34 South Main St., Attleboro, MA - Directions - (508) 222-7000
News
The 25-foot bill
 Linda Terry smokes during a work break in Attleboro. A bill on Beacon Hill calls for smoking zones to be pushed 25 feet away from public building entrances.
Top Headlines State lawmaker wants smoking zones moved 25 feet from doors, open windows
Michael Anzaldi and Laura McAuliffe are standing outside the Picadilly Pub in Foxboro, socializing - and smoking.It's a warm afternoon, so they're under the shade of the pub entrance, a scene not unlikely outside many restaurants and bars. But that could be changing shortly. State Rep. Ted Speliotis, a Democrat from Danvers, introduced a bill this week that would keep smokers 25 feet from open windows, doors and ventilation systems. He argues the expanded smoke-free zone will protect the public from second-hand smoke.  Linda Terry smokes during a break at her place of employment in Attleboro.
And that is raising the ire of smokers who say they already feel putupon."That's ridiculous. We're already banned from smoking indoors, and now they want us to move? What's next?" Anzaldi said when he heard about the proposed bill. "It's not like I'm blowing my second-hand smoke into a non-smoker's face." McAuliffe sounded off, too. "I agree, it's ridiculous. Where do they expect us to stand, in the highway?" she said. That's not so far-fetched. A Cambridge library assistant noted during a legislative hearing on the matter that a 25-foot buffer would place most patrons in a street. "I know the consequences (of smoking). I take a step away from the door. I'm outside in the fresh air. Why 25 feet?" Anzaldi said. A statewide ban on smoking in the workplace, including restaurants and bars, went into effect in July 2004. The new bill would move patrons farther from the doors of eating and drinking establishments, which some worry could hurt business. Still, other smokers don't seem too bothered by the bill. "It makes sense," said Shane Harrah, who was leaning against a wall, at least 25 feet away from the entrance of a Best Buy store. Others think the proposal makes sense. Joe and Sarah, who declined to give their last name, say that as parents, they already keep their home and cars smoke free, opting to smoke when they are out in open areas. Seated outside a Panera Bread restaurant, Sheila, who declined to give her last name, adopted an air of resignation. "I really don't care about it. To each his own," she said as she took a puff from her cigarette. "They have stopped smokers from doing other things. By now, we just go with the flow."
View Comments » 73 comment(s)
« Hide Comments
|
ButchDuctTape wrote on Jun 27, 2009 2:26 PM:
nannystate wrote on Jun 26, 2009 3:13 PM:
nannystate wrote on Jun 26, 2009 3:12 PM:
nannystate wrote on Jun 26, 2009 3:11 PM:
nannystate wrote on Jun 26, 2009 3:08 PM:
nannystate wrote on Jun 26, 2009 3:07 PM:
... if you have to get your body accustomed to the burn of alcohol maybe that too is God's way or saying "Don't Drink?" "
nannystate wrote on Jun 26, 2009 3:03 PM:
nannystate wrote on Jun 26, 2009 2:59 PM:
nannystate wrote on Jun 26, 2009 2:57 PM:
nannystate wrote on Jun 26, 2009 2:55 PM:
nannystate wrote on Jun 26, 2009 2:53 PM:
nannystate wrote on Jun 26, 2009 2:51 PM:
don't smoke within X number of feet of a building... control issues.
don't smoke in public... control freak "
Happyisme85 wrote on Jun 24, 2009 4:06 PM:
My grandfather has serious breathing issues and has actually waited in the car during meals because there was too many smokers outside the resteraunt door for him to make it through without having an attack.
On a side note I ride my bike past several GATRA buses every day and I would much prefer that we make those stop puffing smoke before I would care about the 25 foot rule. If you have ever been stuck at a light inhaling that smoke you know what I mean. "
mcgruff wrote on Jun 22, 2009 12:13 PM:
mcgruff wrote on Jun 22, 2009 8:52 AM:
saywhat wrote on Jun 20, 2009 10:19 AM:
Anna D wrote on Jun 19, 2009 5:51 PM:
wxman wrote on Jun 19, 2009 4:27 PM:
Unfortunately, in today's "ME" society, people don't think about others, so they NEED TO BE TOLD to smoke away from the doorway.
