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Statehouse rally helps anti-smoking bill
Published Tuesday, February 17, 2009
MONTGOMERY — More than 100 students rallied on the Statehouse steps Tuesday to help an anti-smoking bill get off to a strong start in the Legislature.
The students came from as far south as Mobile and as far north as Huntsville to support a bill by state Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, which would ban smoking statewide in public places, including bars, restaurants, retails businesses and public transportation. It would also prohibit smoking within 15 feet of a building's entrance or exit.
Moments after the rally, the Senate Education Committee, headed by Figures, approved her bill 8-2. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Sen. Rusty Glover, R-Semmes, voted against the bill. He predicted it would succeed in the Senate and die in the House, as it did last year. Bars and restaurants have raised questions about similar bills in the past.
"Most any version will go through the Senate. The hang-up will be in the House, as it has been in the past," he said.
Despite Glover's prediction, supporters were busy working for the bill Tuesday.
At the rally, Amber Peek, 17, of Arley pulled out her inhaler to show people and talked about the dangers of secondhand smoke.
"Because of my dad's smoking, I have asthma — real severe asthma. It controls every aspect of my life," she said.
The Meeks High School student said she was diagnosed with asthma at 3, and her father quit smoking when she was 11.
"I believe a smoke-free Alabama would be the best Alabama," she said.
State Health Officer Don Williamson told the students that the goal of the bill is to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke and encourage smokers to stop.
"When you make something less easy to do, people stop doing it," he said.
The student rally was organized by the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Alabama. This is the 11th year the group has been working with Figures to try to pass a bill to restrict or ban smoking in public places.
"I'm not going away until we pass a strong version of this bill," Figures told supporters Tuesday.
Glover and Sen. Trip Pittman, R-Daphne, who cast the other committee vote against the bill, said they appreciated efforts to restrict smoking, but Figures' bill went too far.
"It's not the role of government to tell restaurants how they can run their businesses," Glover said.
Pittman said he would propose amendments in the Senate to exempt small businesses where only family members work and bars and restaurants after 10 p.m. By that time, families have left restaurants, he said.
In the past in the House, bars have pushed for an exemption from the smoking ban. The Alabama Restaurant Association has advocated equal treatment of both types of businesses.
Pittman said his 10 p.m. proposal represents an effort at compromising.
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Comments
Posted by getbizi (anonymous) on February 17, 2009 at 5:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is certainly a good bill. It's pretty pathetic, though, that we actually have to enact legislation to get people to respect others.
Posted by AZSneed (anonymous) on February 17, 2009 at 6:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This bill, like others, in some respects discriminate against the rights of the smokers.
I am not a smoker, and I grew up with second hand smoke from my parents. I don't like to be around smokers, but I feel sorry for the smokers in the cold and rain, because of their addiction.
In a way, smokers serve a purpose, as that they generate tax revenues. Ban all smokers from all places, will hurt smokers, and in the long run, move the tax burden more to alcoholic beverages,or to soft drinks, snack food, or other unhealthy product that are consumed.
Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on February 18, 2009 at 5:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Here we go again ...
Posted by lmfriley (anonymous) on February 18, 2009 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I feel that smoking should be out-lawed. A smoker should only smoke in their own home if he or she feels the need to smoke. I would be all for letting people smoke if it did not harm others also. I feel that a person should be charged with some type of murder if a person in their home comes down with some type of cancer due to second hand smoke. We have a lot of things that can hurt ourself and others. We should not add to that list by bring smoke into a non-smokers life. I do not feel sorry for people who smoke because we are all told what can happen if you smoke.
Posted by getbizi (anonymous) on February 18, 2009 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've seen people dragging around an oxygen tank while puffing on a cig.. I feel little sympathy for them, except their family members they leave behind.
Posted by dixiedreaming (anonymous) on February 18, 2009 at 12:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't feel sorry for them out in the rain. No one has held a gun to their head and told them they HAD to smoke one right there and then. I mean, they could sit in their car and smoke it except they'd have to roll down a window to blow the smoke out and then throw out the butt. They certainly don't want the smell or the rubbish in their cars. Better to leave them in the rain and litter the sidewalk.
I know cigarettes bring in much needed revenue. I just think it is a shame you have to legislate common courtesy.
Posted by getbizi (anonymous) on February 18, 2009 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Lets not forget that smokers are the BIGGEST litterbugs. How many butts end up along the side of the highway and sidewalks?
Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on February 18, 2009 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Boy, KW, It must be great to be you: Wanting to work so hard, no weaknesses, no addictions - except for the part about sounding so angry while you bitterly judge others.
Posted by CrimusK8T (anonymous) on February 18, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why is it that far too often, nonsmokers that complain about smoking/smokers believe that they are somehow exempt from any health risks associated with their eating habits that result in rear-ends wider than grocery carts,and an unattractive amount of fat accumulation around their mid-section?
If smokers should be charged with "murder" if someone developes cancer which may or may not be related to living in the home of a smoker.....
Then,should overweight mothers be charged with some form of negligence of they are obese and have a child with an elevated risk for diabetes?
Posted by rmims404 (Roger Mims) on February 18, 2009 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As a non smoker, I must say I hope this bill passes. The habit of smoking is not only bad for your health but the smoke stinks. If you're a non smoker and get into a car of a smoker, you know what I mean. It is a putrid odor, very offensive to the nostrils. If you smoke indoors the carpet, furniture, curtains, clothing and many other items absorb this stink. I've noticed hundreds of cigarette butts thrown down outside the post office, grocery store and outside malls, etc. This is just a filthy habit that people need to stop. I can't count the times I've been in a restaurant and paid for a good steak only to have a smoker light up near me and ruin my meal with their stinking smoke.
Posted by mugshot35046 (anonymous) on February 18, 2009 at 5:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OMG!!!!! why the hate for smokers how many beer cans do you see on the sides of the roads ?? how many drunk drivers kills loveones that dont even drink or smoke but gets killed.. and just so you know i'm NOT a smoker and before you make judgements about addictions i pray none of your loveones ever ends up down that road maybe you should look up addictions and see what the word means me myself have never done any drugs but that dont stop me from feeling bad about addictions. and btw thats why i eat in a non-smokeing section and as far as getting in a smokers car or home that would be your choice i would drive my own car and i would not go to a smokers home if it bothered me
Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on February 19, 2009 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
KW,
I wasn't attacking you. I was just making an observation.
For someone who isn't bitter, angry or mad, you sure "sound" hateful. By the way, what would I possibly be jealous of? I am happy also. I realize that, I too, am blessed, however, I don't try to decide what strengths others should have. Have a nice day! ☺
Posted by reneenickolson (anonymous) on February 20, 2009 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have two smokers living in my home at the present time. I have never allowed smoking in my home and I don't allow it now either. It don't bother me one bit for them to stand , or sit in the wind , cold, rain or snow to get a smoke. I keep hoping they will decide its not worth it, especialy since they have NO jobs. Oh well I've been waiting 10 years, so I just went and bought cancer policies on both of them. Just wish I could get them to put the BUTTS in the Can instead of my yard. There are some things you just feel passionate about and you have to get MAD!
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