It's an *Image* Problem
no, Honey—it’s a Perception Problem
Every time someone makes one of those fakey little coughs accompanied by The Look ["icky poo"] as The Mister is enjoying one of his ceegars in a public place, he turns looks ‘em dead in the eye and says, “That, what you smell; that’s the stink of FREEEEDOM!”
If only my phonecam were fast enough…
Well, now Des Moines has painted itself into a corner with truly unforseeable consequences. I mean who could blame ‘em. Noone could have seen this coming. Really.
Government efforts to push smokers out of public places have some Des Moines officials worried about the fallout from clusters of puffers on sidewalks and in parking lots.
Amazing iddn’t it?
A statewide smoking ban that took effect July 1 came on the heels of a decision in Des Moines that targeted municipal garages and some city parks. Smoking is also now prohibited in front of the Des Moines airport.
Dang—wouldn’t want any smoke dirtying up the lovely scent of partially-burned hydrocarbons and u-reeen that pervades most garages. Keep Iowa Perfumed!!
Streets and sidewalks are not included in the bans, and City Councilwoman Christine Hensley said she is concerned the result could pose an image problem.
It’s ok, Honey—you are not alone. Not alone, indeed.
Government officials in China were concerned about where smokers would congregate when a law banning smoking in most public areas of Beijing took effect May 1.
See? Allow your pals to provide the template.
"Certainly we want to accommodate people,” [yes. I see that.] Mayor Frank Cownie said. “But we want to keep our city healthy. If we feel like it’s becoming a health hazard, we’ll deal with it and ... assign people places to smoke."
But there will be bits of fun involved. Truly.
"This will give [city] employees an opportunity to get at each other if they want, and that’s going to be of some concern,” said Tom Turner, the city’s human resources director. “It’s going to be really tough for some people. That’s going to be the fun thing because a citizen comes up to the police and says ‘Cite yourself.’"
“It’s going to force them out in areas where they’re more visible,” Des Moines City Manager Rick Clark said.
Oh, the horror!! Oh, the humanity!!! That someone should actually SEE another human being SMOKING!
On the other hand, The Mister [may his praises be sung throughout the civilized world] might consider not lighting up that cheroot in a restaurant.
Posted by ZZMike on 07/11/08 at 09:26 AMFor years I have been saying - including to my bosses at work - that many smoking bans are obviously designed to force those of us with the admittedly nasty habit from places that at least afforded some cover from the elements out into all kinds of weather in an obvious ploy to kill us off.
Posted by on 07/11/08 at 10:40 AM
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