I'm not saying I agree or disagree.. only pointing out the fact why these inane laws keep being proposed. "
RLincoln wrote on Jun 19, 2009 4:17 PM:
ricknkim wrote on Jun 19, 2009 3:52 PM:
My elementary understanding was that there are "mutant" cancer genes for things like breast cancer, colon cancer, etc. that make those who carry them much more likely to develop that cancer than those wh do not. However, I did not know all people carry the cancer gene and can be awoken based upon certain catalysts.
As for smokers and this proposed ban - I HATE smoking and the results of it and can appreciate the ban inside confined/public spaces. However, I think there are limits and this proposal seems to have crossed that line. Some times it is easier to grin and bear a minor inconvenience than to go through the trouble of making it a bigger issue than it really is? "
kfer2288 wrote on Jun 19, 2009 3:36 PM:
Red Meats: A reported showed consuming large amounts of red meats can cause cancer.
Cell phones: the radiation caused by cell phones can affect the way the cells in the brain divide and can cause changes in the brain that lead to cancer.
Oral sex: increases your risk of getting throat cancer
Deodorant:The reports have suggested that these products contain harmful substances, which can be absorbed through the skin or enter the body through nicks caused by shaving. Some scientists have also proposed that certain ingredients in underarm antiperspirants or deodorants may be related to breast cancer because they are applied frequently to an area next to the breast.
The Sun: can obviously cause melanoma
Good Luck in your bubble. "
DOC wrote on Jun 19, 2009 3:30 PM:
mcgruff wrote on Jun 19, 2009 3:24 PM:
Marcia - good luck to your fat friends when they're 70 and 40 pounds overwieght. "
twiztid1091 wrote on Jun 19, 2009 3:12 PM:
mmarcia wrote on Jun 19, 2009 2:57 PM:
mcgruff: put down that twinkie! I know people who are very overweighgt and regularly do strenuous workouts - biking, swimming, running, etc. Their docs say theyre fit, and I believe them!
DOC: those people who are overweight arent forcing food down other peoples throats! Were discussing people who are making us inhale spewed noxious toxins. And thank you for your military service.
ishouldbemayor: really? Is Drinking alcohol is worse for you than walking through a cloud of smoke for 5 seconds true? Thats why I dont drink - OR smoke!
kevin h.: A quick check on-line said that both are dangerous. Leaving the ciggy in the asjtray burning is as dangerous as inhaling it through the asbestos filter. "
DOC wrote on Jun 19, 2009 2:34 PM:
kevin h. wrote on Jun 19, 2009 2:21 PM:
realist wrote on Jun 19, 2009 1:56 PM:
kfer2288 wrote on Jun 19, 2009 1:50 PM:
kfer2288 wrote on Jun 19, 2009 1:48 PM:
mcgruff-your last post was halarious. "
ishouldbemayor wrote on Jun 19, 2009 1:42 PM:
Second hand smoke has been proven to cause cancer. It has also been proven NOT to cause cancer (but that was conveniently not reported as much as the other studies). Drinking alcohol is worse for you than walking through a cloud of smoke for 5 seconds. Get over yourselves.
I don't like the smell, I don't smoke, but it makes me angry when certain peoples rights are infringed upon because other people are so self centered and uniformed. "
DOC wrote on Jun 19, 2009 1:31 PM:
mcgruff wrote on Jun 19, 2009 1:31 PM:
mcgruff wrote on Jun 19, 2009 1:09 PM:
concernedjean wrote on Jun 19, 2009 12:57 PM:
We have a designated smoking area at my building. There are at least 6 other entrances to the building. People know this is the smoking area, yet they come through and cough/give dirty looks, etc... i have rights just like everyone else. i don't mind having to walk to the other side of the building to access the smoking area because it keeps the other areas free for others.
