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Smoking ban

Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 3:08 am
by glorkar
Wisconsin recently passed regulation so it is illegal to smoke inside all public buildings. Went out to the bar for the first time after it was enacted and I must say, it was strange to be able to see the band without a haze :D It's pretty bad though, because that particular bar doesn't have any sort of butt bin outside. The sidewalk is covered with them! Looks pretty bad. Pretty soon you won't even be able to see the concrete :(

Re: Smoking ban

Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 6:09 pm
by bramasoleiowa
glorkar-
When Iowa enacted their ban and when Oregon enacted their ban, it was such a great feeling to get home from visiting the bar and not have to immediately dump smoke-smelling clothes in the hamper.
I remember bar owners complaining they would lose business, but a survey done a few months later showed close to 90% having an increase in business.

Re: Smoking ban

Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 6:32 pm
by DudleyGrunt
I'm not crazy about government restricting business owners from choosing whether or not to permit a legal activity such as this in their own businesses. I'm not a smoker, but prefer to ere on the side of less interference in the private market.

Re: Smoking ban

Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 6:56 pm
by glorkar
I can see it from both sides. Smoking is bad for you, it's been proven. I think statistically there are more non-smokers than there are smokers now. The minority will always suffer. I think one of the big pushes was for the health of the employees. Even if they don't smoke, they had to breath it in all day/night long. I wonder if smoking tobacco will some day be illegal.
But on the other hand, smoking is legal. Why should a smoker have to be put out, quite literally, just to please somebody else?
I am a casual smoker; meaning I like to smoke when I drink. And to be honest, the ban really doesn't bother me. It might even help me kick the habit all together!

Re: Smoking ban

Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 7:33 pm
by RVRoadTrip
My position is this... you have the right to smoke as long as your smoke doesn't get in my lungs. :)

Re: Smoking ban

Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 9:08 pm
by DudleyGrunt
My view is that if I open a bar, I should have the right to decide if smoking will be permitted. You can then make an informed decision whether or not to patronize my business. If it is such an economic benefit for bars and restaurants to become smoke-free, why wouldn't that be evident at this point, negating the need for more legal bans?

Again, I don't smoke and think it's disgusting and ridiculous habit.

I've recently seen people on Facebook liking, "Having a smoking section in a restaurant, is like having pee-ing section in a pool." That's also ridiculous. I'm willing to bet that no one would frequent that pool.

Re: Smoking ban

Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 9:55 am
by czar7
I am a reformed smoker (quit in 88), so I can see both sides.

But in the end I agree with dudleygrunt. I feel like the bars and restaurants should be allowed to choose. My suggestion for the law/regulation would be that they must disclose if they allow smoking on the premises or if they provide a smoke free area. That way, as an informed consumer, I can make my choice. Also...as a potential employee...I can also make my decision.

As long as I am informed, I can make my own decision. If I want to go there bad enough...and they allow smoking...I will go regardless. Let the market set the standards. Those that make the right business choice will survive...those that don't won't.

Just my 2 cents.