Public Smoking Bans

kyethra · May 5, 2007

So last year my city council narrowly passed a smoking ban. Since Jan. 1 this year everything has been smoke free, including restaurants and bars. And it has been wonderful. I can now go to a bar with friends without having to hold my breath when somone walks by (in case they are a smoker) or if I need to go use the bathroom or something. You see, I have asthma. Normally, its well controlled, but smoke is one of those triggers that can really aggravate it. It can start me up coughing or wheezing or worse. Plus, I just hate the smell of smoke. I don't wear strong perfumes or scents or anything-- I try to be considerate too. So the ban was passed. And it has been nice. Also if DH goes out with friends after work he no longer smells when he comes home!

We recently had city council elections. The mayo, a piper smoker, is planning to call for a vote to immediately repeal the smoking ban. Unfortunately it will probably get repealed.

I think this is very silly for a couple of reasons. No. 1: My state is waiting on a signature from the govenor to pass a Statewide smoking ban starting in Jan. The Gov said he will probably most likely sign. No. 2: If the buisinesses and everyone had six months to prepare for going smoke free, shouldn't they have six months to prepare to go back to smoking? And since it has been five months, aren't they used to it by now. They claim it is hurting buisiness, that smokers are going elsewhere. Maybe a few people-- I don't see that when I go out. Places look just as crowded to me as they always did. Besides, we only have small towns immediately around my city (pop about 180,000) There aren't many other places for people to go unless they are willing to travel.

So what are they going to do, repeal a ban so they can smoke for six more months? How bad is their nicotine craving? This just seems crazy to me.

Any thoughts?

waterlily1072 · May 5, 2007

I applaude your town for voting the ban in and for your gov who is trying to get it banned state wide. The mayor may or may not succeed , but either way in the end it sounds like it will work out. I dont' agree it's bad for business if anything it is neatral. Syre some smokers will spend less time in bars but non-smokers now feel freer to spend more time there so it evens out. Smokers always say we are taking away their rights but honestly, smoking affects everyone around you. My parents smoked the entire time I wa growing up and because of that my brother had terrible asthma and I had chronic bronchitis. I spent half of my childhood on antbiotics. Since grwoing up and leaving home I have not had bronchitis once!

lianna · May 5, 2007

Our town has a similar ban. The difference is that any establishment that makes more than 50% of its profit off of alcohol can have smoking. That leaves every public place, except bars, smoke free.

Morsaille · May 5, 2007

We are smoke free inside AND most recently, within 25 feet of a doorway.

The last part is officially law, but widely ignored.

So glad I quit, years ago.

j.s. · May 5, 2007

Well I am not on the bandwagon for this one. I do not feel they should be allowed to make all places smoke free UNLESS the business itself wants to be smoke free. Smoking is NOT an illegal activity and to treat it as such is just wrong. If a business does not want smoking, they should be allowed to ban it in their establishment but if they do want it, YOU nonsmokers DO NOT HAVE to go there, the same as I DO NOT HAVE to go to a smoke free business if I choose not to. I for one would love to see how angry the smoke free pubilic gets once the goverment is scrambling to get some of that tax money back (that the smokers are currently paying every time they light up).... that day will come and you nonsmokers will be crying foul.

Carlene · May 6, 2007

Well I am not on the bandwagon for this one. I do not feel they should be allowed to make all places smoke free UNLESS the business itself wants to be smoke free. Smoking is NOT an illegal activity and to treat it as such is just wrong. If a business does not want smoking, they should be allowed to ban it in their establishment but if they do want it, YOU nonsmokers DO NOT HAVE to go there, the same as I DO NOT HAVE to go to a smoke free business if I choose not to. I for one would love to see how angry the smoke free pubilic gets once the goverment is scrambling to get some of that tax money back (that the smokers are currently paying every time they light up).... that day will come and you nonsmokers will be crying foul.

Smoking is hazardous to everyone - smokers and non-smokers alike - no question about that. Most businesses want to straddle the fence, however, with a "smoking section" that doesn't do diddly. Smoke drifts and travels with the wind (or the AC). So I agree....all public places should elect to be one or the other - either smoking or non. And "non" should begin at the curb. Don't stand just outside the doorway, puffing away, and force the rest of us to run a gauntlet of smoke on our way in. And don't be sneaking one in the bathroom, either. If it's a non-smoking establishment, have a little respect for the owner's right to choose.

I was a smoker for many years. I had a sign on my desk at work that said "I'm a smoker....thank you for not breathing". What an awful, inconsiderate statement to display in a work environment.

I haven't seen any comparitive studies, but I doubt that the tax revenue lost from smokers who can't light up wherever they want will surpass the cost to society of smoke related illness.

kyethra · May 6, 2007

Yes, I hate it when people smoke at doorways. I've seen it before where there is smoker on either side. Like Dragon's guarding the castle. On occasion, I've yelled at them (I couldn't get close enough to talk). I wanted to go to class. To do that I had to get in the building. I didn't want to disturb class with coughing and not breathing and stuff.

If we lose tax money because people are smoking less (and therefor buying less cigarets) then I think that is great. I think most people would think that would be great. It would mean less people are going to develope complications from smoking and second hand smoke and medicare and medicaid will be able to spend less on smoking related complications too. I imagine that will help to balance it not. If not, then they would find the tax money elsewhere. No one is ever going to say, "oh gee, how I wish more people were smoking".

MzAngel · May 6, 2007

I was a smoker for many years. I had a sign on my desk at work that said "I'm a smoker....thank you for not breathing". What an awful, inconsiderate statement to display in a work environment.

