[gerryann]

Originally Posted by karostay

We like to dine outside whenever possible I wish restaurants would not allow out door smoking would make dining much more enjoyable..

I agree. I don't even like going in or out of the squares, because the smokers are all there huffing and puffing at the entrances.

[Suzi]

Smoking is a HABIT which some enjoy while others despise but are unable to quit. For many, smoking is NOT a choice - it is very hard but not impossible to quit. Littering is a CHOICE, first and foremost, and everyone has to decide for themselves (because its a free country - at least it is currently) whether to litter. I think smoking causes lung cancer, COPD, foul smelling clothing, causes fires etc but also causes loss of common sense - somehow smokers don't think dropping their butts around is littering. Sad but true.

[karostay]

Lets all ride around in our golf carts throwing out household garbage when we get pulled over..Just say office think of it as a cigarette butt..You certainly wouldn't pull some one over for throwing it on the street

[batman911]

Originally Posted by Serenoa

With everything widely known for the last 30 or 40 years about the dangers of smoking, I can't help but question the intelligence of anyone that I still see lighting up.

Perhaps the indiscriminate butt tossers are just too dang stupid to know they're doing something wrong.

I'm sure smokers are aware and concerned about the health risk. They are addicted to nicotine. Very hard to break the adiction (I know from personal experience). I'm sure most would quit if they could. No excuse for throwing filthy butts all over. Throwing any trash on the ground any where in a beautiful community like TV says a lot about who you are.

[Serenoa]

Originally Posted by Bonny

To say that people who don't want to quit smoking, so they are litterers, is a silly thing to say.

Wow...that must mean that people who DON'T smoke go around and collect butts from ash trays where ALL the smokers have been so careful & courteous to dispose of their spent cancer sticks, and then these same devious non-smokers toss the butts on the ground everywhere just to make the smokers look bad. Is that it?

Seriously, if it isn't the smokers who are tossing their butts on the ground wherever they feel is convenient, who is it? Hmmmm? To try & claim it isn't is way beyond silly.

And one more question. Why would anyone in their right mind NOT want to quit smoking? Is the liitle bit of nicotine high really worth the proven health risks? And if you don't care about yourself, what about innocent folks around you that are forced to inhale your deadly smoke?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Serenoa

Wow...that must mean that people who DON'T smoke go around and collect butts from ash trays where ALL the smokers have been so careful & courteous to dispose of their spent cancer sticks, and then these same devious non-smokers toss the butts on the ground everywhere just to make the smokers look bad. Is that it?

Seriously, if it isn't the smokers who are tossing their butts on the ground wherever they feel is convenient, who is it? Hmmmm? To try & claim it isn't is way beyond silly.

And one more question. Why would anyone in their right mind NOT want to quit smoking? Is the liitle bit of nicotine high really worth the proven health risks? And if you don't care about yourself, what about innocent folks around you that are forced to inhale your deadly smoke?

I don't smoke and I am not supporting smoking but as we age the addiction becomes harder and harder to break. It is very sad and must be scary for those who have it.

We buried two long time friends who died of lung cancer this year. They tried so hard to stop.

[batman911]

Originally Posted by Happinow

How about going to a restaurant like City Fire or Red Sauce for an outdoor meal and the smokers smoke out there. They ruin the dining experience for everyone around them. I think all restaurants and all public places should be nonsmoking inside and out.

Smoking has been banned in all public buildings, stores, arenas, bars, restaurants, etc in Hawaii and several other states. The restaurant and bar owners complained loudly that it would ruin their businesses. That has not happened. There is also no smoking within a set distance from building entrances, bus stops, etc. You could circulate a petition to your state representatives to pass such a state law in Florida. In my opinion, it is only a matter of time before all states join the ban. I do not dislike smokers but I do object to seeing butts all over the roads and paths.

[Serenoa]

Originally Posted by Patty55

This thread shouldn't be about smokers, it should be about SLOBS-has nothing to do with smoking. These smokers who allegedly throw butts would still be slobs, if they quit tomorrow they'd be throwing gum wrappers. A SLOB IS A SLOB.

