Friday, December 30, 2005
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/opinion/local1/13392745.htm
Why ban smoking?
The Star’s editorial titled “Anti-smoking plans gain momentum” (12/5, Opinion) prompts me to write.
Radical nonsmokers have been very active. Who is a radical nonsmoker? It is someone who actually believes he or she is saving lives by banning smoking in bars and restaurants. If these folks really wish to save lives, they should ban liquor from bars and restaurants. Does it make sense that you can patronize a bar or restaurant, drink yourself silly, get into your car, go out on the streets and kill someone — maybe even yourself — yet you cannot smoke in that same bar or restaurant?
Some of us, smokers and nonsmokers alike, patronize restaurants that allow smoking just to avoid the radicals who, if they weren’t complaining about secondhand smoke, would find something else to complain about.
I predict that Fairway, which I think has only one bar-and-restaurant combination, will have none by the end of 2006.
Why shouldn’t people who run businesses be allowed to cater to the type of patrons they desire? There are enough nonsmoking restaurants in the Kansas City area to go around. Those who really want to save lives should stay out of bars.
Gary L. Lantz
Kansas City, Kan.
Why ban smoking?
The Star’s editorial titled “Anti-smoking plans gain momentum” (12/5, Opinion) prompts me to write.
Radical nonsmokers have been very active. Who is a radical nonsmoker? It is someone who actually believes he or she is saving lives by banning smoking in bars and restaurants. If these folks really wish to save lives, they should ban liquor from bars and restaurants. Does it make sense that you can patronize a bar or restaurant, drink yourself silly, get into your car, go out on the streets and kill someone — maybe even yourself — yet you cannot smoke in that same bar or restaurant?
Some of us, smokers and nonsmokers alike, patronize restaurants that allow smoking just to avoid the radicals who, if they weren’t complaining about secondhand smoke, would find something else to complain about.
I predict that Fairway, which I think has only one bar-and-restaurant combination, will have none by the end of 2006.
Why shouldn’t people who run businesses be allowed to cater to the type of patrons they desire? There are enough nonsmoking restaurants in the Kansas City area to go around. Those who really want to save lives should stay out of bars.
Gary L. Lantz
Kansas City, Kan.
Dec. 30/05
http://www.edmontonsun.com/Comment/Letters/2005/12/29/1372800.html
THE BAR owners have already captured the compatible non-smokers. They just want to keep the smokers. Is there anything wrong with that?
Thomas Laprade
(Only if they don't smoke in the bar.)
http://www.edmontonsun.com/Comment/Letters/2005/12/29/1372800.html
THE BAR owners have already captured the compatible non-smokers. They just want to keep the smokers. Is there anything wrong with that?
Thomas Laprade
(Only if they don't smoke in the bar.)
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
http://calsun.canoe.ca/Comment/Letters/2005/12/28/1370415.html
UNION GAS in Ontario will increase its price 35% in the new year. The reason stated: It is related to the disruptions of gas due to hurricanes in the Gulf regions of the U.S. My question is, but don't we get our gas from Alberta?
Thomas Laprade
Thunder Bay
(Gas is a commodity sold at a world price.)
UNION GAS in Ontario will increase its price 35% in the new year. The reason stated: It is related to the disruptions of gas due to hurricanes in the Gulf regions of the U.S. My question is, but don't we get our gas from Alberta?
Thomas Laprade
Thunder Bay
(Gas is a commodity sold at a world price.)
Fat Tax and Gas price Gouging Dec. 28/05
http://calsun.canoe.ca/Comment/Letters/2005/12/28/1370415.html
http://calsun.canoe.ca/Comment/Letters/2005/12/28/1370415.html
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/pages/newsroom/letters.html
So much for promises smoking ban wouldn't hurt economy
To the Editor:Regarding article “Smoking ban taking its toll on bingo halls and charities”
The president of Action on Smoking and Health said in January, five provinces and territories have already brought in universal smoking bans. The only industry that is affected by smoking bans is the tobacco industry.
All of the evidence from areas already subject to smoking bans proves that there is actual damage to the economy and now, we’re seeing the proof in Edmonton.
