Smoking outside of the building

[DogLover]

Does it bother anyone else when people smoke right outside the door of the apt buildings? If people want to go outside to smoke that's their choice, but can't they do it away from the building? As a non-smoker, I don't think it's fair that when I walk in the building, I have to be greeted by clouds of smoke. It's worse when there are 4 or 5 people smoking.....even the lobby starts to smell like smoke.
Is there a way to require the smokers to smoke away from the building?

[zipbow]

Maybe they should place those ash trays/trash cans further from the buildings... they are located right outside the entrance, so it's not surprising to find smokers gathered outside the entrance smoking...

[msion1]

Not loving that seond-hand, smoke, huh? I feel you on that.

[ejm]

It's really a matter of courtesy, moving around the ashtrays won't help. People around here generally are not very courteous or respectful of each other. Newport can be very vapid.

[Stinky]

It's a minor annoyance to me but not nearly as bad as those who let their dogs pee the instant they get outside the main door. I'm fed up with having to avoid this stuff when I leave Riverside in the mornings. These unspeakable pet owners could, at least, drag their pooch to the curb.

How about a no-peeing and no-smoking zone extending at least 100 ft from the main door of each building?

[DogLover]

It's a minor annoyance to me but not nearly as bad as those who let their dogs pee the instant they get outside the main door. I'm fed up with having to avoid this stuff when I leave Riverside in the mornings. These unspeakable pet owners could, at least, drag their pooch to the curb.

How about a no-peeing and no-smoking zone extending at least 100 ft from the main door of each building?


I'm fine w/ that......I cannot stand the smell of smoke. If people want to kill themselves by smoking, that's their choice, but don't make me inhale that stuff. I don't smoke for a reason and shouldnt be forced to when I go into my building.

[JimGee]

I'm fine w/ that......I cannot stand the smell of smoke. If people want to kill themselves by smoking, that's their choice, but don't make me inhale that stuff. I don't smoke for a reason and shouldnt be forced to when I go into my building.A small amount of partially combusted hydrocarbon is and always has been the normal condition for air in and around human dwellings. The use of fire is one of the basic features defining our species. Campfire and cooking smoke was breathed in with mother's milk for thousands of generations. The current hypochondria over "second-hand smoke", fed by some of the worst, most tendentious "science" yet seen, is something you should work hard to free yourself from.

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JG

[Smurfy]

A small amount of partially combusted hydrocarbon is and always has been the normal condition for air in and around human dwellings. The use of fire is one of the basic features defining our species. Campfire and cooking smoke was breathed in with mother's milk for thousands of generations. The current hypochondria over "second-hand smoke", fed by some of the worst, most tendentious "science" yet seen, is something you should work hard to free yourself from.

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JG

I think the primary complaint here is that the stuff just stinks. If you're not a smoker, it's a disgusting smell to be forced to live with

[DogLover]

I think the primary complaint here is that the stuff just stinks. If you're not a smoker, it's a disgusting smell to be forced to live with

Agreed.....It is disgusting and we shouldn't be forced to inhale it. It's gross.


The current hypochondria over "second-hand smoke", fed by some of the worst, most tendentious "science" yet seen, is something you should work hard to free yourself from.

JimGee - I am not sure what planet you are from, but second hand smoke HAS BEEN PROVEN TO DO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE to people and can, in fact, cause cancer. Although Dana Reeve was never a smoker, they have said that her exposure to second hand smoke in clubs, was a factor in her lung cancer. If people want to kill themselves from smoking, so be it, but it's not fair to subject non-smokers to it. Smokers should be a little more compasionate (and less lazy) and walk away from the doors.

[renuka]

Agreed and for those who are ALLERGIC to cigarrette smoke, ask them how they feel with red, watery eyes and an ability to breathe properly even due to small amonts of exposure to the stuff!


I think the primary complaint here is that the stuff just stinks. If you're not a smoker, it's a disgusting smell to be forced to live with

[JimGee]

Agreed.....It is disgusting and we shouldn't be forced to inhale it. It's gross.


The current hypochondria over "second-hand smoke", fed by some of the worst, most tendentious "science" yet seen, is something you should work hard to free yourself from.

