Smoking Legislation And It’s Effect On Legion Halls
Uncategorized Comments (0)
Are Newfoundland and Labrador Legion Members Getting A Fair Deal?
By Myles Higgins
Mud, muck, blood and slime. Cold, wet, freezing wind. Bullets, bombs, shells and shot. Lost arms, legs, lives and sanity.
These are just a few of the words that can be used to describe what our veterans have gone through in their valiant efforts to protect our way of life and our freedom. They are a pale attempt to characterize the gruesome and bloody days, weeks, months and years that veterans from this province and throughout the world have had to endure in the name of God and Country. Pale words because nothing can do justice to what they have witnessed.
Most, if not all of our WWI veterans are gone now. They are the lucky ones. Lucky not to be here to see the way the Provincial government is stealing away the freedom of the remaining veterans of other conflicts like WWII.
Most of the WWII veterans are now in their 80′s or 90′s. They too are not long for this world and they are now at an age when all they ask to be able to live out their lives in comfort and peace.
Enter the Provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador with new anti-smoking legislation that will see these brave men and women forced to leave their own Legion Halls to enjoy a simple cigarette. Remember, most of these brave men and women grew up in a time when smoking was the norm and not considered a curse on society. It is a part of many of their lives and now the government is planning on infringing on their ability to enjoy one of the few pleasures these people have left.
The new anti-smoking law, which is due to come into effect on July 1, Canada Day by the way, would see everyone “Butt Out†in all public places. No Ifs, Ands or “BUTTSâ€. No exceptions have been made for organizations such as the Royal Canadian Legion who’s members paid the ultimate price for our freedom and lifestyle.
Everyone knows that smoking is a major health concern and nobody is arguing the underlying motives of our government. What many people are concerned about is the heavy handed and misguided way in which they are bringing in such a law.
If protection of the workers in clubs or other public establishments is indeed the main concern, then what is their argument for not allowing smoking on the outdoor decks of bars and especially Legion Halls that have one?
A request by the Beverage Industry Association to allow bar owners to setup special smoking rooms for customers was flatly denied by government yet they will allow smoking rooms to be setup for the very staff members they are trying to protect. What does this mean? It means that all over this province you will soon be hearing of something very nasty happening.
At Legion Halls all over the province 20 or 30 year old bartenders may soon be telling our aging, ailing war hero’s to put out their cigarettes or leave the establishment they helped create. Then many of these young people will turn around and walk into special room to enjoy a smoke of their own.
It’s a great province we live in isn’t it?
For this and other articles of interest to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, visit:
http://www.freenewfoundlandlabrador.blogspot.com
@ May 30, 2005