GWRRA South Carolina......

[hbrogan57]

Just saw this post for the GWRRA South Carolina Convention. I find it surprising that they have chosen, not ONLY a NON-Smoking venue, but also a NON-smoking and NO pets hotel as their "host" hotel.

While it's true that, personally, I could go someplace else to smoke but I have to wonder about the vendors that will be there for the day.

Is this the new face of the GWRRA? What's next? Smoking Police at their meetings???......


http://www.gwrrasc.com/scrally/2013_Flyer_8-30-12.pdf

[FRR]

I'm a non smoker and have been for years, but some of these smoking regulations are interesting. Some states that ban smoking in public places want to make pot legal. Go figure. But the future is clear, smokers will find it more and more difficult to be accepted in company anywhere. I'll bet in 10 yrs tobacco will be banned period. Government claims it has a responsibility to save you from yourself. Besides with all these purely inflated claims of "second hand smoke harmful effects" Government can claim they are saving others also. Oh well, it is the world we live in. I certainly understand where non smokers don't like to be around smoke, but making smokers some kind of criminal seems to be pushing the limit.

[hbrogan57]

That has already happened. Smokers are usually treated like the bane of society.

Is it a bad habit? Most definitely. But, I do NOT agree with a group, ANY group, that supposedly purports to be an accepting group to pull something like this.

Most motorcycle events are about the freedom to ride and to enjoy one another's company. Rallys are a time to get together and shared a liked interest. It's not supposed to be a time to have even more rules thrown at you.

GWRRA "incorporated" a large Trike Group into their fold. And now you never hear of it. It has been relegated to the back pages of the massive membership roles. It's no wonder people are, in fact, leaving.

Let alone the fact that they now have "scrapbooking" and "collage" seminars and contests at these "rallies"......That's really not something that most people look for when attending a MOTORCYCLE rally.......

Frankly, I feel that the GWRRA has become too big for their britches......

I'm a non smoker and have been for years, but some of these smoking regulations are interesting. Some states that ban smoking in public places want to make pot legal. Go figure. But the future is clear, smokers will find it more and more difficult to be accepted in company anywhere. I'll bet in 10 yrs tobacco will be banned period. Government claims it has a responsibility to save you from yourself. Besides with all these purely inflated claims of "second hand smoke harmful effects" Government can claim they are saving others also. Oh well, it is the world we live in. I certainly understand where non smokers don't like to be around smoke, but making smokers some kind of criminal seems to be pushing the limit.

[Konrad]

I smoke. About half a pack a day. Beginning when medical doctors were hawking their favorite brands in print ads.
But when I stop at a motel I always request a non-smoking room. I'll do my smoking outside rather than stink up the place - let's face sit: smoking rooms DO stink!
Something else to face: we who smoke (in this country at least) are a dying breed and smoking as a norm has become no longer socially acceptable.
The standards of the times are constantly evolving and sometimes we have to change with those standards. But if GWRRA were to declare its membership non-smoking only - I would leave in a heartbeat.

[Boscoporp]

It surprises me that that surprises you. You can't smoke in restaurants, airliners, Federal Bldgs., schools, offices, football stadiums, theaters, motel rooms, shopping malls, gas stations, churchs, busses, taxis, trains, police stations, Dr. offices, hospitals, clinics, fire stations, colleges, nursing homes, pre-schools, friends cars, friends houses or anywhere where you are showing respect & courtesy to other people.

[hbrogan57]

True. But at most of those places you CAN go outside. Evidently NOT here though.

It surprises me that that surprises you. You can't smoke in restaurants, airliners, Federal Bldgs., schools, offices, football stadiums, theaters, motel rooms, shopping malls, gas stations, churchs, busses, taxis, trains, police stations, Dr. offices, hospitals, clinics, fire stations, colleges, nursing homes, pre-schools, friends cars, friends houses or anywhere where you are showing respect & courtesy to other people.

[Bill Reber]

Funny I live in SC and am a member of GWRRA I know of the rally in Greenville ,but this one I had no idea about maybe I should go to a meeting some time. As far as smoaking I am a X pack a day smoaker cancer stopped that , but I do think if it's what you want to do and know the risks as I did, smoke if you wish. I must say I never did smoke inside in the past 30 years I lost my English Bull dog who I loved due to smoaking around her.
Bill

[Ozarkryder]

I had a rant with an example of a draconian anti-smoking proposal in the Missouri General Assembly, but that is getting too political for this forum. I looked at the flyer, and it takes pains to be clear that the rally is on a no smoking area. You can vote with your wallet in cases like this, but my guess is that about 85% or more of the attendees will either not care or be happy with the restrictions, 14% will not be happy but go anyway and find places to smoke within the rules and 1% or less will go and complain to anyone who will listen.

[icedad]

I'm an ex smoker and I see nothing wrong with people who smoke and respect the rights of people who do not. My take.

[hbrogan57]

As I have posted this on other forums about this very subject. I do NOT have a problem not smoking in places. I no longer even smoke in my own house. I'll go someplace else outside and away from people to feed that nicotine beast.

However, I don't feel that this is the right way to go about it. To single out ONE group and make it be known that, frankly, you aren't going to be welcome, shows little respect for those people.

What's next? Banning those women that wear a little too much perfume? How about only allowing people to wear specific helmets? Or, maybe, ban those whose mufflers MIGHT be a little too loud. Where does it stop?

I go to many, MANY events where smoking is NOT allowed inside. I have no issues with that. But I flat REFUSE to be INSULTED by a chapter of a National and Worldwide group that "claims" to be so friendly.

I had a rant with an example of a draconian anti-smoking proposal in the Missouri General Assembly, but that is getting too political for this forum. I looked at the flyer, and it takes pains to be clear that the rally is on a no smoking area. You can vote with your wallet in cases like this, but my guess is that about 85% or more of the attendees will either not care or be happy with the restrictions, 14% will not be happy but go anyway and find places to smoke within the rules and 1% or less will go and complain to anyone who will listen.