Dear friends, my right to breathe fresh air supersedes your right to burn a camel.

quote:

Originally posted by jenna_rae Sounds like us non-smokers are not the only whiny ones . I think that it's the smokers here who are doing a lot of the complaining. You feel like you are having your rights infringed on. Well I think it's the smokers who have been infringing on the non-smokers rights for years.

I think that by reading this thread it was quite obvious that smokers aren't saying much. Although I may disagree with with your first sentance, your last one I do agree with.
I use to smoke all the time, morning, night evening, any excuse to have one, now not so much... I am pretty much what they refer to as a social smoker. So I've had the advantage of seeing this from all sides. I suppose that making all places smoke free would give me that extra kick I needed to be done with it all together. We all know the saying "Out of sight, out of mind!".
My opinion on the matter probably falls somewhere in the middle. I do agree that smokers and non-smokers shouldn't have to suffer for each other. There is a happy medium here, which could be met with compromise. Designated smoking rooms, closed off with complete seperate ventilation. Of course the size of these rooms, or enclosures should be left up to the owner, and the decision they make on who they would prefer as customers most.
The problem with society today is most people don't want to compromise, they want it their way. I have no problem trying to cram myself in a tiny little smoke infested room so non-smokers don't have to suffer the ills. But only if the owner wants the room this small, not because regulation says it can't be any bigger, because then I have to respect the fact that the owner is doing me a favour anyways.
I never viewed this issue as smokers against non-smokers, but more of a power struggle, between the guvt and citizens. There just baby steps right now, but there still steps. They are using us against each other, I believe Cesars words were "Divide and conqur". I think too many rights are being removed, I don't see why the gvt cannot compromise and come up with a reasonable solution for both

quote:

i'm a social smoker: people piss me off

really? As if I care

I've hated smokers smoking near others who don't smoke. So I guess the argument will be that I don't have to put myself in that risk, then again I should be able to go out and have a fun time without putting my fucking health at risk. High Strung? Hell NO, just damn tired of smokers complaining that their right to smoke superceeds non smokers rights. You are told the hazards yet you choose to ignore them and pollute others, that's the issue here and always has been. If you want to smoke, that is YOUR RIGHT but when that right puts my health at risk then I fight back. So personally I cannot wait till the smoking ban is put into effect because it will sure make my lungs a lot clearer and healthier when I go out. It's about damn time that the city stood up for the rights of most ppl who do not smoke and don't want to breathe the carcinogens and toxic chemicals.

now i've said my piece.

/when I went to the guv, it was nowhere near as bad as Aria, man, after a night there, u've got black shit in your nose, like dried up blood!

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Max Walkers official TA fan club chapter president

quote:

Originally posted by DJMD123 Great googliemoogly!

quote:

Originally posted by alec /when I went to the guv, it was nowhere near as bad as Aria, man, after a night there, u've got black shit in your nose, like dried up blood!

or like a giant solid booger?

its wont hurt the bars if it affects them all. It didnt in ottawa when everyone thought it would. it hasnt in kingston and it wont in toronto. a few bars here rebelled for a while but i never see a cigarette anymore. (and its alot easier to go outside most of the year in toronto than it is here.) I hated the fact that the guvernment was sticking its face into our lives again.. but i guess there is a point to be made if second hand smoke really is dangerous. (im not really convinced it is though.) if you are pregnant stay at home for a few months its not the end of the world

quote:

Originally posted by Dj Smitty20 I have asked them that and they said people who smoke have rights too and should be given a restricted area to smoke in. I've supported that from day one, but most municipalites (including London and Kitchener) have decided that all facilities must be totally smoke free, which isn't fair at all. It's really the whiney few that have attained their wish here...most people, I think, don't hate smokers with a passion.

I don't hate smokers at all...I just think they're aren't making a terribly bright decision in choosing to smoke every day...and I'd be fine with a completely separate section for smoking...or you can go outside...whatever. I'd just like to be able to go out to a club and not have to deal with second hand smoke.

