Smoking Ban - What do you think?
coasterqueen wrote: I'm hoping we can have a healthy debate on this, as I'd like to hear what everyone else thinks. Smoking bans aren't new in a lot of areas, like California, but a smoking ban was just passed in our city last night. It is to take effect Sept 17th at 3 am. I see both sides, as I am an ex-smoker and DH is still one. I am actually THRILLED the ban was passed and I know I still would be even if I was a smoker still. I am thrilled my children get the chance to eat in a restaurant and don't have to smell smoke. Even sitting in the non-smoking section is unreal because I STILL smell smoke. It's so annoying and I gag during the whole time I'm trying to eat. 
I was thinking all morning of all the restaurants we will be able to go to now because of the ban. Before we couldn't go because they didn't offer good enough non-smoking sections and we don't take our children to places like that. I am also thrilled I will be able to take my girls bowling now because of the ban.
The only part of the ban I'm not sure I am for is that they banned smoking in bars. I think I'm actually against that. I say that because as an adult I can choose to go into that bar and my children will not be allowed in there. Whereas in a restaurant my children would be going there so they should have the right to breath clean air, right? Maybe my thinking is flawed. I know I don't feel like I have a solid argument on this part for sure.
So what are your thoughts. Please help me see all sides in a healthy manner.
Edit to add: Does anyone see this as government telling us what we can do and if we keep letting them, even with something we agree with ,that they will just keep taking it farther? Just curious.
A&A'smommy replied: ITA I went to the beach in florida when i was pg and there was a smoking ban there it was NICE and then last week when we were eating at cracker barell the smoking section was RIGHT next to our table and it was awful when we left Alyssa smelled like smoke there is nothing I hate worse than a child that smells like smoke!
I agree I think it should be all public places except bars because of the same thing you said!!
luvmykids replied: ITA with you. Restaurants and such are much more enjoyable when they are smoke free for the kiddos. Bars, casinos, and even bowling alleys (after certain hours, like 10pm) I think should be exceptions. I know non smokers want to enjoy these places smoke free too but I feel like it's something you expect to encounter and can deal with it. I'm not offended by others smoking, wether I'm a smoker or not. The big debate I think comes from someone deciding who's rights are more valuable, the smokers rights or nonsmokers rights. And IMO its a bigger violation to tell everyone across the board they can't rather than allow a choice.
Probably not a popular stance but thats my opinion. 
PrairieMom replied: I love the idea of a smoking ban. My hospital is actually going to have a smoke free campus starting in a couple of weeks! that means no smoking anywhere on hospital property! i hate it when I have Lung patients whose nurses reak like smoke.
Of corse, as an asthmatic and respiratory therapist I am extremely one sided on this issue!
Most of the restraunts in my town are smoke free unless they sell alcohol. We always ask to sit as far away from the smoking section as possible, and i have even asked to be moved more than once.
This isn't such a big deal for us people up in the north, but in the south where tobacco is a bigger industry I can see it meeting a lot more resistance.
kimberley replied: i am for the smoking ban to a point. we have had it here for a while. in buildings and restaurants, i think it is a good call. but as a bartender... it is really hurting small bar businesses everywhere. people have tried to find ways around the law by spending tens of thousands of dollars to build enclosed/ventilated rooms for smoking but they are supposedly banning those this year. they also made bars choose whether they consider themselves a "restaurant" (which allows all ages until 9pm but no smoking ever) or a "bar" (which is restricted to 19yo or over and can smoke in designated enclosed area). other bars have made "exlusive memberships" so they are considered a private club and therefore can do as they like but that really deters someone who justs wants the occasional drink. they have even proposed banning smoking in homes and cars and i definitely think that is going wayyyyyyyyy too far. no gov't has the right to tell someone what they can or cannot do in their own home/car. that is ridiculous imo.
MyBlueEyedBabies replied: I'm from California so was used to the no smorking in restaurants...actually I believe the law was any business that had employees. I loved not having to deal with a smoking section. It was weird for me to move to a state (colorado) where smoking is allowed and still laugh to myself when asked if we want smoking or non smoking sections. Bars I also love that they went non smoking because they didn't have the best ventilation so a few people smoking could quickly stink up the whole place. ANd w/ the ammount of people who would just go outside for a feww minutes I can't immagine that it in anyway affected the business like the bar owners were saying would happen. What I think is ridulous is California was trying to (no clue if they have since I left) pass a law saying no smoking at the beach. There is no reason why someone shouldn't be able to smoke in an outdoor public area.
coasterqueen replied:
They tried to add the ventilation clause to our language but they proved that it really does not work (the ventilating).
