Manitoba smoking ban

[DrGreenthumb]

Doer has announced plans to enact a law banning smoking in cars. Goodbye provincial NDP. I refuse to support a party that increases the powers of big brother. I will resign as Vice president of the ndp constituency association this Sunday. Big brother will have to do his work without my help. I guess i will have to throw my support to the libertarian candidate. I refuse to support any party that would remove freedom from the people in favour of power for the state. What is next? Smoking will be illegal in our own homes? F$ck the government and its assumption of power over our personel lives. I will work as hard to defeat the NDP in the next election as I did to elect them this time. I quit smoking 6 months ago but will not abide by this crap. Smoking in a car with an open window is no more harmful than standing by a campfire roasting marshmallows.

[Wild Bill]

Doer has announced plans to enact a law banning smoking in cars. Goodbye provincial NDP. I refuse to support a party that increases the powers of big brother. I will resign as Vice president of the ndp constituency association this Sunday. Big brother will have to do his work without my help. I guess i will have to throw my support to the libertarian candidate. I refuse to support any party that would remove freedom from the people in favour of power for the state. What is next? Smoking will be illegal in our own homes? F$ck the government and its assumption of power over our personel lives. I will work as hard to defeat the NDP in the next election as I did to elect them this time. I quit smoking 6 months ago but will not abide by this crap. Smoking in a car with an open window is no more harmful than standing by a campfire roasting marshmallows.

Good for you! Someone else who has had his eyes opened!

Once you start thinking in terms of personal freedom and liberty, you start to realize that the lack of it is often the root cause of so many issues that offend you, such as drug and lifestyle laws.

It may take longer but I've always believed that if you ignore the symptoms and deal with the root causes you can be more effective. If you can get a spirit of personal liberty flourishing in governments a lot of other problems will likely evaporate by themselves...

[jdobbin]

Doer has announced plans to enact a law banning smoking in cars. Goodbye provincial NDP. I refuse to support a party that increases the powers of big brother. I will resign as Vice president of the ndp constituency association this Sunday. Big brother will have to do his work without my help. I guess i will have to throw my support to the libertarian candidate. I refuse to support any party that would remove freedom from the people in favour of power for the state. What is next? Smoking will be illegal in our own homes? F$ck the government and its assumption of power over our personel lives. I will work as hard to defeat the NDP in the next election as I did to elect them this time. I quit smoking 6 months ago but will not abide by this crap. Smoking in a car with an open window is no more harmful than standing by a campfire roasting marshmallows.

The NDP had their hand forced by the provincial Liberals. Last year, half the bills passed in Manitoba started off as private members bills.

Despite having a majority, the NDP seems not too inclined to introduce legislation. It has less to do with bot being Big Brother but in being risk adverse.

[DrGreenthumb]

The NDP had their hand forced by the provincial Liberals. Last year, half the bills passed in Manitoba started off as private members bills.

Despite having a majority, the NDP seems not too inclined to introduce legislation. It has less to do with bot being Big Brother but in being risk adverse.

The majority NDP government, the largest majority ever in manitoba was "forced" by the Liberals? How exactly does a party with what?2 seats? force anything? I don't know what power the provincial liberals could possibly have to force Doer to do this. The provincial liberals are practically non-existant in manitoba. They are like an endangered species. I can see absolutely NO reason why Doer felt this was a necessary move. I still like Layton and the federal NDP, but Doer and his crew have seriously burnt some bridges with me and all the civil liberties voters I have personally convinced to join the NDP.

We are in a majority government, nobody could force this on us. This type of thing I would expect from Harper style conservatives but not from the government I worked so hard to help. I have been in discussions with some aboriginal friends of mine and we will try our best to change doer's mind. I have heard plenty of crap from the provincial NDP before about cannabis users, this is just the straw that broke this camel's back. I would like to walk up to Doer and tear up my membership and throw it in his face. Its too bad that there are really no better viable alternatives. I'm certainly not going to support the Tories who are much bigger enemies of Liberty, and the provincial liberals have a snowball's chance in hell of ever forming government in Manitoba. I may consider running as a Libertarian candidate in the next provincial election, just to show the NDP'ers that I previously helped how many votes I can take away from them.

