there has been a policy movement (Alter of Freedom - 2/5/2008 8:49:03 PM)
it seems there has been a constant barrage of fire against "smokers" whether you see it has pro-health or anti-smoker whats concerning is the federal government and some of the Presidential candidates (Clinton/Obama/McCain) want to use taxes on smokers consumption as a means of paying for things like SCHIP at the same time States are looking at smoking from a health prospective and not a tax revenue or fiscal one. I liken it to raising gas taxes and then using public monies or supporting increases in gas efficiency requirements on automakers or requiring hybrids but then using a gas tax model revenue generator without looking at how the environmental policies will in effect reduce the amount of gas/oil consumed thereby reducing the revenues generated by the tax. So here we have the States using policy as an environmental/health instrument while the federal uses smokers as a revenue generator. Seems to me they are potentially working against one another.
What is the liklihood... (ericy - 2/5/2008 8:56:00 PM)
that the House will do anything with this other than bury it?
No, Deeds Voted FOR the Tobacco Lobby (jackiehva - 2/6/2008 10:55:43 AM)
I'll be e-mailing my Delegate to ask that he support the Smoke Free Air Act. When the results are known, we'll all know who has the courage to stand up against the tobacco lobby and who is in their pockets. And we can take the appropriate action next time they come up for re-election.
BTW: If they could stop smoking in the pubs in Ireland, they can stop smoking in public places in Virginia.
I'm very happy to see the state Senate e vote for smoke free air by a strong, 23-15 margin. Thanks to the following Senators who voted to place the rights of workers to breath clean air over the opposition of businesses that apparently don't care.