Nothing annoys me more then ex-smokers who become prechers. Sorry but if you were once a smoker then you would know that preaching is one method that does not work to convince someone to quit.

I don't smoke now due to pregnancy, but i still remember what it felt like to be an outcast of society. Having to not only leave a reasturant/bar/any building for that matter, and walk 10 meters away. By smoking your not doing anything illegal so why should smokers be made to feel that way???

In Australia it's getting to the point of ridiculous, beaches are becoming smoke free, there's even talk about whole towns/councils being smoke free.

I agree with previous posters that the business itself should be able to decide whether it want's to be smoke free or not. That allows the rest of us to choose if we want to go their or not.

What ever happened to freedom of choice???

DerickM · May 6, 2007

only applies to non-smokers

Carlene · May 6, 2007

Nothing annoys me more then ex-smokers who become prechers. Sorry but if you were once a smoker then you would know that preaching is one method that does not work to convince someone to quit.

I don't believe I said anything that would indicate I wanted you (or anyone else) to give up cigarettes. You quoted my statement that a sign I used to have on my desk was haughty and inapproptiate....and it WAS. How is that "preaching"? Even a very dedicated smoker has to be appalled at that sign....I hope.

Unlike you, I did not have the good sense to give up smoking while pregnant. Thank God my kids seem not to have suffered any ill effects, although two of them do have Asthma and all suffer from severe allergies. I just hope no one has photos of me as a nursing/smoking mother.

green · May 6, 2007

I am a long time smoker and when I first started smoking smokers could smoke everywhere: stores, restaurants, cabs, movie houses, planes.... It was a wonderful time for folks like me. Now my province has become completely smoke-free and one can only smoke outdoors. There had been a period of time when restaurants and bars had the choice; they could decide whether they wanted to be family or smoking establishments but that choice was finally taken away from them. All public establishments within the Province of Ontario were ordered to be smoke-free.

From what I understand this law has hurt the hospitality business badly. Those restaurants and bars which do have outdoor patios - where smoking is allowed - do well during the warm months of the year.

At first I was very offended by these changes. It had, afterall, been a smoker's world and cigarettes are a legal drug. Now I find myself accepting these changes and toeing the line. I have become accustomed to excusing myself from a social gathering and going outside in order to top up my nicotine levels.

What I don't like is being treated to lengthy lectures concerning my nasty habit and why it is so bad for my health by well-meaning bystanders. Every smoker is fully aware that smoking is a dirty and destructive habit. It is also highly addictive and quitting is difficult for everyone and hellishly difficult for some! Hearing some do-gooder chirp that "smoking is bad for the health, you know," is both useless and wildly irritating to the smoker for, afterall, we all know that!

Carlene · May 6, 2007

I am a long time smoker and when I first started smoking smokers could smoke everywhere: stores, restaurants, cabs, movie houses, planes....

Me, too, Green. I smoked in my hospital room after all my kids were born. How bad is that?

I agree that quitting is a bitch. I actually quit twice. The first time lasted a year. In my dreams, I was still a smoker for about the first 5 years. That was so weird. I'd wake up the next day and almost expect to find an ashtray full of cigarette butts.

Smoking was more than just a habit for me. I LOVED smoking.

musicalmomma · May 6, 2007

I was a smoker as a teen and several of my friends are still smokers. What I can't understand and my smoker friends also don't understand, is why people get so upset over a smoking ban. Can't smokers go two hours without a smoke? If someone can sleep a few hours without a smoke, surely they can enjoy a meal out without one and light up in the car after.

Yes smoking is legal, but finally politicians are making it illegal to force those around smokers to suffer for their personal choice. For me it's just common courtesy (and my smoker friends feel the same way) to consider those around you when you light up.

There was a scene in this movie with Tim Allen (I can't recall the name) that cracked me up. A guy was smoking a cigar in a resturant and the guy sitting with Tim Allen asked the smoker to put it out, explaining that he was trying to enjoy his $25 steak and couldn't because of the smoke. The smoker looked at him and told him to "bug off" and the man said to him "See, I could come over here and fart on your food, but I don't because it would be rude..." That scene, while very funny, is so true...we don't excrete our gas in public just because we have the urge....why? because we don't want to offend anyone and don't want to embarrass ourselves. The point is, people really should be able to make it through a meal without lighting up. As always, JMHO.

Devana · May 6, 2007

There was a scene in this movie with Tim Allen (I can't recall the name) that cracked me up. A guy was smoking a cigar in a resturant and the guy sitting with Tim Allen asked the smoker to put it out, explaining that he was trying to enjoy his $25 steak and couldn't because of the smoke. The smoker looked at him and told him to "bug off" and the man said to him "See, I could come over here and fart on your food, but I don't because it would be rude..."

I believe that movie was "Big Trouble". I just saw it recently and it was hilarious.

Alexandra · May 6, 2007

I'm another reformed smoker, though unlike many I didn't find it difficult to quit. Somehow, back in 1987 after seriously smoking for 10+ years, I just put it down. I picked it up again several years later due to a new batch of bad-influence friends but really didn't like it, so after a few butts I just said no, permanently.

So that may color my opinion, but I do NOT defend anyone's right to smoke where other people might smell it. It's obtrusive and repulsive, inconsiderate and dangerous. IF the other people are given a chance to absent themselves without compromising their ability to do their jobs or enjoy a service offered to the public, then there's no reason smoking establishments can't exist. But it is time to end the circumstances that mean the general public will be subjected to toxic cigarette smoke without its consent.

Local bans don't work, unfortunately, because people can easily take their business elsewhere and the merchant community has a legitimate cause for objection. But statewide bans have worked brilliantly well, and I'm looking forward to the day that they become the norm rather than the exception.