The damage is widespread and negatively affects jobs and people in many different walks of life. Yet the extremists who want the bans say there is no economic damage. Where is the funding coming from to replace all the money they have lost due to smoking bans? Now what’s the government going to do since they were the ones that made a thriving fundraiser disappear? Why is the government relying on these extremists, and ignoring the voices of affected groups?
I think we should hold government and these “health groups” responsible, since we are now seeing that their truths in fact nothing more than a sales pitch for their agenda. They ignored charity billboards, warning of this damage in Edmonton.
Linda DuguayCanadian Smokers Club Inc.
So much for promises smoking ban wouldn't hurt economy
To the Editor:Regarding article “Smoking ban taking its toll on bingo halls and charities”
The president of Action on Smoking and Health said in January, five provinces and territories have already brought in universal smoking bans. The only industry that is affected by smoking bans is the tobacco industry.
All of the evidence from areas already subject to smoking bans proves that there is actual damage to the economy and now, we’re seeing the proof in Edmonton.
The damage is widespread and negatively affects jobs and people in many different walks of life. Yet the extremists who want the bans say there is no economic damage. Where is the funding coming from to replace all the money they have lost due to smoking bans? Now what’s the government going to do since they were the ones that made a thriving fundraiser disappear? Why is the government relying on these extremists, and ignoring the voices of affected groups?
I think we should hold government and these “health groups” responsible, since we are now seeing that their truths in fact nothing more than a sales pitch for their agenda. They ignored charity billboards, warning of this damage in Edmonton.
Linda DuguayCanadian Smokers Club Inc.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Post missed the bus on anti-smoking
National PostPublished: Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Re: Bars, Butts And Buses, editorial, Dec. 17.
Thanks for coming to the defence of Edmonton bar owners and their customers who choose to smoke in a bus provided by the owner. But, if you'll pardon the pun, you missed the bus on this one.
The real issue is that private businesses shouldn't be forced to enforce a smoking ban inside their establishments. When anyone approves of "stigmatizing a habit" through banning that activity in private places, that's no different than the "persecution" of the smokers on the buses outside of bars.
Even in your sympathetic editorial, you are fuelling the anti-smoking fire by describing these customers in derogatory terms such as "nicotine-addicted smokers." In other words, you subscribe to the idea that the reason people want to smoke has nothing to do with an activity enjoyed in a social setting. Imagine having to drink your wine outside before eating your dinner, or being told after dinner you must take your coffee outside. The cigarette, like the drink and the coffee, is part of the dining experience.
Audrey Silk, founder, NYC Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment, Brooklyn, N.Y.
© National Post 2005
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/editorialsletters/story.html?id=c612f5a3-0921-4909-bdd0-398ca5426390
National PostPublished: Wednesday, December 21, 2005
The National Post seems to accept "the two reasons for smoking bans: the protection of non-smokers and the stigmatization of the habit in hope of reducing tobacco use."
Play with words all you want but that stigmatization of the habit means marking all six million Canadian smokers as disgraceful. How hypocritical for the National Post to then object when governments begin treating smokers disgracefully.
When did we elect and authorize politicians to mount a campaign of persecution against one third of law-abiding Canadians?
Eric Boyd,
Waterloo, Ont.
© National Post 2005
National PostPublished: Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Re: Bars, Butts And Buses, editorial, Dec. 17.
Thanks for coming to the defence of Edmonton bar owners and their customers who choose to smoke in a bus provided by the owner. But, if you'll pardon the pun, you missed the bus on this one.
The real issue is that private businesses shouldn't be forced to enforce a smoking ban inside their establishments. When anyone approves of "stigmatizing a habit" through banning that activity in private places, that's no different than the "persecution" of the smokers on the buses outside of bars.
Even in your sympathetic editorial, you are fuelling the anti-smoking fire by describing these customers in derogatory terms such as "nicotine-addicted smokers." In other words, you subscribe to the idea that the reason people want to smoke has nothing to do with an activity enjoyed in a social setting. Imagine having to drink your wine outside before eating your dinner, or being told after dinner you must take your coffee outside. The cigarette, like the drink and the coffee, is part of the dining experience.