I agree I think the government can go way too far with things. That's why this is such a tough issue for me. I really like the ban in restaurants for my children's sake, but how far will this go in the end? 
~Roo'sMama~ replied: I am happy about the bans because I hate smokey restaurants - especially now that I have a baby. I would have loved it if the ban had been passed while I was still a waitress! I got really sick from working in that smoke every day.
But I don't know about the bar thing - if it were up to me I'd say it's ok to smoke in a bar. I never go to bars though, so maybe it's more of an I don't care issue. 
punkeemunkee'smom replied:
I do feel that allowing the government to pass restrictions like this is a slippery slope. What makes it ok for someone to say you can not smoke in a public place that you are paying to eat in BUT we still serve alcohol to tables with children at them and children near by(regardless of how I feel about my child seeing someone drink) and you can get up and DRIVE home. I have yet to hear of a person lighting a cigarette and crossing 3 lanes of traffic to hit a family of 5- KWIM?
One thing I always think of is,Men and Women fought and died for my right to be free and small seemingly inconsequential freedoms taken away (from one group or from all people) are freedoms lost. Through out history they are also freedoms never restored.
BTW~please don't attack me for this I am not against drinking if you are of age,I am just using that to make a point. I just think it is a dangerous thing to allow our governments (city,state,federal) to run our personal lives.
MamaJAM replied: I'm one who's not thrilled with the way government keeps invading our private lives.
~~~BUT~~~
I am so for smoking bans - everywhere. Many of the restaurants in our area have banned smoking completely. The ones that haven'tbanned it have small 'smoking sections'. We don't go out to bars -- though, for the sake of any non-smoking employees or employees with kids, I support banning smoking in bars. The one thing DH and I do like to do is play pool....but the only pool-halls around here allow smoking so we refuse to go to them....so I'd be all for a ban that would help us get out and have fun!
The area we live in doesn't have a ban on smoking....though there are several local groups working to get restaurants, etc to ban smoking on their own. I'd be all for an official ban if they'd want one here.
A&A'smommy replied:
You are SOOO right!!!! I have NEVER thought about it like that 
TeagansMom609 replied: Im for it in restaraunts but I dont think it should be banned in bars. I went to Chickie and Pete's (a restaraunt) a couple weeks ago and there is NO non-smoking section. The whole place is smoking. I was annoyed with that. NJ just passed the ban, not sure when it starts but I know you can still smoke in the casino's. Its really going to hurt the bars. I must say I think people who go to bars and complain about breathing in second hand smoke should get over it considering they are there drinking alcohol which isnt good for you either. You cant have your cake and eat it too.
coasterqueen replied:
I don't know, IMO that's a flawed statement. Not everyone goes to bars to drink alcohol. There are other forms of entertainment one can do in a bar other than drink  . I know many times when I was pg with the girls I would have LOVED to go to a bar with DH so he could have a drink and we could play pool or shoot darts, but I could never go because of the smoking issue.
MyLuvBugs replied: Well, I'm all for the smoking ban. I never have been a smoker (asthmatic), so I never thought it was a cool thing in the first place. It's always been gross to me, so I'm VERY happy that most towns/states are putting up a ban.
However, some of the things that the government is making decisions on (gay marriage, smoking ban, etc.) is overstepping their bounds in my opinion. But I also see how we as a people have problems governing ourselves. Without some rules and regulations the world would be a much worse off place. I'm sure it's hard to be in government and making some of these laws. It's like sitting on a double edge sword. You get cut no matter what you decide. KWIM?
moped replied: I am a smoker, but I do think that there should be a smoking ban in restaurants.......I don't think other people should be subjected to my smoke, so I agree. Apparently Calgary isn't going to ban until 2009 I think. But alot of places already don't allow smoking. I do hope I can still smoke in a bar though, because I need to smoke when I drink!
LOLOLOL
kimberley replied:
i have to respectfully argue this point. the reality here is that there are more non-smoking establishments than there are smoking ones, so if a non smoker is offended by it, get a job in a different restaurant/bar. employment is a choice imo and if you choose to work somewhere that you knew at hiring allowed smoking, then you shouldn't gripe about it. sorry that is just my opinion.
i have been in the bar industry for over 15yrs and i can tell you there are more smokers than not. i think there should be a happy middle regarding this issue. make a certain percentage of bars in an area smoke free and allow others to be both. then it is one's choice to frequent the establishment they prefer. then Karen can play darts when she's pg and Jen can smoke when she drinks lol 
Cece00 replied: I LOVE smoking bans.
