Statewide smoking ban idea returns
Legislators and the public will discuss a law regarding the enactment of a
public smoking ban.
By Michelle Dynes
mdynes@wyomingnews.com
CHEYENNE -- A joint legislative interim committee will hear public testimony on whether a statewide smoking ban deserves a second chance.
The Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee will collect public opinions Monday evening in Casper at the Central Wyoming Counseling Center. Speakers may be for or against the ban.
Earlier this year, 12 legislators signed onto a House bill that would have removed cigarette smoke from public places. The legislation failed introduction. A statewide ban on smoking in public places also died in committee during the 2007 legislative session.
Rep. Lori Millin, D-Cheyenne, said she thinks there is a good chance that a second version could become a committee-sponsored bill.
Groups such as Tobacco Free Wyoming have been educating lawmakers about the dangers of secondhand smoke and the benefits of a statewide ban since the legislative session ended.
But there also is more support from state residents.
Millin said accepting public testimony is a chance for constituents to weigh in.
The public comment period was set for 5:15 p.m. to 7 p.m., giving residents outside Casper additional travel time.
"That's what I feel the process is -- letting people speak," she added.
Public smoking bans have been approved in other states, including Nebraska and Colorado.
Four cities in Wyoming already have banned smoking in public places -- Cheyenne, Evanston, Green River and Laramie. A fifth, Rock Springs, has approved a partial ban that exempts bars, taverns and private clubs.
Efforts to enact a ban in Casper and Gillette have failed in the past.
Millin said she expects participants to arrive from throughout the state, and it may be the right time for Wyoming to enact a similar ban.
A poll commissioned by the American Cancer Society found that 74 percent of registered voters believe the right to breathe clean air outweighs the rights of smokers.
Sen. Bob Fecht, R-Cheyenne, said several factors may have hurt the bill during the 2008 session. Like Millin, Fecht was one of the original sponsors. But committee-approved legislation could gain more support with the rest of Wyoming's lawmakers.
And 2009 is a general, or non-budget session, allowing more time to debate a smoking ban.
"I think time is one of the biggest issues during a 20-day session," he said. "When you spend half your time looking at the budget, there is not a lot of time to let other bills through."
Reader Comments
Jake wrote on Sep 21, 2008 8:54 PM:
" VERY VERY simple. I hope to GOD this smoking ban happens. I'm sick of smelling your smoke! Smoke in your house and your car and continue to smoke around your children, destroying them physically, but don't do it around me. I hope this ban passes and you lose your right to smoke anywhere but on or in your OWN property. It is your right to do that, but not your right to blow it at me. "
Art wrote on Sep 21, 2008 7:27 PM:
" to: a real Wyoming man, Dude you are ignorant. your comments are the most ridiculous yhing I have ever read. You are not a real Wyoming Man. You are not even a man! Move out of this state you do not belong here. "
Eric wrote on Sep 20, 2008 8:12 PM:
" I believe the government has no right to tell a private business owner what he can and can't do in his establishment. I the majority of people do not like smoking in said establishement, he will lose business and reassess his policy. If he continues to have business, good for him. I'm a non smoker and think it's a horrible habit, but thats our personal choice to smoke or not. If the food is good enough, I might deal with the smoke and eat there. If not, I will choose another establishment. "
To Just Give it Up wrote on Sep 19, 2008 8:04 PM:
" You're right. The lives and health of people in Wyoming really isn't important, is it?
