Sioux City Journal

Smokers have rights, too

Posted: Sunday, April 13, 2008

SALIX, Iowa -- I am writing to address the smoking ban that Gov. Culver is about to sign. Smokers are having their rights taken away because non-smokers are complaining about it. California passed the law that you can't even smoke in your own car.

What happend to our rights and the Constitution?? We are being punished for being smokers. The government is acting like our feelings and/or opinions don't matter. America is supposed to be a free country, but yet here is our government telling us what we can and cannot do. When did America become a dictatorship?

As Americans, smokers have rights, too, and they shouldn't be taken away from us. If a bar or restaurant wants to become smoke-free they should do it on their own, not because the law makes them.

Has anyone thought about how this is going to affect the businesses? I don't think that bars should be smoke-free. If you don't like the smell of smoke and you know that it's not a very well-ventilated place, then don't go in there. I hear people complain all the time about the smoke at the gambling boat. I tell them if they don't like it, go home. They go there to have fun and so do smokers and we should be able to enjoy ourselves without having to go outside. -- Alissa McKenna

Story Comments

Lee S wrote on Apr 18, 2008 6:49 AM:

" Hey Connie!!I guess you really shut down Chris. Good for you. The facts will always win out. "

Connie wrote on Apr 16, 2008 6:26 AM:

" Sorry Chris, but you had better go back to school and educate yourself, Hitler was a Socialist, leader of the National socialist Party. Fascism comes from the Italian word Fascio, which means Bundle or to Bundle and was a synonym for UNION in Italian. Mussolini was a Socialist, and much admired by Lenin. Fascism is a manifestation of the Left, along with Socialism and Communism. "

Why is it legal wrote on Apr 14, 2008 2:48 PM:

" Why hasn't the question been raised of if it's so bad, why is it legal. The governement makes anything mind altering illigal through outdated data but keeps tobacco legal. I know why, can anyone else guess.

BTW. I don't drink and beleive alcohol should be banned in public places. ALL PUBLIC PLACES!!!!! This should be next as I shouldn't have to worry about all the drunks out there. "

Pete wrote on Apr 14, 2008 11:34 AM:

" Actually the number of smokers in the US is now down to only slightly more than 20%. And they can smoke wherever it doesn't affect the health of the 80% who choose not to breathe tobacco smoke. That should mean no indoor smoking anywhere that non-smokers may be present. "

Jer wrote on Apr 14, 2008 10:26 AM:

" I do believe that smokers do infringe on non-smokers rights. One thing I can say is I do not agree that they allow Casinos to be an exception.If the government really was protecting the citizens then it would have to be for all, not pick and choose.One thing to ask people who say non-smokers can just leave if they do not like it. My family went to a restaurant that allowed smoking because we had a gift certificate for the place. We ordered our food, two adults and one 8 year old.While waiting for the food, a couple "smokers" sat in the table next to us and starting puffing and blowing the smoke all over affecting us.They had NO COURTESY to avoid smoke flying over to us.So we had to get our food and leave, not enjoying it there.Did that infringe on our rights, being there first and they came in and caused us risk to our health.Maybe if smokers had the courtesy to make sure to not infringe on non-smokers rights then this debate would not be taking place. Just saying alot of smokers, not all, but alot are not courtiest to others. "