Smoking ban talks in LaPorte County Save Email Print
Posted: 12:06 AM Jul 30, 2008
 Last Updated: 8:33 AM Jul 30, 2008
 Reporter: Erin Logan
Email Address: erin.logan@wndu.com
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Smoking kills more people in Indiana than alcohol, AIDS, car crashes, illegal drugs, murders and suicides combined.

That is according to WhiteLies.tv, an anti-smoking group that says more than 10,000 Hoosiers die from smoking each year.

It is a topic that never seems to end.

Tuesday night, two cities in LaPorte County voiced their concerns about smoking.

Stephanie Kypuros says, "I like the fact you can smoke in a designated area, and people who don't smoke can have their area too."

Kypuros says that is why she would rather spend her money in LaPorte County, and not in her second home in Chicago, where smoking is off-limits in bars and restaurants.

Paul Marciniak believes a restaurant like Enzo, in the city of LaPorte, has the perfect setup to please all.

If it were smoke-free, he says, "We definitely wouldn't be sitting here this long. We wouldn't have another beer. We'd eat and leave."

That's exactly what managers like Teri Stockstill don't want to have happen.

Stockstill says, "We try to have a good ventilation system to absorb it and keep it from coming in to the dining room. I have been around smoke since I've been 18, as a bartender, and I have a great clean bill of health."

That's not the case for all non-smokers. Jennifer Guillermain was one of several speakers voicing concerns at a city council meeting in Michigan City on Tuesday. She supports casinos being included in smoke-free workplaces legislation.

Guillermain worked in Atlantic City casinos and has several abnormal growths in her lungs.

"The question is, 'why should I and other casino workers choose between our lives and our livelihood?' It's extremely important that smoke-free air acts cover all people and protect all workers," she explains.

The Indiana Public Health Association also spoke out Tuesday. They told the LaPorte County Health Department that 'talk is talk,' and that action should be taken.

Health Department Administrator Paul Trost says the county is making progress.

"Some schools and universities have declared no smoking on the campuses, and so have the two hospitals in LaPorte and Michigan City, so you see a lot of work within our community," he explains.

Trost says these are all just discussions -- no major moves as far as bans in LaPorte County.

