I see that none of the judges or others on their staff smoke in certain areas of the courthouse garages. I would like to complain that they allow smoking at the entrance/exit of the corridor connecting the garage to the courthouse. You have to walk through the smoke screen to get to the courthouse. If the courthouse is smoke free, the garage should be as well. It is disgusting to have to walk through that going and coming.
Sue Powell
Chattanooga
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Hold your nose.
Bob Bogart
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Let me start off by saying that I am a smoker and have been for over 15 years. I do however, understand that this is a habit that a lot of people do not have. Thus far I have been very tolerant of the new laws concerning smoking that have been brought into effect the last few years, even though I do not agree with them, i.e. prohibited smoking in restaurants, buildings, etc.
I do not smoke in my home so I understand the ramifications of smoking indoors. I have even as they say "grin and born it" concerning, in my opinion, the outrageous tax that Tennessee has now on cigarettes, believing that the additional monies collected would be used for good.
What is getting to me though is the continued opinions from some non smokers about smokers. I do like everyone else and go outdoors. I make a point of putting my cigarette out and throwing the butt in a garbage can, and I make sure that I do not blow smoke into anyone's personal space as they walk by. So why is it that this is still not enough for some non smokers? All I seem to hear is the complaining over and over about cigarette smoke.
Where is it exactly that you would want us to smoke? The last time I checked this was a free country, and the smoking people have already compromised on the issue of smoking. When is it that some non smoking people will learn to compromise and realize that even though we smoke we have rights as well? The last time I was downtown there were two ways open into the courthouse. Why is it that you don't go the other way? You choose to go through the, as you put it "smoke screen." This is your choice not the smokers. Maybe you should try either an alternate route or suck it up and stop complaining. I know I am getting tired of hearing it.
Crystal Combs
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To Mr. Bogart: What good will holding your nose do when your clothing and hair will smell like smoke after walking through that nasty haze of death?
To Ms. Combs: Have you ever thought that it would be in your best interest to stop smoking? You ask where "we" want you to smoke. Well, "we" don't want you smoking...period.
All of the smokers complain about how unfair it is to them for all of these restrictions are in effect regarding where they can and cannot smoke and the smoking areas are becoming few and far between. Live with it. Deal with it.
As a lifetime non-smoker....I'm loving it.
Kathy Burke