Aug 03 2006
Smoking Bans are All the Rage
It’s getting tough to be a smoker in today’s world. Smoking bans appear to be all the rage across the country. In June, the surgeon General said there was no safe second-hand smoke and that has prompted even more smoking bans.
I work in the Texas Medical Center; where a smoking ban was recently enacted:
On May 1, 2006, the 800-acre Texas Medical Center campus is designated smoke free. TMC seeks to send a message consistent with the public health image from all institutions that comprise the world’s largest medical center. TMC is hopeful that the change also will minimize the danger of secondhand smoke around buildings on campus. The TMC initiative was announced Nov. 17, 2005, in conjunction with the American Cancer Society’s annual Great American Smokeout.
I have to admit, the only thing worse than seeing a patient in a surgical gown pulling an IV stand having a smoke outside the hospital is seeing the doctor or nurse bumming a smoke from them.
Can’t smoke at work? Well, how about a vacation. Going to the Little League World Series might be fun:
Officials announced Tuesday that for the first time, use of tobacco products will not be permitted in the 66-acre Little League International complex. In past years, use of tobacco products was prohibited only in the Little League World Series stadiums.
No tobacco in baseball? Can that happen? I know there no crying in baseball, but no chew? I guess they will have to stick to sunflower seeds and gum. By the way, don’t mix the two, it does NOT work.
Well, maybe you could slip from Omaha over to Mount Rushmore and take in the presidents while enjoying a smoke, after all, FDR was a smoker. Sorry, no smoking there as well.
A Public Notice of the Smoking Ban at Mount Rushmore National Memorial has been issued and will remain in effect until rescinded in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 36, section 1.5. Due to very high fire danger, the Superintendent has determined it necessary to prohibit smoking anywhere within the memorial, with the exception of smoking within a privately owned vehicle, provided that no ignited material is placed anywhere outside of such vehicle.
Well, at least you know you can get a good room at the local Marriott and relax there. No wait, Marriott has joined the fun.
Hotel chain Marriott International Inc. will announce on Wednesday that it is banning smoking in all rooms of its 2,300-plus hotels in the United States and Canada, the Wall Street Journal reported on its Web site on Wednesday.
Personally, as a non-smoker with kids, I love these bans. I can go to football games, restaurants, and shopping without feeling the need to shower the minute I get home. To me, this is a very good movement. Sorry smokers.
Others blogging:
- Arkansas Gov Predicts Cig-Free Future
- Should Public Smoking Be Decriminalized?
- Kettering Mulls Smoking Ban
- Smoking Ban Begins August 15
- Why Smoking Bans Are a Bad Idea
- Smoking Ban is Bad Law
- Smoking Ban Affecting Smaller Businesses
