You may or may not be aware that the county of Allegheny is considering passing a ban on smoking in workplaces, including bars and restaurants.

A meeting was recently held in which tempers (and I’ll bet nostrils) flared over this proposed ban.

At a public hearing last night in front of Allegheny County Council, Mr. Gehrmann, of Crafton, was one of a handful of people against the bill who also sought to dispel notions that second-hand smoke was harmful and that the legislation was infringing on smokers’ civil rights.

“This bill is a wicked weed of hate,” said a visibly angry Mr. Gehrmann. “Sixteen percent of the county smokes. Is 16 percent a magic number for discrimination?”

Can you just see his nostrils flaring when he spits out “wicked weed of hate”?

Also, REALLY? You may think my “REALLY?” is referring to his argument that second-hand smoke is not harmful (PittGirl’s personal opinion: If you aren’t completely comfortable with blowing two lungs full of smoke into the face of a cutie pie toddler or a pregnant woman, don’t tell me second hand smoke isn’t harmful. If you are completely comfortable with blowing two lungs full of smoke into the face of a cutie pie toddler or a pregnant woman … you suck.)

My “REALLY?” is referring to this supposed fact that 16% of the county smokes.

I find this hard to believe, because in my expert, professional opinion based on my completely legit and scientific observations of waiting bus riders, restaurant patrons, bar patrons, night club patrons, etc., I estimate that 60% of the ladies of the Burgh are smokers.

At least it seems so. In fact, I swear the women of the Burgh smoke WAY more than the men of the Burgh.

Except for PittGirl. I’m just smokin!

Hey, I’m not judging smokers. Smoke if you want, just maybe don’t blow it in my face and tell me it’s not harmful, that’s all. I don’t want to breathe in your smoke any more than I want to stand on the tippy edge of a steel mill smoke stack and inhale.

Category: Downtown happenings | September 7, 2006 | | ShareThis