will a smoking ban in bars...

[leftymike]

OK<

Here in Austin we have a complete smoking ban. Did it hurt live music at first, yes. But over a short period of time people started coming back out and just smoking outside. Now almost every bar in town has a smoking patio or roof ( which is kind of cool since we have great weather almost year round). I do not smoke, never have, but it IS the right of a private business owner what kind of clientele they have within the law. Meaning you obviously can't deny someone because of race. But smoking is still 100% legal! And that being said almost NONE of the people that come out are nonsmokers who voted for the Smoking Ban. This is very evident when damn near the whole bar/club clears out between sets to go outside to smoke. The bars/clubs here tried to make certain days or events nonsmoking so those who do not/ or do not want to be around smokers could have their time. No one came out yet these same people were who voted for the ban. If smoking is that much of deterrent then why were these bars/clubs always packed? Make the busineesses change not have the Govt come in to make everyone subservient to your wishes.


Now, the difference between work etc. is that those establishments most likely made that choice on their own , before the Govt stepped in. Yes I know now there are Govt regulations but employers that I know made that decision way before. A beach is publicly owned, the municipality who owns that beach has a right to make those decisions. Again NOT a private business owner!

All in all I do enjoy not having the smoke around, it's even more noticeable when I go to San Antonio (they still allow smoking ). I forget how much I reek afterward. But I will still frequent those bars/clubs because the music and the people are great. But, I have that CHOICE.

Having lived (and still living) on both sides of the fence I'd still vote against the smoking ban. If cigarettes need to go then fine, make them illegal dont screw with my business with a new law that is not needed. Again, the public spending their money has a bigger impact than what the Govt TELLS you to do.

 

[roburado]

Sorry! I'll stop! I just get p***ed when I see others' rights being trampled upon, whether they are dying or not--whether I like it or not. Their business, not mine. Last post for me on the topic!

In a way it is your business if it matters to you if their smoking affects your health.

 

[spaceman]

But smoking is still 100% legal!

No it isn't.
If you're below 18 in most states, or in a place where smoking is not allowed, then it's illegal.

 

[Slim]

I am a smoker and it bothers me that I can not smoke in the bar where I play. From the new year new law around here prohibit smoking in the bar and it is very sad law. People go to bar to drink, smoke, and listen to the music. Why not ban cigaretts sale in America then I would not mind because if I can not buy I will quit too then I can save $2080.00 a year to purchase a new Stingray or Bongo 5

 

[Chris C]

In a way it is your business if it matters to you if their smoking affects your health.

Yes... just as is the neighbor's car exhaust and the guy in the grocery store check-out line's body odor affects my sensitive health.

You see, I have a choice. You're right. It is my business. If I don't want to smell smoke, I won't go into a bar where the people there want to smoke. Simple.

Here's another one: Let's say I hate the smell of crab meat. Let's say I'm also allergic to crab (thus it's a health threat). Do I then go into the local crab restaraunt and start whining about it? Do I tell the people there that they should not eat crab because it affects me? Do I go to the government and tell them to ban crab meat because I don't like it and it's a health threat to me? Or do I just stay out of the crab restaraunt, leave the people there alone, and let the world spin the way it's going to, rather than the way I want it to spin?

Okay... nevermind... I'll keep on posting. This is too intereting a topic.

 

[Chris C]

I am a smoker and it bothers me that I can not smoke in the bar where I play. From the new year new law around here prohibit smoking in the bar and it is very sad law. People go to bar to drink, smoke, and listen to the music. Why not ban cigaretts sale in America then I would not mind because if I can not buy I will quit too then I can save $2080.00 a year to purchase a new Stingray or Bongo 5

Well put.

 

[phatduckk]

i smoke... and i live in cali. sometimes i feel like the anti-christ for being a smoker. everyone's all "eh" about it. ya, its bad for me, i know. sure im addicted but to a certain degree - i like it. yup, i like it.

as far as the ban goes... i think smoking while eating is gross so i dont care that you cant smoke at a restaraunt. but at bars... eh. honestly lots of places find a way around it. whether its a smoking room, patio. some of the dives i go to have a regular client base and if its a slow night they kinda dont care if you smoke... just as long as no "new" customers stumble in and see ya.

i have personally not ever thought "well, if i cant smoke while i watch the band then im not going". its no big deal really.

"no smoking" indoors doesnt bug me... people that think you're a wreched human being for being a smoker do. im pretty conscious of my surroundings... if there's a mom w/ a stroller walking towards me ill go out of my way to get off the curb and get a decent distance between me and the babies path while theyre walking by. but if you're at a place with an outdoor area which clearly allows smoking i get annoyed when people do the "fake cough" or make some comment.

 

[sandman@midlife]

Yes... just as is the neighbor's car exhaust and the guy in the grocery store check-out line's body odor affects my sensitive health.

