The Duluth City Council passed an ordinance last night, that does not allow smoking with in 15 feet of a bus stop. It passed by a 7-2 vote. Duluth is the first city in Minnesota to pass such an ordinance. There is a state law that does not allow smoking in a bus shelter.
The State law is no enforced and I don't see this one being enforced either. It is hard to enforce unless a cop is right there. What happens some one calls the cops there is some one smoking with 15 feet of a bus stop. By the time a cop gets there they are done with there cigarette and nothing can be done. It is an ordinance if easily enforced I would have been okay with. I don't see this serving any good.
It will not prevent people from smoking in or around a bus stop. I have seem plenty of people smoke in the shelters and downtown at the transit center.
I agree with councilor Jay Fosle this is going to difficult to enforce. It is going to be another wasted law on the books.
Todd Fedora and Jay Fosle where the two no votes.
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7 comments:
John:
Come on you know that these kids could did not care if people smoked around a bus stop or not.
They where told they where going to be part of this effort by an adult. This was driven by an adult and the anti-smoking crowd.
12 year old's don't get invovled in goverment.
Really. You seeno problem with this ordinance (if easily enforced)? John, I'm very disappointed in you. Cigarettes, whether you like them or not, are a legal product. Being to that it is illegal to smoke in an outdoor, public area is a disgusting misuse of government control.
Danny I agree with you 100% however in today's world smoking is one of those things that are getting more and more regulated by the Goverment and it seems like it won't be stopped.
The fact is if it was enforceable then I could see it, but it is not. Am I infavor of a legal things being stopped no. The thing is with the make up of our council you had to know it would pass, you some times need to pick your battles and in the long sceme this is not one worth fighting.
No if the State or city tries to out law smoking in a car, house ect.. I will be there.
Anonymous,
I did not approve your comment because I don't want to turn this blog in to a bitch fest, or a back and forth of slamming people.
I'm willing to participate, and I think it is a good thing to participate. I have a particular bent which may make me unwanted here. That is, I think these discussions can go on with out any innuendos, labeling, implications, images, name calling, or even a slight judgment, like "expressing dismay or disappointment or some kind of indication like "how could you think that" which points back at another individual, group, or commenter.
Having said that, it is possible and even justifiable for anyone to have a huge perspective on this issue and the should have the right to make the comment within the context of civility and respect. For example I know people that are physically allergic to smoke and they will applaud the move, enforceable or not. I also know people that are adamant about individual rights and will feel quite different.
Now for my opinion: I have seen personally that no smoking is fraught with enforceability issues. Still I wonder how federal building do it. They seem to have a better record than other places who attempt it. I don't think enforceability should be the only criteria for yea or nay. We are doing better on seat belts, and that is saving lives. One way it happened is to get safety more into the culture, which is what happened to increase the use of seat belts. So if the law can help get this into the culture it might be a good step. Many smokers (and my mother was so I love smokers - ok) do realize that in some places there might be people that, through no fault of their own, feel very unpleasant around smoke. So they self select to smoke only in certain less public places. If this law, unenforceable as it is, can help with awareness and understanding, then, why not.
Paul thank your comment. It is a good one. I have never thought about an educational value to this.
Your opinion is always welcome here. It does not matter if matches mine or any one else that comments on here. I have many people that don't agree with come to this site and we great converstation.
John, you and I know each other, and really only through electronic communication. I have come to know that we differ on some things, but I always listen to your point of and consider it. I will to any, and won't even be argumentative back, like I'm trying to convince someone else (and sometimes I get convinced). We've never insulted each other or demeaned the others character. I've seen the newspaper blogs get out of hand. I call the people that seem to do a baseless rant and do the things I listed in my first post "blogging people". I do applaud your attempt to get people to come together electronically and dialogue. That is why I am hanging in there.
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