Print this story | E-mail story | This story has 3 comments Add your own | iPod friendly
County ruling angers anti-tobacco activist
Published Friday, August 3, 2007
County commissioners’ decision earlier this week to let a rural Battle Lake store continue to sell tobacco, even though it had been caught selling to a minor three times in five years, has one Fergus Falls resident on the offensive.
“This is a calamity,” anti-tobacco advocate and Fergus Falls resident Robert Noah said.
The county’s tobacco ordinance says that a third violation in five years calls for an administrative penalty of $500, plus a 30-day suspension of privileges to sell tobacco or related devices.
Investigators cited the corner store on June 26 for selling tobacco to a minor. It was the store’s third violation in five years — but just barely. The five-year period since the store’s first violation would have expired July 31.
When the store’s owner, Gregory Stich, asked the county board for leniency, commissioners agreed. While Stich still must pay the $500 fine, he was allowed to continue selling tobacco.
Noah has campaigned against smoking and the industry behind it for personal reasons since he quit smoking 15 years ago the more so because of the sudden infant death of his son in 1987.
“With me, it’s a very deep personal issue,” he said.
His son passed away from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) six weeks after birth, and on Noah’s birthday, which happened to coincide with Father’s day in 1987. Years later Noah was reading a health reference from the 19th century, which claimed that tobacco effluvia in the air can cause sudden death in infants.
“When I read that, I knew my smoking was the culprit,” he said.
Information about tobacco use related to SIDS had been released in 1987. Noah now cites the current breadth of information regarding the harmful effects of smoking, along with the powerful industry behind tobacco products. Lobbyists for tobacco companies are consistently top spenders in Washington.
“The industry has held up for 100 years,” Noah said. “The highest courts in the land are involved and they can’t shut it down.”
The county ordinance is intended to regulate the sale, possession and use of tobacco and tobacco-related devices for the purpose of enforcing and furthering existing laws and to protect minors from the serious affects associated with the use of tobacco.
Noah feels that staying the Corner Store’s suspension is a negligent lightening of what should be imposed and enforced, according to the wording of the ordinance.
“It’s like they’re saying ordinances and laws don't apply to businesses,” he said. “I understand the lawmakers can do so much; the people have to do something. I don’t know of any better venue than the local newspaper to harp on this thing and be vigilant.”
At Tuesday’s hearing, Corner Store owner Stich give three reasons for the violation. His clerk at the time, who was also fined, was dealing with an adamant customer while trying to watch two customers she knew personally and felt uneasy about letting peruse the store unsupervised, he said. He also cited his employee’s inability to attend county seminars regarding tobacco sales, which are held at 3:30 p.m. and interfered with the workers’ school schedule .
Stich had previously admitted the violation and paid the $500 fine, but his main concern was having his tobacco license suspended for one month during the busy tourist season. County commissioners and county Public Health Director Diane Thorson agreed with Stich’s request — although not lightly, commissioners said today.
“We’ve got the position to be lenient,” Commissioner Everett P. Erickson said on Friday. “When we do something like we did that day it sometimes comes back to bite us; but it’s right there in the minutes, if he gets another one, he loses his license.”
“He did get a big fine,” Commissioner Syd Nelson said. “That certainly gets their attention.”
But that is not enough to satisfy Noah. He wants answers.
“Money reasons don't wash. We want to know where they (the commissioners) stand. I really think they need to explain.”
Calls to Stich at the Corner Store and his residence were also not returned.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by americanwerew31 (anonymous) on August 5, 2007 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I find this article offensive.
I do understand Mr. Noah's personal reasons for being against smoking. But how on earth is causing a ruckus about this going to have any positive effect? He is taking his personal grievances with "big tobacco" out on "the little guy."
I personally agree with the county commisioners' decision of leniency, based on the tourist season. I think most people who live around here understand the importance of tourist season, especially in the rural lakes area. They took all the circumstances into account and came to a reasonable solution.
From reading the article it sounds as though Mr.Noah is trying to get "vengence," for lack of a better word, on the smoking industry the only way he thinks he can. By attacking a small establishment, whose entire year is dependant on tourist dollars spent there. And therefore, is also saying that the county commisioners were in the wrong. Which is a very heavy statement indeed.
I believe that everyone has the right to make their own decisions. My decisions include the fact that I am a smoker, and I have a child. But I do not smoke in the house or the car, but I won't denounce those that do either. This is how I choose to live my life. It's my right! I think everyone should have the freedom to make those decisions. You won't always agree with them, but you must respect them nonetheless.
I do not understand why a newspaper would publish such an opinion based article. Am I to believe that anyone can have an article published based solely on their opinions?
Also, I have read PLENTY of anti-smoking articles in this newspaper. I would greatly appriciate it if you would publish some articles dealing with the smoker's rights, thoughts, feelings, and opinions on current smoking legislation. It is only fair to look at BOTH sides of the debate.
Sincerely
Posted by nobal (anonymous) on August 5, 2007 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ditto !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Jinx_walker (anonymous) on August 6, 2007 at 1:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i completely agree. this is a totally bias opinion. yes it is a sad thing that should not have happened that this mans son has died. but there is no medical fact that his son died from his smoking....
i myself am a smoker. and personally the onslought of abuse needs to stop from the non-smoking community. has anyone taken the time to look into details alittle father? what upsets me the most right now is that cigarettes have gone up so much in the past few years its unreal. personlly if your going ot start taxing cigarettes then you should tax alcohol the same way. because i can garuntee that once you start taxing the alcohol at unreal costs it will start bigger discussion on where the hell all this tax money is going to......
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)