Here we go again…Bethany Beach has banned smoking on the beach and now RB is pondering doing likewise. You know, without intending to offend (and I’m not really sure why I worry about that since there are too many who don’t care about offending me and my ilk)…what a crock! Restuarants, bars, buildings both public and work break rooms, cafeterias etc. have all had smoking bans enacted. The question then was “Where do we smokers go?” and the answer is “Outside!”. That means in all weathers and, surely, because in the open air dispersion of the dreaded haze is much quicker, more efficient. So what the heck is the beach? The boardwalk?
What connotation or visual does the thought “resort” conjure up for just about anyone? Okay…could be my interpretative skills are lacking but to me it’s pleasure, fun, relaxation, a day or a week…or simply a couple of hours of diversion from the hurly-burly of the work week and/or busy life. And when we plan for time at a “resort” we take along those things that are totally enjoyable, the things that are pleasurable to us. Beach attire, sometimes foods, always beverages, beach playthings, books…pretty much anything which denotes comfort, fun. I agree that for many cigarettes don’t fall into that bailiwick…then again accompanying pets, unruly children, a beach ball landing four-square into the middle of picnic doesn’t do it for just as many, either. We already have a ban on dogs on beach and boardwalk for half the year (with the exception, of course, on greyhound weekend). Doesn’t matter that, for whatever reason this area is very well-populated with owners of other rescue pups…no exceptions made for them or any other beloved family pet. No walking one’s dog one step beyond Dolles from now until November. Frankly, I’m not a beach goer until the hordes are gone, all is quiet and the beach empty. I don’t sunbathe, don’t swim, and especially don’t care for crowded areas anywhere, anytime so the solitude of the beach in winter really appeals to me. To ME….and there is the key. I’m not selfish, certainly do not deny anyone their comforts or pleasures or the right to voice an opinion but why can’t we leave it at that instead of demanding others to be mindful of ‘your’ comforts and pleasures, to cease and desist their own in favour of ‘yours’? Because those who deem it necessary to believe they can ensure MY health by banning smoking everywhere ‘they’ go (and we all know that is not the real reason), when I choose a balmy, late summer evening to take my dog(s) to walk the beach I can’t; on a raw, blustery, rain-soaked winter’s day I can walk them on a barren beach but, if this ordinance passes, dare not enjoy a cigarette while I do so. Somehow I can’t see the city fathers considering making a smoking ban for only six months of the year to accomodate complaining tourists and beach visitors in general. It’s possible they may designate a portion of the beach length for smokers only…unlikely but possible. Dumb idea…all it would take is for an anti-smoker to want to spend their day on that particular patch…and complain…then it wouldn’t last. Anyone who smokes and settles for whatever few accomodations are made for them can relate more than enough stories to prove such things do not work. Wherever people smoke…and wherever they are relegated to smoking, there is invariably someone…and all it seems to take is one…who then wants to be right there. No smoking in restaurants…you can stand outside and puff away…but only until the same complainers realise they have to walk through smoke to get to their dining area…another complaint, another ban, another move.
So, I wonder…is it a total no-smoking ban they are looking for? For there are those who are against cigarette smoking with a codicile…”I mean, I occasionally smoke a cigar or a pipe…but that’s different” How? And why?
We have done everything BUT make smoking illegal so I would suggest…why don’t we? Instead of incrementation, why not just ban the growing of tobacco, the manufacturing of tobacco products, the selling of them, buying them and using them now, in one fell swoop? Until that happens, why doesn’t everyone mind their own business…their own imperfections and annyances, tend to their own problems, worry about what they are doing, their children and pets are doing…think about how the behaviours they find permissable in themselves or their own, others don’t but are generally prepared to ‘live and let live’.
Rest assured, I mind my own but am so very tired of ‘you’ thinking I need your uninvited help and admonitions. If I wanted to take myself out of worldly pursuits to live in purity I’d have gone into a nunnery years ago…not be living in Rehoboth.
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[…] Coffee Break? wrote an interesting post today on Rehoboth Beach PossibilityHere’s a quick excerpt … care about offending me and my ilk)…what a crock! Restuarants, bars, buildings both public and work break rooms, cafeterias etc. have all had smoking bans enacted…. … ours’? Because those who deem it necessary to believe they can ensure MY health by banning smoking everywhere ‘t… … ut only until the same complainers realise they have to walk through smoke to get to their dining area…a…#8221;I mean, I occasionally smoke a cigar or a pipe…but that’s different”& #160; How? And why?… […]
You took th words out of my mouth.
