Iran’s shahs and its clergy over foreign influence. The following year, once the country’s business dealings with the Brits are revoked, Iran’s Shiites happily resume smoking.

1895: North Dakota bans the sale of cigarettes. Over the next twenty-six years, fourteen other statehouses, propelled by the national temperance movement, follow suit. Antismoking crusader Lucy Gaston announces her candidacy for president in 1920—the same year Warren G. Harding’s nomination is decided by Republican Party bosses in a “smoke-filled room.” By 1927, all smoke-free legislation—except that banning the sale of cigarettes to minors—is repealed.

[Sun Vaporer]

1624: On the logic that tobacco use prompts sneezing, which too closely resembles sexual ecstasy, Pope Urban VIII issues a worldwide smoking ban and threatens excommunication for those who smoke or take snuff in holy places. A century later, snuff-loving Pope Benedict XIII repeals all papal smoking bans, and in 1779, the Vatican opens its own tobacco factory.

1633: Sultan Murad IV prohibits smoking in the Ottoman Empire; as many as eighteen people a day are executed for breaking the law. Murad’s successor, Ibrahim the Mad, lifts the ban in 1647, and tobacco soon becomes an elite indulgence—joining coffee, wine, and opium, according to a historian living under Ibrahim’s reign, as one of the four “cushions on the sofa of pleasure.”

1634: Czar Michael of Russia bans smoking, promising even first-time offenders whippings, floggings, a slit nose, and a one-way trip to Siberia. By 1674, smokers are deemed criminals subject to the death penalty. Two years later, the smoking ban is lifted.

1646: The General Court of Massachusetts Bay prohibits citizens from smoking tobacco except when on a journey and at least five miles away from any town. The next year, the Colony of Connecticut restricts citizens to one smoke a day, “not in company with any other.” Though some statutes remain on the books for decades, enforcement diminishes, and by the early 1700s, New England is a major consumer and producer of tobacco.

1891: Angered by the shah’s generous tobacco concession to England, Iranians protest widely, and the Grand Ayatollah Haji Mirza Hasan Shirazi issues a fatwa banning Shiites from using or trading tobacco. The tensions spark the Tobacco Rebellion—the culmination of a long-standing confrontation between Iran’s shahs and its clergy over foreign influence. The following year, once the country’s business dealings with the Brits are revoked, Iran’s Shiites happily resume smoking.

1895: North Dakota bans the sale of cigarettes. Over the next twenty-six years, fourteen other statehouses, propelled by the national temperance movement, follow suit. Antismoking crusader Lucy Gaston announces her candidacy for president in 1920—the same year Warren G. Harding’s nomination is decided by Republican Party bosses in a “smoke-filled room.” By 1927, all smoke-free legislation—except that banning the sale of cigarettes to minors—is repealed.

Sherid--Thanks for this enlighting post. I did not know this history. Just goes to show you learn something new everyday. Who would have thought there were bans back in those days--Thanks again--Sun

[fuzzyvape]

some good history there did not know that!!! i would be taking 5 mile away epic journeys all day everyday lol

[Monie]

My first "real job" was in Respiratory Therapy at 18 yrs old. 90% of my co-workers smoked. We were allowed to smoke in the snack room, cafe and even had a smoking lounge in our RT dept (yes, inside the hospital). That was in 1989 through about 1991.....boy how it's changed in 20 yrs.....