Wheat Ridge Says ‘No Smoking For You’…Anywhere Outside
Face The State reported on Wheat Ridge’s proposed ban on outdoor smoking ban:
A draft ordinance presented to city council May 3 would extend this prohibition to outdoor public areas, including, parks, trails, bus stops, alleyways and even sidewalks and parking lots. It would also push the non-smoking perimeter around public entrances from the statewide minimum of 15 feet to 25 feet, close exemptions for outdoor patio areas and designated smoking areas in workplaces, and make it illegal to light up in “cigarette stores, hooka bars and smoking lounges.”
Good for Wheat Ridge. We wouldn’t want any cigarette store patrons getting any second-hand smoke…that would be bad for their health. I’m sure the hooka bar or smoking lounge owner is excited about this ordinance since ‘smoking’ in hooka bars or smoking lounges is kinda the point. The ordinance changes would also not allow smoking on sidewalks, streets, alleys, parking lots, open air bus stops, parks, and trails. Basically, smoking wouldn’t be allowed anywhere the public could be exposed to a wisp of second-hand smoke.
Smoker’s needn’t worry about this measure as the council is considering allowing you to smoke in your vehicle…as long as it moving. Oh yes, Wheat Ridge will also allow you to smoke on your own private property…with the doors and windows closed…and the lights turned low.
Smoker’s also shouldn’t be concerned whether the Police Chief has considered your personal liberties to smoke outside. He acknowledges the claim of “freedom of choice.” He just doesn’t think the argument has any merit. In the memo attached to the draft ordinance Daniel Brennan, Chief of Police for city of Wheat Ridge wrote:
The main arguments against local ordinances restricting smoking in public places include the perceptions of lost revenue and a person’s freedom of choice in deciding to smoke.
In 2001, a national study of smoke-free laws concluded there was a positive impact on restaurants. A similar study on bars and hotels found that there were no negative effects resulting from smoke-free laws.
The City of Arvada reported increased revenue from their restaurants and lounges after adopting their ordinance. The TPI Team has offered to assist with our education efforts.
Nary a word addressing “freedom of choice” and just who is the TPI Team that will assist them in their propaganda education efforts? Why it’s the one and only Ciggy and his Tobacco Prevention Initiative (TPT) Team of Jefferson County Public Health.
JeffCo Ciggy - traumatizing kids all over Jefferson County
What this effort has become is social engineering rather than a public health issue. As the proposed ordinace states:
WHEREAS, the Council further finds that reducing youth exposure to tobacco and others smoking tobacco reduces the chances of modeling and normalizing of tobacco use, thus decreasing the chances that youth will begin smoking
It sounds like Wheat Ridge desires to model and normalize it’s own residents through even more nannyish and liberty depriving ordinances.
If you don’t have any reservations or concerns about this ordinance, don’t get upset when the next thing Wheat Ridge decides to ban is something you like. A city council study session is scheduled on Monday the 17th of May.
The matter on taking away liberties on people is a very low measure, and it’s sad to see the ‘free’ country of America slip to this state, but… I believe it’s a very good idea to try to promote no tobacco use upon youth. Even though smoking is a personal decision, live and let live, it’s still a very harmful and addicting substance, with at least seventeen deadly poisons inside one cigarette.
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Great. It’s the same here in New York. Can be extremely amusing, but that’s how it is in the 21st century.