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Why to Care About Omaha’s Smoking Issues

admin — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Just like you wouldn’t worry about San Francisco security systems if you didn’t live in the Bay Area you might not worry about Omaha’s smoking laws if you don’t live in this part of Nebraska. We’re here to tell you why Omaha’s smoking situation is something everyone in the US needs to be aware of
Smoking Affects Everyone – Nebraska is one of the few states that doesn’t use statewide mandates to alter smoking laws – it’s on a county by county basis which means lawmakers have no impact over what happens in Omaha’s bars and restaurants. Changes here can have national impact.
Smoking as a Right – The argument that keeps popping up in Omaha is that smoking is a right, not a privilege, and that residents who smoke should be constitutionally allowed to smoke where they want.
Smoking as an Environmental Issue – Nebraska is known for being environmentally friendly and the new proposed smoking bans only extend the area’s claim. It will be interesting to see how the outcome affects the city’s desire to be as green as possible.

Three Ways To Further Curb Public Smoking

admin — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Legislators have been working hard in studying the growing concern of second hand smoking, and its effects on the non-smoking population. Most restaurants Nationwide, have been required remove their smoking section and to require that all smoking be done not only outside of the restaurant, but a required distance away from the front door.

Some hotels have followed in this as well by removing most of their rooms that at one point in time allowed guest who smoke to stay in them. Smoking is also no longer allowed in the restaurants and lounges of some hotels in the United States either.

The no smoking laws make some businesses exempt from following it. Stores who profit from only selling tobacco products like Cigar’s, Cigarette’s, and Chewing Tobacco, is an example of a business that is exempt from this law.

Organizations who study the effects of smoking and its consequences is also exempt from following these laws.

Private residences are currently exempt from this unless it is a Licensed Day Care Facility and then these laws do apply.

The only ways that these current laws can be made more strict to save lives is to make it illegal to smoke in or around nursing home facilities, take away the remaining smoking rooms in hotel’s, and make it illegal for people who work with children to smoke around children who are not their own.

Fines On Smoking Cause Public Stir

admin — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Recently in Omaha, there has been a ban on public smoking, in the city streets, and in public locations, such as parks, restaurants, and bars, where there is a large group of people gathered. This has been a hot topic in the city, and many who smoke, are outraged by the ban being placed in public areas, such as city parks and streets. Those who do not smoke love the regulation, and have wished that it would have been passed years ago. But, those who are smokers, and wish to be able to smoke in the city streets, or when walking around in public, are really stirring things up, and letting their voices be heard.

The city claims that too many people are making a mess of the streets, throwing cigarette butts in the city streets, parks, and public locations, and the ban is not meant as a punishment to those who smoke, but more of a way to clean up the city, and beutify it. The ban is going to fine individuals who are caught smoking in these public areas, and can even get them a ticket, if they do not follow the new law, and keep smoking to private dwellings.

Smoking And Public Health Things To Consider

admin — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

As far as smoking and public health things to consider are concerned, all the hue and cry surrounds second-hand smoke. Not only is smoking dangerous for the person smoking but also for the people who are exposed to the smoke. The residual smoke from cigarettes is what is referred to as second-hand smoke. People who are exposed to second hand smoke are just as at risk of contracting the diseases that smokers are exposed to. Needless to say this has people who are concerned about public health up in arms against smokers. This is in short how smoking in public places got banned.

However, it is not just a health issue. Nobody wants to be in an area where they have to sit and smell cigarette smoke. To non-smokers, cigarette smoke, or any type of smoke for that matter, has a very unpleasant odor. In short it is a public nuisance. But going back to the health related side effects, people who are exposed to second-hand smoke are nearly 50 likely to contract diseases that come with smoking. You do not need to be addicted to smoking to get hurt by it. Therefore it is not surprising that smoking is no longer accepted in public.

Stronger Omaha Laws Mean Fewer Smokers

admin — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

In 2008, Nebraska passed the Nebraska Clean Indoor Act, which required indoor workplaces to be 100
smokefree as of June 1, 2009. This law included restaurants, bars, and indoor public places. The proprietor of the
establishment is responsible for enforcing the no smoking regulations. Omaha blazed the trail in Nebraska, as
they passed the same type of legislation in 2006.

The safety and health of the staff and co-workers who had to work around smokers, was a huge issue. Second
hand smoke has been proven to be harmful to non-smokers in many medical studies.

As of 2010, eleven complaints were received in Nebraska about establishments not complying with the law, so
the intended effect was achieved.

Fewer smokers are out and about. If they are smoking, then they aren’t doing it where it is illegal. Either people
are quitting because it is not convenient to smoke, and this is the last straw, or they are staying home and
smoking.

It is well known that smoking has many adverse health effects, and it could very well be that
restrictions on where they can smoke, is the final reason they quit smoking for good.

In any case, it means fewer smokers overall in public and cleaner air for all those in Omaha, thanks to stronger
laws.