Edhat StaffBy Gloria Almeida
I’m not a smoker. In fact, I very much dislike being around smokers when they light up. But give me a break! Does the City of Santa Barbara really have the right, to take away your RIGHT?
What are the folks going to do in-between AA meetings, or someone meeting another for coffee? And do they had the RIGHT to close down cigar shops where folks like to gather to taste and chat, with those alike?
I say to the city, SHOW ME THE DEED that you OWN the city. Post the legal paperwork required in the newspaper. Or show me the Permits for all Santa Barbaras “space”.
And how in the world will this ‘new way’ be enforced. Smoking Patrol Officers handing out citations? How much would that ‘ticket’ be? Will it get to the point officers with start collecting butts from the street, then sending it out for its DNA? Sounds crazy right? BECAUSE IT IS!!!! Sorry beautiful Santa Barbara, but I think it just ain’t gonna fly.
Responsible smoker? I do not smoke, don’t like the smell, and do everything possible to stay away from areas of smokers. Haven’t you read: 2nd HAND SMOKE kills and I have known plenty of people that were not so lucky, both smokers and non-smokers. If I’m able to photograph you smoking in a place you are not permitted, I WILL call the police AND I WILL do a citizens arrest if they don’t arrive.
The nice thing is that this ban doesn’t apply to smokin the reefer, so you can still do that wherever you want
Nimby…until you no longer have a back yard?
Allow bureaucrats to legislate away everything you dont like and that permission eventually gets used to take away the freedoms you DO enjoy.
I don’t enjoy 2nd hand smoke…but I dont want an elected official to tell me where I can pick my nose.
Citizen’s arrest? Are you kidding me? If someone was smoking on the sidewalk and you = tired to forcefully detain them, you would be facing major legal consequence as well as an a$$ kicking. Insane!
Santa Barbara is the quintessential authoritarian nanny city. While we are at it we should fight for the Spearmint Rhino to serve alcohol!!!
Sounds helicopter-mommish.
And stop charging for bags at the grocery store.
Please try to place me under citizens arrest for a minor infarction. I beg you. I would own your house, get your paycheck sent to me and legally defend myself.
This ordinance like the leaf blower ban and the new pot growing one will never really be enforced. It is just for show.
I agree… the City doesn’t own the air… or the ocean for gosh sakes……. They want the smokers when they’re looking for someone to tax…… I think this new thing is ridiculous….. and yes I am a smoker, but I’m a respectful smoker….. and I spend alot of time in SB and I will continue to smoke outdoors, where no one is in my immediate area….. as for enforcement… the darn police can’t respond to lots of calls….. so how will they enforce this dumb thing…….
I also like how they ban smoking from “sports” complexes or field, yet smoking is permitted at the City Golf Course…… I guess the City Council wants the comfort of smoking when they’re golfing…. …. first it’s shopping bags, then resturant bags, now stryo food containers…… what’s next….. will we have to pay for the air and the right to walk around…..
People call in on their cell phones and snitch I heard one the other day a guy was hiding between 2 cars smoking and someone called it in There are a lot of Stool Pigeons around town…
Smoking is a right? Is driving a right? Is driving while drunk a right? The point is, when a person’s activities harms others, regulations can be put in place. Of course, the regulations can’t be arbitrary and must be consistent with regulatory authority. That would be a better place for the OP to make an argument (if she can).
“Does the City of Santa Barbara really have the right”
Yes.
“to take away your RIGHT?”
There’s no such right.
“I say to the city, SHOW ME THE DEED that you OWN the city.”
You are a profoundly stupid person.
Only criminals use “snitch” and “stool pigeon” as pejoratives.
Should that duty fall to a non-elected person–maybe your nana? Seriously, get a grip. It ain’t the “bureaucrats” that passed this ordinance, it was the elected representatives. Your gripe is against democracy itself. Or is there some Constitutional protection of the right to smoke in public places? Btw, I don’t like the ordinance myself but it was passed in the proper course of business.