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Posted by: Smokeitup on Aug 2, 2008 at 10:38 AM
No Tami, I completely agree with you. Smoking is great and doesn't cause any problems with anybody. Just like you say, you've been around it and have no health issues. The government and the medical field have made it all up. Smoking is Gods gift to humanity. We should never stop anyone from doing it anywhere. It's great, do it every chance you get. Pass them out to kids, mandate smoking in public places. If it makes someone sick, that's just because they're weak. It's all about survival of the fittest, and if their not fit enough they don't need to survive. Why should we ban something in public just to make life healthier for the weak. Smoke, Smoke, Smoke!!!
Posted by: Tami Location: Fulton County on Aug 1, 2008 at 04:52 PM
To Smokeitup: You have completely missed the point that is trying to be made. We all know smoking, having a campfire, burning trash is not healthy. It does cause some health problems to an extent. What we are angry about is that it has become a magnifying issue. I was always around 2nd hand smoke at the bowling alley & I have no health issues nor do I ever remember complaining about it. And, to the one who says a smoker is the first one to call people names, well, I have heard so many rude & negative comments about smokers, (and I know not everyone is like that) but yet I just kept my mouth shut for the longest time & it keeps getting worse. People do not purposely blow smoke in other people's faces. I wish they would drop this issue & move on to bigger & better things like the gas & food prices, a major loss of jobs, & medical prices.
Posted by: Smokeitup on Aug 1, 2008 at 01:23 PM
Smoking is everyones God given right. Eveyone knows smoking is good for you. And it has to be good for everyone around you. So it's obviously an incidious plot by the government to take away our freedoms, whenever they talk about public smoking bans. I think we should require everyone to smoke since it is so healthy and good for you. Let's pass out free cigarettes to the kids in school. Doctors should hand them out to all their patience. Smoke yourself healthy, it should be a public campaign. Smoking is the answer to all our woes.
Posted by: ichoosefreedom Location: ohio on Aug 1, 2008 at 02:00 AM
2 news articles just out-smoking DECREASES risk for Parkinson Disease and uterine cancer. You don't see that on any front pages. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ET_Cetera/Dangers_of_passive_smoking_exaggerated/articleshow/2557838.cms In Ohio, in one year we lost 67.44 MILLION dollars in lost liquor sales (while home consumption rose 1.4 BILLION BOTTLES-not dollars, BOTTLES). We're struggling to keep our doors open. Is Indiana that anxious to ruin its economy even worse than it is? Follow the money, folks. It's ALWAYS about the money. Ask yourself who profits from smoking bans. Here's who: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/07-23-2008/0004854270&EDATE
Posted by: History Buff Location: USA on Jul 31, 2008 at 07:05 PM
It is a shame that some people can't read signs or understand the words if they can read. It is also a shame that law is made due to a 'like' and corporate bought negativity for their own profits (no smoke products). Can we ban people who do not like smoking because we do not like them? That's different you say? I don't think so! Free Enterprise (Business owners choice) Free Choice (Customer choice) and signs. What a wonderful invention - Made in the USA!
Posted by: Radar Location: La Porte on Jul 30, 2008 at 05:50 PM
The junk science lies that the anti-smoking lobbies present as 'fact' are making me sick. 45,000 people die nation-wide because of traffic accidents--That's an average of 900 per state. And we're supposed to believe that 10,000 Hoosiers die from smoking EVERY YEAR? Give me a break! The EPA tried to 'alter' the results of ETS (Environmental Tobacco Smoke)study and it got sued. In 1997, a federal judge called their findings 'outright fraud' and overturned the report that called ETS a 'danger.' Even OSHA calls ETS in the workplace 'negligible.' Our problem isn't the EPA but the State of Illinois. Since IL passed the smoking ban, it has lost millions in tax revenue from the CASINOS alone. IL gamblers go to border states like Indiana. IL doesn't like that. So IL is sending its operators to Indiana to change things for our state. The battle will start in La Porte County because we have a Casino! A Smoking Ban in Indiana is not about health. It's about money--FOR ILLINOIS !
Posted by: tom Location: south bend on Jul 30, 2008 at 05:41 PM
chalk up another one for the religious right, saving us from ourselves should be everyones business...lol. Maybe we should ban alcohol because someone will get drunk and kill someone, maybe ban fast food because maybe well get fat and high cholestorol. all this kinda reminds me of the woman who spilled hot coffee in her crotch and won millions of dollars...duh coffee is supposed to be hot. off topic, sorry.you give people the tools "legal smoking" then cry when they ues them...im so sick of hearing about this.
Posted by: amazed Location: south bend on Jul 30, 2008 at 04:48 PM
