Earlier today I read an article about a woman in Michigan who collapsed and died of an asthma attack, which an autopsy revealed was brought on by exposure to second-hand smoke. How many people have to die for our lawmakers and even the smokers themselves to realize that clean indoor air is a matter of life and death? I've never been to a casino-boat, but a bus-load of seniors goes over to Peoria from Rantoul once or twice a month, and seniors are among the most vulnerable to the effects of second-hand smoke.

Clean indoor air is not a matter of tax revenue or even of people's rights to put whatever poisons and carcinogens they wish into their own bodies. It is about the rights of the rest of us to breathe clean air and our right to live.

Posted by riweber on February 13, 2008 at 3:08 PM Suggest Removal

riweber:

Guess what, you DO NOT HAVE TO frequent places that will allow smoking and neither does ANYONE who does NOT want to be around it!!!! THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE, DON'T LIKE IT?, DON'T FREQUENT PLACES WHERE SMOKING IS ALLOWED!!!!

I wonder WHY a woman who has asthma, would subject herself to the hazards of "toxic second-hand smoke" enough to trigger a severe attack. There is more to this story, perhaps, with severe asthma, ANYTHING could have triggered a severe attack, but the anti-smoking NAZI'S HAVE TO imply it was "second-hand smoke" to further their agenda!!

LET THOSE BUSINESSES THAT WANT TO CATER TO A CLIENTELLE THAT WANTS TO SMOKE HAVE AN ESTABLISHMENT THAT ALLOWS IT!!!!!!!

THERE WAS NEVER A BAN ON BUSINESSES THAT WANTED TO CATER TO A CLIENTELLE THAT WANTED A SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT TO PROVIDE A SMOKE FREE ESTABLISHMENT!!!!

For the record, I do not smoke cigarettes/cigars, don't care to be around it that much, but I can avoid it if I choose to!!

Posted by FReRydr on February 13, 2008 at 10:38 PM Suggest Removal

WHY NOT BAN/OUTLAW cigarettes/tobacco products rather than outlaw the CONSUMPTION of HEAVILY TAXED, HEAVILY REGULATED, LEGAL PRODUCTS????!!!!! OH THAT'S RIGHT, THE STATE IS ADDICTED TO THE TAXES!!!!!!!!!!!

ALL TOBACCO MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS SHOULD BOYCOTT THE STATES THAT OUTLAW THE CONSUMPTION OF THEIR HEAVILY REGULATED, HEAVILY TAXED LEGAL PRODUCT!!!!! MAKE THEM AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET THROUGH THE NATIVE AMERICAN RESERVATIONS SO NO TAXES CAN BE COLLECTED FROM THE SALE OF THEIR HEAVILY REGULATED, LEGAL PRODUCT!!!! MAKE THE STATE GO THROUGH WITHDRAWL FROM THE LOSS OF TAX REVENUE, THEY DON'T SPEND THE MONEY COLLECTED WISELY ANYHOW!!!!!!!!!

Posted by FReRydr on February 13, 2008 at 10:50 PM Suggest Removal

Again, "FReRydr"

As I stated in another post, I suggest you settle down and take up a more productive hobby than ranting. A little substance wouldn't hurt if you choose to continue the whole "rant" thing. Your writing also reflects a lack of consideration and respect for your ideological opponents and your readers. You might want to brush up on that.

As is indicated by your response to "riweber", you are a bully (verbally and anonymously anyway). He/she has a legitimate complaint and a clear point. Please respond with the courtesy they deserve.

Fondly, Bill

Your pal, Bill

Posted by BillD on February 15, 2008 at 7:54 AM Suggest Removal