Don't let our chance to ban the use of tobacco products in public places go up in smoke

Posted Saturday, October 23, 2010, at 7:35 AM

Greene County Smoking Cessation and Prevention Coordinator Nancy Cummings has been campaigning for passage of an ordinance that creates a smoke-free zone in all public places in the county for a long time now.

So far, her efforts have not been met with any action.

The recent enactment by the Greene County Commissioners of an ordinance that bans the sale and use in public places of a popular synthetic-type marijuana known as 'Spice or K2" met with Cummings' approval.

However, a closer look at language of the new regulation was enough to spur her into some vocal action earlier this week lobbying for passage of a no smoking ordinance sometime in the near future.

Cummings addressed the commissioners with a handout that compared what she called "Tobacco Facts" with K-2.

While Cummings did not minimize the dangers of K-2 or Spice, she did point out that products containing synthetic cannabinoids have not been tested by the FDA or other governmental agencies.

The products may contain chemicals that are detrimental to the health and welfare of those who ingest them and medical studies note 'deleterious health risks and adverse effects associated with synthetic cannabinoids.

According to Cummings, tobacco products have been tested by the Centers for Disease Control and the Federal Drug Administration and they do contain more than 50 cancer-causing carcinogens and more than 4,000 chemicals.

The list of chemicals are things you wouldn't normally put in your mouth like DDT, carbon monoxide, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde, arsenic and the very addictive drug nicotine.

She pointed out that smoking kills more people than alcohol, AIDS, car crashes, illegal drugs, murders and suicides combined.

Cummings also told the commissioners that 9,800 adults die each year from their own smoking while between 1,240 and 1,740 non-smokers die annually from second-hand smoke.

Use of tobacco products and second-hand smoke are the first and third leading causes of preventable death in the United States.

She noted that a 2006 study by U.S. Surgeon General concluded there are 'no risk-free levels of exposure' to second-hand smoke.

Statistics from Greene County show that about 1 in 4 adults smoke and approximately 1 in 5 pregnant women smoke -- alarmingly putting their unborn children at serious risk for health complications.

Cummings also pointed out that across Indiana, 39 communities and counties have some sort of either workplace or public place restrictions on tobacco use.

Nation-wide, 27 states have some kind of smoking-free air ordinances.

In conclusion, she commended the commissioners for being pro-active with regard to K-2 or Spice, but challenged them to think seriously about joining other Hoosier communities and pass a common sense smoke-free air ordinance.

"The facts about tobacco have been in for 32 years. The facts about K-2 are still being determined, so hopefully we don't have to wait another 32 years to find out about these synthetic drugs. We do know that tobacco is detrimental to our health. I would just like to challenge you today. You have the authority in your hands to solve this problem of second-hand smoke here in Greene County. You can also ignore it, and I would like to challenge you to think about what you want to do. Do you want to provide a solution to the detrimental effect of second-hand smoke? Or, do you want to continue to ignore it?"

Well said Nancy.

The ball is in the commissioner's court on smoking.

Like she stressed, they (the commissioners) can ignore it.

Or, they can step up and pass an ordinance that addresses the health concerns associated with smoking and tobacco use.

Some would argue that passing such regulation infringes on their rights because the government shouldn't be telling us how to live their lives.

I agree with that to a point.

I don't really care if you smoke in the confines of your home. It's your life, your health, your lungs to contaminate.

But the trouble with smoking is, it does affect others.

I'm thrilled there are a growing number of Greene County eating establishments that have taken the lead given by the Greene County Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Coalition and declared themselves smoke-free.

We can only hope that more will make that decision.

We can also be hopeful that someday our local leaders will have the foresight and political fortitude to make the bold step and ban smoking in public places in our county.

It is the right thing to do.

Nick is assistant editor for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at 847-4487 or 1-800-947-4487; by e-mail at schneider.nick@gmail.com or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Nick-Sc....

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So, if the smoking ban is made a law, will the local DQ close it's doors? Aw too bad. That place is disgusting! You can't take your kids in there and eat without choking from the smell of smoke. Or you get choked by the guys who think it is their personal smoking den. Huh, wonder if they smoke at home like that? Probably not. That's why they are in that restuarant. My spouse smokes and has for years. Hates the smell in the house so goes out side. I respect both sides of this issue. The line between Dem and Rep are blurring. I for one would be overjoyed to have this much energy to bringing industry to our county. We need jobs!

-- Posted by truthorfiction on Sat, Oct 30, 2010, at 3:08 PM

Dear feelinyounglookinold:

We could have saved a lot of time. Why didn't you just tell us all you were the former Miss Greene County and you need help controlling your man.