[jdobbin]

The majority NDP government, the largest majority ever in manitoba was "forced" by the Liberals? How exactly does a party with what?2 seats? force anything? I don't know what power the provincial liberals could possibly have to force Doer to do this. The provincial liberals are practically non-existant in manitoba. They are like an endangered species. I can see absolutely NO reason why Doer felt this was a necessary move. I still like Layton and the federal NDP, but Doer and his crew have seriously burnt some bridges with me and all the civil liberties voters I have personally convinced to join the NDP.

I'm just telling you how it is. Why would a majority government feel it necessary to adopt private members bills so that they represent more than half the bills passed last year? The reason is that they drew popular support and forced the NDP's hand.

The reason that Doer does well in personal popularity is that he adopts many Liberal initiatives.

We are in a majority government, nobody could force this on us. This type of thing I would expect from Harper style conservatives but not from the government I worked so hard to help. I have been in discussions with some aboriginal friends of mine and we will try our best to change doer's mind. I have heard plenty of crap from the provincial NDP before about cannabis users, this is just the straw that broke this camel's back. I would like to walk up to Doer and tear up my membership and throw it in his face. Its too bad that there are really no better viable alternatives. I'm certainly not going to support the Tories who are much bigger enemies of Liberty, and the provincial liberals have a snowball's chance in hell of ever forming government in Manitoba. I may consider running as a Libertarian candidate in the next provincial election, just to show the NDP'ers that I previously helped how many votes I can take away from them.

Majority government or not, the NDP are often on their heels because of the Liberals rather than the Tories.

By all means vote for the party that makes you feel comfortable.

[Melanie_]

Its too bad that there are really no better viable alternatives. I'm certainly not going to support the Tories who are much bigger enemies of Liberty, and the provincial liberals have a snowball's chance in hell of ever forming government in Manitoba. I may consider running as a Libertarian candidate in the next provincial election, just to show the NDP'ers that I previously helped how many votes I can take away from them.

I'm not a fan of this law either, although I agree with the spirit of the law. It is harmful to children to be cooped up in a vehicle filled with cigarette smoke, and it isn't always viable to have a window open (January in Manitoba). I also wonder if it is any more healthy to have a window open, breathing in all the exhaust fumes from every other vehicle on the road. A public health campaign will help to some degree, just as it has helped to some degree to combat FAS/E. I'd like to see all parents just recognize that they are causing their children harm and stop smoking around them, but to pass laws that can't be enforced won't help the situation.

There really are no options to the NDP in Manitoba right now. I agree with your assessment of the Conservatives, and the Liberals haven't been a serious force for years. While I don't agree with this law, it isn't enough to change my vote.

(Hey, my 1000th post! And it only took me three years!)

Edited May 26, 2008 by Melanie_

[jdobbin]

There really are no options to the NDP in Manitoba right now. I agree with your assessment of the Conservatives, and the Liberals haven't been a serious force for years. While I don't agree with this law, it isn't enough to change my vote.

Even when the Liberals offered a well respected election platform last time round, voters stood by populist Gary Doer. I suspect if he ran again, he would win a majority. However, one thing is certain: the NDP is risk adverse when it comes to legislation. They introduce few bills, have fewer days in session in the legislature and are not very imaginative in their governance.

[Drea]

I'm not a fan of this law either, although I agree with the spirit of the law. It is harmful to children to be cooped up in a vehicle filled with cigarette smoke, and it isn't always viable to have a window open (January in Manitoba). I also wonder if it is any more healthy to have a window open, breathing in all the exhaust fumes from every other vehicle on the road. A public health campaign will help to some degree, just as it has helped to some degree to combat FAS/E. I'd like to see all parents just recognize that they are causing their children harm and stop smoking around them, but to pass laws that can't be enforced won't help the situation.

There really are no options to the NDP in Manitoba right now. I agree with your assessment of the Conservatives, and the Liberals haven't been a serious force for years. While I don't agree with this law, it isn't enough to change my vote.

(Hey, my 1000th post! And it only took me three years!)

Congrats Melanie

I too agree with the law "in spirit" as I don't smoke in the car when my son is with me. I do this not because the government tells me I have to, but because he doesn't like the smoke. Simple.

But Dr.Greenthumb's first post did not clarify whether or not the "smoking in cars" ban was for just when children are with you or if the law is meant to stop all people from smoking in their cars no matter who (if anyone) is with them.

Dr.Greenthumb... do you have a link to clarify this for me?

Thanks!

[MontyBurns]

I will work as hard to defeat the NDP in the next election as I did to elect them this time.

Good. Join the Conservatives. Together we can liberate the country from the treehugger/gay/feminist menace.