I do not think its healthy to smoke around children. I am a "social smoker" meaning I will sometimes smoke whe DH & I go out, and DH used to smoke, but neither of us EVER smoked around our children.
Its also sort of a sore spot for me when people do smoke in front of children. My SD's mom smokes around her & her sister (not my DH's child, its by some other guy who isnt around...) and they are constantly ill with respiratory/sinus related issues. In fact, SD's mom called today to tell us she is sick with a double ear infection & strep throat AGAIN. She's had this 4 times in the last 6 months, at least, and had this exact thing less than a month ago. She knows her smoking causes her children to be ill like this (been told by ped, ER dr's, my MIL who is a registered nurse, US) & she doesnt care.
I think it should be illegal to smoke indoors in public & around children @ all, personally.
holley79 replied: I'm in Florida and you can no longer smoke in resturants. Everywhere you go there is only certain areas that you can smoke in that are public. When I use to smoke I always sat in non- smoking. I don't mind it if we are in a club but I'm glad it's no longer allowed in resturants. A lot of our resturants have opened outside dining for smokers. I have sat out there on nice days and when there weren't very many people.
Sorry I have to laugh about this. If you can't see your feet for your belly can you be across the line and play dumb? It's going to be really hard for me when DH and I do go out to a bar and I'm drinking. That will be the true test of my strength not to smoke. 
coasterqueen replied:
Ha!  Well I won't be pg anymore so I'm good. Although I don't go to bars as a breastfeeding mother because of the smoke that gets in breastmilk.
But I'm like Jen, I want to smoke when I drink. That's one reason I don't drink much, because I'd likely start smoking again.  It's been over 4 years of not smoking for me.
CAMSMOM1 replied:
I'm from California, so it's been a loooooong time since I had to deal with smoking in a resturant.
I am a smoker. (unfortunaly...I wish I wasn't) And I'm 100% for NOT smoking in resturants. That's what an outside bench is for, and others shouldn't be subjected to others smoke, especially children.
But I'm against, banning smoking in bars.
CAMSMOM1 replied:
I agree. I'm also from California, and I think they took it to far with not smoking on the beach. But I do understand why they did that. People do not pick up their cig. butts, and it's all over the beach.
People still do it anyways, it's a hard law to enforce.
sillisha replied: I am a smoker and I totally agree with the smoking ban but sure hope it doesnt go too far.........i appreciate that my kids and i dont have to smell smoke while eating out.As far as in bars it should be allowed but i think it should be mandatory that all bars have an enclosed smoking area where non smokers will not be bothered by the smoke.i will be quitting smoking soon and would appreciate being able to go out for a drink w/o the temptation or having to deal with the smoke and smell.this topic is enough to make anyone go  lol
Maddie&EthansMom replied: I am all for banning smoking in public places. We have a smoking ban in our area and I love it. They also can't smoke within so many feet of the entrance.
I'm pretty sure smoking is still allowed in bars, though. I don't go to bars and the main reason is b/c I can't stand the smoke. It makes me ill.
~Roo'sMama~ replied:
I don't know... beaches get pretty crowded, and chances are you're going to find yourself right next to someone who's smoking, no matter how hard you try to stay away from them. If I'm walking at the zoo and someone 25 feet ahead of me is smoking, I can smell it and it makes me sick - physically I mean.
And all the butts on the sand are pretty gross, too.
Hillbilly Housewife replied: Where I used to live (ottawa) there has been a smoking ban ib effct for a few years (since 2000 or 2001, don't remember)... and there was hardly any evidence that businesses lost much at all. If you like a place, you won't change for one minor detail....you'll keep going to the places you like.
Who actually goes to a restaurant only because they can smoke there? You go to a restaurant because you like the food, so what difference does it make if there is smoking ban in there? Not smoking in that restaurant won't mnake you suddenly hate the food, kwim?
We don't go out to eat much anymore (compared to before) because the smell of stale smoke reeks. You taste what you smell... and it don't smell good. As an occasional smoker (social drinker smoker) I like having a smoke with a beer... but it won't stop me from going to get the beer even if I can't smoke.
