Maryland Passes Smoking Ban

Column by Not Gretchen Bulova:

Maryland legislators have done what many Virginia Democrats and Republicans were afraid to do, ban smoking in restaurants and bars.  Maryland should be applauded for their efforts on behalf of their citizens and it is just another reminder of how wrong Virginia is on this issue. 

It took us years to raise the cigarette tax, which finally happened despite opposition from some, so I have no doubt that this ban will eventually pass in Virginia in the coming years, but it is a sad day when I can say the legislature to the north is more in tune with Virginia than our own legislators.

For children who breathe second hand smoke:

• The risk of middle ear infection doubles
• The risk of asthma more than doubles
• The risk of respiratory problems such as coughs, phlegm, and wheezing more than doubles
• the risk of bronchitis and pneumonia can triple
• The risk of allergies doubles

Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of second hand smoke. They breathe faster than adults do and inhale more air and pollutants relative to their body weight.

 

Comments

[not Frank Hall]

I blame Ward Armstrong.

"Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of second hand smoke. They breathe faster than adults do and inhale more air and pollutants relative to their body weight."

Quite true. This is why I won't take my children to places where smoking occurs. Porn is bad for kids too, and I don't let them see porno flicks. Should the GA ban those, too?

[not gretchen bulova]

Watching porn is not something done in the normal course of life, going out to eat is.

[likesporn]

"Watching porn is not something done in the normal course of life"

If being normal means not watching porn, then....you know the rest.

[not gretchen bulova]

haha, I meant for a family.

nothing good ever comes out of maryland

Yep, going out to eat is certainly a normal part of life, and I choose non-smoking restaurants each and every time. Pretty easy, really.

A neighbor of mine likes to smoke after his meal, and he has a couple places he can go where he can do that. It's great to have choices, I think.

Anon 10:01 you are right. It would be great to have a choice of restaurants to go to without fearing my allergies will kill me because of the smoke.

[Kevin]

"Yep, going out to eat is certainly a normal part of life, and I choose non-smoking restaurants each and every time. Pretty easy, really."

Where are these restaurants that don't allow ANY smoking that are not fast food?

[What Next]

Who brings their kids to bars?? That's some weak logic there...

[Kevin]

I've been frequenting Montgomery Co. restaurants lately...nice change of pace. I can't wait to go into the bars and not smell like a chimney...NOVA businesses have lost my money.

[What Next]

Unless this site is now advocating banning tobacco altogether.

Extreme!

[What Next]

Unless this site is now advocating banning tobacco altogether.

Extreme!

[MontgomeryCoSucks]

Why the hell are you going to Montgomery Co. bars, you're getting ripped off with the prices.

If smoking is sooooo bad for kids. We better ban parents from smoking, because I'm sure it is way more dangerous to those kids who live with second hand smoke, then the one who goes to a restaurant for an hour.

[Kevin]

"Why the hell are you going to Montgomery Co. bars, you're getting ripped off with the prices"

Rather not smell like smoke and I'm healthier for it...I would frequent VA establishments exclusively with a smoking ban.

[MontgomeryCoSucks]

Kevin, let's be honest, you don't like the smell of smoke and that's it. It's not about being healthier, because there is no scientific study out there that makes claims that you are worse off for the short period of time that you spend in a bar with smoke relative to your life as a whole. The idea that second hand smoke automatically increases risks for asthma, cancer, etc. etc. is bullshit. It takes prolonged exposure for smoking to do that to first hand smoking, and takes even more for it to do that through second hand smoking. Smoking bans aren't for customers, they are for the health of the people that work at the bars or restaurants. Stop pushing for a ban simply because you don't like something.

Here's an idea: Secede from Virginia and join Maryland yanks.

[gottablog]

Who needs more government? If you don't want smoke, don't go there. It's as simple as that. Smoking restaurants don't get my business but that's their choice -- they can choose tobacco and I can (and do) choose not to go there, so why do we have to have the government in there regulating something that doesn't need regulating (at taxpayer's expense). Let it go!

