Texsox Posted February 18, 2004 Share Posted February 18, 2004 California law strictly bans smoking in offices, bars and restaurants, but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger a longtime cigar smoker has proposed converting the state Capitol's interior courtyard into a "smoking plaza." Under the actor-turned-governor's plan, part of the Capitol's roof would be removed to create an area where legislators and other Sacramento visitors could smoke. The governor's spokeswoman, Terri Carbaugh, explained that Mr. Schwarzenegger wants to create an informal meeting and schmoozing area where he can smoke cigars with lawmakers and other power brokers. "It's a more positive environment where they can all be on an equal footing, as opposed to everyone going into the governor's office where he's behind his desk," the spokeswoman said. But the cigar-loving governor has to face the opposition of several antitobacco groups, who accuse him of thwarting California's efforts to cut tobacco use. Smoking in restaurants has been banned in California for almost a decade. In 1998, the ban was extended to bars, and since the end of last year, smoking has been prohibited anywhere within 20 feet of a public building's entrance. "That's very frightening that would even think about smoking inside the heart of our state Capitol," said Jim Walker, the director and founder of Stop Tobacco Abuse of Minors Pronto. "He could do more good by championing our cause rather than trivializing it." Last Saturday in Sacramento, several dozen protesters demonstrated in front of the Capitol to denounce Mr. Schwarzenegger's project to turn the Capitol courtyard into a smoking patio. "We are deeply disappointed at several recent public depictions of your use and promotion of cigars and urge you to refrain from modeling this dangerous habit," the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and the American Lung Association wrote in a recent letter to Mr. Schwarzenegger. The Austrian-born former bodybuilding champ, who once headed the President's Council on Physical Fitness, has appeared twice on the cover of Cigar Aficionado magazine and frequently has smoked cigars at public events. Antitobacco groups are worrying about the impact he can have among young fans by making smoking looking cool. "Schwarzenegger has been one of my heroes through the years, thanks to his confidence and his positive attitude, and I would hope that rather than turning this back on the thousands of families that have lost loved ones, he would take up and champion our cause," Mr. Walker said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Prawn Posted February 18, 2004 Share Posted February 18, 2004 Doesn't California have more pressing issues to attend to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldmember Posted February 18, 2004 Share Posted February 18, 2004 Doesn't California have more pressing issues to attend to? really. the ban was extended to bars thats just wrong man!!!! :fyou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted February 18, 2004 Author Share Posted February 18, 2004 Sittin' in the classroom Thinkin' it's a drag List'nin' to the teacher Well just ain't my bag Noon bells ring You know that's my cue I'm gonna meet the boys On floor number two Somkin' in the boys' room Smokin' in the boys' room Now teacher don't you Fill me up with your rules For ev'rybody knows that Smokin' ain't allowed in school Checkin' out the halls Makin' sure the coast is clear Lookin' in the stalls No there ain't nobody here My buddies Syxx, Mick, and Tom* To get caught would surely Be the death of us all Somkin' in the boys' room Smokin' in the boys' room Now teacher don't you Fill me up with your rules For ev'rybody knows that Smokin' ain't allowed in school Well they put me to work In the school bookstore Checkout counter and I got bored Teacher was lookin' for me all around Two hours later you know Where I was found Smokin' in the boys' room Yes indeed, I was smokin' in the boys' room Now teacher don't you Fill me up with your rules For ev'rybody knows that Smokin' ain't allowed in school Now teacher I am fully aware of the rules For ev'rybody knows that Smokin' ain't allowed in school Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullcollapse Posted February 18, 2004 Share Posted February 18, 2004 i wouldn't want my taxpayer money being spent on removing part of the roof just so he can smoke... then of course there is the whole double standard and personal agenda thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soxfan420 Posted February 18, 2004 Share Posted February 18, 2004 just get that little air filter(i cant think of name, the one advertised on tv. those things do wonders he could smoke anything in his office and noone would be able to tell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mreye Posted February 18, 2004 Share Posted February 18, 2004 Ionic Breeze Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soxfan420 Posted February 18, 2004 Share Posted February 18, 2004 Ionic Breeze thats them those bad boys can even cover up plants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mreye Posted February 18, 2004 Share Posted February 18, 2004 The chicken they have frying in the pan in the commercial looks good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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