“The state is telling smokers to go play in the traffic,” Monte said.
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Bouquets and brickbats
June 13, 2007
Here’s the problem with those plastic license-plate covers people are buying to foil Albuquerque’s red-light cameras…
June 13, 2007
Here’s the problem with those plastic license-plate covers people are buying to foil Albuquerque’s red-light cameras…
Smoking ban widens
No lighting up on city grounds starting Friday
By Christopher Sanchez
Monday, June 11, 2007
Smokers have gotten used to taking it outside in recent years, but even that’s going to get harder come Friday.
Mayor Martin Chavez announced today a ban on smoking on all city-owned property, including parks, golf courses, bus stops, Isotopes Park and Albuquerque International Sunport grounds.
No lighting up on city grounds starting Friday
By Christopher Sanchez
Monday, June 11, 2007
Smokers have gotten used to taking it outside in recent years, but even that’s going to get harder come Friday.
Mayor Martin Chavez announced today a ban on smoking on all city-owned property, including parks, golf courses, bus stops, Isotopes Park and Albuquerque International Sunport grounds.
Smoking ban gets governor’s approval
Businesses become smoke-free June 15
By Kate Nash
March 13, 2007
The smoke in New Mexico bars and restaurants will soon fade into oblivion under a statewide smoking ban signed this morning by Gov. Bill Richardson.
Businesses become smoke-free June 15
By Kate Nash
March 13, 2007
The smoke in New Mexico bars and restaurants will soon fade into oblivion under a statewide smoking ban signed this morning by Gov. Bill Richardson.
Common Sense Alliance
Common Sense Alliance is a nonprofit, non-partisan political organization in New Mexico.? Our purpose is to defend property owners and the rights of both smokers and nonsmokers by actively seeking meaningful policy that is protective of everyone’s rights.? Our motto: Audi Alteram Partem means to Hear Both Sides, which is vital to protect our civil liberties during the governments’ and pharmaceutical industry’s one-sided war to stamp out tobacco.
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Common Sense Alliance
June 3, 2007
By Michael Davis
Communications and Outreach Director
By Michael Davis
Communications and Outreach Director
New Mexicans have roughly two weeks to fire up a cigarette, cigar or pipe in the state’s bars, taverns, nightclubs and other businesses that allow smoking.? The Dee Johnson Clean Indoor Air Act goes into effect on June 15, 2007.?
The law is designed to remove smoking from all indoor public places in the state, according to a news release from the New Mexico Department of Health.
The ban is being fought by the Common Sense Alliance, a newly formed grass roots organization. Common Sense Alliance is a nonprofit, nonpartisan political organization dedicated to upholding property rights, while fostering fair and responsible tobacco use policies that respect the rights of both smokers and nonsmokers.
“This ban is a travesty,” said Larry Monte Jr., CSA president. “Not only is it unfair to smokers, it’s unfair to hundreds of New Mexico business owners who stand to lose their livelihoods because of it.”?
New Mexico’s cigar smoking governor and Democratic presidential hopeful Bill Richardson signed the bill into law on March 13.?
According to a report from the Santa Fe New Mexican, Richardson had reservations about the bill and was debating on whether to sign it.? However, anti-smoking activists rallied the lawmakers and pressured him to sign it.
According to the new law smoking is prohibited in all bars, taxis, restaurants, and most other public buildings.
The law threatens to seriously harm the state’s food and hospitality industry.? According to several recent national studies, bars, taverns, nightclubs and other businesses that catered to smokers and nonsmokers alike suffered revenue losses ranging from 25 to 50 percent.
The exceptions to the law include tobacco retailers, cigar bars, casinos and gaming halls on Native American tribal property, in hotels with no more than 25 percent of their rooms dedicated to smokers, private clubs and facilities leased for private functions—provided Environmental Tobacco Smoke from the event or function is contained.
The Dee Johnson Clean Indoor Air Act also prohibits smoking within 25 feet of all doors, windows, and vents of all buildings.? In other words, if you happen to be out for a night on the town, you can’t just step outside for a quick smoke.? You have to go 25 feet away from not only the place you were in but away from all other buildings.? This puts most people in the middle of the street.
“The state is telling smokers to go play in the traffic,” Monte said.
Penalties for violating The Dee Johnson Clean Indoor Air Act range from fines of $100 to $500.
Meanwhile, The New Mexico Department of Health is offering free nicotine gum and patches to smokers who enroll in the state’s smoking cessation program.??
? Copyright 2007 The Smoker’s Club, Inc. Please repost with link back to this original article.
