Nanny staters attempting to pass smoking ban in NH!

[Jim]

http://www.unionleader.com/article.a...0-d400deb56c31

I just sent a letter to my legislators and called one who's email I didn't have. She and I chatted for a couple of minutes and we had a nice conversation.

If you believe in liberty in NH, please contact your legislator and the governor's office and weigh in against restricting property rights and individual liberties in NH.

The text of my email is below, feel free to clip it.

Letter begins now:

I'm writing to ask that you please vote against any bill that forces
bars, restaurants, etc. to ban smoking. Such bills run completely
counter to New Hampshire values and should never make it into law.

Although I am a non-smoker, I strongly believe in property rights and
individual liberties. Any restaurant/bar who wishes to can post signs
letting people know that it is a smoke-free establishment and can thus
ban smoking themselves without interference by the government.

A good example of this is the Dunkin Donuts right down on route 31
near my house. They have a sign up indicating that it is smoke-free.
The people who buy food there, don't smoke inside. The restaurant has
exercised its rights without being forced to do anything by intrusive
government legislation.

I also want to point out that no employee is forced to work in a bar
or restaurant with smoking in it and no customer is forced to eat
there. We all get to make the choices that we feel are right for us.
Employees can find work elsewhere and customers can patronize other
businesses.

I'm aware there are nanny-state oriented "health groups" lobbying for
a smoking ban. As soon as they achieve one, they will then proceed to
try to pass even more intrusive legislation. It's called creeping
incrementalism and once you start down that road, it's a never ending
nightmare of nanny state interference in people's private lives.

Please do the right thing and vote against all smoking ban legislation.

[MrsWildweasel]

I heard last night some town trying to ban smoking in cars. That is going way to far. What someone does in their car, home, is no ones business but theirs.

[Jose]

Guys, the nanny-staters got a 100% smoking ban in all public establishments here in Ohio this past November.

They got there using the ballot initiative process, which as most here know, is one of the biggest threats to Republicanism ever to come down the pike.

I am afraid that their victory here is emblodening them to spread this crap.

[sksguns]

I heard last night some town trying to ban smoking in cars. That is going way to far. What someone does in their car, home, is no ones business but theirs.

I thought I heard on the radio they were trying to do that in Bangor Maine but only when children are present in the vehicle.

[ArmedMainer]

Because of the success after the same type of bill passed in Maine a few years ago I predict this will pass in NH. Bar owners in the Old Port District in Portland put up quite a stink before the passage of the anti smoking bill there. They were all worried they'd lose business and patrons would flock elsewhere where they could smoke when they drank or ate out. They soon learned the financial impact was not quite what they had predicted. Not only did none of them have to close their doors most of them experienced a dramatic increase in business. I'm sure NH Bar owners took note of what happened in Maine and are ready to cash in.

[MrsWildweasel]

I thought I heard on the radio they were trying to do that in Bangor Maine but only when children are present in the vehicle.

I didn't hear where it was or the rest of it. Couldn't believe I heard it at all.

[Jim]

Because of the success after the same type of bill passed in Maine a few years ago I predict this will pass in NH. Bar owners in the Old Port District in Portland put up quite a stink before the passage of the anti smoking bill there. They were all worried they'd lose business and patrons would flock elsewhere where they could smoke when they drank or ate out. They soon learned the financial impact was not quite what they had predicted. Not only did none of them have to close their doors most of them experienced a dramatic increase in business. I'm sure NH Bar owners took note of what happened in Maine and are ready to cash in.

It's a violation of property rights and individual liberties. It should never be passed. And it ALWAYS leads to more intrusive legislation later on. Don't believe a word of what the nanny staters say, they'll be back for more in a couple of years.

Perhaps it's going to pass despite what I do but I will do my utmost to stop it now.

[number9]

Does this mean they will change the license plates to say "Live smoke-free or die"? What a bunch of bollocks.

[derek]

It's a violation of property rights and individual liberties. It should never be passed. And it ALWAYS leads to more intrusive legislation later on. Don't believe a word of what the nanny staters say, they'll be back for more in a couple of years.

Perhaps it's going to pass despite what I do but I will do my utmost to stop it now.

I agree with Jim. Even though it has passed in other states, I still think a bar/resturant owner should have the RIGHT to allow smoking in his/her establishment if they choose to do so...

Just like the trans fat, more and more items will come off the menu as time goes on. Further tightening the noose of socialism...

[Jim]

Incidentally, I am being very polite and avoiding the harsh anger that I had when I was in MA. There's no point to that here in NH. At least here I have a shot at winning on some of my issues whereas down in MA I felt the situation to be utterly hopeless.

So I'm trying to be positive and polite. More flies with honey and all that.

I spoke to one of my reps on the phone and she was quite nice. It was nice to be able to speak with her directly.