Topic Posted by: Jolypha
Date Posted: Mon Nov 2 10:06:08 2009
Additional Comments:
We are at 24.6 percent, or something very close. Just about every teen 13 and up in my town is a regular smoker. Every smoking ban proposal is brutally shot down right away. You should've seen some of the angry letters smokers wrote to newspapers in my area. Never come between a Hoosier and their Marlboro!
What is your state or town like?
Posted by: Kentucky Date posted: Tue Nov 3 6:36:50 2009
Message:
Well, guess which state is #1 (or 50th by that chart). We've always been known as the state of VICES-- tobacco, strong spirits (Bourbon County), fast horses and wild women (or is it wild horses and fast women?) Sorry, that's a very old joke here.
Seriously, that chart is a little old. I don't know where we rank now, probably still way up there, but this year a tax was put into effect so I would guess cigs are probably around $4 a pack now. And there's so many bans here now, although the chart shows none. It's just out of date, because Kentucky, like most other states, is going for ''smoke free''. And, it does hurt agriculture here, but too bad.
My ex (father of my children) died a few years ago of lung cancer and was told it was because he had smoked all his life. Thank God my children never picked up his horrible habit.
Wouldn't it be great to be a smoke-free country! (Now, if we would just criminalize texting while driving. That scares me!)
Posted by: Jenny Date posted: Tue Nov 3 3:19:15 2009
Message:
I'm not surprised that WA is 46th. The smokes cost over $5 a pack. But, when I went to the 7-11, they sell individual ciggies for 89cents! I guess so the poor or desperate can get a smoke without buying an entire pack.
This site is a little misleading in that I know Texas allows each city to determine its own laws on smoking. In Arlington and Fort Worth, no smoking just about everywhere. I can't imagine people not being able to smoke in a bar, but there ya go.
I'm glad I didn't fall into that habit. I smoked, tried it, even socially smoked when I played cards or went to bars. But I never enjoyed it and I never smoked alone. I never wanted one unless I was with someone who wanted one. Lucky me. I'm glad.
Posted by: Bonk5 Date posted: Mon Nov 2 22:46:30 2009
Message: I am in Calif. and we have very strict laws, thank goodness. yet teens and young adults continue to smoke. I don't get it! Legalized drug for sure.
Our city and county started laws in work place back in late 1980's. yes they were fought for awhile. But as more data came out, more restrictions were started. People get used to it.
No smoking, in restaurants, bars, busses, offices (certain # of people) out door events , fairs (special areas to smoke) in business, stores, my Barber shop, to name a few places.
Cigs are so much $$$ here in CA. lots of taxes, why waste the money. My daughter found out a friend from HS starting smoking, (they are 20 now) this girl saw her mom smoke and swore she would not. My daughter is very upset this girl stated to smoke.
Oh, we were in Las Vegas and you can not smoke in restaurant, Hotel Lobbies, rooms but boy do they smoke in the casinos! All those old women with bad teeth or yellow teeth it seems, LOL! Smoke, smoke, smoke. I thought I was going to be ill !!~~~
Posted by: Liz Date posted: Mon Nov 2 22:17:58 2009
Message: We ranked 17th in the country with over 21% smokers. The Plains Indians are the biggest smoking group in the entire country. I learned that when I worked for the Indian Health Services. Wyoming has several towns that have gone completely smoke free. Laramie was first, followed by Cheyenne. There was a battle royal in Cheyenne. One guy even moved his bar out of the city limits to avoid the smoking ban. I think Casper finally went smoke free as did Jackson. I don't know of any restaurants in our town that allow smoking but most of the bars still do. The most popular bar in town is smoke free. People in Wyoming don't like government interference with anything including smoking. It's quite comical to watch the reactions to just about everything in this state. They are staunchly Republican but not remotely religious.
Posted by: Pronoun Date posted: Mon Nov 2 19:49:40 2009
Message: Manitoba has been smoke free in all public places for a number of years now. It was really hard on country hotels/pubs. A lot of them went out of business. Almost everyone I know has quit smoking including me. But I still miss it and still want one.
Posted by: DebS Date posted: Mon Nov 2 18:55:03 2009
Message:
MA is a pretty liberal state, therefore, a very non-smoking-friendly state.
There is no smoking anywhere here - not in bars, restaurants, train stations - not anywhere.
I have mixed feelings about it - as an ex-smoker, my experience has demonstrated to me that nothing is more dangerous than primary smoke. I don't care how many studies non-smoking groups try to throw at me about second-hand smoke - I have been exposed to both primary and second-hand smoke and I never felt sicker than when I exposed to primary smoke. And thta's why I quit - and why I have enjoyed being a non-smoker.
I also feel, however, that we should try to convince people to live healthy lives, so the non-smoking thing is good, as long as they don't get militant about it (which they tend to do). Generally, I do think that, with a few exceptions like where children are directly affected to smoke or not to smoke should be a personal decision.
Posted by: UncleJJJ Date posted: Mon Nov 2 17:03:38 2009
Message:
Omaha went smoke free in restaurants and bars about 2 years ago. That law went state wide last July. While I understand the restaurant, I don't understand the bar ban. There is a reason no one ever opened a non smoking bar. Now all the bars have to build little outdoor areas, if they have the room, to accomodate the smokers.
I hear non smokers say that the bar owners love the no smoking rules because it will mean more customers (all the non smokers that don't want to smell like an ashtray) I have yet to hear one single bar owner say they have had increased business.
Posted by: lak Date posted: Mon Nov 2 15:48:30 2009
Message: Here in Northwest Indiana. A restaurant we frequent once or twice a week had a sign up about a month ago that they were going smokeless. When that date came and went I asked what happened. Guess they had demonstrations outside and many an email against it. Apparantly its a big place after people go to the bars for a bite to eat and they need their cancer sticks. I guess we should have protested they didn't follow through.
Posted by: Kate Date posted: Mon Nov 2 14:15:34 2009
Message:
That's too bad.
However, over here in West Central Indiana, we're moving right along on NO Smoking.
''
Smoke Free Lafayette
The City of Lafayette implemented a smoke-free ordinance on September 1st, 2008!! The city's smokefree ordinance includes most city workplaces and indoor public gathering areas.
To view the approved ordinance, click here. A helpful brochure about the ordinance is available here.
Smoke Free West Lafayette
West Lafayette has been a smokefree city for one year!! The city's smokefree ordinance includes most city workplaces and indoor public gathering areas. The smokefree ordinance took effect July 1st, 2007!
Posted by: serialmom Date posted: Mon Nov 2 12:23:00 2009
Message:
Its very obvious there are many many more smokers in central Florida than there were in Northern Virginia. The irony is in this area, it seems people with no extra money are the ones who smoke the $5+ pkgs of cigs. I see people all the time when I stop in convenience stores buying brand name cigs and a pack of beer. They are riding a bike. Its not for exercize I know they don't own a car.
People basically don't like to feel they are being told what to do is part of it. Maybe its something they feel they can still control
Posted by: Peridot Date posted: Mon Nov 2 11:26:52 2009
Message: I'm not sure where MA ranks but the fact that so many public places in our state are now non-smoking is why I see fewer people lighting up. I do hear from other parents that some kids are still prone to take up the habit. It's not for lack of education, since kids around here get the Smoking is Bad for You message from kindergarten on. It probably has to do with simply being young and thinking you're invulnerable.