Ever seen someone with emphysema? Go visit a hospital and you'll see just how unimportant this issue is. "
Ever seen someone with emphysema? Go visit a hospital and you'll see just how unimportant this issue is. "
PK wrote on Sep 19, 2008 7:50 PM:
" To PK wrote on Sep 18, 2008 6:09 PM:
" If you are going to criticize someones spelling, you should try spell all of YOUR words correctly. Google ieSpell, idiot. "
Get your facts straight, dude. I didn't misspell anything. I left an ending off. Moron. "
" If you are going to criticize someones spelling, you should try spell all of YOUR words correctly. Google ieSpell, idiot. "
Get your facts straight, dude. I didn't misspell anything. I left an ending off. Moron. "
To what about the others wrote on Sep 19, 2008 5:44 PM:
" Good for you!! Exercise and smoke in private. Obesity is a problem in this country and I agree that it leads to other health complications. Addiction is addiction whether it is addiction to food or additction to nicotine. The problem I have with people who smoke is the intrusion of my rights. I think it should be banned. What about adults or little children who have asthma and the smoke from others cigarettes triggers an episode that lands them in the ER?? How sad. Thank you for smoking away from others. There is help out there for anyone who needs it. I know not all smokers are poor and uneducated, but when people see someone smoke that is what is protrayed. "
TO Real Wyoming Man wrote on Sep 19, 2008 10:17 AM:
" O yea, you are a real man. Bragging about wife having cancer. You are an idiot. Sheep are probably as close as you can get to any relations. You arent as macho or cool as you think. What is it with these men and small man complexes. I agree...small man mentality.I am so proud of your wife for having and getting cancer and still smoking. Smart woman, but then she is married to you.. Army huh? NO big deal, lost joined military..nothing special there. "
Wyo Native wrote on Sep 19, 2008 9:30 AM:
" Using the logic that the smokers are using, any company out there should be able to discharge as much air pollution as they want to. We shouldn't regulate companies and tell them how to run their business! You can't tell a company how much air pollution they can release! That would be communism!! You don't have to go outside your house and smell all that air pollution!
It's the government's responsibility to protect its citizens. To do that, the government must regulate businesses and what happens in them. That's why there are health inspectors and building inspectors. That's why we have environmental laws. That's why it's the government's responsibility to protect the majority of the public from secondhand smoke.
I don't care if you smoke. It's a decision that you made and you have to deal with the consequences. Just don't expect me to pay for your higher health care costs.
By the way, for those who think that they have the "right" to smoke. I don't see anywhere in the Constitution where you have the "right" to smoke. "
It's the government's responsibility to protect its citizens. To do that, the government must regulate businesses and what happens in them. That's why there are health inspectors and building inspectors. That's why we have environmental laws. That's why it's the government's responsibility to protect the majority of the public from secondhand smoke.
I don't care if you smoke. It's a decision that you made and you have to deal with the consequences. Just don't expect me to pay for your higher health care costs.
By the way, for those who think that they have the "right" to smoke. I don't see anywhere in the Constitution where you have the "right" to smoke. "
To Ya Think response wrote on Sep 18, 2008 6:18 PM:
" Uh, you obviously don't recognize sarcasm when you hear it. Read the whole comment. I happen to be one of the members of the Coalition for Smoke-Free WY and I sure do NOT connect with A Big Smoker
Geesh "
Geesh "
To PK wrote on Sep 18, 2008 6:09 PM:
" If you are going to criticize someones spelling, you should try spell all of YOUR words correctly. Google ieSpell, idiot. "
shane wrote on Sep 18, 2008 12:50 PM:
" a restaurant or bar is not a public building. why is this so hard to understand? this is a property rights issue that has almost nothing to do with smoking. it is about whether we shall have private property or usafructary property systems. it is as simple as capitalism versus communism....forget about the actual smoking "
A Real Wyoming Man wrote on Sep 18, 2008 11:47 AM:
" I will smoke and die from smoking as much as I please too. I have a right to go to public places and light up. If customers don't like to have smoke with their drink or dinner, or smell like smoke when they leave the establishment then don't partronize the business. Smoking and drinking go hand in hand. It's Wyoming where the men are men and the sheep are nervous. You can't restrict my right to smoke. That's un-American. I learned to smoke at home and continued in the ARMY. I now have Veteren's Benefits so don't imagine you can frighten me with the cost of health care. It's free to me. My wife can get Medicaid. She smokes too and has been through 2 cancer surgeries. She now gets disablity and it barely covers the cost of cigarettes. My wife's insurance while she was working paid almost everthing for the cancer. I will smoke where and when I want and so will my wife and children. Government supports my right to smoke, drink and drive fast. Don't fence me in. "
To A Big Smoker wrote on Sep 18, 2008 8:54 AM:
" LOL, small man complex eh?
Typical little man comment. And yes, they will tell you where and if you can smoke. You don't sound that tuff or big to me...at all. "
Typical little man comment. And yes, they will tell you where and if you can smoke. You don't sound that tuff or big to me...at all. "
To Ya Think wrote on Sep 18, 2008 8:03 AM:
" Ya Think wrote on Sep 16, 2008 2:27 PM:
" This subject seems to attract some logical thinkers." Logical thinkers? Do you even read these comments? It would seem that you and A Big Smoker are in a tie for the most ignorant comment of the week. Look out though, Ralphinphnx may post a comment and and take the lead. "
" This subject seems to attract some logical thinkers." Logical thinkers? Do you even read these comments? It would seem that you and A Big Smoker are in a tie for the most ignorant comment of the week. Look out though, Ralphinphnx may post a comment and and take the lead. "
To A Smoker wrote on Sep 18, 2008 8:03 AM:
" " gonegreene says,"Most smokers are lower income and uneducated."
Explain to Me how Doctors,Lawyers,Military Personell,Senators and even past Presidents are lower income and uneducated ????
Is it not by law illegal to discriminate!!!
SO !!!! Why are smokers being discriminiated against??? "
JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU ANYONE CAN BE A IDIOT "
Explain to Me how Doctors,Lawyers,Military Personell,Senators and even past Presidents are lower income and uneducated ????
Is it not by law illegal to discriminate!!!
SO !!!! Why are smokers being discriminiated against??? "
JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU ANYONE CAN BE A IDIOT "
Gary wrote on Sep 18, 2008 6:23 AM:
" The most discriminated against pereson in the world ia a white male smoker that owns a gun "
Gary wrote on Sep 18, 2008 6:18 AM:
" As a former resident of Cheyenne, I moved back to Maryland a little over a year ago because I work in High-Tech and there was no work for me anywhere out there. As for the smoking ban, it started in Maryland years ago just in the workplace and since then has spread everywhere. Every time there is a new study there is a new law. Face it people the ban will come, like it is everywhere. I am a smoker and I have adapted to these laws all along and you will too. One law we have here is that you must be 18 years old to buy or posess ant tobacco product and anyone caught buying tobacco products for a minor can be prosecuted. Anybody caught selling tobacco products to a minor without checking their ID can also be prosecuted. We pay extremely high taxes back here on cigarettes. Two dollars a pack increase since January on top of the buck and a half we were paying before. Don't be too hard on your government it beats living in the Peoples Republic of Maryland "
Ernest Smedley wrote on Sep 18, 2008 3:25 AM:
" Jeez the posting "non-smokers" are full of hate and venom. I don't smoke, but the non-smokers posting here are acting right up there with the KKK. "
Snake wrote on Sep 17, 2008 5:06 PM:
" Guess you Wyomingites aren't too smart. No one can make you stop smoking. They can only make you stop doing it in public places.
You can still smoke and choke to your heart's content in your own homes. Kill yourself, kill your wife/husband, kill your children. That's your choice. But do it quickly so I don't have to pay for your health care. "
You can still smoke and choke to your heart's content in your own homes. Kill yourself, kill your wife/husband, kill your children. That's your choice. But do it quickly so I don't have to pay for your health care. "
PK wrote on Sep 17, 2008 5:03 PM:
" A SMOKER wrote on Sep 16, 2008 12:17 PM:
" gonegreene says,"Most smokers are lower income and uneducated."
Explain to Me how Doctors,Lawyers,Military Personell,Senators and even past Presidents are lower income and uneducated ????
Is it not by law illegal to discriminate!!!
SO !!!! Why are smokers being discriminiated against??? "
Guess you proved the point, A SMOKER. It's spell PERSONNEL. Under-educated indeed. "
" gonegreene says,"Most smokers are lower income and uneducated."
Explain to Me how Doctors,Lawyers,Military Personell,Senators and even past Presidents are lower income and uneducated ????
Is it not by law illegal to discriminate!!!
SO !!!! Why are smokers being discriminiated against??? "
Guess you proved the point, A SMOKER. It's spell PERSONNEL. Under-educated indeed. "
To A Big Smoker wrote on Sep 17, 2008 4:02 PM:
" "There isn't anybody BIG enough who is gonna make me quit smoking"
Everyone eventually quits smoking. It may be with the last breath you take as you draw in the smoke through your stoma tube, but you will quit. "
Everyone eventually quits smoking. It may be with the last breath you take as you draw in the smoke through your stoma tube, but you will quit. "
Not Convinced wrote on Sep 17, 2008 2:15 PM:
" How can a republican state stand by and let the government dictate what private business can and cannot do? doesn't fly smack in the face of your republican virtues of private property and business principles?
call it what you want but it smells of the socialism that i see so many crying about around here.
have some backbone and defend your principles all you repulicans. its not second hand smoke that's making you sick, its your guilty conscience gnawing at you for letting your right agenda become eroded by your own self righteousness. "
call it what you want but it smells of the socialism that i see so many crying about around here.
have some backbone and defend your principles all you repulicans. its not second hand smoke that's making you sick, its your guilty conscience gnawing at you for letting your right agenda become eroded by your own self righteousness. "
MOOO On wrote on Sep 17, 2008 8:56 AM:
" Smokers need to get a life. How many smokers really want to light up a cigarette first thing the morning and cough for an hour. Has it hit you yet. Smoking kills and disables and causes suffering and it is an addiction. Don't look to government to sanction your addiction at the cost of public health. Laws in Wyoming are suppose to protect the public. Didn't Rep. Jack Landeon or Rep. Hallinin take an oath to protect and serve or is that just for other public servants. Now it politics and we can't take away a citizen right to make an idiot of himself and show their addiction in a public place. Why would they think that they should have the right to smoke in a public place anyway. I can't urinate in public. That's a law. This is not about taking away rights of citizens it
s all about protecting public health and maybe making insurance more available and more affordable before these smokers reach Medicare age and go on the public dole to have smoke related illness treated at the tax payers expense. Go Millin "
s all about protecting public health and maybe making insurance more available and more affordable before these smokers reach Medicare age and go on the public dole to have smoke related illness treated at the tax payers expense. Go Millin "
A Big Smoker wrote on Sep 16, 2008 6:03 PM:
" There isn't anybody BIG enough who is gonna make me quit smoking, I will and have smoked anywhere I want, anytime I wanted. Wasn't nobody BIG enough to stop me AND there never will be. I'll repeat it again, I will smoke anywhere, anytime I feel like it. Trust me! "
Sean wrote on Sep 16, 2008 4:36 PM:
" I'm not a smoker and never will be, but for thte government to tell people how to run their own private property (Business) is wrong. "
Ya Think wrote on Sep 16, 2008 2:27 PM:
" This subject seems to attract some logical thinkers. I'll bet some of the smokers who are whining about government intervention are the same ones who are on welfare and accepting food stamps, health care, and numerous other government assistance programs. Go figure. "
A SMOKER wrote on Sep 16, 2008 12:17 PM:
" gonegreene says,"Most smokers are lower income and uneducated."
Explain to Me how Doctors,Lawyers,Military Personell,Senators and even past Presidents are lower income and uneducated ????
Is it not by law illegal to discriminate!!!
SO !!!! Why are smokers being discriminiated against??? "
Explain to Me how Doctors,Lawyers,Military Personell,Senators and even past Presidents are lower income and uneducated ????
Is it not by law illegal to discriminate!!!
