Whatever you're doing, don't — a summer of misbehaving

The tick of the regulatory clock is relentless and has a meticulous rhythm that tolls for thee as we march through a summer of misbehaving.

Attempts by a few hardy petition-signers failed at an attempt to reverse the ban on cigar smoking rooms. For reasons of your health, private rooms or clubs may not offer a cigar. I still smoke a stogie once or twice a month on my back deck, and it is a pleasant summer pastime, but inconvenient as the weather chills.

Using cellphones without hands-free devices is illegal in Washington, as of July 1. It's for reasons of your health — too many people drive erratically. Rational people understand the need to concentrate on driving, but the law also reduces a valuable communication tool while sitting in traffic. It's a trade-off, with the Legislature's concern for your health foremost in mind.

The general smoking ban in all public buildings as well as restaurants and bars is also for your health. Smoking close to the vent or door to a pub is banned on behalf of the health of patrons inside.

For reasons of the public health, composting is very much encouraged by cities and towns. Composting reduces the impact on landfills and turns your back yard into an organic treasure chest.

For your health, King County went through a lengthy and confusing process that would have made some restaurant menus akin to reading a fat and preservative scorecard. Transfats are gone from Safeco Field, to keep you healthier.

For reasons of the planet's health, Seattle may soon charge an extra 20 cents to buy a plastic or paper bag at most stores. I'd like to see a strong deposit fee put on glass bottles. In some states, Michigan and Oregon are examples, a 20-cent or 25-cent bottle deposit does wonders for cleaning up the beaches and roadsides. Bottle and can deposits would be beneficial for the health of our environment.

For the health of our streams, a King County critical-areas ordinance imposed strong (and later, less-stringent) rules on buffer zones and development rights in rural areas. Although rejected by all three members of an appellate court panel, the basic intent was for the health of young salmon.

For the health of our region, housing development and even roads are not permitted in some parts of the county. The health of Puget Sound is so dire, several new panels, commissions and agencies are tasked with making the Sound healthier. For the sake of the salmon, don't wash your car in the driveway.

A ban on smoking in your car — or a similar ban on smoking in your car if children are on board — is always bouncing around the Legislature. It's for the health of all concerned.

For your health and safety, most cities ban the personal use of fireworks, although despite the concerns for the health of our neighborhoods, mine sounded like a firing range last week.

Plastic water bottles are discouraged for the health of our landfills — once on your lips, forever in the landfill.

For reasons of public health and to increase public safety, some addicts are provided with drugs.

For health and public-safety reasons, tent cities for the homeless are allowed on church property — but not on public property.

For obvious public-health reasons, no one may ride a bike in King County without wearing a helmet.

In your car, click it or ticket! Boaters require a new safety course before taking to the water. For safety and community reasons, personal watercraft are banned from some areas.

Reduce your carbon footprint by walking more. It's for your health. Suburban cul-de-sacs are bad for your health because they promote obesity.

Large parking lots are bad for the health of streams and ponds. Ride a bus instead.

Earth warming means that for your health and safety, use a skin lotion. Don't stay out in the sun too long.

Recycle your paper, don't burn leaves, cut back on alcohol for the sake of your heart. Don't overdo anything, for your health and the safety of your family.

Have a safe and sane summer!

James F. Vesely's column appears Sunday on editorial pages of The Times. His e-mail address is: jvesely@seattletimes.com; for a podcast Q&A with the author, go to Opinion at www.seattletimes.com/edcetera