Get real, Kevin. Off the top of my head, just to name a few: Every California Pizza Kitchen, Baker's Crust, Panera Bread Co., Cheesecake Factory -- those are pretty much everywhere. I eat at Julian's in the Fan district of Richmond -- very nice place, no smoking. Last time I was in NOVA, we went to La Tasca, in or near Arlington.

Just admit it that you want every restaurant to be non-smoking because that's convenient for you, and the hell with what other people may want. There are enough restaurants in the world to accomodate lots of different preferences. I don't smoke, and I refuse to eat in smoking restaurants. But that shouldn't give me the right to tell other people how to live their lives.

I take care of myself and my family -- keeping my kids safe is MY responsibility, and it would be wrong and incredibly selfish of me to support my government becoming totalitarian for my convenience.

[Kevin]

Yeah...you're right...there's NO scientific evidence about second hand smoke affecting people.

http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/secondhandsmoke/factsheets/factsheet6.html

You can go to this site for a list of studies

http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35422

"Stop pushing for a ban simply because you don't like something."

Isn't that how it works? I don't like driving to Montgomery...I would rather be here.

I think Ben really hates smoking on every level. Lets try to ban something he enjoys because it might help 50%+ of the population.

[Kevin]

"Every California Pizza Kitchen, Baker's Crust, Panera Bread Co., Cheesecake Factory -- those are pretty much everywhere."

So what about the health of the workers in the other restaurants. I suppose there are these restaurants in every corner of SW Virginia right? Hell what about my home town in Colonial Beach? I'd have to drive 50 minutes to Fredericksburg for a night out.

"Just admit it that you want every restaurant to be non-smoking because that's convenient for you, and the hell with what other people may want."

It wouldn't be just convenient for my health and wallet but it would also be convenient for the over 60% of Virginians who actually want the ban. I'll continue to go to Montgomery and for that matter DC until they pass a ban on smoking.

[UVA08]

I look at this whole smoking ban thing this way: we put common sense restrictions on all "rights" and balance them against the well-being of society. You have the right to free speech but you don't have the right to yell fire in a crowded movie theater. You have the right to freedom of religion but a teacher cannot lead a class in a school prayer. You have the right to bear arms (against a well armed militia) but in most cases that doesn't give you the right to walk into an elementary school with a gun strapped to your waist.

In this case I believe you have private property rights but that doesn't mean you can subject your patrons to second hand smoke just because some people surrendered to peer pressure years ago and decided to suck tar, nicotine, acetone, ammonia, and tobacco down a lit paper tube.

"doesn't mean you can subject your patrons to second hand smoke"

What part of this don't you understand? If you don't like it, don't patronize the establishment. No one is "subjecting" anyone to anything. When was the last time you were forcibly dragged into a restaurant that allowed smoking?

There is no law against opening up a non-smoking restaurant. Quit whining, trying to get a fascist government to enforce a majority will on a minority, and get off your butt and open the kind of place you want.

[Dannyboy]

Kevin:
I don't want to sound like a jerk, dude, but you're coming across as REALLY arrogant right now. Okay, going to Montgomery is a pain in the ass. I get it. But most restaurants have seperate smoking and non-smoking sections. Are you really telling me that your lungs are so sensitive that you are bothered by the little bit of smoke that reaches its way from the smoking section to the non-smoking? I don't want to be rude, man, but you've just got to get over that. Yeah, cigarette smoke is bad for you. But studies have shown that little or even moderate to exposure barely even does any damage (besides being an allergen and asthma trigger, and in those cases it is your responsibility to be prepared for such an event). I do sympathize with those working in a bar or restaurant, as that prolonged exposure can be dangerous, but that is ultimately their choice. Do you want the job, or are you willing to risk a 16% higher chance of cancer? People who accept that job know the risks, just any job has risks that you accept while taking it. Last summer I worked at a warehouse moving kitchen counters and cabinets. Had I dropped a counter, good chance I break my foot. I took that chance when I accepted the job. Even doctors accept that they may be sued. There is no safe job, the question is: is the risk worth the pay?