[madmax]

Good. Join the Conservatives. Together we can liberate the country from the treehugger/gay/feminist menace.

Really? The Conservatives brought this law forward FIRST!

Then the Liberals brought this forward Second

And now the NDP will be the 3rd government to bring this to law.

This is one of those Government/Opposition issues.

The government is going to do (regardless of party affliation)

Nova Scotia recently banned smoking in cars carrying children. British Columbia's government promised a ban in its recent throne speech. New Brunswick and Manitoba are looking at similar bans.

And here is the Conservative position in Ontario...

Progressive Conservative MPP Elizabeth Witmer (Kitchener-Waterloo) said it's time for Liberals to stop dithering on the issue, with children's health at stake.

Obviously any advice from Mr. Burns should be taken with a grain of salt or the tongue in cheek.

[madmax]

But Dr.Greenthumb's first post did not clarify whether or not the "smoking in cars" ban was for just when children are with you or if the law is meant to stop all people from smoking in their cars no matter who (if anyone) is with them.

Dr.Greenthumb... do you have a link to clarify this for me?

Thanks!

I too am interested. Smokers are addicts being treated in a draconian fashion. When will homes be the next target? I have been in homes where you can't breath the smoke is so overwhelming. Not much better then a car, and the child resides in the home for a much longer period.

I don't know what brought the Conservatives to bring this forward, but it has swept across the country since like rapid fire. And it is clear that it is here to stay, regardless of the government of the day. I expect every province to adopt such a law.

If they banned smoking in Ontario Bars/resturants in Tobacco country, without any fight, then anyones opposition to this measure (Banning Smoking in Cars) will be futile and life will go on.

On a side note, I don't buy used vehicles owned by smokers.

So, is the ban only when children are in the car?

[madmax]

The reason that Doer does well in personal popularity is that he adopts many Liberal initiatives.

Majority government or not, the NDP are often on their heels because of the Liberals rather than the Tories

I doubt that the Libs are the reason for this initiative. This is one coming down the Provincial Pipelines like a train no one is going to stop. I was surprised how quickly this measure spread. I had never heard of such a thing until the Conservatives brought it in.

[MontyBurns]

Obviously any advice from Mr. Burns should be taken with a grain of salt or the tongue in cheek.

You must be a treehugger.

[Wild Bill]

"There is nothing so popular as telling your neighbour how to live his life, except taxing him to pay for YOUR great idea!"

[jdobbin]

I doubt that the Libs are the reason for this initiative. This is one coming down the Provincial Pipelines like a train no one is going to stop. I was surprised how quickly this measure spread. I had never heard of such a thing until the Conservatives brought it in.

The NDP resisted this idea at every turn until the Liberals introduced it as a private members bill.

If this hadn't happened several times in the last year, I would agree with you. However, the Liberals keeping introducing bills that the NDP are reluctant to introduce and then they are compelled to adopt them.

[Drea]

I too am interested. Smokers are addicts being treated in a draconian fashion. When will homes be the next target? I have been in homes where you can't breath the smoke is so overwhelming. Not much better then a car, and the child resides in the home for a much longer period.

I don't know what brought the Conservatives to bring this forward, but it has swept across the country since like rapid fire. And it is clear that it is here to stay, regardless of the government of the day. I expect every province to adopt such a law.

If they banned smoking in Ontario Bars/resturants in Tobacco country, without any fight, then anyones opposition to this measure (Banning Smoking in Cars) will be futile and life will go on.

On a side note, I don't buy used vehicles owned by smokers.

So, is the ban only when children are in the car?

No one is going to clarify this one madmax... so we must assume that the ban is for when children are in the car only... I don't smoke in my car when my son is in there anyway so this ban would not affect me. HOWEVER, if the ban is for smoking in the car ANYTIME it would be a horrendous assault on my personal liberty.

[madmax]

You must be a treehugger.

No.

UNFORTUNEATE that the party you advocate (Conservatives) LEad the way on an issue with the Liberals and NDP following.

The only difference between you and

DR. Greenthumb is that he is vocal about the "injustice" towards him by the party he supported and has publicly said he is looking elsewhere and will fight against this policy.

You on the other hand live in complete denial of the actions of the Conservative party. You tend to believe, that if You say something, then the Conservatives must support it. Your posts are delusional. Infact you are an appeaser of the Conservative Policy and not an opponent of the Conservative, Liberal and NDP ban of smoking in cars.

You support the smoking ban like the Conservatives.