As for the rest of the opinions about smoking, HELLLOOOO, there already are designated areas to smoke and these people are in them, it's called outside or at home.

I'd bet the farm that there are thousands of ex-smokers living in The Villages. Funny thing though, I haven't seen a thread complaining about gum wrappers on the ground everywhere. I wonder who picks up all the gum wrappers?? HELLLOOOOO

[looneycat]

Originally Posted by batman911

How about a $5 deposit on each cigarette which is refunded when you purchase the next pack if you have all 20 butts and the pack. I'll vote for that.

hmmm, one could then sell their butt on the black market.....

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by Serenoa

I'd bet the farm that there are thousands of ex-smokers living in The Villages. Funny thing though, I haven't seen a thread complaining about gum wrappers on the ground everywhere. I wonder who picks up all the gum wrappers?? HELLLOOOOO

Gum wrappers are litter, but a cigarette butt is a nasty bacterial laden bio hazard.

[Patty55]

I personally abhor ignorant, common, stupid people but as I matured I managed to excercise a little restraint and acknowledge that they do have their place in the world-I just never imagined that their place would be near me.

First, let me say that I don't see mountains of cigarette butts, dog poop and all the other "nightmares" that you people experience on a regular basis. I look around and see a beautiful place with gorgeous landscaping. I see people all trying to enjoy themselves and I don't see anyone more special than the rest.

If anyone feels strongly about the restaurant issue perhaps they should put their money where their mouth is and open a totally non-smoking restaurant, I'm sure the smokers will respect that and stay away. As it stands now there are designated smoking areas and if you sit in one you should STFU.

If the smoking at the entrance to the squares bothers you, then avoid the area where the benches are and go in the side.

If I thought for one minute that the small minded group of whiners that post this drivel was really indicative of the general population of TV I would be ashamed to call this place home.

IT IS WHAT IT IS

[Patty55]

Originally Posted by Serenoa

I'd bet the farm that there are thousands of ex-smokers living in The Villages. Funny thing though, I haven't seen a thread complaining about gum wrappers on the ground everywhere. I wonder who picks up all the gum wrappers?? HELLLOOOOO

Do you even live here?

[gerryann]

Originally Posted by Patty55

I personally abhor ignorant, common, stupid people but as I matured I managed to excercise a little restraint and acknowledge that they do have their place in the world-I just never imagined that their place would be near me.

First, let me say that I don't see mountains of cigarette butts, dog poop and all the other "nightmares" that you people experience on a regular basis. I look around and see a beautiful place with gorgeous landscaping. I see people all trying to enjoy themselves and I don't see anyone more special than the rest.

If anyone feels strongly about the restaurant issue perhaps they should put their money where their mouth is and open a totally non-smoking restaurant, I'm sure the smokers will respect that and stay away. As it stands now there are designated smoking areas and if you sit in one you should STFU.


If the smoking at the entrance to the squares bothers you, then avoid the area where the benches are and go in the side.

If I thought for one minute that the small minded group of whiners that post this drivel was really indicative of the general population of TV I would be ashamed to call this place home.


IT IS WHAT IT IS

Hmmmm.....ok

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by gerryann

Hmmmm.....ok

LOL Really. GerryAnn, I agree with your expert assessment of the above. Ya gotta laugh at some of them. I wonder if alcohol is involved when some folks make posts.

LOL

[Serenoa]

Originally Posted by Patty55

Do you even live here?

Wow Patty, are you on The Villages welcome committee?

No, we're not your friendly, non-smoking neighbors quite yet. We're hoping to come down for a lifestyle visit very soon, perhaps with plans to retire there in a couple of years. We look forward to finding TV a fun & active, safe, beautiful, clean & well maintained community that we can feel proud to call home. It'll be disappointing to see public areas littered with cigarette butts, and intolerable if we have to breathe 2nd hand smoke while dining in any of the restaurants.

Of course you or anyone else has the right to smoke in your home or designated areas, but please don't deny those of us that choose not to our right to clean air, clean streets & clean sidewalks. Somehow I don't think that's an unreasonable request.