Smoke-free
Originally published 02:24 p.m., October 11, 2007
Updated 02:24 p.m., October 11, 2007
A recent letter to The Emporia Gazette from Heather Lake called for Emporia to join other cities that have gone smoke-free. I think Emporia is slowly working toward that goal, along with nine or 10 other Kansas locations.
Leading the way in Emporia is our American Legion Post 5, 2921 W. 12th Ave. For more than two years, we have offered a smoke-free atmosphere in our dining room, bingo area, hallways and bathrooms.
In this area, we can accommodate approximately 250 people for banquets, weddings, conventions, reunions, parties, meetings or any type of gathering, with or without food service. This has been a welcome change to our members and clientele utilizing our facility. Hope this is some enlightenment to Heather and possibly her next reunion here in Emporia.
treetrunk (anonymous) says...
Beware - I have seen this happen in CA and CO. It is the first step is banning smoking. Leave the choice up to the owner of the business if he/she wants to allow smoking, so be it! Do not get the government involved. ps: I am a non smoker.
October 11, 2007 at 4:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slipandslide (anonymous) says...
why pass a law when buisness owners can make their own choice for smoking and nonsmoking? smokers also have rights and should be able to go to smoking allowed businesses.!
October 11, 2007 at 10:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jackslap (anonymous) says...
Second hand smoke KILLS!
October 12, 2007 at 1:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wanderer (anonymous) says...
While I've often found Kstrebuchet's comments useful and insightful, I have to disagree this time. At one time, I used to spend a lot of time in Boulder, CO, one of the early "smoke free" cities. As a non-smoker, I thought it was great. Yes, there were some "clouds" occasionally near entrances, but I'll gladly hold my breath for a few seconds as I enter or leave a building rather than have to spend an entire meal inhaling the smoke from the next table. As for the cig butts, they're a lot easier to avoid than the gum that so many others leave on the pavement.
October 12, 2007 at 1:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Gum? Gum? Worse than gum in this city are the (retch) globs of spit that are here and there all over the sidewalks. What kind of pig spits on the sidewalk for others to .... yuck! But, I'd rather have an ordinance passed against spitting than smoking. That spit carries all kinds of bacteria. I suppose now somebody is going to argue for freedom of choice for spitting.
October 12, 2007 at 2:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weltha (anonymous) says...
Not me create. I agree with ya.
October 12, 2007 at 2:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
treetrunk (anonymous) says...
What about the odor coming out of Tyson? That is called air pollution. We will all parish from that before the smoke, spit or gum will get to us.
October 12, 2007 at 4:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
LOL Tre, I was just putting a few sound effects to the pinball scenario in the parking lot.
October 13, 2007 at 9:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weltha (anonymous) says...
Treb to funny. You hit though create ihad the same thing going through my head. LOL
October 13, 2007 at 10:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
Lots of comedy around here! I have the funniest picture in my head!
M
October 13, 2007 at 12:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Renegade (anonymous) says...
This is just a start....They are trying to ban smoking in your own home, if you live in an apartment or condo, in New York.
California is trying to ban smoking in cars...
Where does it stop??!!!!
Please don't make me chose between smokers, and people that chew gum in public!!!! Add to that, people that talk on their cell phones while driving, or while shopping, in the grocery store.....
.
I agree with Treetrunk...Why doesn't anyone seem to care about the pollution and odors that come from Tyson?
October 14, 2007 at 3:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weltha (anonymous) says...
I saw on the internet Friday, I believe that in Ca it is now law No smoking in your vehicle with a child. I agree with greenday(wow) it should common sense in any adult to not do that. I know plenty of people my age that grew up with both parents smoking in the car with the windows up. Yuck! The gov. shouldn't have to tell us not to do that. I don't smoke and I haven't noticed a problem with most eating places in town. I know Shanghai has gotten awarded for going No smoking. So NO the smokers can't just smoke anywhere. I should be the business not the gov. Nazi Germany- greenday- I don't agree with you on alot of stuff but...... I have to this time I see it coming sooner then most of think.
October 15, 2007 at 8:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
treetrunk (anonymous) says...
It is sad that one little indian will be able to ban smoking in Emporia while the whole tribe sits on its hands and allows Tyson to ruin the community. If you think banning smoking is going to enhance living in Emporia, I have news for you, it will not. As long as Tyson is stinking up the community you will not have businesses moving in, you will not have tourism, you will not have the baby boomers moving in and spending their dollars in the community. One of the rules in real estate is, if you want your home to appreciate, do not purchase it in a city with a meat processing plant. We lose all the way around with Tyson. But, now we accept it and will go after the smokers. We are really missing the big picture.
October 15, 2007 at 9:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Tre says, "...some just want government to CONTROL everything they dont like..."
So right, so right. When people don't want to take the time to be responsible for their own lives, they seek laws to govern all life. This idea is just a breeding place for conflict and more conflict. Nowhere is this more true than in the Middle East where tribal chiefs and mullahs do all the deciding. Then the whole tribe can go about their daily lives with no responsibility except to peep about looking for their daily bread. Good grief, I thought that's what we were trying to get away from when we left England.
October 15, 2007 at 10:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Renegade (anonymous) says...
You know the saying?...."Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it"....Well, when we invite Government in to control our lives, we are asking for trouble.
I have yet to be offfended by anyone that smokes in Emporia.
I have been to most of the Restaurants, and seldom see anyone in the smoking sections.....If I go to a Bar, I am aware that there may be smoking, but, I can leave...and the Owner of the Restaurant, or the Bar, should have the choice whether or not to be smoke free.
However, I am offended by loud drunks...or rude language in public.and......
I enjoy eating my meal without someone having a loud private conversation on their cell phone....(offensive?).....
If the owner of an establishments posts to turn off cell phones, I have the choice to leave if I don't like the rules.
Most Bars have the right to cut off someones drinking, if they have had too much .
Now, if you come to my house and smoke, or CHEW gum, or drink too much, ...I might be annoyed, and not ask you back. :-). But, I don't think I should have to call Law Enforcement to have you removed.
My home is where I make the rules....and if I owned a business, I would feel the same way.
By the way..I know Tyson was here, before me, and will be here long after I am gone, but treetrunk is correct about the baby boomers and other people not wanting to move here, once they discover the smell from Tyson. I've witnessed that .....but, still haven't witnessed anyone being offensive about smoking in Emporia.
Once again...I don't smoke...I do chew bubble gum at home, once in a while........and, when I go to eat, I only answer my cell phone for an emergency, and, yes, I love wine with my dinner....
I'm not perfect.......really! :-)
October 15, 2007 at 12:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kc1985 (anonymous) says...
I live in Duluth, MN and we recently went non-smoking. It is creating a lot of problems at the bars here. People are allowed to go outside with their drinks and smoke, do you see the problem here? People are outside stumbling around with their drinks around pedestrians and throwing their cigarette butts on the ground. I think that it should be up to the owner as to whether or not people can smoke in their establishment. When I go out, I already expect to come home smelling of cigarette smoke, and I know that if it were to bother me, I could just leave. I would rather keep the drunks inside rather than outside the bar. Lets hope Emporia can keep that.
October 17, 2007 at 1:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Like I stated on the other smoke free threads.....
Open smoke free restaurants and bars and try to make them work for you.
Restaurants will make it as most have gone that way already.
Smoke free bars, I have my doubt they would survive long. As much as smoking has been regulated in recent years and with all the people who claim to be anti-smoking, you'd think there already would be such a popular night spot.
October 17, 2007 at 10:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )