"No Smoking- (House Bill 1536)"

(Deep breath here) Where is it written in the book of laws that taking some leaves, drying them out, crushing them to tiny bits, adding to the leaves additional mind and body altering additives, taking said leaves and wrapping them with a thin piece of paper into a tube-like form, THEN, after that is done, setting the device on fire to produce a constant low level flame as the leaves burn, THEN ingesting into the lungs the combustible smoke? Where is it written that smoking in public is a RIGHT?

Common sense has been desensitized on the issue of smoking as a right wherever and whenever a smoker sees fit. Bad news…it's NOT! If you agree that homosexuality is unnatural, then you also have to agree that smoking is an unnatural act. Root word-(nature). Most of the laws of nature are the very same laws as those of common sense. When they disagree, it's paranormal, weird, UN-natural.

We've become so accustomed to doing an unnatural act, that it's accepted without question, even to the point of giving it "rights" status. Welcome smokers to the world of Political Correctness. Let's not offend those who partake in that lifestyle.

For a moment, think about how crazy the very act itself is. What would happen if I would go to the nearest bar, pull out an ashtray, lay down an incense stick, and light it so it produces a cloud of nauseous smoke? What would happen if I announced that this smoke, as you well know, not only stinks like hell, but also is addictive and causes everything from cancer to emphysema? Chances are most people would be outraged that you'd even want to do that in private, must less in public.

All that being said, I think Representative Bobby Moody's bill to prohibit smoking in enclosed public places does go too far. If businesses want to set up smoking bars, fine. If restaurants invest in a good air filtration system and allow smoking, fine. If casinos want to allow smoking, fine. But Representative Moody's House Bill 1536 is too broad and it's not needed. I don't have a problem with posting no smoking signs or setting aside places to light up. Most businesses and companies already set aside designated smoking areas. They'd be crazy not to offer those areas. There are too many trial lawyers AND employees looking for early retirement.

One final thing, if the audience calling in across the state is any measure of voters' sentiments, lawmakers would be advised that their political futures would be better served by avoiding bills that have to do with tobacco or teddy bears!

Paul Gallo

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