I said only the other day to my Husband “Why don’t they just make it illegal totally, then there will be no smokers. Don’t sell it, don’t grow it, but God forbid, where will the National Health sytem be without the money from smokers. Next thing will be to ban you from places if you are overweight. Just a minute, that is also an issue now!!!!!!!!!!!
I would rather sit beside a smoker than someone who has had too much to drink. A&E full of people drinking too much alcohol every night.
Yes, let’s concentrate on smokers and the smoking issue and forget everything else that is killing us, from our water supply, to the food we consume, to automobile emmissions, to the radiation high voltage wires produce up and down our streets, and of course microwaves found in a variety of appliances…yes let’s see how we can torture and segregate smokers even further. Here in New Jersey, the ban may well be extended to ones own car. To our homes next? An interesting diversion I say to real issues plaguing us, but isn’t this typical of the powers that be. I’m an occasional smoker, and since I started, have always been aware of my surroundings and courteous if my habit was affecting and annoying others, and in that case, simply stopped…did not need a law to mandate it. As to second hand smoke?…not worth a discussion on any level.
Interesting to read PupsDad comment.
In UK, or at least where we stay in Scotland, Yes, there is a big ban on smoking in all public buildings. Our local hospital also has a no smoking ban in and outside the hospital. That is fair enough, but when you have problems parking your car, possibly a fifteen minute walk from the car park and pay for the pleasure of that, they also state you cannot smoke in your own car while on the property of the hospital.
Many other companies and councils stop you from smoking in your own car too. Okay, if they want it that way, but will they all come and pay the car tax, who bought the car and pay for the insurance.
In my opinion, the world has gone crazy. Smokers are an easy target and I think it looks worse when people stand huddled outside a hotel or a workplace in order to have a cigarette.
I do not smoke if we have guests visiing our house. I do not subject others to my smoke: but have to say that I am so tired of being the target from non smokers, some of whom possibly drink too much alcohol, eat junk food, grossly overweight, or may even take drugs.
I am a great believer in “Everything in moderation”.
We already have at least one place…one company…which does not allow their employees to BE smokers, even though they were known smokers when hired. There was a big ‘how’d'ya’do” over this about two years ago and, if I’m not mistaken, they were not even permitted to smoke in their homes.
I will say I do agree with Pup’s Dad and annied with regards to courtesy and smoking. Heard it said that smokers are rude, incondisderate etc. but while I’m sure there are some who may fit that profile, most do not…quite the opposite, in fact. But at this point I think many smokers are sick to the back teeth of incessant haranguing and harassing they are beginning not to care. I’m certainly not one of them, for the most part, but do admit that in my home it’s my rules. Anyone who comes to our home does know we smoke and visiting is their choice therefore I don’t desist from having a cigarette while they are there. Even my other half has suggested that “so and so isn’t a smoker, doesn’t like it so best not smoke while he/she is here…” and we have had ‘discussions’ about this! I will agree to limiting my smoking during their visit but I’m not not going to at all. May seem boorish but this is MY home, MY comfort…anyone at all is welcome here and we make sure they feel that way but not that extent. They can accept the fact or they needn’t come…simple as that. When I go to their home(s) of course I don’t smoke, nor do I expect to…that’s their ‘castle’…but this is mine and I don’t believe anyone should uncomfortable or not at ease in their own home. I have friends who are reformed smokers who have no problem, even to the extent that when travelling in their vehicle they have invited, often insisted, I have my cigarette and I will not do it because it’s neither right or fair. Given that premise, it’s not right or fair for anyone to expect me not to smoke in my own home. It’s no different than the sign we have at the end of our driveway…”This property is designed for the care, safety and comfort of our animals…if you don’t like it…go away.” Let me say I don’t sit there puffing six inches away from them, I don’t blow smoke in their face, windows are open…but in my own home I shall smoke if I want. And I should add if anyone declines an invitation because of the smoking, that’s fair…I can see them anywhere for dinner, coffee or just a chat in places I am not permitted to smoke. No, I don’t subject others to my habit on neutral ground or their space but I won’t allow me to be subject to their rules where those rules don’t belong.
As to the weight thing…even here govt. is getting involved in some restaurant practices in the realm of how they can cook and with what. My belief is…it’s up to the individual. I don’t have to approve or disapprove of anything…if I don’t like it, avoid it..that’s my call but not to be imposed on another soul, not by govt. and certainly not by me. Why can’t others be or do likewise?