Oregon smokers only please

[csaaphill]

Oregon is thinking on bannign smoking on the beach all 300 miles along Oregon coast lines.
If you smoke and live in Oregon since not all on here live in washington please tell kitzhaber to go fly a kite.
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/08/your_voice_should_oregon_ban_s.html
At the request of Gov. John Kitzhaber, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is exploring the possibility of banning smoking along all 362 miles of Pacific coast beaches.
 
A ban is one potential answer to the growing amount of litter piling up on state beaches during the past 15 years, department spokesman Chris Havel explained. Cigarette butts are the most common form of litter along the shoreline, and volunteers pick up tens of thousands of them each year.
 
There's also concern about forest fires — yes, they can happen even at the beach, Havel said. The reason: Driftwood gets extremely dry from sitting in the sun.
 
Kitzhaber's 2012 executive order requires the department to explore ways to limit smoking on the beaches, not necessarily ban it altogether. Parks and Recreation officials are scheduled to give their recommendation Nov. 17.
 
State officials are soliciting public comment about the possible ban through Aug. 29. As of Thursday, the state had received 108 emails from people weighing in.
 
The results were split:
 •53 supported a ban
 •55 opposed or had serious doubts about whether a ban is the right answer
 
Keep in mind, this isn't a scientific poll. Still, a wide variety of people responded. The vast majority were from Oregon, but vacationers from Washington, California and even as far away as Colorado wrote in.
 
The responses range from one-sentence notes to pages-long legal opinions, and from irate rants to respectful arguments.
 
Perhaps the most interesting thing we discovered: The majority of dissenters claimed to be nonsmokers but were disturbed by the government wanting to regulate beach activities. Or they think would be unenforceable.
 
 
 









Should Oregon ban smoking on the beach?

Yes
No
I like the idea, but it probably wouldn't work
Other (I'll explain in the comments section)



VoteView Results

 
After reviewing the emails, we chose excepts from five from each side to republish here
for anyone interested please follow a ling to tell him no on this!

[bigtex]

Perhaps the most interesting thing we discovered: The majority of dissenters claimed to be nonsmokers but were disturbed by the government wanting to regulate beach activities. Or they think would be unenforceable.

Not sure how it would be unenforceable. WA's public smoking law is pretty easy to enforce, someone in public that is smoking is in violation. The only flaw in WA's law is that the agency who contacts most violators, the Liquor Control Board, doesn't have the authority (yet) to enforce the law.

[bobcat]

Seems like a good solution to me, and possibly the ONLY solution. People who smoke are going to toss the butts on the ground. No way around that. I see no reason why people couldn't refrain from smoking while at a public beach. Why not breathe in that nice fresh air instead of smoke into your lungs, just for a little while? Certainly it's not going to hurt anything to go without a cigarette for a short time.   

[Curly]

Either a smoking ban or enforce the littering laws.  Increase the fines for tossing a butt onto the ground.    I hate litter. 

[Bob33]

please tell kitzhaber to go fly a kite.

Beaches are better suited to flying a kite than smoking. The smokers can pound sand; that's also a better alternative.

[Bean Counter]

The litter is unfortunate, but I also hate smelling the filth of smokers. Particularly when I'm attempting to enjoy fresh air. Give yourself cancer on your own property 

[Elkaholic daWg]

A Lot of nanny state responses here. Progressives??

[Mike450r]

The littering aspect is already illegal.  That's the law to enforce.  No new regulations needed.

[Skinnyguts]

A Lot of nanny state responses here. Progressives??

 

[SCRUBS]

A Lot of nanny state responses here. Progressives??

 

 

[7mmfan]

A Lot of nanny state responses here. Progressives??

 

 

I don't consider myself a "nanny" or a "progressive" and I absolutely HATE the smell of cigarette smoke and the sight of cigarette butts as litter.  If you want to smoke, fine, smoke, but do it somewhere where I do not have to deal with it. You smoking around me forces me to deal with it and I don't appreciate it. Flicking your butt on the ground is an eye sore and a detriment to the environment (something which I hope everyone on a fishing and hunting forum is passionate about), not to mention illegal, so how is trying to enforce this viewed as nanny or progressive? Its called common decency. 

[Bean Counter]

Bingo. Nanny state is to attempt to prohibit smoking in private residences or even businesses--I support no such legislation. What I do support is clean air and a freedom from filth in public places.

Is it nanny state to make it illegal to shoot your gun straight up into the air in a crowded city?