Audrey Silk, founder, NYC Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment, Brooklyn, N.Y.
© National Post 2005
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/editorialsletters/story.html?id=c612f5a3-0921-4909-bdd0-398ca5426390
National PostPublished: Wednesday, December 21, 2005
The National Post seems to accept "the two reasons for smoking bans: the protection of non-smokers and the stigmatization of the habit in hope of reducing tobacco use."
Play with words all you want but that stigmatization of the habit means marking all six million Canadian smokers as disgraceful. How hypocritical for the National Post to then object when governments begin treating smokers disgracefully.
When did we elect and authorize politicians to mount a campaign of persecution against one third of law-abiding Canadians?
Eric Boyd,
Waterloo, Ont.
© National Post 2005
http://www.edmontonsun.com/Comment/Letters/2005/12/20/1361954.html
Dec. 21/05
HAS ANYONE been on a sidewalk outside a bar recently? There are cigarette butts and spit all over the place, not to mention freezing cold smokers. Instead of critiquing this smoking bus idea, why don't we look at the advantages? Non-smokers are not exposed to second-hand smoke, businesses regain smoking clientele, smokers can smoke, and nobody has to wade through a smoky mob on the way into the bar. I am a non-smoker and it suits me just fine.
J.M. Jones
(It's the marketplace at work.)
Dec. 21/05
HAS ANYONE been on a sidewalk outside a bar recently? There are cigarette butts and spit all over the place, not to mention freezing cold smokers. Instead of critiquing this smoking bus idea, why don't we look at the advantages? Non-smokers are not exposed to second-hand smoke, businesses regain smoking clientele, smokers can smoke, and nobody has to wade through a smoky mob on the way into the bar. I am a non-smoker and it suits me just fine.
J.M. Jones
(It's the marketplace at work.)
Monday, December 19, 2005
http://www.edmontonsun.com/Comment/Letters/2005/12/19/1359282.hml
I WOULD love to see Wally Zack (owner of the smoking bus) take the city to court, concerning the smoking bans. Zack should force the city to prove, without a doubt, that second-hand smoke is harmful to a person's health.
Thomas Laprade
Thunder Bay, Ont.
(No proof needed; they just make a law.)
I WOULD love to see Wally Zack (owner of the smoking bus) take the city to court, concerning the smoking bans. Zack should force the city to prove, without a doubt, that second-hand smoke is harmful to a person's health.
Thomas Laprade
Thunder Bay, Ont.
(No proof needed; they just make a law.)
Thursday, December 15, 2005
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2005/12/13/1350707-sun.html
Dear Editor, Dec. 14/05
I would love to see Wally Zack(owner of the smoking bus) take the city to court, concerning the smoking bans. Mr. Zak should force the city to prove, without a doubt, that second-hand smoke is harmful to a person's health.
Dear Editor, Dec. 14/05
I would love to see Wally Zack(owner of the smoking bus) take the city to court, concerning the smoking bans. Mr. Zak should force the city to prove, without a doubt, that second-hand smoke is harmful to a person's health.
http://www.edmontonsun.com/Comment/Letters/2005/12/15/1353589.html
CARY CASTAGNA'S article on the smoking bus quotes: "They've discovered a grey area. Technically, they could pull in a construction trailer,'' Coun. Linda Sloan said, adding it shows just how much trouble nicotine addicts will go to for their fix. No, Ms. Sloan, it just shows how much trouble businesses will go to in trying to retain some of their customers. The "nicotine addicts" don't have to go anywhere, especially where they are not welcome. It also shows that the councillors were wrong to believe the anti-tobacco extremist's empty rhetoric claiming minimal business losses would result from the ban.
Fred Quarrie
Belleville Ont.
(Smokin' mad.)
CARY CASTAGNA'S article on the smoking bus quotes: "They've discovered a grey area. Technically, they could pull in a construction trailer,'' Coun. Linda Sloan said, adding it shows just how much trouble nicotine addicts will go to for their fix. No, Ms. Sloan, it just shows how much trouble businesses will go to in trying to retain some of their customers. The "nicotine addicts" don't have to go anywhere, especially where they are not welcome. It also shows that the councillors were wrong to believe the anti-tobacco extremist's empty rhetoric claiming minimal business losses would result from the ban.
