1006_Group_P2

Curtis Hajec HB1006

Today, many people smoke, and it is not good for their health. Unfortunately, the government cannot control what people do to their own body. The government can however, control the locations of smoking as smoking also affects those around, through second-hand smoke. There are many solutions to this problem today. Some people may be for complete banning in all public places, or everywhere, but smoking should be allowed in people's own homes, designated hotel rooms, "stand-alone'' bars, and retail tobacco shops (Smoking Solutions). Banning smoking in all public places would upset a lot of people, and they have the right to be upset. Smoking is harmful to everyone, not just the smoker, so there should be limitations on smoking in public places. Other people cannot control the actions of smokers, yet they still can feel the negative side effects, so the Legislature needs to step in and set limitations. Keep smoking out of restaurants is a possible step to keeping the public safe, and if not that, at least setting strict regulations that need to be followed by restaurants to keep their non-smoking customers happy and healthy. Banning of smoking in most public places like offices, public transportation, beaches, and public buildings will help people quit because they will not have places to smoke. This is good for the quitters because people who quit even admit that now that they no longer have the cigarette toxins entering their bodies they are able to breathe easier and everything smells and tastes better, thus living a better life (Smoking Bans). Without a doubt, smoking bans will help improve the quality of life. Right now, one out of every one-hundred deaths or one percent is due to second hand smoke (Passive Smoking).

We propose a ban to smoking in all workplaces. Smokers must be at minimum fifteen feet from any entrance to the building. As well, smoking in public transportation and on beaches is now banned. Smoking in restaurants will not be banned, but the restaurants must follow specific guidelines in order to allow smoking. Restaurants must have a ventilation system that properly distills the air keeping the air fresh. Also, smoking sections must be well divided, including a wall of a minimum four feet in height surrounding the smoking area. Clear boundaries must be set so there is no confusion as to which section is smoking. The Department of Health and Human Services will be enacting and enforcing the laws, and they will go into effect January 1st, 2012. This would be a federal law. It would only affect those states that do not already posses their own restrictions. If the state does have its own stricter laws, their laws will override the federal law.

Brogan, Pamela. "Smoking Bans Become More Popular to Curb Effects of Secondhand Smoke." //Gannett News Service//. Dec. 28 2005: n.p. //SIRS Researcher.// Web. 18 Feb 2011.

//Unknown.// "Passive Smoking 'Causes 1 Per Cent of All World's Deaths'." //The Independent//. 26 Nov 2010: 6. //SIRS Researcher.// Web. 17 Feb 2011.

"Smoking solutions." //St. Petersburg Times// [St. Petersburg, FL] 11 Feb. 2003: 8A. //Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context//. Web. 17 Feb. 2011.

In order to stop illegal immigrants from coming in to the country we have to cut back on what is making them come into the United States. The reasons that these illegal aliens come into our country is for the jobs that we provide and what they are trying to escape from- their own country. One thing we can start with for controlling illegal immigrants would be to beef up boarder control and do a clean sweep of the country in order to weed out the illegal immigrants already here. More restrictions could be put in place that allows people into the U.S. Then, you can send the illegal immigrants back to their country of origin once they are proven not to be a U.S. citizen. More restrictions could be put in place that allows people into the U.S. Similar to other solutions, one possibility would be to create a new system to identify legal immigrants and citizens from illegal immigrants. One such system would be a National ID system. This system would contain every American worker that has registered. All workers must register, and all employers must receive permission from this system to hire an employee. This system would be a huge undertaking. It would require a creation of an advanced computer based registration system and the creation of a new department to oversee its operations. It would be effective, but also a hassle. Not only would employers have to go through their normal hiring routines, they would have to receive permission from the government to hire any workers. But, this would cause a delay in hiring processes and unneeded waiting time for possible employees. But it would eliminate illegal immigrants instantly. They would not be able to get jobs and not be able to make an income. Also, update the current system. This could be anything like upgrading the border or allowing states to manage deportation. Upgrading border security is expensive and takes a lot of time. It also can be bypassed as immigrants find new measures to sneak by, making an upgrade necessary once again. Another idea would be to use the manpower we already have, such as the IRS. There are many other work forces in the US currently available that could be adapted to help the immigration problem. Another solution is that no more immigrants should be let into the U.S. which then we can focus only on catching the illegal aliens that are already in the country. We could give state law enforcement officials the right to question suspected illegal immigrants and if found to be illegal they are turned over to the federal government. We would form a new government agency that would be able crack down on illegal immigrants. The solution we propose is to allow state law enforcement officials to question suspected illegal immigrants for proof of citizenship. Even though states are still not able to deport individuals, enacting this measure would bring them one step closer to controlling the illegal immigration problem. Once an individual is questioned, they can be handed over to federal officials if they cannot prove their citizenship. Proving one's citizenship would not be difficult or time consuming, simple documents such as social security numbers or valid birth certificates would be valid proof. The main positive of this solution is that it is relatively inexpensive. It allows the current system to become more efficient by giving already hired law enforcement officials the ability to question suspected illegal immigrants. It does not require a new agency or a new workforce, only small amounts of training for those already hired. It basically expands the current system enacted now. This solution would take effect on January 1, 2012. All officials permitted to perform this questioning would be expected to have completed training by this date. Each individual state's law enforcement agency will be responsible for training and implementation of the bill.