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[wordsmythe]

Overland Park approves smoking ban 11/07/06

Overland Park approves smoking ban

OVERLAND PARK -- This Kansas City suburb became the largest city in Kansas to ban smoking in virtually all indoor businesses, even though it won't take effect for more than a year.

The City Council on Monday approved the ban, which will apply to all business except stand-alone retail tobacco shops.

The measure, which covers more than 300 restaurants and bars, takes effect Jan. 2, 2008.

"To me, this is a health issue,” said City Councilman John Thompson. "There is no acceptable level of secondhand smoke that's medically approved.”

Overland Park is the largest city in the metropolitan area to implement a smoking ban, and advocates hope the trend continues.

"I certainly think this is the first of many,” said Lisa Benlon, a former state representative who now is governmental relations director for the American Cancer Society. "I really believe it's going to keep the ball rolling.”

[Bubba]

Another example of America becoming a Communist State!

[Detector]

It's no big thing. There are already so many loopholes being exploited at the city's that have implemented the ban smokers are finding it's "no big thing." You got'a read the fine print. So far it's only pissing people off.

[wordsmythe]

Originally Posted by Bubba

Another example of America becoming a Communist State!

Yes indeed how DARE the duly elected officials stay within their bounds and work in the process!

[Bubba]

Originally Posted by wordsmythe

Yes indeed how DARE the duly elected officials stay within their bounds and work in the process!

Next you'll be standing in line for your borsch and bread!

[Highwayman]

Originally Posted by Bubba

Another example of America becoming a Communist State!

Democrats like that stuff. Here’s another;

Can legislation prevent obesity in America?

Obesity... overweight... fat. No questions, it's one of this nation's worst and most costly health problems. But, can government, in its finest "we know what's best for you" tradition, use laws to bring about the thinning of America?

According to a recent Washington Post article, legislatures in at least 25 states are currently debating more than 140 bills aimed at curbing obesity.

New state laws currently under consideration would restrict the sale of soda and candy in public schools, require fast-food chains to post fat and sugar content directly on all menu boards, and even attempt to tax the fat away.

According to the Post, six bills proposed by New York State Assemblyman Felix Ortiz (D) would slap hefty taxes on not only fatty foods, "but also modern icons of sedentary living -- movie tickets, video games and DVD rentals." Ortiz estimates his tax laws would haul in over $50 million a year, which New York could use to fund public exercise and nutrition programs.

"We have focused on smoking; now it is about time we fight obesity," Ortiz told the Post.

Over 44 million Americans are now considered obese, with an associated increase in cases of serious and costly diseases, including diabetes, heart disease and kidney failure.

As costs to health plans of obesity-driven illnesses soar, the success of anti-smoking legislation passed during the 1990s and the seatbelt laws of the 1970s have lawmakers thinking similar laws could help force Americans to push away from the table.

Obviously, civil libertarians and consumer rights groups do not like the idea of legislating eating behavior. "It's an individual responsibility issue," states Richard Berman, executive director of the Center for Consumer Freedom in the Post article. "If I'm going to shorten my own life by eating too much or being too sedentary, that may not be much different than shortening my life by riding a motorcycle without a helmet on."

On the other hand, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson cites the $117 billion spent annually on obesity-related health care when he states, "If we're really interested in holding down medical costs and improving the health of citizens, we have to do something about obesity."

Some insurance industry officials have suggested charging obese persons higher premiums. HHS Secretary Thompson, however, cautioned that doing so could run afoul of federal anti-discrimination laws.

The most potentially contentious fat-fighting suggestion mentioned in the Post story came from Eric Topol, chief of cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic. Topol's suggestion would offer a federal income tax credit to slender people, while "the people ruining our health care economics [the obese] would pay the standard tax."

People who are able to be disciplined and lose weight should be rewarded," said Topol.

States considering laws to prevent obesity in America

[K C Muffin]

Okay, I'm in south Overland Park, Johnson County, America. I don't want cigarette smoking legislated by the city or the county or the state or even the federal government. I don't like people that smoke, but I don't want to legislate their bad habits, either. I agree that people like to smoke when they drink. Heck, that's when I feel like I need a puff! I was and am against the ban, totally. I feel that if I don't want to be "assaulted" with second-hand smoke, then I'll avoid anyplace that allows it. There are plenty of non-smoking bars up here. And they all serve good bar food.

But somebody that thinks they know what's good for me took that choice away from me. That's right, it's my choice and it's gone. I'm totally pissed. Never thought it would come to this, seeing the power that beer and liquor taxes seem to have on elected officials up here. But here it is.

So what's next? Will they, at some point, feel that I'm incapable of spending my paycheck and take it all and give me an alotment like a welfare check?

Okay, off the soapbox. How was everybody else's day?

[wordsmythe]

Hey it took the topic off the election for a bit.

But it's not about choices you can make it's about the health of the people who can't make that choice.

[K C Muffin]

health of people who can't make that choice? I don't get it - like who? If it's little ones you're talking about, parents can and do make choices that affect their health every day. If a parent takes a little one in a smokey bar for bar food, then they have just made the decision for themself/their children, the way I see it.

[Highwayman]

Originally Posted by wordsmythe

Hey it took the topic off the election for a bit.

But it's not about choices you can make it's about the health of the people who can't make that choice.

When was the last time you were forced to go into someplace that allowed smoking?