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Wood County Goes Smoke-Free

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WTAP News
Posted: 5:30 PM Sep 30, 2008
Last Updated: 5:30 PM Sep 30, 2008
Reporter: Courtney Rochon
Email Address: courtney.rochon@wtap.com

14 comments

A | A | A

At 12:01 AM Wednesday, Wood County and five other
West Virginia counties will be smoke-free.

In West Virginia, the State Supreme Court says its the responsibility of local health departments to regulate smoking.
The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department passed the ban in our area.

The Clean Indoor Air Act will ban smoking in bars, restaurants, and video lottery rooms.

Many business owners are afraid they could take a big hit from smokers going elsewhere.

Three years ago smoking was banned at workplaces and restaurants without an enclosed smoking section.

Wednesday, the only places smoking will still be allowed will be bingo halls, hotels, private banquet halls, and tobacco stores.

The Health Department says they considered a petition to allow smoking at fraternal organizations, but they decided not to make an exception, because it would create a loop-hole for bars and restaurants to also avoid the ban.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: john Location: west virginia on Oct 2, 2008 at 12:17 PM
A puppet huh? So the smoke that goes into your lungs is bad but the smoke coming from the end of a cig is not? Yea...that makes total sense.

Posted by: Tim Location: West Virginia on Oct 1, 2008 at 09:33 PM
Hey John, maybe you should think before you type. There is no health risk to second hand smoke either. You are being duped. The claims of health risks come from the EPA study that was thrown out by a judge and was censured by congress for its flawed research. True studies have shown no statistical increase in risk. So, there is no difference from the health risks of over eating and smoking. Both hurt the person doing it but nobody else. You are a puppet if you buy into the health risks of second hand smoke. So banning smoking is no different than banning any other activity.

Posted by: john Location: west virginia on Oct 1, 2008 at 04:25 PM
John in marietta...you say fat people offend you and you want them banned from restauants. That has to be one of the top ten most ignorant statements I have ever seen. What is the health risk of a fat person in a restauants? NONE. Think before you type cause all you did was make yourself look foolish.

Posted by: john Location: west virginia on Oct 1, 2008 at 04:18 PM
Infringe on your rights? You have the right to smoke, you DONT have the right to expose others to health risk, bottom line. I would like to know where you get the 95% of bar patrons smoke.And the one about hamburger having as much by products as 600 cigs...HAHA Thats a joke. I think the only true solution to this is to leave it to the individual owners to make the decision. You say that a person has the option to enter an establishment or not. Remember....that goes both ways. Stay home and drinksmoke then. I bet you will still continue to go to the bars because the bars give you a social place to go. Think of someone besides yourself. Oh, by the way.....I am a smoker.

Posted by: FRANKLIN D. Location: PARKERSBURG on Oct 1, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Once again The power of our local Government USSR ? has stripped away another right from the american people.95% of the Bar's patron's are smoker's and should be left alone.If I don't like egg's I don't eat them if I like the smell of flower's I smell them,if I smoke & you don't like being around it Then stay out & don't " Infringe on my right's " No one will hold a gun to your head & keep you captive. You have the option to enter or not " your choice " The USSR has plenty of arm band's that they will gladly send to the MOVHD to proudly display on your arm.

Posted by: disgusted Location: parkersburg on Oct 1, 2008 at 08:35 AM
It's not the fact that it is about smoking. The fact is that this is a state by state choice and the voters don't get a vote. This is communism or natzism, however you want to call it. There are a lot more protestors on this issue but I'm not seeing anything being done about it. I am an ex-smoker and I have many friends who smoke and I enjoy their company, regardless of where it is. The bar owners are not the only ones affected either, the business they bring in is also (bands, etc.) The economy in this area will fall badly.

Posted by: dave Location: marietta on Oct 1, 2008 at 07:29 AM
I am a smoker who agrees with most parts of the smoking bans...except bars (not restaurants). If the bar was vented right, there would be no second hand smoke. We simply can not eliminate all pollution,and maintain a society we have gotten used to. What is next? cars, trucks, busses, boats, barbeques (one flame broiled 4 ounce hamburger has as many smoke by products as 600 cigarettes)

Posted by: anonymous Location: parkersburg on Oct 1, 2008 at 05:24 AM
i just want to say that i used to smoke and i am glad to see this happen, there is a lot of people out there who cant be around smoke and when you walk in somewhere that allows it that person isnt able to stay and enjoy themselves. i think it is a shame for those who smoke but it is killing your lungs and if you have children think about what it is doing to them. come on this is the best thing that happened to parkersburg and i would vote to have all outdoor smoking banned. who wants to smell like an ashtray and they dont even smoke?

Posted by: Bob Location: Chicago on Oct 1, 2008 at 04:12 AM
A lot of small neighborhood bars in my area of Chicago ignore the ban to stay in business. After ten months, there have been no customer or worker complaints. Their customers pay the bills, not the government. The debate is over, the science id clear. There is no safe level of government interference.

Posted by: Josh Location: Parkersburg on Oct 1, 2008 at 02:19 AM
The ban is not right. While I agree on resturants and family locations, bars, taverns, and private clubs SHOULD be exempt. Adults have a choice to leave if they don't want to be around smoke/smokers. Children often don't. In short: Don't like being around smoke? DON'T GO WHERE SMOKING IS.

Posted by: john Location: marietta on Oct 1, 2008 at 12:15 AM
"The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department passed the ban in our area." "its the best thing that ever happened in West virginia." Yeah, the Government making decisions for you, that's great! Sheeple. What "freedom" did I fight for again? Fat people offend me, can I get them banned at restaraunts?

Posted by: Bones Location: Parkersburg on Sep 30, 2008 at 10:46 PM
This is another first class example of how rapidly COMMUNISM is spreading in wood county & the rest of the country. It is not to far away that we won't have any right's. I suppose there next step will be braking down the door at your home to see if there any ash tray's with butts in them. what a shame for such a great Nation the USA to pratice these unexceptable act's. Put it on the ballot & let the people vote on it.

Posted by: John Location: Parkersburg on Sep 30, 2008 at 09:33 PM
Will Police be escorting health inspectors into Bars and Private Clubs when writeing smokeing violaton tickets? At night and weekends would not be a safe enviroment for anyone.

Posted by: Patrick Location: Parkersburg on Sep 30, 2008 at 09:02 PM
This is just another example of the government taking our rights away. It should be up to individual businesses whether or not they want smoking in their establishments. The businesses would be the ones who know what their patrons would prefer. If someone didn't like the smoking in a particular establishment then they should go somewhere else. "Land of the free", what a joke.

Posted by: Tanya Location: pARKERSBURG on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:54 PM
its the best thing that ever happened in West virginia.

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