Shane Van Boening came to Louisiana to play in the fabled White Diamonds, "BIG CALCUTTA" weekend bar table tournament and in spite of getting knocked to the one loss side, managed to come back strong through the one loss side, to win by double-dipping the same guy who knocked Shane to the other side. James Davis, Jr. had a GREAT TOURNAMENT playing some of the best pool I have ever seen him play.
Shane did not know about the smoking at this tournament event and it was quite apparent that he didn't enjoy the smoke.
While doing some commentary with me, the subject of smoking at the tournament somehow came up. As I recall, Shane just mentioned it without any prompting by me. I'm glad to see Shane setting an example for other pool players by great work ethic, attitude etc. His stand on no drugs and no smoking, coupled with a healthy lifestyle which includes hitting the gym on a regular basis allows for him to be a great role model for all pool players and other athletes.
Shane said that he would not be returning to this event if smoking is allowed inside of the building. He also does not attend other tournaments where smoking is allowed in the event area.
I hope that tournament promoters and pool room owners will take notice of Shane's stand and I thank him for standing up for what's right and intelligent.
Since this event I have talked to MANY SMOKERS (who play pool locally as well as nationally) who agree that if smoking were not allowed inside of the building where the tournament is held, it would be better for all concerned.
People with contacts suffer from the smoke in the air as well as those who are sensitive to the smoke, like Gene Albrecht. Hell, I've got COPD from smoking and I don't like the smoke one bit but I've kind of been silent for the most part because I did that to myself with years of heavy smoking and I didn't feel like I had the right to tell others to do what I had been unable to do for so many years. I'm lucky that I quit smoking so long ago as I am not in as bad a shape as some with COPD.
I'm wondering if the following information is correct and if it is correct then what in the hell are these few states waiting for?
A smoking ban (either state or local) has been enacted covering all bars and restaurants in each of the 60 most populated cities in the United States except these 16: Arlington, Texas, Atlanta, Fort Worth, Jacksonville, Memphis, Miami, Las Vegas, Nashville, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Tampa, Tulsa, and Virginia Beach.
These cities and states have been holding out for too long. The majority of the cities and states have taken a stand against smoking in public places and I think it is time for these holdouts to do the same.
It's really sad if you think about it. Forget about the health risks that smoking promotes. Recently a poster posted a link about the IMMEDIATE REDUCTION IN LUNG PERFORMANCE from SECOND HAND SMOKE by the University of Athens if I am not mistaken. The evidence is here and there's no arguing about it. But forget all of that. If you're not going to think about the health problems from smoking or being around second hand smoke, at least think about the stink and irritation that smoking causes.
I have to use eye drops in my eyes at every tournament in Louisiana and sometimes multiple times per night just to keep my eyes from being irritated.
Anyway, this isn't a personal whine but the fact that a WORLD CHAMPION like Shane stepping up and taking a stand makes me feel a lot better about the future of pool and the people playing the game.
Hopefully, other important public pool figures, including the pool room owners, promoters etc will take a stand like Shane and maybe in the future we will have smoke free pool tournaments.
I hope this day of smoking abstinence in public places comes real soon. I see a lot of people who don't want to come into pool rooms because of the smoke.
This not smoking issue isn't about power or taking away someone's right to smoke. It's about giving all of us a break from the smoke, especially in the public places, like bars, restaurants and other public buildings.
I mean, how hard is it to take yourself outside between matches and light them up outside? Actually, I see MANY PLAYERS who smoke going outside to smoke. Apparently even they don't like the smoke inside of the tournament area.
I've had my say and so has Shane Van Boening, WORLD CHAMPION.
Let's hear what you have to say.
Keep it civil and let us know how you feel.
Thanks for the laugh. Yeah, CT is an interesting bird. There's Hartford, which is both the "insurance company HQ" capital of the world, as well as having Colt Firearms headquartered there. (Interesting paradox, when you think about it.) Then you have East Windsor, CT, where Ahlstrom and other paper product companies are headquartered. Other cities in CT also have a common "industry headquartering" theme. I wasn't surprised, btw, that there are tobacco farms in CT -- would be interested in knowing if they really are in New Haven or not.