SO !!!! Why are smokers being discriminiated against??? "
for freedom fighter wrote on Sep 16, 2008 11:19 AM:
" my intake of alcohol does not cause you to get drunk or cause second hand lung cancer. Tobacco chewers are not aloud to spit on the floor at restaurants so why should I have to breath someones smoke? "
When Cows Fly wrote on Sep 16, 2008 9:37 AM:
" Smokers will continue to blow smoke up and try to obscure the fact that government needs to step in and pass a smoking ban. Smoking is not guaranteed under the constitution of the US or Wyoming. Elected officials need not to fear a threat from smokers. They probably distrust government so much that they don't vote, or they are on oxygen and can't get away to vote, or their other vice which appears to be alcohol because they want to exclude bars from the ban keeps them all tied up. Wyoming needs to recognize the rights of the non-smokers who choose to have a job to have workplace protections against second hand smoke. If it doesn't cause heart disease, cancer, or COPD then its a close runner up. Keep your guns throw away your smokes. "
bear wrote on Sep 16, 2008 8:06 AM:
" I am not a smoker but do not think that the government or anyone else should be in control of others rights!! Smokers pay a high tax on the cigs. What should we put a hight tax on to regain some of the money that will be lost? Toilet paper because everyone has to wipe at some point in the day and call it a poop tax??!! "
ban you wrote on Sep 15, 2008 10:36 PM:
" Does anyone realize, many if not most things banned, become far more appealing and tempting to try? This is a faux ban to raise the number of tobacco users. Banning anything makes the product more marketable. Live and let live. All of you zelouts need to get involved in living your own lives. Get proactive in raising your kids. Try teaching them by example instead of preaching to them all the evil ways others should not live their lives. Others might even follow your example? Happy people are involved in happy productive ways to live. Non-productive people get involved in everyone elses business and try to manage others choices, wether unhealthy or not. I know why i first smoked. It was a VERY concious choice! My parents were hugely religious and smoking was a sure ticket to hell. So of course as soon as i could, i b- lined it mini-mart and got my first pack of Virginia Slims Menthol lights..mmm hell tasted delicious! So did every rule i ever broke when i was young! I didn't smoked alot and don't smoke now. I don't care if you do and i don't care where you do it. "
Just give it up. wrote on Sep 15, 2008 10:23 PM:
" I'm a NON smoker and frankly I'm sick of hearing about this. Get onto important issues like giving employees in Wyoming rights. But I guess that is a real issue and lawmakers don't take on real issues. I don't like or trust politicians and believe they use things like this to distract from the real issues so you don't know they really aren't doing anything but collecting a paycheck. "
Mike wrote on Sep 15, 2008 10:00 PM:
" I have been in the restaurant business for over thrity years and I am a smoker as well ( Cancer Free since 1975) and what I don't understand is why do people feel that they have to go out to eat. Is there not one person,mother, father or single person that can cook in this cow town. Look you bunch of health nuts , these restaurants and bars do not belong to you to dictate to. The owners and managers still have the right to refuse service to "anyone" yet due to corporations and franchise presidents they are affraid to lose a little of their own soft money that is earned on the backs of the little workers that they won't stand up to the clown court that we call our City Council by closing their door's in defiance of any and all ban's. "
PK wrote on Sep 15, 2008 9:37 PM:
" You'll give up smoking when they pry the cigarettes from your cold, dead, (and stinky) hands.
Can't wait! "
Can't wait! "
What about the others wrote on Sep 15, 2008 6:35 PM:
" Ok so I have read everyones bias comments so I am posting my own. I smoke because I choose to and I don't do it in public, in may car, or in anyones face. I exercise and keep fit too! Contrary to popular opinion not all smokers are low income, or uneducated. I think I may quit smoking when overweight people stop over eating! They are more of a drain on the health system than I am. The number of complications caused by obesity far outweigh smoking. How about be ban everyone with a BMI over 28 from eating fast food. Bet 90% of obese people go to the doctor more than me (I go maybe once a year) Why should I be burdened with higher insurance costs so that they can get gastric bypass. Wasn't my fault they got that way in the first place. I say spread the wealth. If I have to endure bans then so should others "
I dont get it wrote on Sep 15, 2008 4:32 PM:
" What's the big deal? Do you really need to light up out in public? Can't you wait until you get home...I don't want to smell your smoke and I'm sure you don't want to smell my farts!!! "
POD wrote on Sep 15, 2008 2:53 PM:
" well the Republicans prove once again that they want less government.... that is less government control of corperations and more control of "YOUR" life ... get real wyoming and open your eyes!!! "
Just Say No wrote on Sep 15, 2008 9:18 AM:
