By Wendy Koch, USA TODAY

Lawmakers in two California cities are discussing unprecedented legislation this month that would widen a growing voluntary movement by landlords and resident associations to ban smoking inside apartments and condos.

I'm glad I don't smoke. Next, the military will start torturing smokers (by withholding the smokes).

By Wendy Koch, USA TODAY

Lawmakers in two California cities are discussing unprecedented legislation this month that would widen a growing voluntary movement by landlords and resident associations to ban smoking inside apartments and condos.

I'm glad I don't smoke. Next, the military will start torturing smokers (by withholding the smokes).

Hotels and motels have had non-smoking rooms for years. If you only rent the room/flat/apartment then you do not own it, and as such the actual owner can make the rules about whether smoking is allowed within THEIR property.

I have been a lifelong smoker up until 5 months ago, and maybe yet will go back to it sometime in the future, but I do agree with not allowing smoking in enclosed public spaces. There was a case in the UK this week where a taxicab driver has been fined £50 for smoking in his cab (without a passenger)because his cab has been designated a place of work.

A bit iffy that one, as the glass partition would have stopped any smells from the driver getting into the passenger compartment anyway. But there you are.

I was really shocked when i was in london.
I was searching for smoking areas but didnt find any.
I think they will lost visitors.
Its also horrible not to smoke in a pub.

In germany it starts in january too i will no more eat in a restaurant then.

---

With each crime and every kindness we birth our future.

Yes, Mike, the change is spreading and catching many.

I see the UK Bingo gaming clubs are reporting profits warnings in England because of the smoking ban. It happened in Scotland 1 year ago. The Bingo clubs have 50% of their clients smoking, and attendance at the game tables has dropped 23%.

---

It's good to be back amongst friends and colleagues

By Wendy Koch, USA TODAY

Lawmakers in two California cities are discussing unprecedented legislation this month that would widen a growing voluntary movement by landlords and resident associations to ban smoking inside apartments and condos.

I'm glad I don't smoke. Next, the military will start torturing smokers (by withholding the smokes).

Hotels and motels have had non-smoking rooms for years. If you only rent the room/flat/apartment then you do not own it, and as such the actual owner can make the rules about whether smoking is allowed within THEIR property.

I have been a lifelong smoker up until 5 months ago, and maybe yet will go back to it sometime in the future, but I do agree with not allowing smoking in enclosed public spaces. There was a case in the UK this week where a taxicab driver has been fined £50 for smoking in his cab (without a passenger)because his cab has been designated a place of work.

A bit iffy that one, as the glass partition would have stopped any smells from the driver getting into the passenger compartment anyway. But there you are.

I was really shocked when i was in london.
I was searching for smoking areas but didnt find any.
I think they will lost visitors.
Its also horrible not to smoke in a pub.

In germany it starts in january too i will no more eat in a restaurant then.

Here in Hessen it started last month. Publicans lost up to 80% of their weekly incomes because of the smoking ban, and the restaurants are much emptier now.

---

Account frozen...

I was really shocked when i was in london.
I was searching for smoking areas but didnt find any.
I think they will lost visitors.
Its also horrible not to smoke in a pub.

In germany it starts in january too i will no more eat in a restaurant then.

I remember during our meal with you and Rosie when you went out of the pub for a smoke. Had I still been smoking I would have happily joined you. It would not have worried me about it.

Fact is, smoking is not good for your health. We all kmow that, and its our choice to do it or not to do it. If it is made that little bit more difficult for us to damage our health, then I think its a good thing. Anyway, smoke in eating areas does spoil a meal.

At mens clubs you do not smoke until after the loyal toast has been given, and quite right too. Smoke spoils the meal. The Victorians had it right. After dinner, they repaired to the study for port and cigars.

Every smoker knows it.

But if i look in some other countries i wait for a stamp with a S on our head.
So everyone can see wich one is a smoker and ban him.

Nobody is interested in someones life.
Companys can put out CO2 without any reason.

The goverments want our money thats all.

---

With each crime and every kindness we birth our future.

Mike, remember, governments are banning smoking for your "protection," and that of others...

...ever hear that one before? ...or, "it's for your own good?"

In most cases, for every inch of protection; you have to give up an inch of freedom...especially when there is no compromise involved.

---

Account frozen...

Mike, remember, governments are banning smoking for your "protection," and that of others...

...ever hear that one before? ...or, "it's for your own good?"

In most cases, for every inch of protection; you have to give up an inch of freedom...especially when there is no compromise involved.

Only to be sure.

I totally agree to protect non smokers in the restaurants.
But that isn´t the case.
I was in a pub in london in march it has a separate room wich was for non smokers.

In august i was there again, but in the hole pub was smoking forbidden neither in the room it was empty.

This makes no sense.
Protect non smokers yes absolutly.

---

With each crime and every kindness we birth our future.

As from today the legal age for buying tobacco has risen from 16 to 18, bringing it into line with the sale of alcohol, glue and fireworks.

Here in Germany, they also rose the legal age for buying tobacco from 16 to 18 (which I find ridiculous) - BUT they told it in the News oly two days before it was valid. Have they thought of all the young ppl between 16 and 18 who are smokers? Should they buy a 2 years stock pile of tobacco? Then the ridiculous ban of smoking in pubs and discos... What is next? No alcohol, not even beer anymore until 21 like in the States?

Get used to it, Thorin. When you get the Government to be your nanny, they are gonna give you a nice long list of things 'that aren't good for you' and tell you that these things are now illegal. You can't have some little thing like freedom getting in the way of the state forcing you to do what is in your own best interests, ya know....

Blargh.

Socialism and Freedom are mutually exclusive. In my opinion, freedom is the best of the two choices.

Agreed

---

Nobody is nobody. Everyone has something to offer

I fully agree with all Bans on smoking in public places.
As a non smoker I don't want to breath the filth and stench of your habit.

...that should also include people who don't bathe, brush their teeth, or change their underwear regularly.

roflmao! nice

---

Nobody is nobody. Everyone has something to offer

Who is this "we" you refer to? Do you speak for some larger group? If you are talking about these boards, you certainly don't speak for me.

Qui-Gon

You know very well your remark here was intended to provoke.

Di Atribe, as it followed Chris S' own very provacative comment, it makes my remark fair commentary. But I can tell you that my comment was not intended to provoke Chris S, but to dissent from his rude remark, "we don't want you here." In fact, I do want Rush here, just as I want Chris S and even you here. Stating a different point of view is not provacative; telling someone they are not welcome is.

Agreed

---

Nobody is nobody. Everyone has something to offer

Agreed

Is this a user forum or a user quorum? ;)

From THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY
Quorum: A sufficient number of members of a deliberative body to have their own way and their own way of having it.

---

It may not be 1984 but George Orwell sure did see the future . . .