It is all clear enough now. You hate smoking so much, you married a smoker. I know, you intended to house train him, but darn your bad luck, he is a man's man. Tell him I'll buy him a beer at the VFW and shake his hand. I know he is a smoker and I'm not, but he can even occupy the bar stool next to me; and, I won't bitch! If the second hand smoke from Naval gunfire, Air Force missiles, Marine artillery, and weapons platoon mortar rounds didn't do me in, I won't stay awake nights worrying about the Marlboro Man's exhaust.

I'm betting he doesn't ask for permission to have a cold beer with an old Marine; and, that will probably be your next personal crisis. We will get right on that next week. Alert the Greene County Council you want them to pass a new ordinance that all husbands have to have a certified pass from their wives to enter the VFW with an old Marine.

I don't smoke, my heart stopper wife does not smoke; and, our seven children do not smoke. But I have lit a cigarette for more than one dying Marine as their last request. IT WAS AN HONOR!

-- Posted by Globe&Anchor on Fri, Oct 29, 2010, at 7:23 PM

Dear Globe&Anchor...

On what free will am I willing to trample on??? I never said I wanted smoking banned, my dear. I do, however, think there should be an enclosed section (indoor). Now I don't give a good lord's dang on which party goes into the enclosed section- be it smokers or non smokers.

Are you saying that you don't think thats a better alternative than banning it altogether? I am talking about most public places but NOT bars.

There is a difference in a few people that are smoking and a room full of them. There are people who just can't be around much of it.

As for me, I'll be sitting in the section next to my spouse, whichever it may be, because believe it or not, sometimes my smoker doesn't choose to sit in the smoking section.

Now, I personally don't smoke because my family has buried 5 smokers, due to cancer and emphysema. As a child I watched my grandfather become skin and bones lying on a hospital bed in the living room, coughing and hacking and barely able to breathe. Was it because he smoked all those years? Who knows. I choose not to take a chance with life in that way. I have expressed this to my husband, who will quit when and if he is ready. I don't want him to die before his time either.

So whether you smoke or not, you chose it for yourself, not someone else, and those someone elses should get a separate section in a public setting.

I'm curious if you tell your kids that smoking is harmful? Do you not believe that secondhand smoke is harmful too? Medical professionals say that it is proven.

By the way, I'm not obese, and I don't need heavy duty shocks. I am just an American citizen expressing my opinions on a blog comment page.

You're probably a Ford man too, right? (teasing)

Once again, Peace to You and Yours, my friend.

-- Posted by feelinyounglookinold on Fri, Oct 29, 2010, at 9:14 AM

feelinyounglookinold:

You've missed the whole point! I want you to do exactly what you want to do. But you do not get

an exclusive on that behavior. Everybody gets the same freedom pass. As a present or former military person, you should know that better than most.

If American history has taught us anything, it is the horrible truth that we are more than willing to collectively disenfranchise those that we are superior to numericly. Politicians will, newspaper reporters will, and unfortunately far too many private citizens will.

Why do I doubt your prior or present military service? Simple answer, you are far too anxious to trample on the free will of your fellow Greene Countians.

Smoking is hazardous to your health. You should not smoke, but if you choose to do so, have at it! It is legal and you are of legal age (I assume). Big Daddy, who knows better than you, what is good for you, needs to butt out and ride off into the sunset in his SUV with the heavy duty shocks and overload springs. I can not afford to feed his excesses.

-- Posted by Globe&Anchor on Thu, Oct 28, 2010, at 7:17 PM

Hey dhobbs, I see censorship had its way with your comment....no one can take a joke I guess...

Happy Halloween folks!

Don't forget to vote!!

-- Posted by VeraKlopek on Thu, Oct 28, 2010, at 3:52 PM

Thanks Globe..you got me. I'm the biggest person you've ever seen...I'll try to stay indoors for you from now on.

BTW, What makes you so sure I haven't been in/aren't in the military?

I happen to be quite tolerant of others actions, but frankly I wanted to clarify my comments. Free country, right???

I will withdraw my haters remark just for you....don't be so sensitive...(I'm kidding)

-- Posted by feelinyounglookinold on Thu, Oct 28, 2010, at 3:39 PM

feelinyounglookinold:

Whoops, so you punish the scales a little more than most when you step aboard? And, when someone, anyone, disagrees with you - you tend to become irritable?

