No Sin Sticks While Rolling

Anna Gregoline | April 1, 2004
Connecticut put a 3-part smoking ban into place. First, there was no smoking in restaurants. Yesterday came phase two, with a ban on smoking in bars. Additionally, just yesterday the third phase was announced--there will be no smoking allowed in cars as of May 1. This means in your private vehicle. I don't like smoking, but this seems to me like an infringement on personal freedom. What's the purpose? Reducing litter? Or road danger, like with cell phones? What's next, a ban on eating while driving?

John E Gunter | April 1, 2004
No, they don't want you to suffer from second hand smoke! But don't worry, all those auto fumes will take up the slack! ;-)

I'll agree that sometimes, government can carry things way to far. What's next, no smoking in your own home? Oh, can't have you eating candy either, you could gain to much weight and that's a health risk also.

Dave Stoppenhagen | April 1, 2004
That's just crap what there doing. I quit smoking a year ago but that would certainly piss me off if they tried to do that to me.

Melissa Erin | April 1, 2004
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Dave Stoppenhagen | April 1, 2004
I should have said banning smoking in your car would piss me off. I never was one to smoke inside, except at bars, but I got used to smoking outside when I was living out in San Diego.

Jackie Mason | April 1, 2004
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Melissa Erin | April 2, 2004
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Anna Gregoline | April 2, 2004
I haven't met one person who thinks that smoking should be banned in bars. Everyone I know thinks it's stupid.

I'm with the public places thing. I like to breathe when I'm outside in the park or at the beach. Being on the city street is rough surrounded by smokers, but I don't think you can force them to stop.

Hmm, good question, Melissa.

Scott Hardie | April 2, 2004
Why don't they just get it over with and ban cigarettes everywhere? That's obviously where they're headed in 15-20 years.

Anna Gregoline | April 2, 2004
I think there's still too much opposition. And Big Tabacco would probably start assasinating people. Uh, more directly, I mean.

Kris Weberg | April 4, 2004
Well, really, if they can't successfully keep people from using harmful illegal drugs like cocaine, or harmless ones like marijuana, how would they ban something that's been legal as long as cigarettes and is so entrenched in many peoples' lifestyles? I mean, it sure didn't work with alcohol....

Scott Hardie | April 4, 2004
Just a rhetorical question to illustrate the silliness of it. Never mind.

Jackie Mason | April 4, 2004
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Nadine Russell | April 4, 2004
We're legalizing that? News to me. Last I heard they were getting ready to start slapping everyone with lawsuits. Legalizing it would be much better.

Erik Bates | April 4, 2004
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Nadine Russell | April 4, 2004
Yep, apparently. I know we just decriminalized marijuana and two more provinces are legalizing gay marriage, but the music thing would be great! I'll have to check into it.

Erik Bates | April 4, 2004
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Jackie Mason | April 5, 2004
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Nadine Russell | April 5, 2004
Ha ha! Well, it's not that marijuana is legal. It's just decriminalized. So basically if you get caught with it, they'll probably let you go with just a court date and a small fine. No jail time. Although I'm sure if you were caught with truckloads of it, they might have something to say.