Lawrence, Tulsa (1/24/2009 3:30:15 AM)

It's a free country last time I checked. If people want to smoke, let 'em.

my view, Sand Springs (1/24/2009 4:09:55 AM)

I question the death rate, do to smoking. When my father passed away it was listed, his death was contributed to pass smoking. He quit smoking in 1951 and didn't die until 1991, when his kidneys failed at the age of 86. 40 years? But they check the smoking box on the death certificate.

The Real Joe Dolty, TULSA (1/24/2009 4:19:48 AM)

Same happened with my grandfather. The doctor put on the death certificate that it was lung cancer due to smoking but he had quit 20 years earlier and his problem was esophagus related, nothing to do with lung or cancer.

Tony G, Tulsa (1/24/2009 5:56:35 AM)

I don't know any smokers who died of diseases caused by cigarettes! I do know of 2 non smokers who died of lung cancer.
Next--why isn't the tobacco money used for the health of smokers, because they are paying for it.
Instead--it will go to pet political projects.
Screwed by politicians---AGAIN.

What in the World!, Tulsa, OK (1/24/2009 6:51:07 AM)

I knew a man who ran 5 miles a day. He was in perfect shape, Blood pressure ran 110/60. He never smoked, never drank, ate very healthy also. He walked to his mailbox at the curb and was ran over and killed by a truck! Moral of the story is
we
all
have
to
die
from
something!!

rogerq, Pyongtaek, South Korea (1/24/2009 7:10:03 AM)

Irony, coincidence or forcing morals on us? The Tulsa World ran this article today on the same day they publish a letter to the editor against the bill banning smoking in restaurants. The TW is trying to sway your opinions and make people who differ from theirs look like idiots. Thank you TW

rogerq, Pyongtaek, South Korea (1/24/2009 7:11:37 AM)

and by the way. Count my grandmother as one who died of lung cancer, never smoked a day in her life. she had a pre-disposition to cancer. she had 6 different kinds in her life and beat 5 of them

2curious, Tulsa, OK 74104 (1/24/2009 7:19:22 AM)

Rogerq - is it possible your grandmother's lung cancer was due to second-hand smoke?

Your freedom to smoke interferes with my freedom to breath clean air.

Ban smoking now.

rogerq, Pyongtaek, South Korea (1/24/2009 7:33:09 AM)

My grandmother was a nurse and worked in a smoke free environment. did you not read the part that she had 6 different kids of cancer? some people are prone to that.
if you want to breathe clean air buy a bubble, it's the only safe place. how many refineries are in the tulsa area?
ban smoking? how about ban driving? how about ban going out in the sunlight? please ban eating commercial foods too

droopy, wagoner (1/24/2009 7:38:54 AM)

Great comments, rogerq. I hope Jim the dim reads them.

rogerq, Pyongtaek, South Korea (1/24/2009 7:39:58 AM)

2curious, your freedom to post opinions interferes with my freedom to read intelligent opinions
ban 2curious now.

rogerq, Pyongtaek, South Korea (1/24/2009 7:47:03 AM)

I personally don't like smoke, so if i go to an establishment that allows it, I choose to do so on my own free will. If you choose not to go there then more power to you. but don't let anyone control who you are or what you choose to do. make a choice and live with it. be around smokers or stay away from where they are

chase, rogers county (1/24/2009 7:52:27 AM)

rogerq,so the world is suppose to revolve around you.

WilliamTheArtist, (1/24/2009 7:52:40 AM)

Facts still are that Oklahomans still have some of the highest: infant mortality rates, highest rates of diabetes, high rates of drug abuse and drug related deaths, highest rates of obesity,,,ect, etc, etc. Argue with the causes and whether they are valid all you want, but the facts still remain, over all, people in Oklahoma are DYING of health related cause, and other causes to boot, at a rate higher than the rest of the nation. This isn't due to "genetics". Its due to (take your pick);our choices, our morals, our freedom to choose and choosing the wrong things, etc.

rogerq, Pyongtaek, South Korea (1/24/2009 8:04:05 AM)

What does that mean chase? please enlighten me. the United States (that you say in your profile is your favorite place) was founded on freedoms. As long as tobacco use is legal, and i would oppose outlawing that too, then business owners should have the right to choose whether they allow it or not. Why do my opinions about the government (who by the way is my employer) having too much control over our choices in life make you think that the world may or may not revolve around me?
chase, you have the right to choose where you eat. your world revlolves around you, that's the beauty of it all, we can make our world ours, by making our own choices

rogerq, Pyongtaek, South Korea (1/24/2009 8:07:43 AM)