May I suggest a short tour in the USMC. It will cure your over sensitive nature, you will become far more tolerant of the actions of others; and, your irritability due to a bulging waist line will become an issue of the past in record time.

I respectfully suggest you avoid the "haters" remarks, the results of that type of comment can produce attention that resemble nothing you have ever experienced.

Peace to you also; and, Semper Fi!

-- Posted by Globe&Anchor on Thu, Oct 28, 2010, at 1:42 PM

You crack me up dhobbs!!!;-)

-- Posted by VeraKlopek on Thu, Oct 28, 2010, at 10:33 AM

Wouldn't it be great to have a place that is totally smoke-FRIENDLY?

Now I don't smoke, but smoking doesn't offend me or bother me. There are so many non-smoking establishments, that it would be cool to see a place say "smoking" as you enter the building, and those people who choose not to enter can go somewhere else.

We as Americans, have so many little things we are told we can or can't do. Now I'm not talking about the biggies, but, for instance, why are we forced to wear a seatbelt? People went years without and not everyone died. In fact, I know of a person who was in an accident while not wearing one, and was totally unharmed, whereas the car was literally flattened. If they had the belt on, they would have been seriously injured or killed, according to officials examining the site.

Another is, not being able to sip a beer while mowing your lawn. (I was told it was a no-no)

You "own" property...or is it ever your own? Property taxes say no. If you can't pay those taxes, well then up on the auction block it goes.

Big government ok's a project that has to cut through your family farm. Been in the family for decades. Is it your property really? No. You can either sell, or be forced out.

Really, is smoking in public that big of a deal? If you don't like it, you have the option to (as dhobbs pointed out) move away from it.

In a society of so many differences, so many rules, we really should all just seek ways of getting along. There are no "bad body odor" sections, or "stupid people" sections.

-- Posted by VeraKlopek on Thu, Oct 28, 2010, at 10:23 AM

Listen people, if you would read my entire entry, you would see that I don't WANT to ban smoking in public, I felt there should be an enclosed section.

My point is that I understand the argument for those who don't smoke.

As for getting cancer, no I'm actually not worried about getting it. I don't worry. But, the fact that Globe&Anchor chooses to compare being overweight is irritating. I'm not talking about health insurance issues, doctor bills etc. I am talking about eating not physically affecting someone else.

whatanut= I DO sit with my spouse that smokes. I DO ride in a car with my spouse that smokes. I DO live in a home with a smoker and I love that smoker more than LIFE ITSELF. Why then, please ENLIGHTEN me, does my smoker spouse, step outside to smoke, or NOT smoke at the dinner table? Out of respect for me, knowing that I don't smoke. Although it doesn't bother me and it never has, and my spouse knows it.

Yes, drinking and smoking go hand in hand a lot of times. DON'T ban it in a bar. If you're in a bar then you're probably expecting it to be smoky. DON'T ban it in the restaurants, just close off the section for those people who don't want it.

Is my mother in law (who smoked for 40+ years, lived with a smoker that long too), whose on oxygen suppose to just get over it when someones smoking? God forbid a "big" person sit near her either.

Geez....Once again "LETS HOPE FOR A SOLUTION THAT EVERYONE CAN LIVE WITH" I said smokers have rights too, and they are getting less and less. I don't think any of us should be punished for the LEGAL choices we make. Unfortunately smokers have been getting punished.

Peace, haters.

-- Posted by feelinyounglookinold on Thu, Oct 28, 2010, at 8:35 AM

If feelinyoung is so concerned about getting cancer from second hand smoke then why sit at a table in a resaurant with your husband that smokes? Do you sit in the non-smoking section while he sits in the smoking section? Why even share a home with a smoker? Seems to me that the risk is just the same if you live with a smoker as it is if you were to dine out for two hours in a public place that allows smoking.

-- Posted by whatanut on Thu, Oct 28, 2010, at 6:28 AM

feelinyounglookinold:

Politicians, bureaucrats, and coordinators only fight political battles they think they can win safely. Smokers are a minority and compose less than 30% of voters, so they are a safe target. If 60% or more of the population were smokers they would not touch the issue.

Cigarette smoking is harmful! Lots of human activities are harmful! Individuals should weigh the evidence and decide to smoke or not. We do not need the additional tax burden of paying someone to tell us not to smoke, drink alcohol to excess, eat too much, fail to exercise, brush our teeth after meals or fail to wash our hands after a bathroom visit. Parents, teachers, family physicians, etc. can fill that role more than adequately.

We need far fewer bureaucrats a lot more than we need more regulations, restrictions, and loss of individual liberties in this county & country.

