Potential BAN in NOLA!

[BigJohn]

So I just heard that the committee on the city council has proposed bringing councilwoman cantrels smoking ban proposal to the floor for public debate.
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.s...smoking_b.html

Please PLEASE write, call the city council. You can find their email addresses here: http://www.nolacitycouncil.com/meet/meet.asp


Here is the text of my email:

Please excuse the length of this message - I wanted to communicate
with you in the most clear and concise manner possible

One of the great things about New Orleans' traditions is our firm
respect for diversity of lifestyle. Some people want to smoke. Others
do not. Some drink and party on Rue Bourbon, others do not. Some love
the crawfish, slathered in hot sauce, but I particularly do not. New
Orleans is about diversity of culture and experience. And adulthood is
about exploration, experimentation, discovering what you like, and
ultimately freedom to choose.

I understand why some people would like to ban smoking. But as a
(cigar) smoker, I feel that when I smoke in private, in a private
place of business which no one is compelled to patronize, the choice
of whether to smoke should be mine or that of the business owner, and
not that of government.

I respect each of you, and your choice to serve your community. I
also respect that you want to do what is in the best interest of your
community. Providing police to deter crime, and catch those who've
committed them - that's a valid action of government. Banning Smoking,
however, is - with all due respect - not. You can say this is a public
health concern, but it's not. A clean restaurant is a public health
concern. Smoking is a personal one.

The proposal itself is based on bad science. The EPA report that is
the root of all the 'second hand smoke' hysteria was invalidated by a
federal judge due to fraudulent methodologies. Since that report more
valid scientific data, including reports by OSHA and this
http://www.forbes.com/sites/danielfi...ke-and-cancer/
(article referrs to a study published in The Journal of the National
Cancer Institute), have concluded that there is NO significant
statistical risk from so called "second hand smoke".

Anti-Smoking laws are, at best, social engineering and at worst out
right tyrannical nanny-state rules based on false science. While
smokers are in the minority, is it not the rights of the minorities
that you're sworn to protect, not infringe? If you want additional
links and documentation on my statements here, please contact me and
I'll happily provide it.

As a frequent visitor to New Orleans (at least once a year for the
past 9 years! - Love those Pickled Green beans!), and a cigar smoker
as well, I ask that you respect business owners rights, and our right
to choose as adult citizens and vote No on the proposed smoking ban.

With highest regards,

John Stegenga
Woodstock, GA 30188

[beevod]

Dear Do-Gooder:

Doesn't the government already insert its mangy paws into everything? The only thing we need protection from is, yup, you guessed it, do-gooders!

Sincerely, Beevod

[Herf]

Next thing you know they will ban public drinking.

The last place I would expect a ban on anything. The nanny state is pervasive.

[Coach]

i have fwd'd the link via FB to Nick Perdomo, Billy Perdomo, Sam Leccia and a group I belong to CATS( Cigar and Trading Sight). It's getting shared.

[grtrx]

CRA has been on this for some time... but spreading the word is good...

[TommyBB]

I signed and sent the CRA letter, as well.
There's so much here to be concerned about, yet this one, dipshit city councilwoman has all the Anti-Tobacco Do-Gooders up in arms, hitting up social media as well.

I mean they banned night tours, can't get on a tour bus after 10:00 p.m., but you can go outside after overdrinking puke and urinate against an almost 300 year-old building and that's cool, but don't smoke in a bar, AND don't smoke outdoors on city-owned land.

[grtrx]

an alternative email

Re: proposed smoking ban

Dear Respected Councilperson

I visit NOLA often, with business trips at least annually. I love the city's tremendous heritage, culture and diversity. I was surprised to find the elected officials of the city considering a ban on smoking, a ban which will likely cost the city jobs while having no real effect on improving health. I applaud your desire to good, but fear the unintended consequences will harm those you seek to help.

The decision to patronize a local business that allows cigar smoking (I failed to mention I am an avid cigar smoker) is a personal one, and honestly, only a cigar smoker is likely to visit a cigar shop, cigar bar or other such business. We are supporting the city - those businesses pay taxes, employ locals and attract visitors to spend money in your city. That money supports more than the businesses involved in cigar smoking. That money supports the entire city.

As I stated before, I respect your efforts to improve the city and its health. But perhaps those efforts would be better spent on increased access to healthcare rather than bans that deter the expenditure of dollars in local businesses. And in a city as splendidly diverse as NOLA, I would expect cigar smokers to be respected, not shunned.

With business trips we who organize them face decisions, the same decisions we face when we book personal travel. Honestly, I am much more likely to book my travel, and spend my hard earned money, in a city that welcomes me. Personally I want to come back, but a ban, well that makes cities like Tampa (which fully embraces its cigar heritage), Las Vegas, and others far more attractive.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, I hope you do reconsider the proposed ban, which is bad for business and bad for the great city of New Orleans.

Yours

XXXXXXX

[TommyBB]

Visit annually, eh?

[BigJohn]

(slight fudge... it's an average. I was there 3 times one year.)

[TommyBB]

.
I meant Jeff, too, though. 14 years on the board and never been able to get together with Jeff.