Smoking Bans - Fair or Foul?  

City halls and town councils are packed with people arguing both sides of this heated debate.  Should we ban smoking in bars, restaurants and other public places or not?   I pose this question:  Did government intervene because every bar and restaurant has state of art smoke eater technology installed - providing a comfortable, safe and odor free dining or drinking experience?  I doubt it. 

I may not make any friends here, but I say that it is very same bar and restaurant owners who cry about smoking bans putting  them out of business that actually brought smoking bans upon themselves.  For those of you who have invested in right smoke eater technology, my apologies.  But look around.  Most bars, night clubs and restaurants haven't done enough... or anything at all.  Why not?  Don't these owners realize it's their health too?  Bartenders and owners working in a smoky bar are 50% more likely to develop lung cancer than those working in a smoke free environment.  Yes, 50% more likely!

I don't smoke.  Never have, never will.  I hate stuff.  But in spite of that, I feel that a bar or restaurant  has a right to allow smoking in their privately owned business.  The customer also has a right to not be a patron.  It's a free country, do as you wish.  Unfortunately, our government feels they need to get involved to protect staff and customers because bar owners haven't.  

As technology progresses, America’s ecosystem suffers greatest toll. Automobiles, industrial parks, and consumer waste have grown in record numbers over past twenty years. It is essential that we seek to ensure conditions favorable to renewal of our country’s natural splendor.

Here are ten ways you can fortify your local ecosystem for $10 or less:

1. Don’t litter. It’s just one cigarette butt, pop can, or plastic wrapper out window – but with over 200 million motorists in America, that can add up to a lot of litter. Repairing existing damage to environment begins one piece of potential litter at a time.

2. Recycle basics. Many communities have recycling programs in place, yet some people find it too difficult or time consuming to make use of them. Basics such as aluminum cans or newspapers are easy to sort from rest of trash. To locate your community’s recycling pick-up schedule or drop-off locations, visit: http://www.earth911.org.

3. Join National Arbor Day Foundation. The Arbor Day Foundation promotes preservation and growth of tress, both in national forests and residential settings. A membership is $10 and includes ten free tree seedlings sent by U.S. mail for planting in your yard or community. Donations are also accepted, used for planting trees in America’s national forests affected by fire or insect infestation. Visit National Arbor Day Foundation web site at: http://www.arborday.org.