Colorado goes smoke free
Fort Collins and Boulder were first to go, now all Coloradans face limitations regarding where they light up. Arguments for and against the ban have been stated and restated as the vote took place, but now, June 1, all bets are off, and all cigarettes are out.
When the city of Fort Collins went smoke free they encountered an immediate threat besides the citizens who whined that they had to go outside; the city found itself cleaning up more trash than usual.
The night of the ban, the city streets were lined with cigarette butts and matches. Eventually the bars began to put out buckets for ashtrays, but the problem went on for weeks. Both patron and business owner complained, and the buckets filled up, but so did the streets and sidewalks.
Littering is not legal, but it is possible that smokers, forced to perpetuate their habit outside may litter due to the lack of proper disposal options, but also as a form of retaliation to the law.
"Overall, I think it is a good thing," Said Pete, owner of the P.S. Lounge on E. Colfax Ave. When asked if the change would affect his business, he said "we'll deal with it, but it is a good change."
The general feeling agrees with Pete, they believe it is a good thing, even one patron said she may quit smoking entirely once the ban takes effect, but what can the city do about the problem of litter in the streets?
June 2, after the first night of the ban, will there be cigarette butts on the ground resembling the after-effects of a hail storm? If ashtrays are provided in plenty will smokers litter anyway?
Breathing healthy air is a bonus, but the environment need not suffer because we kick smokers outside. Obviously not all smokers will litter. Not all bar owners will put ashtrays on the streets either. Should they be required to place a bucket outside the door?
When the city of Fort Collins went smoke free they encountered an immediate threat besides the citizens who whined that they had to go outside; the city found itself cleaning up more trash than usual.
The night of the ban, the city streets were lined with cigarette butts and matches. Eventually the bars began to put out buckets for ashtrays, but the problem went on for weeks. Both patron and business owner complained, and the buckets filled up, but so did the streets and sidewalks.
Littering is not legal, but it is possible that smokers, forced to perpetuate their habit outside may litter due to the lack of proper disposal options, but also as a form of retaliation to the law.
"Overall, I think it is a good thing," Said Pete, owner of the P.S. Lounge on E. Colfax Ave. When asked if the change would affect his business, he said "we'll deal with it, but it is a good change."
The general feeling agrees with Pete, they believe it is a good thing, even one patron said she may quit smoking entirely once the ban takes effect, but what can the city do about the problem of litter in the streets?
June 2, after the first night of the ban, will there be cigarette butts on the ground resembling the after-effects of a hail storm? If ashtrays are provided in plenty will smokers litter anyway?
Breathing healthy air is a bonus, but the environment need not suffer because we kick smokers outside. Obviously not all smokers will litter. Not all bar owners will put ashtrays on the streets either. Should they be required to place a bucket outside the door?
posted by Nelsmart at
4:44 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home