Archive for the ‘smoking prohibition’ Category

Anti-Smoking, Left Coast Lunacy Strikes Again

Monday, April 18th, 2011

The last time I checked, smoking was still legal in America, right? I mean we are still allowed the privilege to smoke our beloved cigars in at least some places… right? Well, I’m sad and angered to report that not if California, Senator Mark DeSaulnier has his way.

Say hello to California Senate Bill 575, proposed by Sen. DeSaulnier on February 17, 2011…

SB 575, as introduced, DeSaulnier. Smoking in the workplace. Existing law prohibits smoking of tobacco products inside an enclosed space, as defined, at a place of employment. The violation of the prohibition against smoking in enclosed spaces of places of employment is an infraction punishable by a specified fine. This bill would expand the prohibition on smoking in a place of employment to include an owner-operated business, as defined. This bill would also eliminate most of the specified exemptions that permit smoking in certain work environments, such as hotel lobbies, bars and taverns, tobacco shops, banquet rooms, warehouse facilities, and employee break rooms. By expanding the scope of an infraction, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

PROHIBITION

attachmentGo ahead… say the ugly word with me right now, people, and say it loud! You know what… we tried this bit of fascist, puritanical bullshit about a century ago here in the U.S. and it didn’t work out very well, did it? And what is most absurd is that one of the very last places in the world that you can still smoke is a cigar lounge, and of course, leave it to a politician with an agenda to target it for extermination.

California is an incredibly influential state and if this passes, the Pandora’s Box is open wide as other states will no doubt quickly follow suit. In 1998, actor/director Rob Reiner was the proponent of Prop 10 (referred to by many as the Meathead Bill) helping to heavily tax tobacco, then championed the strictest anti-smoking laws that were soon mimicked throughout the U.S.

Now, while I don’t live in California, I certainly do feel that I have the right to tell Senator Mark DeSaulnier, a man elected by the tax payers, how I feel about his proposed bill. A quick Google search and I found his website and contact information and sent him the following message…

Senator DeSaulnierLet me tell you that I enjoy cigars – a legal product here in the United States of America. When I visit your state of California,  I seek out cigar bars and smoking lounges to relax and enjoy my passion. It is beyond all comprehension that you propose to take this adult right away from people. You were NOT elected and bestowed the power to remove our rights, but rather to preserve our freedom to choose the way we want to live our lives. Senator, you are now taking Big Brother to a whole new level as George Orwell laughs from above. – Tommy Zarzecki

smoking_nazisWe, the “so-called” People are losing our rights at an astonishing clip and if we don’t make some noise, then we don’t stand a chance. I personally urge all people – not just smokers – but ALL people to call and write your government representatives and tell them to STOP destroying our liberties and personal freedoms in America. STOP with the outrageous taxes, STOP trampling on our rights, and STOP deciding on what YOU think is best for responsible adults who are very capable of making their own choices when it comes to smoking, food, drink, and whatever else YOU propose to TAX and regulate the living Shinola out of.

This is scary, guys and it’s time for our voices to be heard before we’re all standing on a four-hour line to get a roll of toilet paper at our jobs in front of the cement plant. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Well, Belushi was right about one thing…

It’ ain’t over until WE say it is.

TZ.Sig.2

Tommy Z . JR Cigars Blog With the Zman

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