Comments on: Larry Reid gets it. Pat Kernighan, Jean Quan, and Nancy Nadel? Not so much.

By: V Smoothe

V Smoothe — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 17:17:29 +0000

Kristen –

I’m sorry for your experience. I certainly agree that inconsiderate smokers are a problem, but there are many other rude things neighbors do that make our lives unpleasant, and I don’t think that legislating against them (especially when you acknowledge that you will never enforce the law) is useful. If your neighbors have a medical marijuana card, you should know that the law exempts their pot smoking from any restrictions, so this may not give you recourse for that.

By: Kristen

Kristen — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 17:10:49 +0000

Hi -
I was googling for more info on the new smoking laws when I came across this piece. Thank you for the reporting–I can better understand the non-enforceability (is that a word?) and the problems with that. I’d like to chime in that I’m one of those people who has suffered from secondhand smoke from the 2 apartments butting up to our property. (i.e. smoke comes in baby’s window at night, cigarette butts in yard, secondhand pot smoke 2-3 mornings a week has forced me to flee the house.) I have never felt I’ve had a leg to stand on–it’s my preference against theirs. Now I at least feel like I have the right to ask the apartment owners to make the units facing my doors and windows non-smoking units. I would never have thought to complain to a councilmember! So I feel this is a gift.

By: Incredibledaze

Incredibledaze — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 03:53:19 +0000

Poor, Poor Nancy. She’s getting her way and is still mad!
I for one am against smoking in public places but this would have been fine if it were first championed from the Beverly Hills City Council not Oakland. So great now we’ll lock up smokers and put them where exactly? In that closed city jail?

By: V Smoothe

V Smoothe — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 22:58:00 +0000

scottpark –

Larry Reid discussed his smoking habit and related health issues at the meeting, but I don’t see what that has to do with whether or not he should vote on the issue. People who smoke don’t get a say? By your logic, any Councilmember who ever buys anything should have recused themselves from voting on the plastic bag ban.

By: scottpark

scottpark — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 22:54:51 +0000

Larry’s a smoker, so he should probably recuse himself.

By: V Smoothe

V Smoothe — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 21:48:38 +0000

Well, in that case, maybe we should pass a ban on shooting people! Oh, wait…

By: pallewog

pallewog — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 19:53:35 +0000

I’ve heard that getting shot is also bad for your health.