As for smoking in houses and cars... if it's yours. what does the government care?
I have no problem with laws being passed etc... however as it is a "right to" vs a "right not to", I believe it should be put to the people's vote, rather than be decided by a handful of shmucks.
mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: I'm from California and it was a huge shock for me that people smoked in restaurants when I moved here to Colorado. I hate it! So I would like to see a ban here as well in both restaurants and bars and in certain public places. I hate having to get through an entrance to a restaurant or store by walking through someone's smoke, so I wish there was a law in terms of how many feet smokers need to be away from a building.
I was just out last night and although we were in the non-smoking section, I could still smell the smoke from the bar area. And I'm tired of dry-cleaning my clothes!
~Roo'sMama~ replied:
Oh I know what you mean! Even if there is a sign saying no smoking 50 feet from entrance or something like that they still stand right next to the door.
MomToJade&Jordan replied: They passed a smoking ban in all resturants in Hawaii when we first got there, but they didn't put a ban on the bars.
I am for a smoking ban in resturants. I used to be a smoker myself (been smoke free since 1997), but never could stand breathing in smoke while I was trying to eat.
The bars are a different story IMO. I don't think there should be a ban in the bars.
lisar replied: We have the ban here in Florida have had for a long time. I am a smoker ( I do not smoke in my house or my car, or any where around my kids) The ban didnt really do anything for me. I didnt care either way. Thats jus my opinion.
Lisa
gr33n3y3z replied: I think its a great Idea 
and I'm almost smoke free
CosmetologyMommy replied: I hate smoke and dh is a smoker and so is my mom........  so I think it is fine to ban it.
MommyToAshley replied: I am all for the smoking ban... of all public places (sorry Kimberly ) The restaurant ban is a great place to start... at least our kids won't have to breathe the smoke while they eat. But, I think it should be banned at bars as well. DH and I love to go to the bars to listen to bands. But, I hate it because I can't stand the smoke. It's disgusting to breathe, my eyes water the entire night, and I go home smelling like smoke.  I think those are reasons enough, but the main reason that I think there should be a ban on public smoking is because it is a health hazard. It has already been proven that second hand smoke causes cancer and other serious illnesses. And, no one should be able to endanger some else's life. While it may not be instant death like an accident caused by drinking and driving... it does lead to death and should be just as illegal as drunk driving.
coasterqueen replied:
 congrats to you. It's a hard road to getting there but it's totally worth it.
coasterqueen replied:
Very well said.
My Dh's argument to this whole ban thing is that if it's so terrible (which he agrees it is) then cigarettes should be made illegal, that that's the appropriate way to handle this, not force store owners to enforce it.
MamaJAM replied:
I understand your point...while 'employment is a choice' sometimes people have to take a job where ever they can get one.....not every non-smoker has 100% choice on where their job is.
kimberley replied:
very true and that is why i support the ban in all restaurants and public buildings but i still feel there should be a choice with bars. (some enclosed smoking, most smoke free)
health concerns are very real and why they are trying to ban smoking in homes and cars etc. especially since our health care is covered here, much of our tax dollars are going to pay for lengthy care for smoking related illnesses. making it illegal is the logical thing to do BUT gov't is making farrrrrrrrrrrr too much money in taxes and the big tobacco companies have many officials in their pockets, so it will never happen. a pack of 25 here runs about $9. that is about $7/pk in taxes!!!
this is what gets my goat. they claim to want to ban it for the greater good and because of the health issues, but wont do it outright because they will lose too much revenue and step on some wealthy toes . so as long as it remains legal, i believe that smokers have rights and deserve a choice too. i really dislike how our politically correct society claims everyone has rights but it is painfully obvious that some supercede others.
punkeemunkee'smom replied:
ITA! If you are going to "censor" the rights of some then you in turn must be willing to have the rights of all censored!
MomToMany replied: I think smoking bans are wonderful, and I wish we had them here. There is NO reason why smokers can't smoke outside, away from the doors. There's no need for them to pollute the indoor air for everyone else. It's a disgusting habit, and no children or non-smokers should be subjected to it. And since Hannah has such breathing troubles, we won't go where smoking is allowed, since it could start an attack in her.
I don't think smokers deserve equal rights in this since they are putting their lives in jeopardy, as well as everyone around them. I believe the rights of non-smokers are more important than that of smokers. It's their CHOICE to smoke, and to risk getting cancer or other health problems. But I don't think they should be able to risk MY children's & or MY health or DH's health because they are too lazy to go outside to smoke.
