The Demzette reported yesterday that Arkansas’ new ban on smoking in workplaces also threatens ashtrays, at least on paper.
“Although the law and a draft of the accompanying regulations authorize fines of up to $500 for a misdemeanor conviction and civil penalties of up to $1,000 a day when an ashtray is discovered on the premises, Rick Hogan, lead attorney for the Health Division of the state Department of Health and Human Services, said the legislation wasn’t intended to rid the state of ashtrays. He said ashtrays became a target because they typically signify where smoking is permitted.”
Correspondent Nell Smith’s article notes: “Arkansas Code Annotated 20-27-1806 (b) states that the person in charge of ‘any area where smoking is prohibited’ must ‘remove all ashtrays from the area, unless an ashtray is permanently affixed to an existing structure before the effective date of this act.'”
This is not Arkansas being weird or its Legislature being goofy, again. Hogan noted at least three other states — Oklahoma, Georgia and Oregon — also prohibit ashtrays in public smokefree environments. A sponsor of the Arkansas law expects supporting regulations to be amended to allow for decorative aspects, including the use in theater of ashtrays and tobacco.
While a householder, especially a male sort, wonders to what use is a candy dish that too often is a gift, ashtrays always have had a charm. The ashtray is one of the few interesting items found in so-called antique malls that female householders sometimes manage to drag the men to. One can spend minutes considering how the notched plates or bowls or stands represent history, economics, the art of the time (deco to disco) or, frankly, kitsch.
The overall consideration now must be, where will we rest our butts? -30-
