For cryin' out - freakin' loud! I just can't believe this...

Ok, let's get something straight, first of all, I am a non-smoker, but I think the new anti-smoking laws are just a pile of crap. I'm an expectant mother, and though I may have had a cigarette, or two, or three in my past (and I still, on rare occasion, enjoy a really good cigar - but not now while I am pregnant, or even if I choose to breastfeed!), I'm a strong advocate for not smoking around children.

I'd even go as far as to say that smoking in public places is a bad idea, I mean, there are many people with health issues and respiratory problems who do not need to be exposed to second-hand smoke. I understand, and those people deserve to be able to go out and have a good time and not suffer from smokers' constant puffing.

Am I double-talking? No. Not at all. What I'd propose are establishments that are smoker-friendly ONLY and establishments that are SMOKE-FREE only. Why does one group have to suffer at the expense of the rest? I know, I know, for YEARS... YEARS... non-smokers were, in effect, "held at smokepoint" (and I have also been in this category). My significant other, and most of my friends are true smokers, and I have no problem with that -- when they (including my own sweet mother) come over for a visit, we all simply just go outside.

What really bothers me is the "snitch and tell" attitude that is in effect. Here's the way I see it, if you are in a place that you don't want to be in, it's very simple. WALK OUT.

Gosh, girl, you've got a really bad attitude!" Not really. When I took a look at the new smoking laws and complaints in my area (snitch and tell), this is what I found:

You can read the full text of the smoking laws and any reported violations, which I found in my local newspaper, posted as a link here.

Ok, good. Now we can see where all those mean ol' nasty smokers are allowed to congregate and offend the sensibilities of "all good and righteous people" - right?

Ha! Take a look... most of the reported violations here, in my area, are at CLUBS that should have the RIGHT to "light up" if they so choose. They've more than earned the right. No one is FORCING a non-smoker to join up, walk in, or to hang out with those good and honorable men and women who have CHOSEN to fight, who have served, and who have defended our country. They can't even enjoy the personal freedoms they fought to defend!

What hypocrisy! What arrogance!

Those clubs are:

The American Legion
The Veterans of Foreign Wars
AmVets

Now, I am much less familiar with these other organizations (see below), or what they stand for, but it's the same principle: They are PRIVATE MEMBERS-ONLY CLUBS, and, they, too, should have the right to light up in their own facilities. No one has held a gun to my head, made me walk into the Elks Lodge and said... "Sit down, we want and need to give you lung cancer!"

Those clubs are:
Loyal Order of the Moose
Moose Lodge
Eagles Club
Elks Club

Since these are "members-only" establishments, and if they want to light up, they should be allowed to do so.

Further, no one is forcing a non-smoker to WORK there, and the public IS ALLOWED in these clubs -- at the INVITATION OF A MEMBER.

You want to talk about obnoxious, rude, socially unacceptable behavior? Be a friend of a MEMBER and then go in and report that organization. That's just lovely behavior, isn't it? Kinda reminds me of the Greeks and their use of Trojan Horse... or that old expression, "a wolf in sheep's clothing". It's kinda like being invited over to a dear friend's place and then stealing something behind their back. It's two-faced, and I'm angry about it.

Granted, I can see NO SMOKING ALLOWED in restaurants, and I have no issue with that. Why drop major bucks on nice perfume (I love wearing Obsession or Opium) and getting "dressed to the nines" for some special occasion, or just for the fun of it, only to come home smelling like street trash when surrounded by smokers? I CAN see "the other side" because I've been there.

But, come on, some places just need to be exempted from this law: Private clubs and bars.

Now, let's talk about bars. A bar IS a bar, for cryin' out loud, and people go there to unwind, get their minds off things, shoot a game of pool, or whatever, and having a smoke with a drink is "what is done."

What, shall we sit there, with a Black Russian (pick your own favorite beverage and insert here) in one hand, while philosophically discussing "what's wrong with this country" while thoughtfully munching on a freakin' carrot (or celery!) stick in the other? Didn't even Bugs Bunny "light up" in some old re-run? Gawd.

Oh, please.

Some establishments should just be excluded from this ridiculous law. Period.

If we REALLY wanted to make changes with "air purity laws" - let's start with those multi-million (or billion) dollar companies that have been PROFITING off of toxic pollutants for YEARS...

Yes. Let's start THERE!

Just check this page (courtesy of Cincinnati.com) to make the search to find out what's going on in YOUR AREA... (as far as I know, this law applies only in Ohio).