But saying you're going out of state to eat? That's just a little bit... extreme, I guess. I don't know how close Montgomery is to wherever you live, but you have to ask yourself if a very small amount of smoke is worth the price of gas. Are you willing to pay all the money and waste all that time to avoid a practically harmless amount of smoke? (Yes, I will repeat, studies show that limited exposure to this smoke will, at worst, make your clothes stink). And what about the environment? I think that driving back and forth across counties to eat probably isn't doing wonders for CO2 levels. Kevin, if it's not going to kill you (I don't know how often you go out eat, but I know that my family can't afford to do so often enough for second-hand smoke to kill my lungs.)

If you're trying to make a statement by giving your business to Montgomery, all you are doing is hurting Virginian business owners and workers. You know, the same people you are trying to protect. I bet they'd rather you keep letting them get a paycheck and let them worry about their lungs. Just my $0.02.

He probably uses Metro DB.

[Bruce]

Children who are in car accidents are more likely to be hurt in car crashes than children who never leave the home.

Children who are in plane crashes are more likely to be hurt in a plane crash than children who never leave the home.

Children who swim are more likely to drown than those who never set foot in or near a pool or similar body of water.

All these are easily avoidable situations. But, of course, we analyze the risks and decide to drive our children to the airport and fly to a vacation so we can swim in a warm pool - all while avoiding smoke-filled locations.

If you are concerned that your child will die of second hand smoke, don't drive to the restaurant. The drive is probably more dangerous than the meal, anyway.

If you are concerned about waitstaff, have them all fired. I'm sure they'd prefer to be unemployed than work in a location with second-hand smoke. Oh wait, they applied for the jobs in the those restaurants, so apparently they don't know enough to make a logical choice. The government must make it for them.

Similarly, coal miners, police officers who confront dangerous people, fire fighters who are exposed to smoke when putting out fires, nurses who work with sick people, teachers exposed to germs of their students, lifeguards who increase their risk of skin cancer through their exposure to the sun, and other professionals should be forbidden from seeking a job where the enviroment is less than healthy.

Only healthy environments can have employees.

Let's be real.

"What part of this don't you understand? If you don't like it, don't patronize the establishment. No one is "subjecting" anyone to anything. When was the last time you were forcibly dragged into a restaurant that allowed smoking?

There is no law against opening up a non-smoking restaurant. Quit whining, trying to get a fascist government to enforce a majority will on a minority, and get off your butt and open the kind of place you want."

You make a good point anon except for calling me a fascist like an idiot but I would then come back to the very points that Bruce made.

[UVA08]

That was me at 1:19

[Kevin]

"If you're trying to make a statement by giving your business to Montgomery, all you are doing is hurting Virginian business owners and workers."

Isn't that what I'm supposed to do in VA..."vote with my wallet". Isn't that what smokers are telling me?

Without traffic, it takes me about 20-30 minutes to get to where I want in Montgomery Co. To get to DC, I'd use Metro. I hope more people go across state lines.

"But studies have shown that little or even moderate to exposure barely even does any damage"

Where are these studies? I've given you the Surgeon General studies? Where do your's come from? Phillip Morris?

"Are you really telling me that your lungs are so sensitive that you are bothered by the little bit of smoke that reaches its way from the smoking section to the non-smoking?"

Yes. My girlfriend also does not handle smoke well. You also seem to think that non-smoking sections are exclusive from smoking sections in restaurants...most are not. Generally, they are right next to each other and the benefits of being in a non-smoking section are negligible.

BTW, I don't know how I'm "arrogant". I'm just speaking my mind.

[phriendlyjaime]

Bruce, I have made the same argument loads of times, and people always go back to the "But the WAITRESSES!!!" argument. It just doesn't hold up. The GA made a decision. Let it go until next year. Is nothing else going on in this state?