[Mike450r]

Some responses sound similar to what an electric car owner may say to someone driving a truck.  The argument that it may keep butts off the ground I can stomach,  the clean air argument gets the same consideration as someone saying fossil fuel vehicles or outdoor burning should be banned.   

[Elkaholic daWg]

Some responses sound similar to what an electric car owner may say to someone driving a truck.  The argument that it may keep butts off the ground I can stomach,  the clean air argument gets the same consideration as someone saying fossil fuel vehicles or outdoor burning should be banned.   

[csaaphill]

That's why the title is only smokers please not none smokers who want nothing more than to limit more freedoms
If your a smoker and feel this is an infringement please do something about it!
If not then HOW ABOUT YOU GO POUND SAND!!!!!!!!

[csaaphill]

A Lot of nanny state responses here. Progressives??

Notice though; I didn't post this here for comment or anti this or anti that just if you smoke and tired of people telling you where and when you can then do something!
I have!

[Curly]

A Lot of nanny state responses here. Progressives??

Notice though; I didn't post this here for comment or anti this or anti that just if you smoke and tired of people telling you where and when you can then do something!
I have!

Post on a forum, but don't want discussion?

[Bean Counter]

I only want to hear from those who agree with me... 

[bobcat]

I only want to hear from those who agree with me... 

      

[Brute]

I don't smoke never have. Yeah I don't like the smell either or the butts.
It just like the seat belt law, banning lead bullets , and shoving wolves down our throats. When is enough  enough?

[Buzz2401]

Thanks for bringing this to everyones attention.  I was happy to go and support my view of not smoking on public beaches

[rtspring]

Here we go!!

You non smokers can go pound sand!! Why do the smokers have to go elsewhere? Take your body elsewhere! Why must I give up my right cause you dont like the smell of smoke?  To frickin bad! 

We can all jump on the litter part banwagon all day long! Think that will keep the beaches clean?  Not hardly. 

You eat a fatty steak that can give you heart disease? So dont go the health route with me neither!!! Ive smoked most of my life and can climb any mountain a non smoker can..  I also run 3-5 miles a day!
You could very well be run over by a car trying to cross the street! Its my body, I can do with it what I want..

So take your propoganda elsewhere..  I dont force smokes on you, so dont try to force us that do to quit.. 

[rtspring]

please tell kitzhaber to go fly a kite.

Beaches are better suited to flying a kite than smoking. The smokers can pound sand; that's also a better alternative.

Another great comment from a mod....   Pound sand??? 

[bobcat]

Rtspring, you'll live longer if you quit smoking today. Just think of all those extra years of elk hunting you'll get! 

Plus we don't like to see your butts all over the ground. 

[Bob33]

please tell kitzhaber to go fly a kite.

Beaches are better suited to flying a kite than smoking. The smokers can pound sand; that's also a better alternative.

Another great comment from a mod....   Pound sand???

Beaches...sand.  Some miss the obvious.

[rtspring]

Rtspring, you'll live longer if you quit smoking today. Just think of all those extra years of elk hunting you'll get! 

Plus we don't like to see your butts all over the ground. 

Actually I am one of a very few that put the butts in my pocket..  Im always finding them in the dang washer..

[Holg3107]

Here we go!!

You non smokers can go pound sand!! Why do the smokers have to go elsewhere? Take your body elsewhere! Why must I give up my right cause you dont like the smell of smoke?  To frickin bad! 

We can all jump on the litter part banwagon all day long! Think that will keep the beaches clean?  Not hardly. 

You eat a fatty steak that can give you heart disease? So dont go the health route with me neither!!! Ive smoked most of my life and can climb any mountain a non smoker can..  I also run 3-5 miles a day!
You could very well be run over by a car trying to cross the street! Its my body, I can do with it what I want..

So take your propoganda elsewhere..  I dont force smokes on you, so dont try to force us that do to quit..

I have to disagree with you RT. Every time a smoker lights up in public you are forcing it on those around you, then when you throw your butts on the ground you are again forcing it on those around you. No one is forcing any smokers to quite. Just do it on your own time in a private place. I wish smoking had similar public usage laws that alcohol and marijuana have. Feel free to do it just not in public.  :two cents:

Oh and csaaphill, good luck keeping non-smokers out of the conversation.

[Elkaholic daWg]

Brings out the progressive in folks doesn't it

[bobcat]

If you think about it, how much sense does it make to put a burning object in your mouth and breathe the smoke from it into your lungs? Makes me wonder, who was the first person who thought that was a good idea?

[JimmyHoffa]

Is the problem at the campgrounds by the beach where people have campfires?  Oregon beaches are usually so windy I can't imagine the smoke from a cigarette really being that bad.     It usually burns them down in a minute anyways, assuming it can get lit.
Back in the day, you just told the smoker it was bothering you and they would move a few feet so the smoke went past you.