What I hate are restaurants with smoking sections you have to walk throught o get to the non-smoking section! WTF is the point of that then??? I feel terrible for the children who are forced to be in that environment by their smoking parents  .
jcc64 replied: A little late to the game, as usual, but I was working yesterday. But I have some strong feelings on this issue, so here goes-
Dh and ds #1 are both asthmatic, so bear in mind that my feelings are filtered through that lense. Dh and I recently took a mini trip to Vegas, and the smoking in the casinos and bars was so bad that we had to leave. It was amazing to both of us how used to clean indoor air we've become. We're in NY, and smoking has been banned in restaurants and bars for some time now. At first the bar industry in NYC really flipped out, and everyone claimed their livelihoods were being adversely affected by it. But lo and behold, people just got used to it, and now it's business as usual- you want a smoke, you step outside. Dh is a musician- he's been playing in smokey bars for years. He dealt with it as an occupational hazard, but is thrilled to now have the opportunity to work and breath easily at the same time.
I realize that smokers have a right to socialize comfortably, but that right cannot supercede a non-smoker's right to clean air. When weighing the concerns of both groups, one has to look at the consequences of each. If a smoker is denied his right to smoke in a bar or restaurant, his loss can be ameliorated by simply going outside to smoke. He is not losing his right to smoke alltogether. But by denying a non smoker the right to fresh air, the consequences may be irrevocable, particularly if it's on a regular basis, like an employee or someone whose lung functions are compromised to begin with. In short, a smoker's right to smoke unrestricted cannot be seen as more important than the right to breath clean, healthy air.
And as far as the government infringing on our "freedoms"- I guess if it's to a good end, I can't see why anyone can see it as a bad thing. After all, your right to destroy your health becomes my problem when you don't have the health insurance to cover the costly smoking related illnesses you may incur. And I do believe that you're right Karen, or whomever said it, that the gov't will never ban it outright b/c their hand is in the cookie jar as well, not to mention the tobacco lobby, but neither can they ignore the considerable tab of Medicaid/Medicare. So, this is maybe some sort of compromise?
coasterqueen replied:
So very true. The only reason why the ban happened in our city is because the election for Mayor is up this fall
PrairieMom replied:
well said.
mom2haley replied: Personally, I'm all for the smoking bans. I don't want to have to inhale the smoke. And I sure as heck don't want my daughter too either. Both of my parents were smokers and my younger brother and his wife are too. Unfortunately, I lost both of my parents b/c of cigs. And my husband lost his grandfather b/c of them.
TANNER'S MOM replied: Well I think this whole thing makes our governments hypocrites and no other way around.
It is unhealthy for me and my children to sit in a restaurant where smoking is allowed for my greater safety, but they sale cig..to anyone who is over 18..not 21 like drinking.
But people don't have to worry about smoking in your home being banned..b/c the government would loose to much money. Do you know how much money our government makes off the tobacco tax?? Tons..and the lobbyist..what would they do.
Alot of people especially in the south, work on these huge tobacco plantations. They are usually not very educated and are working where their families worked. So, if it was totally illegal to smoke how many families would be out of work with no skills to find other work.
Now that being said, I love the no smoking ban. We have one town that has it. But here if your business is 70% alcohol then you can still smoke. I would love to have the option of going to a smoking bar or a non smoking bar. I stopped smoking years ago. I never smoked when I ate, or in my home. Now that I am smoke free it bothers me far worse. It is one reason we can't go to in laws. When it is Christmas time.. We have my MIL FIL SIL BIL Niece, Nephew in Law..in one house smoking at once. If you open the window and turn on a fan they act like you have personally insulted them. And it is not my house.. all I can say is at my house..please go outside. I think they owner of the company's should decide... I think we should have options. Just as I have the option to smoke or not. If everyone had personal choice then how could we complain. But can we really say to everyone Nationwide...no smoking anywhere. To many of the population do it.
1/2 of my work place is smoking. I hate it.. I hate walking over there and when I walk out I just want to die. We keep Febreeze at our desk and spray ourselves off. But this isn't my company, I don't own it. I just work here. I CHOOSE to work here versus somewhere else. I could work in Fayetteville were I never have to see a cig. and someone would be fined for smoking. But I have other benefits that even everything out. So, it is a personal choice for me.
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