OK so Jennifer has some abnormal growths on her lugs and she worked in Atlantic City. She never siad that a doctor told her it was from shs-I bet it came from the city in which she worked. We all know New Jersey is not the most unpolluted state so please stop trying to blame smoking. My dad died in 1991, he had prostate cancer, not lung cancer and when he died, they listed cause of death as kidney failure-not from smoking. So please stop trying to shove these nonsense studies-you can make them say whatever you want. I definitely do not trust whitelies.com. I do not want to live to be 100 either-the government could not afford for everyone to live that long. Look at how social security pays out. There is no guarantee in life that if you eat healthy and live clean that you will live a long life-I have known too many people that lived clean and healthy and still died before they were 50 from a heart attack-so please stop this nonsense.The ones screaming the most are probably former smokers
Posted by: Dreamer Location: A Perfect World on Jul 30, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Anyway we can get bans on gum popping, obnoxious cell phone ring tones (yes, including The ND Victory March), Nextel walkit talkie communication, police radio's blaring inside a building, loud talkers in restaurants, slow waiters, golfers who don't yell 'fore', drunks at tailgates, guys who wear baggy jeans and colorful underwear, and maybe 20% of the government employees? I mean, while we're at it, since those people are all in minority but bother me so shouldn't they have no rights?
Posted by: carrie Location: sb on Jul 30, 2008 at 03:02 PM
Just wondering where the stats were found that said smoking kills more people than aids, murder ect. ect. So, when we had the week of six murders in six days how many smoking deaths happended then? Just wondering......
Posted by: Jenna Location: SB on Jul 30, 2008 at 01:00 PM
A smoker is the first one to call people names...LINDA.
Posted by: Peter Location: Indiana on Jul 30, 2008 at 12:40 PM
There was just a new study released today that shows a solid relationship between secondhand smoke and stroke in non-smokers. Smoking bans are meant to protect the health of non-smokers. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/health/20080729-0600-health.html And there are dozens of other highly respected studies that also show how harmful SHS really is. http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/Factsheets/SecondhandSmoke.htm I really don't care what you do to yourself, but when you smoke indoors close to me, you harm my health too. It is my business and it is the government's business to protect those who don't smoke.
Posted by: I Quit on Jul 30, 2008 at 12:35 PM
The tax on a pack of cigarettes should be at least $10.00 plus the cost of the cigarettes. That way if people continue to smoke and get cancer there would be money to help them while they die.
Posted by: virgilk Location: Kentucky on Jul 30, 2008 at 11:48 AM
The bans are about SHS/ETS but it always get stated as smoking. SHS has never killed anyone. If it had, the ACS/RWJF would be advertising the fact on every front page in the world. Not one death due to SHS has been verified. The EPA Report has been proven fraudeulent by many sources. This is nothing less than a Marketing Program by Pharmaceuticals to sell their Smoking Cessation products. Johnson & Johnson has seen a 40% increase in profits because of smoking bans. If SHS killed, people all those born in the 30's thru the 70's would have been dead from the inescapable exposure to SHS. Smoking has decreased from 50% to less than 24% and Cancer/Heart Disease is increasing. Clearly, smoking/SHS is not the cause. Look to Diesel, Pollution, Wood smoke and Chemicals we are subjected to even in our homes. Bans are not about health. They are about PROFIT. SEE THESE LINKS. http://www.pipes.org/Articles/Bliley.html http://burningissues.org. http://www.nycclash.com/CaseAgainstBans/Ventilation. http://www.second-opinions.co.uk/diesel_lung_cancer.html
Posted by: Tami Location: Fulton County on Jul 30, 2008 at 11:47 AM
I am a smoker & I feel like a criminal. The best thing to do is never start. People can quit (the majority will start up, again). They keep raising the price because they know they can reep in the money. To me, Whitelies.com means that the anti-smoking groups are intentionly "stretching" the truth to push & get what "they" want. For instance, the commercial where the lady is in the vehicle & the baby in the car seat, she lights up & the smoke is going directly to the baby. Everybody knows 9 times out of 10 you're usually holding the cig. by an open window & blowing smoke out the window. Also, how do they really know that smokers are in the minority, they never called me to take my poll. I am for non-smoking in some locations such as eating establishments. However, leave bars & clubs alone. Some anti-smoking groups are like spoiled rotten children, you give them an inch & they take a mile. I have overheard veterans who fought for our freedoms speak of losing our freedoms inch by inch.
Posted by: Linda Location: warsaw area on Jul 30, 2008 at 11:43 AM
I dont think they should ban smoking just because people that dont smoke are cry babies! they should have a smoking area and a non smoking area! We buy our own cigarettes and pay the big price its our life if we smoke!some people are just cry babies!smoking does kill but so does alchol and aids! You hear more drunk drivers killing people then you hear about smoking! and you also hear about people driving to fast and killing people! Its just cry babies in this world!Thats why they raise prices on cigarettes because of the cry babies!
