First US city to ban all smoking

[Tux of Borg]

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Belmont to be first U.S. city to ban all smoking

By Dana Yates, Daily Journal Staff

 

Belmont is set to make history by becoming the first city in the nation to ban smoking on its streets and almost everywhere else.

 

The Belmont City Council voted unanimously last night to pursue a strict law that will prohibit smoking anywhere in the city except for single-family detached residences. Smoking on the street, in a park and even in one’s car will become illegal and police would have the option of handing out tickets if they catch someone.

 

The actual language of the law still needs to be drafted and will likely come back to the council either in December or early next year.

 

“We have a tremendous opportunity here. We need to pass as stringent a law as we can, I would like to make it illegal,” said Councilman Dave Warden. “What if every city did this, image how many lives would be saved? If we can do one little thing here at this level it will matter.”

 

Armed with growing evidence that second-hand smoke causes negative health effects, the council chose to pursue the strictest law possible and deal with any legal challenges later. Last month, the council said it wanted to pursue a law similar to ones passed in Dublin and the Southern California city of Calabasas. It took up the cause after a citizen at a senior living facility requested smoke be declared a public nuisance, allowing him to sue neighbors who smoke.

 

The council was concerned about people smoking in multi-unit residences.

 

“I would just like to say ‘no smoking’ and see what happens and if they do smoke, [someone] has the right to have the police come and give them a ticket,” said Councilwoman Coralin Feierbach.

 

The council’s decision garnered applause from about 15 people who showed up in support of the ordinance. One woman stood up and blew kisses to the council, another pumped his fist with satisfaction.

 

“I’m astounded. I admire their courage and unanimous support,” said Serena Chen, policy director of the American Lung Association of California.

 

Chen has worked in this area since 1991 and helped many cities and counties pass no smoking policies, but not one has been willing to draft a complete ban.

 

“I feel like the revolution is taking place and I am trying to catch up,” Chen told the council.

 

The decision puts Belmont on the forefront of smoking policy and it is already attracting attention from other states.

 

“You have the ability to do something a little more extraordinary than Dublin or Calabasas. I see what they’ve done as five or six on the Richter Scale. What the citizens of Belmont, and of America, need is five brave people to do something that’s a seven or eight on the Richter Scale,” said Philip Henry Jarosz of the Condominium Council of Maui.

 

“The whole state of Hawaii is watching” he said.

 

Councilman Warren Lieberman said he was concerned the city will pass a law it cannot enforce because residents will still smoke unless police are specifically called to a situation. Police cannot go out and enforce smoking rules, he said.

 

“It makes us hypocrites by saying you know you can break the law if no one is watching,” Lieberman said.

 

However, both Feierbach and Warden argued it is the same as jaywalking, having a barking dog or going 10 miles over the speed limit. All are illegal, but seldom enforced.

 

“You can’t walk down the street with a beer, but you can have a cigarette,” Warden said. “You shouldn’t be allowed to do that. I just think it shouldn’t be allowed anywhere except in someone’s house. If you want to do that, that’s fine.”

[meazza]

To quote Darin,

 

"We hate freedom"

 

-Signed

 

Politicians.

[Chef Jim]

Why don't they just criminalize possesion of cigarettes. Here's a legal question. Is it illegal to smoke pot or to posses it? I know, to smoke it you must posses it, but how is the law written?

[The Tomcat]

If cigarettes can be legal there is no reason pot can't....just dealing in reality

[Chef Jim]

If cigarettes can be legal there is no reason pot can't....just dealing in reality

838402[/snapback]

 

Cigarettes don't impair.

[Simon]

Cigarettes don't impair.

838404[/snapback]

 

So should we start tossing people in jail if they have a glass of wine in their kitchen?-)

[meazza]

Cigarettes don't impair.

838404[/snapback]

 

Neither does pot, but I will admit that it's been a month I quit and I feel better.

[/dev/null]

The council’s decision garnered applause from about 15 people who showed up in support of the ordinance.