McDonalds chooses not to sell alcohol, the government would never legislate that they would have to to meet the desires of drinkers. Why should the government be allowed to legislate that rogerq's b-b-q has to not allow smoking? (not a bad name for a b-b-q joint either i might add LOL)

quixote, Tulsa (1/24/2009 8:18:06 AM)

rogerq:
Drinking an alcoholic bev, or eating a chili-cheese corn dog, in the same room w/ others doesn’t affect others’ air or health. One can use alcohol and food in proper quantities without adverse effects, and even with some positive effects if not done excessively. But, only one puff on a cig is bad for the puffer but s/he can make that choice for themselves, if the rights of others aren’t involved. Even sitting in the same room with a smoker is bad for people sharing the air. Cigs cannot be equated with consumption of alcohol and food. Neither can freedom in the operation of a business open to the public and employees be equated with a private home with regard to the wisdom and right of government control of certain activities. Carrying and shooting a gun isn’t illegal per se, but it is, and should be illegal in some places. Fireworks, drag-racing, etc . . .

Big Harp, Florida (1/24/2009 8:24:12 AM)

Another long thread coming.

2curious, Tulsa, OK 74104 (1/24/2009 8:34:31 AM)

Rogerq-

The obvious problem your logic is that you don't have to read my posts if you deem them unintelligent.

I, however, must breath the air that you (and others who smoke) exhale. I have no choice in that matter if you smoke near me.

Your choice to smoke denies me a choice of smoke free air.

Bill Hader, Jenks (1/24/2009 8:51:54 AM)

Smokers with health problems and also receive any tax dollar assistance should lose the assistance. If I choose to smoke and then need help paying my medical bills it should be from family and charity not the american tax payer.

HOGRIDER, BA (1/24/2009 8:59:18 AM)

If tobacco was introduced on the market today and listed the possible risks, it would be laughed at and kicked to the curb. Other "drugs" that have been known to have issues after introduced have been taken off the market by the drug companies. Tobacco is so big, there are palms being greased by the right people.

ok smoke free, tulsa (1/24/2009 9:04:58 AM)

Does Oklahoma always have to be the most backward state in the union. We know that eventually we will do what every other forward thinking state ( and European country ) has done and ban smoking in all public places to protect the health of all who work and live in that space ( including those who entertain us... musicians, wait on us and clean up after us )Why can't we just once, be one of the sates who leads the way and ban smoking in ALL public places now. 2nd hand smoke kills and not everyone has the luxury to avoid it in these hard times ( musicians, and wait staff )oksmokefree.blogspot

ok smoke free, tulsa (1/24/2009 9:23:17 AM)

Why does Oklahoma always have to be the last to catch on. Can't we just once be a bit forward thinking? We all know that eventually smoking will be banned in all public places here just as it is in many European counties and many other states in our great country. Many entertainers, musicians, waitstaff and cleaning staff do not have the luxury in this economic climate to avoid places where they must breath 2nd hand smoke for hours on end ( frankly most of these folks can't avoid 2nd hand smoke in even good economic times ) We know that 2nd hand smoke kills and I find it hard to believe that anyone would be ok with allowing one person's habit to distroy another person's health who is just tryint to eak out a living.

rogerq, Pyongtaek, South Korea (1/24/2009 9:49:23 AM)

2curious "I, however, must breath the air that you (and others who smoke) exhale. I have no choice in that matter if you smoke near me."

did you not read my post? I don't like smoke. and you do have a choice. don't go to restaurants where people smoke. THAT'S your choice. have a family dinner at home for a change, that will salve alot of problems in the world.

smokers are taxed, and pay higher insurance and are riduculed and get sicker more often and a myriad of other things. they know the dangers. the issue isn't your health or their health. What I posted to begin with was about TW publishing this article on the same day they ran a letter to ed against the ban on smoking in restaurants. go read the letters to the editor.

Eric, Tulsa (1/24/2009 10:12:41 AM)

From the category of 'dark humor'...

Wise investment tips in a bad economy:
1. pharmaceutical companies that specialize in pulmonary and cancer treatment;
2. the funeral industry.

We're our own worst enemy.