Smoke em if you got em EVERYWHERE

[pipeinhand]

With all this talk about legislation, I got to thinking. Law is made by public opinion. If you think I am wrong, just think about the laws pressed into service concerning civil rights, gay rights, prohibition, all brought into play by the common person speaking up about said issues. Then the law makers draft teasers, to get reaction from said common person, then tweak and put into a bill to vote upon.
So you say, what does this have to do with us? Simple, if we are not the evil enemy of home and child, mothers will rail against pipe smokers rights being taken away. Workers will scream about pipe smokers being thrown in with awful ciggie smokers. The court of public opinion is the one that counts because that is the one that lawmakers listen to.
So, smoke everywhere you can, even if it is inconvenient. Then mothers, workers et all will remember you smoking that great smelling pipe and when they come for us, they may stand up and say "No, these smokers are different, and I like them" They will remember grandpa and his great smelling pipe, along with you, the pipe smoker. You wouldn't take away grandpa, would you?

 

[waznyf]

I like this theory although wouldn't you be concerned that this might aggravate those who oppose it even more?

I don't see any harm in it anyway, you are just showing your support and expressing your rights yet it might not flip the opposition to your side.

 

[pipeinhand]

I have received more, "Gee that smells good comments" than " OMG, put that out" comments. Exposure is the key, make a thing a norm, and it will become one.OMG

 

[jonahtke]

I don't see tobacco bans in the future. I see taxes and stricter control. But no outright prohibition. It is too lucrutive an industry and shutting it down would cripple the economy.

 

[rigmedic1]

Then somebody needs to get in there and do something about the "flavorings" issue. As I understand it, the FDA made no distinction between grape flavored cigars and cavendish style pipe tobacco in its pending ban on flavored tobacco. I haven't heard of anyone addressing the matter, and I think a "wait and see" attitude may lead to quite a limitation in choices when things come to pass.

 

[dervis]

That would require the people to think for themselves. That ship has sailed. TV says its bad that's all they need.

 

[lordnoble]

I smoke outside whenever and wherever I can but there are so few places that you can do that anymore. I'm with you this though.
-Jason

 

[pipeinhand]

Hmmm, alcohol prohibition comes to mind. One of the reasons that it was repealed in '33 was the tax revenue it would produce, they understood that killing alcohol production and its tax was a bad idea. They understood that when they did it, but did it anyway.

 

[romeowood]

Pipeinhand makes a good point about the image of a pipesmoker needing to be re-introduced to the masses, and I applaud that as well as live it--I've personally gotten hundreds of compliments and only one negative comment that I can recall.

Jonahtke is right though; there's too much money in the business, and if you don't think the FDA is in direct collusion with the tobacco and pharma industries on this then I've got a bridge to sell you. Prices will go up, politicians will lie, and the masses will pay, quid pro quo. Start growing your own.

 

[jonahtke]

I have been reading up on this legislation and it seems to directly target flavored "cigars" black n mild and the like. I don't think that the majority of the pipe/cigar community has much to be concearned about.
The biggest problem that we have locally is a code which prohibits smoking withing 15 feet of a door or opening window of a public place. It makes having an impromptu puff a tad challenging.

 

[philip]

They will remember grandpa and his great smelling pipe, along with you, the pipe smoker.

This will only help if we make an effort to be as kind and friendly as the grandpa they are fond of remembering.
If we go out there with a chip on our shoulder, ready to confront every "anti" we meet, this strategy will backfire. If we flip the finger at those who dislike any tobacco, or if we use foul language toward those who assume we are smoking pot, we will only succeed in creating more opposition to pipe smokers.
I know many of us have in our minds an image of what a pipe smoker is. Let's ask ourselves, "Are we that person?"

 

[romeowood]

I know many of us have in our minds an image of what a pipe smoker is. Let's ask ourselves, "Are we that person?"

Great point, Philip :clap:

 

[ohin3]

TV says its bad that's all they need.

So true.

 

[pipeinhand]

+1 Philip

 

[rcstan]

The biggest problem that we have locally is a code which prohibits smoking withing 15 feet of a door or opening window of a public place. It makes having an impromptu puff a tad challenging.

We have a 50 ft rule here in the Municipality of Anchorage for public places, and a 20 ft rule in the apartment complex. Doesn't bother me or most of the people I hang out with that smoke, and I have yet to hear of anyone actually being ticketed or told "hey, put that out". Of course, I'm courteous about my smoking. I don't smoke under people's windows or right outside the supermarket door ......

 

[waznyf]

+1 Philip

I know many of us have in our minds an image of what a pipe smoker is. Let's ask ourselves, "Are we that person?"

You must be that person with all the wisdom you seem to hold!

 

[captainbob]

I do get a few compliments on my pipe tobacco. However, I dare not smoke in front of many people because the "mass" of folks are violently opposed to any smoke whatsoever. What about their fireplaces in their homes and their outdoor Weber grills and camp fires?
I do smoke everywhere that I can and even in places where I probably should not. I am not ashamed! In our city we cannot even smoke in a city park or public parking ramp! What's next, sidewalks? I no longer walk outside. I walk on a tread mill in a well ventilated area of my home and I smoke my pipe while on a two mile walk every morning on my tread mill. As far as I am concerned, they can have their sidewalks, too! But, the attack on personal freedoms has gone way too far here and in many places. Don't you agree? This is a matter of personal freedom. Why not require night clubs to provide separate heated and ventilated areas rather than ban all smoking? I am sick and tired of the attack on personal freedoms in our Country.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

[kennerth]

My theory had been at one time that the best protest for anti smoking laws would be for all smokers to carrying and mouth unlit pipes, cigars, and cigarettes into all non smoking areas. The laws are clearly written that the item has to be lit to be banned. I thought that perhaps if business owners and politicians could see how strong the smoking community is in numbers, it may have a positive effect in changing their outlook. If nothing else, it would be cool to see hundred or thousands in a football stadium or such in a smokeless smoking protest.
But then, it may just anger them more and prod them to ban possession altogether.
PS Phillip is a wise man.

 

[juni]

Does anyone actually comply with the 50ft rule?

 

[kennerth]

My buddy got a ticket in the middle of the night for lighting a cigar in San Antonio 20 ft from the door. No one was on the street. The bike cop then rode by and got him. $200!!!