JimGee - I am not sure what planet you are from, but second hand smoke HAS BEEN PROVEN TO DO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE to people and can, in fact, cause cancer. Although Dana Reeve was never a smoker, they have said that her exposure to second hand smoke in clubs, was a factor in her lung cancer. If people want to kill themselves from smoking, so be it, but it's not fair to subject non-smokers to it. Smokers should be a little more compasionate (and less lazy) and walk away from the doors.
DogLover, as far as I know I'm from the same planet as you. I just tend to look at the real facts of a situation and to deemphasize trends, fads, social hysterias, etc.,. Second-hand cigarette smoke in the concentrations we are discussing does not cause cancer. You need to improve your sources of information-- a little less reliance on "20/20" and "Dateline" and press-releases/TV spots of fanatic NGOs, and a little more reliance on scientists... There are still spots on the globe that haven't been drawn in to this sort of hysteria. In Italy, for instance, one can still light up at one's desk and in the movie theater, not to mention bars & restaurants. But then, the Italians and many others around the world always have known how to live far better than us. Just live and enjoy. Sickness and death will come to you no matter what you do.

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JG

[DogLover]

DogLover, as far as I know I'm from the same planet as you. I just tend to look at the real facts of a situation and to deemphasize trends, fads, social hysterias, etc.,. Second-hand cigarette smoke in the concentrations we are discussing does not cause cancer. You need to improve your sources of information-- a little less reliance on "20/20" and "Dateline" and press-releases/TV spots of fanatic NGOs, and a little more reliance on scientists... There are still spots on the globe that haven't been drawn in to this sort of hysteria. In Italy, for instance, one can still light up at one's desk and in the movie theater, not to mention bars & restaurants. But then, the Italians and many others around the world always have known how to live far better than us. Just live and enjoy. Sickness and death will come to you no matter what you do.

--
JG


Hysteria or no hysteria, I still don't feel that I should be forced to inhale smoke since I am a non-smoker. Common courtesy would be to walk to the side of the buidling and smoke there.

[JimGee]

Hysteria or no hysteria, I still don't feel that I should be forced to inhale smoke since I am a non-smoker. Common courtesy would be to walk to the side of the buidling and smoke there.For what it's worth, I never smoke right in front of the building. I also run two German-made air-washers in my apartment to minimize the smoke getting into the hallway and adjacent apartments.. But I do all this for the same general reason I smile and nod my head to young children in the elevators and playgrounds... it just makes them feel comfortable even though there's nothing really to worry about.

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JG

[Smurfy]

For what it's worth, I never smoke right in front of the building. I also run two German-made air-washers in my apartment to minimize the smoke getting into the hallway and adjacent apartments.. But I do all this for the same general reason I smile and nod my head to young children in the elevators and playgrounds... it just makes them feel comfortable even though there's nothing really to worry about.

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JG

In which case, I doubt anyone's got serious gripes with you. In fact, I'm sure the majority of non-smokers thank you for thinking of others. If only my current downstairs neighbors were so courteous ...

[JimGee]

In which case, I doubt anyone's got serious gripes with you. In fact, I'm sure the majority of non-smokers thank you for thinking of others. If only my current downstairs neighbors were so courteous ...Thanks, Mr. Smurfy... If smoke from another apartment is really getting to you, maybe you should look into getting one (or actually, two) of these units yourself. I'm one of these politicized people with a long memory-- I've stayed away from buying anything German my whole life. But I did a fair amount of research comparing all the air-purifiers on the market and came away convinced that this German product (the "Venta") is far better than everything else available. So I let my German boycott slide this once, and it's been worth it. These machines take almost everything out of the air. For a typical 1-bedroom Newport apartment you need two of their largest models, though-- so it'll cost you. With two of those babies chugging along non-stop the air approaches outdoor non-urban quality. It's a bit of a pain to be constantly replenishing the water, and the necessary additives aren't too incredibly cheap either.. but it's a real pleasure to draw in that good air all day and night. And the units are built to last. This is the model we have:

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=12307659

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JG

[Smurfy]

Thanks, I'll look into that - good suggestion.

PS - it's Ms. Smurfy! :D

[Nic]

I've stayed away from buying anything German my whole life.

Out of curiosity, Jim, what did the Germans do to you? Was it any particular German?

[JimGee]

They did nothing to me personally and, no, I'm not even Jewish... My family and friends think I'm whacked out on the subject. Obviously I'm a tiny minority in taking this attitude... I could devote pages to trying to justify it, but would it be worth the effort? The new Germany seems to be doing quite well without me.

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JG

[brweyedgirl]

DogLover, as far as I know I'm from the same planet as you. I just tend to look at the real facts of a situation and to deemphasize trends, fads, social hysterias, etc.,. Second-hand cigarette smoke in the concentrations we are discussing does not cause cancer. You need to improve your sources of information-- a little less reliance on "20/20" and "Dateline" and press-releases/TV spots of fanatic NGOs, and a little more reliance on scientists... There are still spots on the globe that haven't been drawn in to this sort of hysteria. In Italy, for instance, one can still light up at one's desk and in the movie theater, not to mention bars & restaurants. But then, the Italians and many others around the world always have known how to live far better than us. Just live and enjoy. Sickness and death will come to you no matter what you do.