I think that me enjoying a smoke free club is more important than your "right" to light up wherever you want. Why? My action (goign to a club) isn't infringing upon anyone else's happiness or health. Your action can give me cancer. End of arguement. Remember this...the only reason smoking is still legal at all is because the gov't makes a fucking fortune in taxes on cigarettes.

quote:

Originally posted by torontotrance really? As if I care I've hated smokers smoking near others who don't smoke. So I guess the argument will be that I don't have to put myself in that risk, then again I should be able to go out and have a fun time without putting my fucking health at risk. High Strung? Hell NO, just damn tired of smokers complaining that their right to smoke superceeds non smokers rights. You are told the hazards yet you choose to ignore them and pollute others, that's the issue here and always has been. If you want to smoke, that is YOUR RIGHT but when that right puts my health at risk then I fight back. So personally I cannot wait till the smoking ban is put into effect because it will sure make my lungs a lot clearer and healthier when I go out. It's about damn time that the city stood up for the rights of most ppl who do not smoke and don't want to breathe the carcinogens and toxic chemicals. now i've said my piece.

if i had an argument,
i'd say something along the lines of:
'really?
i care as much about your marathon, your treadmill, and your quitting clubbing as i do about my health
and, believe me, i'm a fukn masochist'


but i don't.


i've quit. i'm done with it.
progressively, it makes sense. for the city, it makes sense.
doesn't bother or affect me. you now have an incredibly sober city; kudos.



just don't get personal with me, will ye, andy?

and if you decide to, quote wholly.

quote:

Originally posted by fitom tiel i'm a social smoker: people piss me off. just to say.

and i'm not even.



though, i really wouldn't mind a smoking area.

just in case situations like this arise.




just to say.

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quote:

Originally posted by DJFreaq wtf Ygrene is energy backwards

Sergio Jimenez - Hiatus pt.1, June 07 Compilation
http://myspace.com/sergiojimenez

quote:

Originally posted by MarkT Remember this...the only reason smoking is still legal at all is because the gov't makes a fucking fortune in taxes on cigarettes.

you couldn't be more right!


and i want to make a comment for that entire pot issue...

I think a bigger problem with pot is how it effects your brain rather than your lungs. Take a look at all the heavy pot smokers.. you can tell they fucked themselves up with that shit just by listening to them or looking at them. I know enough people who have dramatically changed ever since they got hooked on it. I know whenever i smoke a J, i feel mentaly disorganized the next day. can't imagine smoking that shit everyday


my conclusion? any type of exessive smoking is baaaaaaaad!

If I wanted to get personal with you and totally trash you, it would be done in pm. My life is really my own business compared to others but I figure it's about time that people in life decided to think of others above themselves. Yes, you are thinking why did he trash the smokers...he must not be thinking of himself. Then again, when did being a non smoker hurt anyone tho. See it's not a perfect world and I've known many people who cannot quit smoking. It's a disgusting habit to have, with all the chemicals and stuff then it infects others and causes problems. I've always thought that we shall be better off with the smoking ban because then hopefully people can stop smoking in clubs (but you know there be people smoking weed n shit and other drugs). I've always wondered about the deejays because most A list deejays are smokers.

[hum] this is the song that never ends.. la la la la la la la [/hum]

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Rocco's myspace here

LOL!

wonders how much the gov't actually makes because of the cigarette tax every year?

quote:

Originally posted by torontotrance LOL! wonders how much the gov't actually makes because of the cigarette tax every year?

here ya go

this might not be the most unbiased source, but the figures are apparently quoted from public records:

http://www.smoke-free.ca/factsheets...otaltax2001.PDF

so...for '00-'01, total federal and provincial tax revenue for tobacco products was 4.7 billion...and that figure does NOT even include PST/GST on tobacco sales!?!

THAT is why cigarettes and other tobacco products are still legal. It's a goldmine. When you figure that GST applies across the country, and 6 (I think) provinces have PST too, that revenue becomes that much higher.

What is probably much harder to estimate is the healthcare costs that can be directly attributed to cigarettes to see if it's really "worthwhile" for cigarettes remaining legal.