[Elkaholic daWg]

Kinda like "common sense" gun laws eh bobcat?

[wildmanoutdoors]

I smoke and always have. I also try very hard to not include those around me who dont smoke.

I believe that if you smoke you have 2 obligations, dont do it were it bothers others and dont throw butts on the ground or in the water when fishing and such.

Its easy and common sence.

Now as far as beaches and litter are concerned, lets target the fishing boats offshore as thats were most trash is generated on a beach.

[bobcat]

Is the problem at the campgrounds by the beach where people have campfires?  Oregon beaches are usually so windy I can't imagine the smoke from a cigarette really being that bad.     It usually burns them down in a minute anyways, assuming it can get lit.
Back in the day, you just told the smoker it was bothering you and they would move a few feet so the smoke went past you.

Apparently the smoke isn't the issue, but the litter on the beach is.

[rtspring]

Its a nasty habit, but so is whiping your arse and no one is banning that..

[wildmanoutdoors]

Its a nasty habit, but so is whiping your arse and no one is banning that..

You do that in public? 

[Mike450r]

Its a nasty habit, but so is whiping your arse and no one is banning that..

I would have to disagree and say that not wiping would be the nasty habit.

[Elkaholic daWg]

Hey rt the grammar police want another "P"

[rtspring]

Hey rt the grammar police want another "P"

Whipping

[bobcat]

It's wiping. 

[JimmyHoffa]

Is the problem at the campgrounds by the beach where people have campfires?  Oregon beaches are usually so windy I can't imagine the smoke from a cigarette really being that bad.     It usually burns them down in a minute anyways, assuming it can get lit.
Back in the day, you just told the smoker it was bothering you and they would move a few feet so the smoke went past you.

Apparently the smoke isn't the issue, but the litter on the beach is.

And they already have laws for littering and for throwing out burning objects.  Seems they could just enforce those.

[csaaphill]

Here we go!!

You non smokers can go pound sand!! Why do the smokers have to go elsewhere? Take your body elsewhere! Why must I give up my right cause you dont like the smell of smoke?  To frickin bad! 

We can all jump on the litter part banwagon all day long! Think that will keep the beaches clean?  Not hardly. 

You eat a fatty steak that can give you heart disease? So dont go the health route with me neither!!! Ive smoked most of my life and can climb any mountain a non smoker can..  I also run 3-5 miles a day!
You could very well be run over by a car trying to cross the street! Its my body, I can do with it what I want..

So take your propoganda elsewhere..  I dont force smokes on you, so dont try to force us that do to quit..

 
i agree RT if your an oregon residnet then voice your opinion to the legislatures and whoever else in ctrl over this if not tell them anyways.
Im mad as hell about these kinds of things too! wish more would stand up with us instead of just think it's the right thing to do and roll over!

[JJB11B]

Thats funny! Im a smoker. I also throw my butts away. No matter where I am. I guess Ill go pound sand

EDIT**I also am very aware of the wind direction and my proximity to other people when smokeing and will walk away from people a good distance and down wind to smoke.

[Atroxus]

Is the problem at the campgrounds by the beach where people have campfires?  Oregon beaches are usually so windy I can't imagine the smoke from a cigarette really being that bad.     It usually burns them down in a minute anyways, assuming it can get lit.
Back in the day, you just told the smoker it was bothering you and they would move a few feet so the smoke went past you.

Apparently the smoke isn't the issue, but the litter on the beach is.

And they already have laws for littering and for throwing out burning objects.  Seems they could just enforce those.

  I used to smoke...quit about 15 or so years ago, and can't stand the smell anymore....but I agree. We don't need more new laws. Just need to enforce the existing laws against litter and throwing out burning objects.

[hrd2fnd]

Thats funny! Im a smoker. I also throw my butts away. No matter where I am. I guess Ill go pound sand

EDIT**I also am very aware of the wind direction and my proximity to other people when smokeing and will walk away from people a good distance and down wind to smoke.

[csaaphill]

Rtspring, you'll live longer if you quit smoking today. Just think of all those extra years of elk hunting you'll get! 

Plus we don't like to see your butts all over the ground. 

Actually I am one of a very few that put the butts in my pocket..  Im always finding them in the dang washer..

I do that a lot too while hunting at least especially on feel free to hunt land. I have no issues with picking up cigarette butts but will be damned If I'll sit by and let anti smokers, anti hunters animal rights and gunners all the same to me.