Poll: Ban Smoking at State Parks?

Ray Corse July 17, 2012 at 06:39 pm

There are only two kinds of smokers: Addicted and IGNORANT......How stupid do you have to be to smoke when you know the ill effects?. Get the addicted ones help and let the stupid ones kill themselves, but don't let innocent people get sick from being around smokers.

Rofo_Rec July 17, 2012 at 07:59 pm

This will not stop the smoking. Educate and be pro-active in awareness programs is the only course. I am a former smoker of many years.

Shawnee July 17, 2012 at 08:19 pm

I'm kind of torn on this one. People should have the right to smoke where ever they want outdoors but then again we dont want our parks littered with ciggarette butts. I think the problem is negligence. State parks are there for ALL to enjoy. Everyone is responsible for cleaning up after themselves, picking up their trash and keeping the park clean. Smokers and non-smokers alike.

Mike July 17, 2012 at 08:19 pm

And my tax dollars have to go to help clean up THEIR mess. If not banned, add an extra 50 cent per pack tax that goes ditectly to the parks for cleaning costs.

Bill B. July 17, 2012 at 08:33 pm

The problem is not only negligence, but laziness and selfishness. How many times do you see butts being thrown from car windows? Know why? Cuz they stink up the cars when left in an ashtray. Lazy for not seeking a recepticle to put them in to dispose of them when finished. Selfish by not caring about it at all. I used to smoke 3 packs a day and those of you who do smoke, know what I am saying. I am so glad I gave up the habit. Please be a little more considerate of the rest of us. Thank you.

john davidson July 17, 2012 at 10:23 pm

“The state must declare the child to be the most precious treasure of the people. As long as the government is perceived as working for the benefit of the children, the people will happily endure almost any curtailment of liberty and almost any deprivation.”
(Mein Kampf, Adolf Hitler; 1943) The Führer thanks you from the grave: Hitler was a Leftist Hitler's Anti-Tobacco Campaign One particularly vile individual, Karl Astel -- upstanding president of Jena University, poisonous anti-Semite, euthanasia fanatic, SS officer, war criminal and tobacco-free Germany enthusiast -- liked to walk up to smokers and tear cigarettes from their unsuspecting mouths. (He committed suicide when the war ended, more through disappointment than fear of hanging.) It comes as little surprise to discover that the phrase "passive smoking" (Passivrauchen) was coined not by contemporary American admen, but by Fritz Lickint, the author of the magisterial 1100-page Tabak und Organismus ("Tobacco and the Organism"), which was produced in collaboration with the German AntiTobacco League.

john davidson July 17, 2012 at 10:25 pm

I betcha the smokers pay more taxes than you do!

Gene Sweeney July 18, 2012 at 01:44 am

I don't think smoking should should be banned in state parks. As long as smoking is legal in Pennsylvania's outdoors, it should be legal in state parks. Someone who litters is going to do it no matter what their habits may be. What's next, banning soda drinkers because people throw cans on the ground??? Just fine the people littering!
On a somewhat related topic, why can't we consume alcohol when camping in a state park? The state will sell adults alcohol but not allow them to drink it in a park their tax money pays for! I bring this up as a camper. In Delaware you can drink in a state park and in my experience I have never seen a problem. In both cases, I think it is unfortunate that some in government want to punish everyone because of the misdeeds of a few knuckleheads.

Patti Mitchell July 18, 2012 at 10:26 am

It is outside...Is this a Communist country?? People have the right to smoke outside! Just keep it clean.

Liberty 1 July 18, 2012 at 10:40 am

Boy, I wish I was as smart as you!!! You have all the answers.

Liberty 1 July 18, 2012 at 10:45 am

Dead on. Educate without hysterics and questionable "scientific" claims. Both sides - the tobacco industry AND the anti smoking nazis - lie to us. Surely there must be someone who does not have an axe to grind or a carton to sell.

Liberty 1 July 18, 2012 at 10:50 am

Smokers DO pay a lot of taxes for thier habit. You should thank them and wonder what will happen if everybody who indulges stopped, where will the states get their tax fix? I wonder why the companies didn't just stop selling cigs in those states that sued them several years ago - the tax money lost would have quickly changed the minds of the wealth vampires.

Maria Mastascusa Law July 18, 2012 at 01:14 pm

As the mom of a child with a major lung disease which any exposure to smoke/particulates of any sort can cause major issues, I find it sad when other people's "liberties" impact the liberties of other people and prevent them from being able to enjoy the outdoors. I have no problem with someone smoking where they are not impacting other people and not littering at all. This isn't what happens. Unfortunately, when we go out to walk on our local state park and trails, inevitably we run into a smoker on the same trail and no they do not put out their cigarette when we are forced to walk right by them. I am not sure when the rights of someone to hurt themselves became more important than the rights of someone simply trying to enjoy the outdoors.

Christine R July 18, 2012 at 01:25 pm

I am a former smoker, been smoke free of my own will for almost 7 years. I am sick of seeing butts laying all over the place and smelling other peoples smoke. I makes me sorry for all the people that I subjected to my old ignorant habit. The new commercials on tv are disturbing but eye opening, sadly it is a hard addiction to kick and a few bans and a few commercials aren't going to stop people.

oceanic64 July 19, 2012 at 05:12 am

paranoia the destroyer

Liberty 1 July 19, 2012 at 10:13 am

John D - Great history on the roots of the anti smoking movement. I believe many people do not think through their beliefs and see where it can lead. How long before other groups are singled out for discrimination because of safety concerns?

Liberty 1 July 19, 2012 at 10:15 am

Just because you believe someone is watching you doesn't mean they're not!

Thats Life July 19, 2012 at 11:42 am

If it is because of picking up butts then i think eating and drinking should be banned as well, I see more empty soda bottles and sandwich wrappers than i see cig butts thrown around.

Thom Moses July 19, 2012 at 01:14 pm

Littering is already a crime. We don't need another law. They already ban alcohol, most states don't. Those who wish to smoke need to not throw the butts on the ground, the worst place is on streets esp at intersection, it's absolutely disgusting. So what's next, no smoking in your car. I hate the restaurant ban, I would prefer to leave it up to the business. I don't smoke.

Dynamo47 August 2, 2012 at 10:33 am

I smoked and am in the midst of quitting. Went from a pack down to about 2. While we all know smoking is bad for us it is not the government's job to tell us what is good and what isn't good for us. That sets a dangerous precedent.
What is to stop the government from banning alcohol as we have seen what happened the last time that happened? What is to stop the government from moving on to regulating pizza places, fast food restaurants, etc. Honestly breathing in the air is killing us. Leave a white paper plate outside for a day or two. It will be gray and mottled in two days simply from the air we breathe. The government needs to stick to governing and not dictating behaviors on it's citizens.

chassity August 13, 2012 at 10:12 pm

A lot of good intelligent arguments here, it gives you lots to think about before jumping to one side or the other.

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