838382[/snapback]

 

Sounds like real populist movement

 

I just think it shouldn’t be allowed anywhere except in someone’s house. If you want to do that, that’s fine.”

838382[/snapback]

 

Unless you have children and are therefore endangering their health

Or if you have elderly in the house, as they are on Medicare you are costing the government money

Or until Al Gore says smoking causes Global Warming and you are harming the environment

[Chef Jim]

So should we start tossing people in jail if they have a glass of wine in their kitchen?-)

838406[/snapback]

 

I didn't say I agreed with the current laws with pot. Make it legal to consume in your home (just like alcohol) but illegal to operate a car under the influence.

 

However we should toss them is jail if they only have one glass.

[Simon]

However we should toss them in jail if they only have one glass. 

838412[/snapback]

 

[daquixers_is_back]

To quote Darin,

 

"We hate freedom"

 

-Signed

 

Politicians.

838399[/snapback]

 

Maybe you should read this: http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35422

 

Why don't they just criminalize possesion of cigarettes.  Here's a legal question.  Is it illegal to smoke pot or to posses it?  I know, to smoke it you must posses it, but how is the law written?

838400[/snapback]

 

Technically its illegal to possess marijuana. I dont believe I have ever read anything about it being illegal to be under the influence of marijuana (other than driving) ... DWAI ...

 

Personally I believe if the U.S. government could find a way to tax the stuff, legalizing it really wouldnt be such a problem.

 

 

So should we start tossing people in jail if they have a glass of wine in their kitchen?-)

838406[/snapback]

 

If you get in your car and drive after a few more glasses ... then yes. But normally speaking, a glass of wine wont hurt OTHER people like cigarettes do.

[meazza]

Maybe you should read this: http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35422

Technically its illegal to possess marijuana. I dont believe I have ever read anything about it being illegal to be under the influence of marijuana (other than driving) ... DWAI ...

 

Personally I believe if the U.S. government could find a way to tax the stuff, legalizing it really wouldnt be such a problem.

If you get in your car and drive after a few more glasses ... then yes. But normally speaking, a glass of wine wont hurt OTHER people like cigarettes do.

838416[/snapback]

 

I know about second hand smoke. Trust me, when I play cards with my friends, I smoke 3-4 packs of second hand smoke

 

But this is outside, or while driving. It's BS, although I hate cigarettes, I believe this is COMPLETELY impeding on people's freedom.

[daquixers_is_back]

I know about second hand smoke.  Trust me, when I play cards with my friends, I smoke 3-4 packs of second hand smoke 

 

But this is outside, or while driving.  It's BS, although I hate cigarettes, I believe this is COMPLETELY impeding on people's freedom.

838421[/snapback]

 

Even when your outside ... I can be walking down the street and still get a huge puf of smoke in my face. One persons "freedom" should not infringe on another persons right to live a healthy life. By your thinking, there would be no DUI limit, no drug laws, ... etc

[meazza]

Even when your outside ... I can be walking down the street and still get a huge puf of smoke in my face. One persons "reedom" should not infringe on another persons right to live a healthy life. By your thinking, there would be no DUI limit, no drug laws, ... etc

838425[/snapback]

 

[Chef Jim]

Neither does pot, but I will admit that it's been a month I quit and I feel better.

838410[/snapback]

 

How do you feel now?

[meazza]

How do you feel now?

838427[/snapback]

 

I feel great

[smokinandjokin]

Even when your outside ... I can be walking down the street and still get a huge puf of smoke in my face.

838425[/snapback]

 

Should we ban busses and cars too, for fear that you might breath the exhaust?

[meazza]

Should we ban busses and cars too, for fear that you might breath the exhaust?

838430[/snapback]

 

It's not even worth it...

[daquixers_is_back]

Should we ban busses and cars too, for fear that you might breath the exhaust?

838430[/snapback]

 

Isnt that what millions of dollars is being invested into ... cars/busses that use less toxins and rely more on battery power?

[Chef Jim]

I feel great 

838429[/snapback]

 

What, did you scrape the bong?