I agree with this Laz, at least the owner of the establishment has a choice.

Good example: Jan 1 the laws went into effect here. The bowling alley is really forced to become smoking police, they are not happy about it.

What he said

Can you eat that burger without spitting it in my face? When you're done eating that burger will I have to smell it on my clothes for the rest of the day?

How would you smokers feel if I sat down next to you at a bar and lit some incense that you thought reeked? You're going to have to walk around the rest of the day with that smell coming out of your clothes and hair. Now imagine 15% of the population doing that. You can't go *anywhere* without encountering one of those incense burning pricks.

The nanny state would be if they told you NOT to smoke because it's bad for you. Right now they're just telling you *where* not to smoke.

Ok, I've always thought that this is the most ridiculous law. I grew up in an area where everyone smoked at bars. Now I'm in Philly, and there is a smoking ban in bars. When I go back home to bars, it's disgusting. I really take it for granted that there's a smoking ban. I turned 21 in Philly, so that's how I really got used to the lack of smoke. If I had to choose now, I'd take the ban because it really makes for better atmosphere. I really don't like having smoke ruin my night.

As a smoker I hate the bans. About 5 years ago Honolulu banned smoking in restaurants. I was ok with that, I can wait until I'm done. But last year they passed a complete ban on smoking in public places. No restaurants, bars ( :cuss: ), shopping centers, parking garages, airports, or anywhere within 20 feet of a door or window. That is taking it too far, especially bars. I mean really, drinking and smoking just go together. There are a couple of bars here than ignore the ban. They get my business when I'm in the area (not that often because they are in Waikiki and it is a long drive and parking sucks).

I believe it should be up to the business. Maybe they could give a tax cut to businesses that voluntarily ban smoking, then let the business decide. People could then choose to go to the businesses that they want.

[QUOTE=splatbass] I mean really, drinking and smoking just go together.QUOTE]



Uh, only if you smoke.

actually smoking and dumbassery go together.

but the reality is that you can't "keep the smoke away"

blowing smoke away from a non-smoker doesn't do jack. The whole room gets exposed to smoke regardless of which way you blow it.

So you're saying that anyone that goes to a bar/restaurant/casino/ sporting event should "expect" to be exposed to 2nd hand smoke?


it's about choice ...


smokers take the position that "if you want clean air then you go FIND A Place with no smokers". It's like they have a constitutional right to pollute the air and everyone should just have to deal with it.


i say that smokers are the ones affecting others, so they should be the ones that have to "find a place" not the other way around.

How many here are old enough to remember when patients could smoke in hospital rooms? Funny how much things have changed in 40 years.

Or on an airplane?

I remember that. I also remember sitting in the waiting room smoking while my dad was in surgery. Damn I'm old.

Interesting.

I'm in/around hospitals all the time for work. There is nothing sadder/more ****ed-up than seeing a bunch of people in wheelchairs, towing around IV stands, etc. etc. hanging out in the smoking area (outside of course) in their hospital gowns in the dead of winter.

That should tell you all you need to know about smoking. Anything that's so addictive you can't give it up in under those circumstances can't be good for you.

I agree, you've touched on the core of my irritation with smokers. They can't keep their addiction out of my body.