[phriendlyjaime]

Kevin, I don't handle MSG well. Instead of whining loudly in a restaurant that serves MSG, I make an educated choice to go someplace else. Get over it already. There are many, many restaurants that are non-smoking. Your not getting them all, and that's final, at least for this year.

Oh, and I realize you don't like the word fascist, but Hitler banned smoking and the production of cigarettes. So, sorry.

[Kevin]

"There is no law against opening up a non-smoking restaurant. Quit whining, trying to get a fascist government to enforce a majority will on a minority, and get off your butt and open the kind of place you want."

Did you open up your own airline when plane flights became non-smoking? No...didn't think so.

[Kevin]

"Oh, and I realize you don't like the word fascist, but Hitler banned smoking and the production of cigarettes. So, sorry."

Who said I wanted to ban cigarrettes?

"Get over it already. There are many, many restaurants that are non-smoking. Your not getting them all, and that's final, at least for this year."

Did you get over it George Bush won the election in 2004 or did you continue to point out the idiocy of his presidency?

It's over in VA...I'm glad it's in all of MD and DC...I'll just take my facist business there.

[Dannyboy]

Kevin:
I'm not saying that you ARE arrogant. I'm saying that some of your posts SOUND arrogant. Big difference.

[phriendlyjaime]

No one called you arrogant, no one called you specifically fascist, and I can't even begin to point out the rest of the crazy in your post.

[Kevin]

"I don't want to sound like a jerk, dude, but you're coming across as REALLY arrogant right now."

"I'm not saying that you ARE arrogant. I'm saying that some of your posts SOUND arrogant. Big difference. "

Want to clarify that Danny?

[Kevin]

"no one called you specifically fascist"

No...you insinuated. I understand the difference...still a dick move.

[RJR]

This debate is killing me faster than second hand smoke

[Dannyboy]

Sure. Coming across as something doesn't mean you are something. Blogging alone should make that one self evident. People may come across as a 50 year old factory worker, when in fact they're a 12 year old kid.

Your posts, Kevin, read very indignant. "I can't wait to go into the bars and not smell like a chimney...NOVA businesses have lost my money." Do you really think that businesses are peeing their pants because you aren't paying them for cheap beer anymore? Come on, dude, you know better than that. It was a little bit unnecessary. And trust me, I know. I'm the KING of posting unnecessary crap.

And the Bush comment. That was just has a bad ring to it. Yeah, I'm pissed Bush won. But I'm not driving to Canada every single time Bush does something stupid. You can still advocate a new smoking ban when the time comes, but whining that this one failed is just pointless.

[UVA08]

OK I just read the whole comment by Bruce... Doesnt really go along with my argument... I feel sorry for the waitresses who have to endure this. A clear majority of Virginians support this, common sense supports this, and the health statistics support this. Are people really telling me they cant go an hour or two of dinner without lighting up???

[phriendlyjaime]

Hahahahahaha, Hanson, you're funny.

Fine, Kevin; I AM A DICK. I never once said I wasn't.

[not gretchen bulova]

I think Dannnyboy is smoking something

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/ETS

Be sure to read number 3.

[Kevin]

"Do you really think that businesses are peeing their pants because you aren't paying them for cheap beer anymore?"

But that's what everyone tells me I should do...so I'm doing it.

You even said this gem "If you're trying to make a statement by giving your business to Montgomery, all you are doing is hurting Virginian business owners and workers."

Are you contradicting yourself now? I thought people wouldn't be wetting their pants because of me taking my business elsewhere?? Can you make up your mind?

"Yeah, I'm pissed Bush won. But I'm not driving to Canada every single time Bush does something stupid."

You can still bitch about his policies can't you until the next election right? No one advocates just letting him have his way with everything and not saying a word...same concept.

"You can still advocate a new smoking ban when the time comes, but whining that this one failed is just pointless."

I'm not whining about it. I'm giving praise to the senisble fascists in MD for passing their law and letting me give their restaurants my business.

You're comparing opening up a non-smoking restaurant with starting an airline?

You are an idiot.

Thanks for supporting more government control over private decisions.