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JG

So if European scientists announced to the world that they finally agree with the American scientists that second hand smoke is deadly - the argument is then validated? :rolleyes:

And what's this free pass that scientists get? Scientists are by no means infallable - they make errors, missteps, misjudgements and sometimes are simply trying to keep up.

It's not only the health risks of second hand smoke that makes this more than an annoyance (as if that's not enough), it's the smell, it's the having to walk children and infants past this, it about a right to have fresh clean air - which by the way is the natural way of life, smoking is our manipulation of nature (oh and couldn't have happened without those crafty scientists of course)...but hey if you want to have some smoke with your calamari, have at it. A little merlot avec fumee, "live and enjoy" as you say. There's a bar on Columbus and Grove I believe it is - a former bank vault? that'll let you smoke 'em if you got 'em) - maybe you can go hang out and pretend you're living far better than the rest of us.

Oh and by the way...perhaps if you could take a break from reading the big 'ole JAMA - you know, improve your sources of information, you'd see things that things in the land of "they just get it and we don't" are changing... here's a current article from *clutch the pearls* MSN Business regarding the current state of the most notorious group of Europeans who are pro-public smoking...the French...guess us "stupid hysterical Americas" might be on to something...

Here's a sample just for you...

February 02, 2006 07:00 PM ET
French Tradition Goes Up in Smoke

France has long had a special relationship with tobacco. After all, nicotine was named for a Frenchman, Jean Nicot, the first European to cultivate the plant when it was imported from the New World in the 16th century. Ever since, the French have been in love with the weed. From existentialists waxing philosophical over coffee and smokes in cafes, to the romantic image of movie stars such as Yves Montand -- a cigarette dangling from his lips as he seduces Marilyn Monroe in Let's Make Love -- tobacco and France seemed inseparable.

But now, mon dieu, even the French are starting to get serious about giving up the habit. Since 2003, the government has upped its antismoking rhetoric, raised taxes on cigarettes by 40%, and poured hundreds of millions of euros into programs aimed at eradicating France's biggest preventable health threat. "The fight against tobacco is urgent, an absolute priority," said President Jacques Chirac in a March, 2003, speech launching his new anticancer initiative.

and here's the link to MSN...
http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/ticker/article.asp?Feed=BWK&Date=20060202&ID=5471467
or if you prefer...Business Week
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/feb2006/nf2006022_1904.htm

Oh and here's this group..http://www.ensp.org/ - betcha they're just a bunch of US expatriate hippies though... :rolleyes:

carry on... :cool:

[ejm]

Another smoking debate on this board.

Yawn.

[Stinky]

And what's this free pass that scientists get? Scientists are by no means infallable - they make errors, missteps, misjudgements and sometimes are simply trying to keep up.It's not that scientists get a free pass, it's that the process they follow is self-correcting. Publish in a peer-reviewed journal and your peers try to see if you are right. Either they corroborate your findings or they score points by destroying your results. And as for conclusions, for every set of data there are several possible interpretations and more experiments have to be designed and conducted to see which one best explains the observations. It's a quest for knowledge that, over the long term, does lead in the right direction.

Henry Kissinger said something like: In academia, the fighting is so vicious because the stakes are so small.

[Nic]

Germans are bad, the French all smoke and Italians live better than us. And European scientists practice bad science. No risk of generalizing on this bulletin board is there! :D

[Lenin]

I love THIS hypocrisy:

People recognize (or their SPOUSES do) that smoking inside is deadly, so these people go into THE STAIRWELLS and smoke so that others can all share their fumes...while their apartments stay "lily white."

If you doubt me, take a walk up your stairwell. The pigs won't even pick up their own butts when they're done...they remain strewn on the steps.

[DogLover]

I love THIS hypocrisy:

People recognize (or their SPOUSES do) that smoking inside is deadly, so these people go into THE STAIRWELLS and smoke so that others can all share their fumes...while their apartments stay "lily white."

If you doubt me, take a walk up your stairwell. The pigs won't even pick up their own butts when they're done...they remain strewn on the steps.

It's completely true......the smoke from the stairwell comes into my apartment and my kitchen smells like an ashtray. It's rude, inconsiderate and selfish. We even posted signs, but they don't care. It's probably the same slobs who leave their garbage on the floor, rather than taking 2 seconds to put it down the chute.