Protection of Public Health Bill (Law'd)

[Marokai Backbeat]

This is one of those fantastic bills that were taken up and modified from the Mideast Assembly, although it's more relaxed.

Smoking is incredibly detrimental to your health, but if you decide to smoke, you should be able to. However! Smoking is also incredibly detrimental to the health of everyone around you, and alot of people, such as children, don't really have a choice in the matter, and quite frankly it's absurd to expect people to modify their daily routine because someone wants to engage in dangerous behavior.

But, there have to be exceptions, and that's why Clause 4 is here. It allows bars, restaurants where bars are a significant portion of their establishment, and smoking shops to be exempt from these requirements, so people still have a place to gather, and it doesn't ban smoking on personal property and so on.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Though I despise smokers with a passion, hate tobacco and tobacco companies to the limit, I will have to oppose on the grounds that I think this is best dealt with at the Regional level.

And your reactionary ranting and raving which kicked off your Senate re-election campaign are what, federal issues?

Also, the government has a play in protecting the health of citizens, it's entirely within our authority. Let's not play another one of these "I say it's Regional! I say it's Federal!" games.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Sorry Marokai, but I think we've found a bill where you and I don't agree.

Damn.

[Marokai Backbeat]

I oppose such a compromise, as I think that would effectively gut the bill.

We absolutely have a right to tell private establishments to make efforts to protect the health of our citizens. I don't think ya'll quite understand how terrible secondhand smoke truly is. This isn't a business or individual rights issue, this is a health issue, and an important one to me.

[Marokai Backbeat]

I oppose such a compromise, as I think that would effectively gut the bill.

We absolutely have a right to tell private establishments to make efforts to protect the health of our citizens. I don't think ya'll quite understand how terrible secondhand smoke truly is. This isn't a business or individual rights issue, this is a health issue, and an important one to me.

Then allow private establishments the right to ban it themselves. Nobody is forced to actually go to a restaurant that allows smoking if they have such a problem with it.

Minors, almost all the time, have no choice, if they're with their parents or some other authority figure. Also, alot of people are pressured into going by the group they're with. Further, why should a few smokers that directly harm the health of everyone around them inconvenience other people, as if it's their fault?

[Marokai Backbeat]

I oppose such a compromise, as I think that would effectively gut the bill.

We absolutely have a right to tell private establishments to make efforts to protect the health of our citizens. I don't think ya'll quite understand how terrible secondhand smoke truly is. This isn't a business or individual rights issue, this is a health issue, and an important one to me.

Then allow private establishments the right to ban it themselves. Nobody is forced to actually go to a restaurant that allows smoking if they have such a problem with it.

Minors, almost all the time, have no choice, if they're with their parents or some other authority figure. Also, alot of people are pressured into going by the group they're with. Further, why should a few smokers that directly harm the health of everyone around them inconvenience other people, as if it's their fault?

It's a matter of civil liberty. Now what it's dependent on is whether your idea of liberty involves the right to smoke wherever and whenever, or whether your idea of liberty involves the right to a smoke-free environment preserving health and piece of mind.

I'd hope this Senate comes to the conclusion that it is the right of Atlasians to have a smoke-free environment, and given that taxpayer funded health care is in effect, we discourage such harmful and unhealthy behavior as much as possible.

Goodness, you actually have an excellent point here.

What is superior, the right to conduct your business, or the right to good health, in yourself and your environment?

[Marokai Backbeat]

I'd like to thank Hamilton for his unusually productive commentary here.

And for Franzl.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Aye.

[Marokai Backbeat]

I, of course, do not accept this change and want it overridden.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Nay

[Marokai Backbeat]

Yep, send my bill right back to him.

[Marokai Backbeat]

President Lief has vetoed. I must urge Marokai to go for a veto override which shall easily pass.

Of course

I request a vote to override the President's veto!

[Marokai Backbeat]

Aye