" Perhaps we should ban sugar too? That leads to diabetes and affects the cost of health care. I can see the wheel's turning in some lobbyist's head already: "Sugar Free Wyoming." What a great way to make money and inflict your narrow view of the world on other people. Guns are bad too....oh wait, they already tried that. "
Wake UP wrote on Sep 15, 2008 8:30 AM:
" Again the government is already in your personal life, if you work you pay taxes, if you buy cigarettes you pay taxes. Increase the tax on cigarettes and you will in general decrease the usage. I like some government in my life. I hope to receive a check from Social Security, or if I'm injured at work Workers Compensation. I think Trans Fats should be banned, I think the obese should have medical benefits to treat the disease through insurance. I think insurance should be universal and available to everyone at an affordable price or with a government subsidy. We as a county don't want people to die without treatment. Smokers leave motherless children, smoking Dad's leave a family without support, why in the world would we not want government in our lives. Believe me ranchers and small businessmen and individuals cry out for governmental aid. We subsidize good social policy and public health issues through good government. It's not a law about spitting on the sidewalk. It's a law that protect you from the dangers of second hand smoke and the ones you profess to love. "
well wrote on Sep 15, 2008 8:23 AM:
" Smoking doesn't cause cancer in everyone. Until it does, I doiubt if any bans will work. If it were proven that every smoker got cancer and died, then maybe they would just stop producing them, until then, smkers are going to smoke, but need to do it where it does not offend others. "
gone greene wrote on Sep 15, 2008 5:39 AM:
" Gosh, butts thrown out of cars and smokers convinced they are being stripped of their rights to litter anywhere they desire. Healthy people burdened with higher healthcare costs due to smokers weakness and inability to quit. We all agree smoking has no positive attributes, so why argue about rights... just quit and we won't have these issues. Nothing says I am uneducated and don't care about my health like smoking. Everyone has the right to look like a looser, stink like an ask tray, and wheeze like an asthmatic. Just don't ask for help when you are diagnosed with cancer or breathing concerns. "
its about time wrote on Sep 15, 2008 1:33 AM:
" I wish the ban were already in place. It has been so nice to be able to eat out in Cheyenne since the city passed their ban. Driving to Fort Collins was our only real option for years. I much prefer spending what few extra dollars I have in Cheyenne rather than out of state.
Many of us attend professional seminars in Colorado rather than Wyoming because we know it will be in a smoke free environment. A state ban would keep more dollars in Wyoming. "
Many of us attend professional seminars in Colorado rather than Wyoming because we know it will be in a smoke free environment. A state ban would keep more dollars in Wyoming. "
gonegreene wrote on Sep 14, 2008 9:31 PM:
" It's not about contol, or trumping your rights - the point here is that smoking is costing every tax-paying citizen because of increased heathcare for smoker, a great deal of them who opt for paying for a carton of camels rather than a health insurance premium. Most smokers are lower income and uneducated. Quit screeming about your rights and simply quit smoking - there is nothing good that can come from it. By the way, when you toss your butts out the car window - it's littering. Another issue, but you know who you are... "
YooHoo wrote on Sep 14, 2008 3:12 PM:
" While, admirably, the motives of the special-interest groups seem to be in the interest of health, your solutions are blatantly an effort to control.
The solution you have chosen is an encroachment on peoples rights.
No other way to put it, pure and simple.
EVERYONES rights should be taken into consideration, and solutions sought that would be satisfactory to the majority of the PEOPLE not just special-interest groups and certain individuals.
I believe you people are trying to force others to stop smoking altogether, not just protecting non-smokers or lessening the possibility of future smokers. Otherwise you would be offering other solutions.
For example, why haven't there been any solutions offered along the lines of requiring public places of business to provide a separate, enclosed room, inside their establishments, that is adequately, even separately, ventilated to keep smoke from filtrating into or otherwise entering any other indoor areas?
Statewide ban...what next?
Ban on smoking in vehicles, homes or outside; anywhere?
This is abutting communism.
You're going too far. Stop and think of where this is heading. "
The solution you have chosen is an encroachment on peoples rights.
No other way to put it, pure and simple.
EVERYONES rights should be taken into consideration, and solutions sought that would be satisfactory to the majority of the PEOPLE not just special-interest groups and certain individuals.
I believe you people are trying to force others to stop smoking altogether, not just protecting non-smokers or lessening the possibility of future smokers. Otherwise you would be offering other solutions.
