November 17, 2005
STATE OF INDIANA'S OUTDOOR SMOKING BAN DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH
Earlier this afternoon, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels announced that the Indiana Government Center Complex, which located here in downtown Indy just off the Canal, will become smoke free effective January 1, 2006. The governor directed the Indiana Department of Administration, which operates the State Capitol and state office buildings, to change the current policy for the facilities to one which completely bans smoking on the grounds of the complex, including in all common areas, parking lots, and garages.
From this afternoon's online edition of The Indianapolis Star:
State employees who want to smoke at work soon will have to take a hike -- literally...
Cigarette smoking has been banned in the buildings and within 50 feet of any building entrance since 2003. Daniels' new executive order will also bar employees and visitors from smoking outside the building and anywhere outdoors on the state-owned grounds...
Daniels said there are no penalties for violating the order, but that flagrant violations could become part of an employee's record. He said the state will assist people who want to quit smoking by offering additional smoking cessation classes.
While Governor Daniels' is to be applauded for recognizing the need for a new policy, I'm very disappointed with his laissez-faire approach towards enforcing the new rule. Openly admitting that no penalties exist for violating the policy is absolutely ridiculous. Do you agree or am I missing something here?
Posted by Mikal at November 17, 2005 5:58 PM
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Normally I'm all for smoke-free areas. However, given the heavy-handed ways in which Gov Daniels is running the state, I have to wonder about his motivations for this ban. Why is he doing this? Why now? I'm guessing this policy has very little to do with public health and everything to do with squelching opportunities for the rank-and-file to let off steam. This policy seems like an extension of the already oppressive work environment inside the IGC right now. I'm also concerned because I think this policy will disproportionately affect low-wage workers. I'm not in favor of any policy that makes an almost unbearable situation even worse.
Sieg Heil! Der Fuehrer HATED tobacco. Thus, his Nazi party banned its public use. Allah Akbar! The Taliban banned tobacco. Isn't it lovely how our government is so happy to implement Nazi and Taliban policies?
This seems like going WAY too far with a public health policy. If these people want to kill themselves slowly with tobacco products, then let them. If these folks are away from public entrances and placing their butts in 'smoking posts,' then they are only hurting themselves. I'm not a smoker, and never have been. I am all for indoor smoking bans. I think the bans near public entrances is a great idea as well. But to totally ban smoking on public grounds...sounds too oppressive.
uhm they will start enforcing the "You nasty low life dirty lazy inconsiderate smokers are the reason the world sucks" laws prolly about the same time they start enforcing the ones that say its a really bad idea to serve alcoholics more alcohol so that they can go home and physically/mentally and/or emotionally abuse their loved ones.
What's with the "We need to control everything people do" crap? And I don't wanna hear the smokers raise healthcare cost line either. So does drinking and overeating but you don't see them out lawing that now do ya? Why?
Keep this crap up and pretty soon it will be illegal to eat ice cream if you don't look like that anorexic twin what's her name?
Being an ex smoker I know first hand the absolute EVIL that smoking is - trust me on that.
I also know that power corrupts and money is the root of all evil ;)
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