I was raised in Tobbacco country and have watched as the Conservatives have led the farmers down the garden path.

Smoking has been in the minority since the 70s. I understand the need for healthy practices. There is a line between rights of adults and the health of children. Conservative Policy is leading to the RUIN of the Tobbacco Farmer.

Governments LIB/CON have passed laws to protect citizens from the hazards of Smoking. Now we are seeing the NDP do the same.

But with regards to the Farming Community.

The CONSERVATIVES have proven to be the worst of a bad lot.

Now that I am done priming......

Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

[madmax]

No one is going to clarify this one madmax... so we must assume that the ban is for when children are in the car only... I don't smoke in my car when my son is in there anyway so this ban would not affect me. HOWEVER, if the ban is for smoking in the car ANYTIME it would be a horrendous assault on my personal liberty.

I am not a smoker. Quit when I was 14. (don't ask)! But there are smokers in every political party, and many of these activists are CHAIN smokers. I am concerned, with a policy that could expand into the home. I am concerned if this ban is ANYTIME (I have a bigger problem with people text messaging while driving, as this can instantly kill ALL the passengers) and I also have a strong belief in personal liberty.

Where is the line drawn?

If this is just in the car, on public roads and enforceable only when children are passengers, then it is very likely that this law will come into play with little fanfare and no ones life will be disrupted.

We have come along ways from when the School Bus driver smoked while busing us around for an hour and a half.

[MontyBurns]

Smoking has been in the minority since the 70s. I understand the need for healthy practices. There is a line between rights of adults and the health of children. Conservative Policy is leading to the RUIN of the Tobbacco Farmer.

Governments LIB/CON have passed laws to protect citizens from the hazards of Smoking. Now we are seeing the NDP do the same.

But with regards to the Farming Community.

The CONSERVATIVES have proven to be the worst of a bad lot.

Now that I am done priming......

Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

I guess you want to subsidize tobacco farming now that smoking is in the minority like you say. If smoking is in decline then tobacco farmers are going to hurt no matter what party is in charge. Maybe you should blame left-wing advocacy groups for the decline of smoking/tobacco farming instead of the conservatives.

[jdobbin]

I guess you want to subsidize tobacco farming now that smoking is in the minority like you say. If smoking is in decline then tobacco farmers are going to hurt no matter what party is in charge. Maybe you should blame left-wing advocacy groups for the decline of smoking/tobacco farming instead of the conservatives.

Sounds like the left wing health advocacy groups are saving everyone a lot of money in health costs.

Now, maybe the right wing will help farmers adjust to other crops.

[madmax]

I guess you want to subsidize tobacco farming now that smoking is in the minority like you say.

No!

This isn't about subsidising Tobacco farmers. It was the CPC MP who is to blame for her misleading statements. See Dianne Finley Thread.

If smoking is in decline then tobacco farmers are going to hurt no matter what party is in charge. Maybe you should blame left-wing advocacy groups for the decline of smoking/tobacco farming instead of the conservatives.

The farmers have been led down the garden path by the Conservatives.

It is Conservatives who were the first to bring in the ban on smoking in Cars.

It is Conservative MPs and MPPs in the tobbacco ridings.

It is Conservatives in Power federally.

Keep Trying.

[MontyBurns]

No!

This isn't about subsidising Tobacco farmers. It was the CPC MP who is to blame for her misleading statements. See Dianne Finley Thread.

The farmers have been led down the garden path by the Conservatives.

It is Conservatives who were the first to bring in the ban on smoking in Cars.

It is Conservative MPs and MPPs in the tobbacco ridings.

It is Conservatives in Power federally.

Keep Trying.

It isn't the Conservatives who are causing people to quit smoking.

[jdobbin]

It isn't the Conservatives who are causing people to quit smoking.

It is.

[BubberMiley]

It is.

Good for them. Finally they're doing something productive. Smoking is a terrible habit and should never be done in front of children.

[madmax]

It isn't the Conservatives who are causing people to quit smoking.

No, of course not.

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/s...04-6f470bf7b77e

Alberta smoking ban gets Tory OK

Jason Markusoff, Calgary Herald

Published: Friday, May 18, 2007

Health Minister Dave Hancock's anti-smoking strategy, which includes a ban in all Alberta public places, has privately received approval from two influential Conservative MLA committees.

The plan also includes prohibiting visible retail displays (or "powerwalls") and removing tobacco sales from pharmacies, several government sources said