-- Posted by Globe&Anchor on Thu, Oct 28, 2010, at 12:38 AM

Globe&Anchor:

I said being overweight doesn't affect others "AS SMOKING DOES".... Meaning I am not going to get CANCER from the overweight guy sitting beside me!!!!!! I never said it was a good thing.........

-- Posted by feelinyounglookinold on Wed, Oct 27, 2010, at 8:22 PM

feelinyounglookinold:

"being overweight does not affect OTHERS"? Take another wild guess!

Obesity contributes dramaticly to increased health care costs that affect everyone, including you. Health insurance rates go up, hospital costs go up, etc.

The incidence of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, etc. skyrocket in proportion to the incidence of obesity in a given population.

The USA has the best, but costliest by far, health care system in the World. Yet our average life expectancy can not even crack the top ten.

Over 60% our population are obese. Obesity is deadly; and, it affects everyone.

-- Posted by Globe&Anchor on Wed, Oct 27, 2010, at 4:33 PM

I feel as a non-smoker with a smoker spouse, that in a restaurant there should be a smoking section that is completely enclosed from the rest of the place, not just a separate section.

Sitting next to someone that is drinking, although possibly annoying, is not harmful as it would be to sit beside one who was smoking. If you choose not to smoke, then you shouldn't have to have your lungs filled with it by someone who does. The people who choose to smoke have to take on more of a responsibility to others.

Eating bad foods and being overweight also doesn't affect OTHERS as smoking does.

However, smokers are people too, with rights. Lets hope for a solution that everyone can live with, and pray that those who smoke can quit to live a long time for those that love them!!

-- Posted by feelinyounglookinold on Wed, Oct 27, 2010, at 2:55 PM

Dugger high school as a no peanuts allowed policy due to a serverely allergic student. As a parent, I understand wanting to keep children safe. If my child had an allergy that severe, I'd home school or go a smaller private school. But I respect that the school wants to ban peanuts. What gets me, I work with a woman who just complain complain complain about this, her child doesn't even go there... and then she looks at me and says "eww u smell like smoke, people shouldn't be allowed to smoke on the property (work), I have to smell it on my way in the door"... My smoking is an annoyance to her, yet gripes about a deadly allergy that a child has to face. GEEZ... again, I'll for office and my slogan will me "i'll combat stupidity"

-- Posted by goodson13157 on Mon, Oct 25, 2010, at 10:52 PM

Yeah, Dhobbs. The president is a Greene County Commissioner isn't he? Everyone screams for more local control and keep the federal government out of my life..... It doesn't get more local than this and you are still taking potshots at the president?

-- Posted by onetime on Mon, Oct 25, 2010, at 8:45 AM

I am a smoker and i agree that smoking in public should be banned...we all know its not good for us...but we choose to smoke anyway.. but i still think there should be a ban on it.. i think that bar owners and private club owners should be able to make the choice on their own if they wan tto go smoke free or not but all other places should be smoke free... just my opinion..

-- Posted by sissy on Sun, Oct 24, 2010, at 10:29 PM

I do find it ironic that both sides argue freedom, while ignoring the owners rights.

-- Posted by johnpaulcoleman on Sun, Oct 24, 2010, at 9:00 PM

Ok, Here is a weird idea...

The owner should decide if they would like to allow smoking.

I cannot, for the life of me, see how this could be so hard to see...

-- Posted by hilljak on Sun, Oct 24, 2010, at 8:36 PM

Thanks G&A, You have indeed revealed my lack of knowledge of global markets. My comments were industry specific and thus very narrow. My original comment stands...keepem' smokin in greene county!

-- Posted by horrorwriter on Sun, Oct 24, 2010, at 8:26 PM

horrorwriter:

I won't argue with you - you are confused.

Who is General Motors largest customer? CHINA!

Where is the most properous economic zone on the planet today? Coastal CHINA!

Where do we (the good old USA) borrow money when we need it? CHINA!

The most populated country on Earth is China. They have money to loan and to spend. If you find it difficult to sell in that environment, call P. T. Barnum.

-- Posted by Globe&Anchor on Sun, Oct 24, 2010, at 8:04 PM

Dhobbs...funny stuff...lazywriter would be better in my case...I was too lazy to go back and retype after the typo. But I wasn't sure anyone would catch it anyway. Although, I think there's some kind of hidden slip about Depends in my "pantients" slip.

Globe&Anchor, I'm confused. Many American companies manufacture in China, but it's much more difficult to sell over there.