Fred Quarrie
Belleville Ont.
(Smokin' mad.)
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Subject :
Clean Air???
Dear Editor, Dec. 13/05
There is no such thing as 'clean' air.
As to the annoyance of smoking, a compromise between smokers and non-smokers can be reached, through setting a quality standard and the use of modern ventilation technology.
Air ventilation can easily create a comfortable environment that removes not just passive smoke, but also and especially the potentially serious contaminants that are independent from smoking.
Thomas Laprade
480 Rupert St.
Thunder Bay, Ont.
Ph. 807 3457258
Demonizing smokers
The Edmonton Journal
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Smoking at the Alberta legislature: This is yet another example of the extreme and disturbing direction the war on smokers has taken.
What exactly is the message Les Hagen and other anti-smoking zealots are trying to convey? Is it that the mere sight of a smoker will traumatize children for
the rest of their lives? That smokers are vile, evil people who should be quarantined or, at the very least, be kept out of sight? That contact with smoke from a pipe, cigar or cigarette means instant death?
If so, Alberta should import a series of television ads condoned and paid for by the province of Ontario that portrays smokers as being incredibly stupid and dirty, filthy people. One of the commercials graphically illustrates that smokers stink like dog poop.
Isn't it time the media, politicians and the general public take a step back and begin to question just how far the deliberate campaign to denormalize and demonize smokers has gone? In the name of all that is decent, it's the right thing to do.
Frank Zaniol,
Niagara Falls, Ont.
The Edmonton Journal
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Smoking at the Alberta legislature: This is yet another example of the extreme and disturbing direction the war on smokers has taken.
What exactly is the message Les Hagen and other anti-smoking zealots are trying to convey? Is it that the mere sight of a smoker will traumatize children for
the rest of their lives? That smokers are vile, evil people who should be quarantined or, at the very least, be kept out of sight? That contact with smoke from a pipe, cigar or cigarette means instant death?
If so, Alberta should import a series of television ads condoned and paid for by the province of Ontario that portrays smokers as being incredibly stupid and dirty, filthy people. One of the commercials graphically illustrates that smokers stink like dog poop.
Isn't it time the media, politicians and the general public take a step back and begin to question just how far the deliberate campaign to denormalize and demonize smokers has gone? In the name of all that is decent, it's the right thing to do.
Frank Zaniol,
Niagara Falls, Ont.
Monday, December 12, 2005
The newsharold Chicago
Dear Editor Dec. 12/05
Air ventilation can easily create a comfortable environment that removes
not just passive smoking, but also and especially the potential serious contaminants
that are independent from smoking.
I might also add that the mayor and council were elected to run the business of
the city, not the city's businesses.
Thomas Laprade
480 Rupert St.
Thunder Bay, Ont.
Ph. 807 3457258
Dear Editor Dec. 12/05
Air ventilation can easily create a comfortable environment that removes
not just passive smoking, but also and especially the potential serious contaminants
that are independent from smoking.
I might also add that the mayor and council were elected to run the business of
the city, not the city's businesses.
Thomas Laprade
480 Rupert St.
Thunder Bay, Ont.
Ph. 807 3457258
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Sent to The Edmonton Sun
Dear Editor, Dec. 8/05
A compatible solution to the smoking issue in Alberta
Air ventilation can easily create a comfortable environment that removes not just passive smoke, but also and especially the potentially serious contaminants that are independent from smoking.
Thomas Laprade
480 Rupert St.
Thunder Bay, Ont.
Ph. 807 3457258
Dear Editor, Dec. 8/05
A compatible solution to the smoking issue in Alberta
Air ventilation can easily create a comfortable environment that removes not just passive smoke, but also and especially the potentially serious contaminants that are independent from smoking.
Thomas Laprade
480 Rupert St.
Thunder Bay, Ont.
Ph. 807 3457258
