Smoking Bans in Cities
Smoking bans in public places may be becoming less controversial as the studies about secondhand smoke come in. CBS News reported today on a study regarding a workplace ban on smoking in Pueblo, Colorado. Reportedly, there was a 41 percent reduction in heart attack hospitalizations three years after a workplace ban went into effect.
I’ve concluded that anyone who smokes is either stupid or addicted to tobacco - and for the record I was stupid for about 15 years of my life. The reason that I say that is that no (non-stupid) person would choose to smoke given the overwhelming evidence of its harmful effects. The only other reason for smoking is that the person is addicted. I know that sounds harsh, but can anyone give a sound reason for smoking? Having said that, as long as smoking is legal and does not harm others, who can argue with another’s “right” to smoke? Certainly not me.
Here’s a list of cities in Mississippi and their smoking ban status:
- Gulfport, May 1, 2008.
- Grenada, May, 2008.
- Corinth, November 2007 Board of Aldermen adopted a public smoking ban that encompasses city-owned facilities, enclosed public places, employment places and some outdoor areas.
- Greenville, banned in all indoor public places, including restaurants and bars
- Greenwood, August 23, 2007 banned in all workplaces, restaurants, and bars.
- Hattiesburg, January 1, 2007 banned in all indoor public places, including bars, restaurants, and city buildings.
- Lucedale, December, 2007, rejected a ban on smoking in all enclosed workplaces
- Oxford, banned in all indoor public places, including bars, restaurants, and city buildings. Smoking is also prohibited in certain outdoor areas.
- Ridgeland, July 20, 2007 banned in all workplaces, restaurants, and bars.
- Starkville, May 20, 2006 banned in all indoor public places, including bars, restaurants, and city buildings. Smoking is also prohibited in certain outdoor areas.
- Tupelo, October 2006 banned in all indoor public places, including restaurants and bars.