From Wikipedia, the first sentence of the "fascism" entry: "Fascism is an authoritarian political ideology (generally tied to a mass movement) that considers individual and other societal interests inferior to the needs of the state."

Well, how about that. Sure sounds like this debate, huh?

[Kevin]

"You're comparing opening up a non-smoking restaurant with starting an airline?

You are an idiot."

Are you kidding me? Do realize the capital you would need to start your own restaurant? It's about as feasable for some as starting an airline.

"Thanks for supporting more government control over private decisions."

Your welcome.

"Fascism is an authoritarian political ideology (generally tied to a mass movement) that considers individual and other societal interests inferior to the needs of the state."

Really...are you serious? Using the term "fascism" for smoking belittles all atrocious events that happened under fascist regimes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_smoking_bans_in_the_United_States

I guess fascism is in full swing. Oh no...you won't be able to smoke in a restaurant!!! Ahhhhhhh!

[Bruce]

I agree with the anti-smoking advocates who go to MD or DC to find smoke-free restaurants. This is a GOOD idea. It provides an economic incentive to VA establishments to go non-smoking or to at least severely limit smoking in order to attract their business.

This is absolutely the right solution. I do not go to smoky restaurants. I go to some with smoking sections but where I know my area will be smoke-free.

Chili's in Fairfax City keeps its nonsmoking section far from the bar and the smoking section is on the other side of the restaurant with the front door and hostess section in between. Great American restaurants (Silverado, Arties, Sweetwater, etc) allow smoking only at the bar - not in the dining sections. They do this to attract families like mine.

I fully support boycotts by consumers on establishments that don't meet their needs.

I just don't see why the government should decided what I want and what I don't - or pick winners and losers in this debate.

I agree smoking is horrible for you. So is driving a car. So is sun-tanning. We can not outlaw all unhealthy behavior - nor should we. What part of "This is a free country" does not make sense to you?

[Kevin'sHeadIsExploding]

Kevin, have a cigarette and calm down already.

[Dannyboy]

NGB:
Well, I did hit up the Hookah for some flavored tobacco last night. Not my favorite, I prefer a good cigar to a hookah any day of the week. It makes me feel like the caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland. Still, it ain't bad when one is looking to relax.

I'm thankful though, Not Gretchen, that you took time out of your busy day to talk about how porn compares to eating dinner and to waste space by commenting yet again on how inept I am. I must be smoking something. Nice.

[Kevin'sHeadIsExploding]

I hate my hookah. It's cheap and unbalanced. There are 2 places here in Richmond that serve Middle Eastern food and have hookahs for the table and great tobacoo, but both places refuse to pay for a liquor license, and I like wine with my hookah. So, I don't go.

OH MY GOD! A restaurant does something I don't really like, so I ::GASP:: DON'T GO THERE!!!! I AM SO CRAZY!!!!!!

QQ QQ QQ QQ QQ QQ QQ QQ

Since when did we solve every problem in the Commonwealth and can now concentrate on taking away the personal freedoms from our fellow Virginians?

[nonsmoker freedom lover]

this is all freaky friday - the Rs are standing up for personal freedom, the Ds are pushing their beliefs on all Virginians. If you are a smoker, and smoke at home with your children (24/7), and then you go to a restaurant and sit in the smoking section for an hour, tell me - where is the real damage from second-hand smoke occurring? So are we going to make a law that smoking at home is illegal?

[What Next]

exactly -- they either need to stand for banning tobacco or get over it.

What next? The KGB, I mean the cops, coming to inpsect our homes for tobacco violations if we have children?

The argument is weak. I think a lot of the Dems have gone loopy over the frustrations related to Iraq. IMHO.

[SmokerinMD]

My mother smoked in the house and in the car with me and I'm just fine. You can't ban things because of the possibility of harm. Next thing will be a ban of driving because a car has the potential to crash, and the crash could be fatal.

Hey i like your site so nice i just bookmarked it

[e cigarette]

Interesting post. I really feel that you are correct on this one.