make Texas non-smoking.

[Seakony]

Now I am really ticked-off. Representative Rodney Ellis wants to make Texas Non-smoking in all public places. They just raised the taxes again to $1.00 a pack and now they won't let us smoke them anywhere but home.
Please let your reps know how you feel about that. I am sooo tired of Government butting into our lives and rights.
Non-smokers need not reply....since you don't pay the high taxes for the priveledge of smoking.

[Luv2Dance]

Originally Posted by Seakony

Now I am really ticked-off. Representative Rodney Ellis wants to make Texas Non-smoking in all public places. They just raised the taxes again to $1.00 a pack and now they won't let us smoke them anywhere but home.
Please let your reps know how you feel about that. I am sooo tired of Government butting into our lives and rights.
Non-smokers need not reply....since you don't pay the high taxes for the priveledge of smoking.

Yeah. We are getting socked here too!

[Loree]

I am a non smoker now...........as of September.........but my BF is a heavy smoker....3 packs a day........so I feel our pain Rita
on the local news last night, there was a story on how they are going to start finig people for smoking in their cars
the first fine is $100 if you have kids in the car
not sure if this new proposed law will affect all smokers or just those with kids
even when I smoked, I did not smoke with kids in my car, so I am all for that law
but if you get fined for smoking in your own car, that's just crap if you are alone in the car

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by Loree

I am a non smoker now...........as of September.........but my BF is a heavy smoker....3 packs a day........so I feel our pain Rita
on the local news last night, there was a story on how they are going to start finig people for smoking in their cars
the first fine is $100 if you have kids in the car
not sure if this new proposed law will affect all smokers or just those with kids
even when I smoked, I did not smoke with kids in my car, so I am all for that law
but if you get fined for smoking in your own car, that's just crap if you are alone in the car

Totally agree...that is just ridiculous.

[tommy]

Rita finaly we agree on something...I have switched to Donnas cigs just to cut down the cost at $80 for 2 cartons a week is crazy and insane..And that is cheap compared to up north where its $116 for 2...I would like to quit...well not really but I will not go to any place I cant smoke..Just wont do it...So I guess it really doesnt help anyone...backwards thinking I guess but I really dont care..Oh and I am a very rude smoker....sorry!

[tommy]

Originally Posted by Loree

I am a non smoker now...........as of September.........but my BF is a heavy smoker....3 packs a day........so I feel our pain Rita
on the local news last night, there was a story on how they are going to start finig people for smoking in their cars
the first fine is $100 if you have kids in the car
not sure if this new proposed law will affect all smokers or just those with kids
even when I smoked, I did not smoke with kids in my car, so I am all for that law
but if you get fined for smoking in your own car, that's just crap if you are alone in the car

Have you ever heard of Cuba? Seems its not such a free country anymore to me...

[Seakony]

BTW... Tommy... this Rodney Ellis guy is from Houston. Give him a call. We need to start fighting back instead on taking this crap.


Finally agree on something?????

[emc]

They just passed the no smoking law here and on top of it, added another cigarette tax to support the arts. I am happy to support the arts but not with another cigarette tax. It's absurd. The verbage is so vague, they can't enforce the law yet. I haven't seen any smoking in restaurants but every bar I have been in immediately put thier ashtrays back out as soon as they found out they can't enforce it. Supposedly in June they will start fining. Every public place including churches has a big ugly sign with a toll free number to turn in violaters. Gestapo tactics as far as I'm concerned. Even veterans can't smoke in thier own private clubs.

[Luv2Dance]

Originally Posted by emc

They just passed the no smoking law here and on top of it, added another cigarette tax to support the arts. I am happy to support the arts but not with another cigarette tax. It's absurd. The verbage is so vague, they can't enforce the law yet. I haven't seen any smoking in restaurants but every bar I have been in immediately put thier ashtrays back out as soon as they found out they can't enforce it. Supposedly in June they will start fining. Every public place including churches has a big ugly sign with a toll free number to turn in violaters. Gestapo tactics as far as I'm concerned. Even veterans can't smoke in thier own private clubs.

Wow now that is HARSH!

[Mr Cancun]

Originally Posted by Seakony

BTW... Tommy... this Rodney Ellis guy is from Houston. Give him a call. We need to start fighting back instead on taking this crap.


Finally agree on something?????

Give me Rodney's address, next time I am Houston I will throw all my butts in his front yard !!

[JudyBluEyes]

Originally Posted by Seakony

Now I am really ticked-off. Representative Rodney Ellis wants to make Texas Non-smoking in all public places. They just raised the taxes again to $1.00 a pack and now they won't let us smoke them anywhere but home.
Please let your reps know how you feel about that. I am sooo tired of Government butting into our lives and rights.
Non-smokers need not reply....since you don't pay the high taxes for the priveledge of smoking.

Welcome to California!!!

[Dallas91]

Originally Posted by Loree

get fined for smoking in your own car, that's just crap if you are alone in the car

Obviously I can't heed advice as I am a non-smoker and am replying to this thread. I agree with this statement completely. I am personally a proponent of more anti-smoking policies as far as enclosed restaurants and bars go (just fine with people smoking on the deck or outdoors there or if there is truly a non-smoking area of the restaurant that is separated enough as to not have the non-smokers subjected to second-hand smoke.

But I believe that people have the right to smoke and there should be designated areas of public places for people to do so. And OF COURSE they should be able to smoke in their own home or car. Man, some laws can get really out of hand.
I'm a drinker (not obsessive, but I love a good drink) and I'm prepared to pay extra taxes on that if it means not raising my property taxes. Everytime I turn around, they (lawmakers) are trying to tax something. I realize my drinking is a luxury and I'll pay the taxes if I want to drink enough. But, if they started to say I couldn't drink in my own home, I'd tell them to F' Off.

[Dallas91]

I work at a hospital and they just reduced the number of smoking stations (areas) by 1/2 this past week. In my opinion, the stations were already non-invasive and were just fine. But there does seem to be a public push to make the life of a smoker very difficult.
Heck, I know a lot of workers NEED a place to destress and those smoking stations are one of those places.

[Luv2Dance]

Originally Posted by JudyBluEyes

Welcome to California!!!

Isn't that the truth.

[PlayadelSoul]

I never figured Texas would succumb. The health and lifestyle nazis rule the day. Once everyone quits smoking (that is the plan, right?), who do you think they will go after to make up for the loss of tax revenue? You know they won't stop with smoking. The United States of Regulation. More proof that the electorate are sheep. When they go after the next vice, make sure that all smokers provide as much support as was provided to them, i.e., none.