Yeah…
Kirkwood City Council votes on a smoking ban Thursday night. It is expected to fail.
So certain members of an elected body may choose to agree with not becoming a smoke-free community and it is my understanding that in Kirkwood that is the case.

Be careful of the fine print on the ballot. The tax exempt American Cancer Society tricked the voters of Ohio into voting for a ban with exemptions, only to have them removed AFTER they were voter approved. If they got away with it once, you know they’ll do it again. “Thank you American Cancer Society, we never knew all you do” The private vets clubs of Ohio who thought they were exempt according to the ballot learned what they do. I’m sure they are remembering them with with their donations and estate plans.

Tobacco kills 435,000 Americans yearly this is a fact not a question. Based upon this fact does government have a duty to ensure life, liberty, and happiness? My answer is yes and it is about time government stopped protecting its revenue stream. Tobacco related health problems have a large impact upon the health care system. These smokers having paid a small fortune in tax and insurance premiums privately and publicly are entitled to medical care. But couldn’t we do better by taxpayers and beneficiaries by limiting access to tobacco and smoking? Couldn’t we tax tobacco production or just put it out of business altogether. The main culprits in this crime against humanity are the states of North Carolina, Virginia, Tennesse, Kentucky, and Missouri. This states are served by mostly Republicans. Have they not done enough harm to the United States already? Why do we have to let these people hiding in these states perpetrate a crime against humanity year after year. My answer is we do not and when we take action we will stop being harmed not before.

Michael, let’s have a conversation on fattening foods. Obesity causes more deaths than smoking. So, by your thinking, we need to ban all foods that can cause obesity. We need to limit access to sugar and transfats don’t we? While we’re at it, I saw a story that well-done steaks have carcinogens in them..so perhaps we ban restaurants from cooking steaks to that doneness. Eggs cooked sunnyside up could have salmonella in them..ban ‘em. Salads that have been grown with pesticides..ban ‘em.

Yep, Michael, it’s a slippery slope. However, I’m glad you are looking out for my health…since I obviously cannot look after it myself.