this whole thing is a waste of time, there are far more important matters that need to be addressed. "
GoBigBlue wrote on Jun 19, 2009 12:48 PM:
Duffman wrote on Jun 19, 2009 12:38 PM:
samsammam wrote on Jun 19, 2009 12:22 PM:
kfer2288 wrote on Jun 19, 2009 12:13 PM:
DOC wrote on Jun 19, 2009 12:11 PM:
realist wrote on Jun 19, 2009 12:04 PM:
DOC wrote on Jun 19, 2009 12:02 PM:
kfer2288 wrote on Jun 19, 2009 12:00 PM:
kfer2288 wrote on Jun 19, 2009 11:56 AM:
kfer2288 wrote on Jun 19, 2009 11:51 AM:
Another over-dramatic... "
skeptic wrote on Jun 19, 2009 11:40 AM:
kfer2288 wrote on Jun 19, 2009 11:40 AM:
mcgruff wrote on Jun 19, 2009 11:35 AM:
kfer2288 wrote on Jun 19, 2009 11:31 AM:
386386 wrote on Jun 19, 2009 11:22 AM:
kfer2288 wrote on Jun 19, 2009 11:18 AM:
realist wrote on Jun 19, 2009 11:16 AM:
As for those of screaming about smokers' rights - since we like to engage in redacto absurdum; I have the right to free speech. How would you feel if I stood with a megaphone at the door to a public building with a megaphone denouncing the president. You might agree with my point but are not especially pleased with my form of expression.
I also went through my copy of the constitution (it's on my iPhone) and found no mention of smokers' rights. "
offended wrote on Jun 19, 2009 11:10 AM:
kfer2288 wrote on Jun 19, 2009 11:01 AM:
Some people just need to nit pick at everything, it gives them a purpose in life. "
skeptic wrote on Jun 19, 2009 10:55 AM:
harry -- you know it's going to the general fund. Any time the legislature promises money to be dedicated for one purpose they are lying. Or were you being facetious?
kevin -- I don't think cattle trains can cross the Atlantic and how would the Commonwealth tax them then?
NICK -- good question.
hardhearted -- Yuo can't judge fitness by appearance. Even though I look to be and probably am about 40 lbs overweight I can bike for many miles in hilly areas and swim a mile before work. I do get your point though. "
jose21 wrote on Jun 19, 2009 10:45 AM:
The fact is second hand smoke can cause health problems. Why should I have to breathe in your smoke when I walk into a building? You made the choice to kill your lungs, I didnt. Whats the big deal, stand 25 feet away with all the rest of the smokers and then come back in smelling nasty. "
hardhearted wrote on Jun 19, 2009 10:42 AM:
A few months after I graduated, started working in a practice and was able to quit the night job I noticed that I was able to run further and a little faster. The point of my ramble -- and I do have one -- is that I don't know how much second hand smoke is bad but any way I can avoid it is okay with me.
mmarcia is correct - your rights end when they start to infringe on the rights of others. "
realist wrote on Jun 19, 2009 10:30 AM:
mmarcia wrote on Jun 19, 2009 10:11 AM:
""I know the consequences (of smoking). I take a step away from the door." Yeah, one step helps. Kill yourself and leave the ret of us alone!
To harry hindsight: I worked in a mom-and-pop store when I was a teen, and remember when a pack of cigs was 69 cents. $8 a pack hasn't stopped them, and neither will 25 feet.
To ishouldbemayor: To paraphrase a truism - your right to smoke ends where my right to breathe clean air begins. "
topnogg wrote on Jun 19, 2009 9:56 AM:
...enough said. "
AndrewJackson wrote on Jun 19, 2009 9:26 AM:
NICK wrote on Jun 19, 2009 9:09 AM:
kfer2288 wrote on Jun 19, 2009 9:05 AM:
The whole thing is crazy, the government has found a legal way to exploit a portion of the population by over taxing them. But ohh poor state of Massachusetts, we're so broke. Keep biting your nose to spite your face. "
kevin h. wrote on Jun 19, 2009 8:43 AM:
ishouldbemayor wrote on Jun 19, 2009 8:37 AM:
jose21 wrote on Jun 19, 2009 8:29 AM:
I like this rule. Why should I have to breath in someone elses smoke when i walk into a resturant or bar. Push them back even further, 50 feet sounds better to me. "
iflyhelis wrote on Jun 19, 2009 8:19 AM:
You know that money is going to the "general fund" & not for anti-smoking programs, right?
My drift on this 25 foot rule is: Let the non-smokers hold their breath while they pass through the doorway this way they won't be inhaling 2nd hand smoke. "
Hojo20 wrote on Jun 19, 2009 8:14 AM:
Bozzzzz wrote on Jun 19, 2009 7:55 AM:
baseballfan wrote on Jun 19, 2009 7:48 AM:
spottedpuppy wrote on Jun 19, 2009 7:43 AM:
kevin h. wrote on Jun 19, 2009 7:42 AM:
harry hindsight wrote on Jun 19, 2009 7:13 AM: