A birdie has asked me to post this:

This press release explains why tobacco products are not allowed on SAS-owned properties:

http://www.sas.com/news/preleases/011707/news1.html

Specifically: "In 2007, SAS is taking one more step by prohibiting the use of tobacco products in any of its offices or company-owned vehicles in the US or anywhere on the Cary, NC headquarters campus."

To which I would add that there are also state laws that govern here as well:

http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=25&sid=1109301

Regards, donh

-----Original Message----- From: SAS(r) Discussion [mailto:SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of Kevin Viel Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 11:06 AM To: SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU Subject: Re: Rockville MD

On Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:51:23 -0700, Terry del Fuego <t_del_fuego@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:

>Were I a difficult person trying to start a fight on a Friday before a >long weekend (in the USA), I'd ask an annoyingly loaded question along >the lines of "How many outraged smokers have cheerfully submitted to >employment-related bodily fluid tests designed to disclose other >politically unpopular off-duty activities?" > >Fortunately, I'm far too nice to actually ask something like that.

I am not. I don't enjoy taking liberties, removing the right to vote for felony convictions in 37 states, nor paying excessive taxes to investigate, prosecute, and incarcerate non-violent offenders.

In addition, abundant evidence exist or suggest that some addictions have geneic components, i.e. its a medical not legal issue.

Smoking is a complex field of study, but very important. It is a leading cause of preventable death and morbidity in the world.

Again SI and hotels are private companies and have some latitude with their regulations.

Forcefully,

Kevin