-- Posted by horrorwriter on Sun, Oct 24, 2010, at 5:45 PM

Globe&Anchor, I'm confused. Many American companies manufacture in China, but it's much more difficult to see over there.

-- Posted by horrorwriter on Sun, Oct 24, 2010, at 5:45 PM

horrorwriter:

You must work for the only company in America that does not sell your product to China. Our BIG government has borrowed so much money from China that we can barely pay the interest on the money we owe.

Why? Because we have a generation of Americans that can not make a decision on their own. They have to have the government take care of them from cradle to grave.

They exit their big pollution spewing SUV, they are 50 - 150 pounds overweight; and, then proclaim to the World that their body is a temple and they can not expose their 50 - 150 pounds of excess fat cells to second hand cigarette smoke.

Then they lumber back into their pollution spewing SUV and head to the drive through at McDonalds for their super sized Big Mac.

Outlaw obesity! And when it is irradicated in this country - we will get right on the smoking ban. Obesity kills!

-- Posted by Globe&Anchor on Sun, Oct 24, 2010, at 4:44 PM

As a former Greene County resident that now works for a company that supplies oxygen to home healthcare patiets I say, please Greeen County, keep smoking! As smoking decreases in the U.S. we are going to be forced to look at countries like China to sell our product and frankly, I think we'd be much better off helping out local cancer pantients.

-- Posted by horrorwriter on Sun, Oct 24, 2010, at 12:54 PM

TO THE COMMENT from goodson13157.. I've been curious what school banned peanuts? I've heard of it but didn't know which school..Thanks

-- Posted by VeraKlopek on Sun, Oct 24, 2010, at 9:16 AM

Come on people. Give it a rest!!! How many people have died because someone smoking a cigarette ran into you?

I agree smoking is not good for you, but I would rather someone smoke than take drugs that impair their ability to even think clearly or drive.

Maybe we should be worrying about all the meth heads and drunk drivers.

Make it a drug and alcohol free environment. There are hardly any restaurants that don't serve alcohol.

-- Posted by Sue62 on Sun, Oct 24, 2010, at 8:29 AM

I just wish someone campaigned against stupidity as hard as they campaign about another's habits.

-- Posted by goodson13157 on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 4:29 PM

How about Cafeine? Sugar? (Think of our county's diabetics!) We can ban peanuts from a school (for a good reason too), but what about fatty foods, will that not kill our kids eventually? How about an ordinance stating all fried foods sold in this county must fried in Peanut Oil? Oh, wait that'll go back to the Peanut allergy alert... hmm... how about Americans being free to make the choices they chose to make? Oh, but we are only free to make choices, as long as they are the healthy ones, Right? It comforts me to know that I can choose to ingest cafeine, sugar, trans fats, saturated fats, fried foods, while drinking my beer and abort my baby, but I just better do it without smoking in public.

Geez, we're in America people.

-- Posted by goodson13157 on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 4:28 PM

I think this is a great idea. I think cologne, all deodorant, all scented soaps and any thing that could possibly infringe on my right to fresh air be banned. I should also not have to listen to people that speak to loudly. Thank you for finally realizing that the needs of one trump how society should be ruled.

-- Posted by chevygleen on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 3:15 PM

No doubt smoking is harmful to your health, but once again, how many lives have been saved from smoking bans?

I can't wait to meet all of those good habit individuals that got out of this World ALIVE!

The cemetaries of Greene County have more non-smokers in them than they do smokers.

Your ox may not be getting gored here, but give them time; the bureaucrats will get around to you soon enough.

-- Posted by Globe&Anchor on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 1:48 PM

Johnson and Johnson, the makers of Chantix and Nicoderm, fund the bans through their Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-RWJo...

Many tax exempt political action committees (charities?) received millions to sell smoking bans from the RWJ Foundation. These bans are nothing but clever marketing strategy, with lots of highly publicized "sky is falling" hype, similar to gun control tactics;

"Gun ownership disease"

http://www.nrapublications.org/SG/index_...

Tobacco control funding sources for "social change" to handle the "tobacco problem"

http://www.rwjf.org/pr/product.jsp?ia=14...

And what the 99 million dollars was going to. Note on page seven the "inside -out", provision going for patios later, AFTER business owners spend thousands of dollars to build them to accommodate their smoking customers. Their many coalitions infiltrate local governmnts.

http://www.no-smoke.org/pdf/CIA_Fundamen...

After closing many bars, prohibition is their next goal.

http://alcoholfacts.org/RWJfoundation.ht...

-- Posted by generalsn on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 1:23 PM