For example, why haven't there been any solutions offered along the lines of requiring public places of business to provide a separate, enclosed room, inside their establishments, that is adequately, even separately, ventilated to keep smoke from filtrating into or otherwise entering any other indoor areas?
Statewide ban...what next?
Ban on smoking in vehicles, homes or outside; anywhere?
This is abutting communism.
You're going too far. Stop and think of where this is heading. "
freedomfighter wrote on Sep 14, 2008 12:35 PM:
" This anti smoking thing has gone way too far. Booze is still glamorized, getting smashed on alcohol is okay, but lighting up a cigarette anywhere on the plantet will get a body into trouble. Shows where the big money is for sure! "
Mike wrote on Sep 14, 2008 11:38 AM:
" Allow me to be the first commentor. We all know that the Manipulated Poll done by the American Cancer Society would favor the Ban. We also know that a majority of Legislators , Represnatives , Senators will also favor this Ban due to pressure from Lobbyist and those that backed these people up in their run for office so Fecht , Millin and others have their political careers on line if they don't vote for a Ban. In the old South we would have just Tarred and Feathered you carpet Baggers. Most of you have got your Convictions and Morals so messed up anyways from sitting in your butts for so long in office and earning the easiest salary. It just makes me sick knowing that this state has to follow suit on an issue or be condemned for not being Liberal. "
Shilo Jones wrote on Sep 14, 2008 11:32 AM:
" "Efforts to enact a ban in Casper and Gillette have failed in the past."
Yeah that's because METH is a BIGGER problem in those places, and they REALIZE it and are PROACTIVE about more important issues. "
Yeah that's because METH is a BIGGER problem in those places, and they REALIZE it and are PROACTIVE about more important issues. "
Pete wrote on Sep 14, 2008 11:03 AM:
" Let's get this passed this year. Most areas of the country now have smoking bans in effect, with most of the rest of the country on the verge of passing one. There is no need for any more delays. "
katie wrote on Sep 14, 2008 9:39 AM:
" I was happy to learn there is a smoking ban in Cheyenne but I am wondering how many other people know about it. My family has not lived here long and I was very put out during Fronteir Days when it seemed every where we went we were forced to breath someone's dirty cigarette smoke! I took my 3 young children to 2 of the parades and at each one we had people all around us smoking the whole time. We also enjoy going to see the Tuesday night movies at Lions Park but apparently people don't know how extreamly RUDE it is to light up wherever they please. Is the city ban on public smoking only limited to indoors or is there something that protects our right to breathe fresh air when we are outdoors? I have nothing against smokers but please don't polute the fresh air of those around you. If you must smoke in a public area remove yourself from the crowd. It is really rude to blow smoke in the faces of by-standers that are out trying to enjoy the community events. "
shawn anderson wrote on Sep 14, 2008 9:24 AM:
" It's about time. I agree with this. smoke in your car or your house. But, I don't want to smell it. "
Cancer Survivor wrote on Sep 14, 2008 9:20 AM:
" Keep up the great work Rep. Millin. I voted for you and I strongly believe my vote was very productive in electing the STRONGEST candidate for the job. Don't let the others derail your efforts!!! "
Non Smoker wrote on Sep 14, 2008 8:06 AM:
" As a non smoker, I can tell you how nice it is to have clean smelling clothes, cars and houses. I know the difference because I grew up with all smokers in the family. However, even if it is a choice (which people have a RIGHT to make) how is it different than choosing what brand of car to drive, what clothes to wear, whether or not to drink (and subsequently drive) or what stores to shop at? If more laws like this pass, where does the government stop interfering with personal our lives? I understand health concerns completely, but what gives others the right to take peoples choices away? Most things in life aren't good for you... is riding without helmets or seatbelts next (wait they already were)... what about alcohol, bacon, gravy, couches, lazy summer days, vacations... who wants others saying what they can and can't do? I just don't get it. "
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Ralphinphnx wrote on Sep 21, 2008 10:43 PM:
Gestapo have returned
and doesn't Senator &
AWOL Cheyenne Police
Chief Bob Fecht Look
Nice In His New Chief
of the Smoke Police?
Wonder how much the
State of Wyoming will
pay Chief Fecht? "