Posted by: Joe Location: Ohio on Jul 30, 2008 at 11:39 AM
EVERYTHING in Casinos involve High Risk Behavior. Those working in a High Risk Industry by Choice Places their lives against heir lively hood. I can't imagine Policemen and Firemen banning fires and criminals to satisfy their live against lively hood. Should that be their attitude they should seek a safer line of work.
Posted by: Jenna Location: SB on Jul 30, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Here we go again... everyone, save your time arguing and just read the archives- I am sure someone has already tried to make your points there...
Posted by: smoker Location: Three Oaks on Jul 30, 2008 at 10:53 AM
In the interest of complete information, what is the average age of death from smoking, from alcohol including dui and alcohol related violence, from AIDS, illegal drugs, or suicides?
Posted by: Lee Location: Mishawaka on Jul 30, 2008 at 10:45 AM
i'm all for smoking bans indoors, but how long do they want us to live? i personnally have no desire to be 100 y/o.
Posted by: smoke Location: mishawaka, in. on Jul 30, 2008 at 10:32 AM
everybody needs to smoke! it's good for you, so com'on all you none smokers light up for god's sake.
Posted by: JJ Location: SW Michigan on Jul 30, 2008 at 10:29 AM
I am a smoker, but I am 100% for smoking bans in indoor areas. I have a right to smoke and harm myself, but I do not have a right to pollute other peoples air. And for the day that I do quit smoking, it will make it less tempting if I am not around second-hand smoke.
Posted by: Dustin Location: Mishawaka on Jul 30, 2008 at 10:09 AM
After successful smoking bans passed in St. Joseph and Elkhart counties, and stricter ones in Indianapolis, Bloomington and Chicago, a lot of the doom and gloom predictions by the pro-smoking crowd do not seem to hold water. The tide in the state, and in the country, is turning more and more against smoking. It is not "The Government" trying to take away your rights, it is a simple ratio of more health-minded people vs. those who want to smoke. Those who want to smoke are an ever decreasing minority. Ironically, the act they are fighting to preserve (smoking) is thinning their own ranks each day.
Posted by: Captain Dan Location: South Bend on Jul 30, 2008 at 09:17 AM
The statistics and science surrounding second hand smoke are as credible as Algore and his junk science stand on global warming. When are people going to stand up and tell guvmints to butt out and quit intruding in our lives. If I own a business, I have the right to set the policy of behavior in that business as long as it follows the law. Yes, law is the word, smoking is LEGAL. If you smoking Nazi's don't want smoking, change the law. And no, I don't smoke..
Posted by: Smokey Location: The Forest on Jul 30, 2008 at 08:22 AM
Yes, smoking can and probably will kill you. However, the increase in air pollution and all the junk in our air is a HUGE contributer to the reason why lung cancer rates are as high as they are. It's not just smoking.
Posted by: Lisa Location: Colorado on Jul 30, 2008 at 08:11 AM
You should think about having a smoking ban long and hard. I live in Colorado and the ban has closed over 300 bars and 88 restaurants. This is not about health, follow the money and it will lead you to "Big pharma" making money off of their nicotine replacement therapies and the government making billions off of tobacco taxes.
Posted by: Ed Location: Goshen on Jul 30, 2008 at 06:04 AM
Forgot to state on my other post that I am not a smoker but a firm believer in the personally rights this country was founded on. Rights that certain groups and our own government are constantly trying to take away.
Posted by: Ed Location: Goshen on Jul 30, 2008 at 06:00 AM
The Safety Nazis are at it again trying to get yet another town to fall for their BS. There is nothing wrong with having smoking sections but that isn't good enough for these Communistic control freaks they have to have a ban on it. The statistics that White Lies TV gives well; that group is properly named as they are the ones telling the White Lies. I know of several cases where the person never smoked nor were they ever around so called second hand smoke that died of lung cancer or have emphysema and their death/illness is listed as being caused by second hand smoke; talk about made up stats. If you want to ban something ban the Safety Nazis as they are slowing stripping away EVERY personal right and/or freedom we have and are making the government tell us what we have to do for our own personal safety and life. Damn sounds just like China's government.
Posted by: Me Location: Mishawaka on Jul 30, 2008 at 02:15 AM
Good, smoking should be banned in all public places....PERIOD!
Posted by: Rebecca Location: Dayton on Jul 30, 2008 at 12:33 AM
White lies is doing a snow job on Indiana. In Ohio, we were promised that business would be better than ever with a smoking ban. HUGE white lie! More than 300 businesses have not renewed their liquor licenses. More than 5,400 hospitality workers have lost their jobs. Indiana, look at your borders and take notice of all the Ohio license plates in your parking lots. Don't go for the smoking bans. We in Ohio envy you for your freedom.
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