Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Come for the Climate; Stay for the Fascism

From the July 12th San Jose Mercury News:
City officials in Richmond [California] are snuffing out smoking in apartments, condominiums and public places, making it the hardest place in the San Francisco Bay area to smoke.

The City Council approved an ordinance this month that will ban lighting up in all multiunit housing by Jan. 1, 2011. Officials say smoking in multiunit housing exposes people to secondhand smoke, which can travel between apartments.

The city has already banned smoking in parks, farmers markets and other public places. Fines start at $100 for violating the bans.

Richmond was given an "F" by the American Lung Association in January, which got city leaders to move quickly to enact tougher restrictions to discourage smoking and reduce secondhand smoke.
Two years ago, btw, Richmond was the per-capita murder capital of California, suggesting the city has more important law enforcement issues about which to worry.

(via Protein Wisdom)

4 comments:

OBloodyHell said...

'Scuze me while I go practice up on my goose step...

OBloodyHell said...

Also -- hasn't most of the data on "second hand smoke" been largely discredited, now?

@nooil4pacifists said...

OBH:

I think you're right on second hand smoke: except for flight attendants (all U.S. airlines now prohibit smoking), the data don't exist.

OBloodyHell said...

> except for flight attendants (all U.S. airlines now prohibit smoking), the data don't exist.

This is due to federal regulation, not choice. I guarantee you that, were you to attempt to start a "smoker's airline" (i.e., if you don't like the smoke, don't fly with us!) you would be prevented.