You see, I have a choice. You're right. It is my business. If I don't want to smell smoke, I won't go into a bar where the people there want to smoke. Simple.

Here's another one: Let's say I hate the smell of crab meat. Let's say I'm also allergic to crab (thus it's a health threat). Do I then go into the local crab restaraunt and start whining about it? Do I tell the people there that they should not eat crab because it affects me? Do I go to the government and tell them to ban crab meat because I don't like it and it's a health threat to me? Or do I just stay out of the crab restaraunt, leave the people there alone, and let the world spin the way it's going to, rather than the way I want it to spin?

Okay... nevermind... I'll keep on posting. This is too intereting a topic.

If they kept the crab meat to themselves, no big deal, but what if they kept slinging it on your plate?

 

[Chris C]

If they kept the crab meat to themselves, no big deal, but what if they kept slinging it on your plate?

If they go out of their way to do it, then I'd have a problem with it. THEN, they are infringing on my rights. If I go out of my way to make sure it happens, then it's just wrong of me to moan about it. I'm then infringing on their rights.

I'll bet 99.9% of those who push this ban on smoking in bars have never seen the inside of a barroom, nor will they after they shut the smoking down. They just want to be the big dog. Prohibition didn't work a hundred years ago. I'll bet it won't this time around either.

 

[Psycho Ward]

Smoking cures weight problems. Eventually. - Steven Wright

Have you noticed that most people who give up smoking substitute something for it? Irritability. - Henny Youngman

I smoke cigars and I love to smoke in bars, good thing for me I live in North Carolina, smoking is required here...

 

[4metta]

I go see more bands now BECAUSE of the less smoke. People like myself and my friends actually wouldn't go see bands or play billards even though we loved doing both cause we got fed up of inhaling all that smoke. It won't hurt business. It'll bring more.

I draw the line once somebody's personal freedoms start affecting my own. If I choose not to smoke or smell like an ashtray somebody else shouldn't make me do it anyway. It's different than any other habit like drinking or even pill popping drug users. When people do those you aren't forced to do it as well. And we all have a right to go where we please so just step outside with your cig. It doesn't take long to smoke it. Then just come back in.

 

[4metta]

IPeople go to bar to drink, smoke, and listen to the music.

Wrong. People want to go to a bar for different reasons. Myself I go for the music and maybe an occasional drink. Sometimes I don't even drink. I'm there for the music. Before smoking bans a lot of nonsmokers just stopped going because of the smoke. So the business will stay stable.

 

[Chris C]

How about when some jerk drives by my place with all the windows down on his car and 7000 watts of garbage coming out, broadcasting over a square mile? Why am I forced to listen to that? I should have the right to peace and quiet, right? That's actually noise pollution and damaging to my hearing. It sure is funny that I don't hear anyone whining about that. Personally, that gets me way more annoyed than smelling someone after they've smoked. Lets ban stereos--earphones for everyone!

How about allowing people to eat beans? Shouldn't that be banned? Why must I be forced to smell the after effects? I should have the right to breath virgin air, right? If you are going to eat beans, the governement should step in and force you to stay outside until your stomach clears itself out. That crap is lethal!!!

You know... if we all hadn't learned to be the "me generation" when we were wee little lads, we wouldn't be having this conversation. The unselfish thing to do would be to have both smoking and non-smoking bars. In fact, we are free to have them right now. This solution would accomodate everyone. There would be no demonization or alienation or trampling of rights. Why don't we do that? I'll tell you why, because the non-smoking clubs don't seem to stay in business, when there is a choice. Dosen't that tell you something? It has been tried numerous times in my neck of the woods. Every time, it has failed and the places were out of business in no time. So... since free enterprise doesn't seem to work, let's legislate it, right? Force it.

 

[bassmonkeee]

God, you're whiney.

The last time I checked, most places do have noise ordinances, and that vehicle is probably illegal. No one ever died from hearing bad music, though.

And, when smelling someone's gas causes cancer, get back to me.

 

[tadawson]

How about when some jerk drives by my place with all the windows down on his car and 7000 watts of garbage coming out, broadcasting over a square mile? Why am I forced to listen to that? I should have the right to peace and quiet, right? That's actually noise pollution and damaging to my hearing. It sure is funny that I don't hear anyone whining about that. Personally, that gets me way more annoyed than smelling someone after they've smoked. Lets ban stereos--earphones for everyone!

How about allowing people to eat beans? Shouldn't that be banned? Why must I be forced to smell the after effects? I should have the right to breath virgin air, right? If you are going to eat beans, the governement should step in and force you to stay outside until your stomach clears itself out. That crap is lethal!!!

You know... if we all hadn't learned to be the "me generation" when we were wee little lads, we wouldn't be having this conversation. The unselfish thing to do would be to have both smoking and non-smoking bars. In fact, we are free to have them right now. This solution would accomodate everyone. There would be no demonization or alienation or trampling of rights. Why don't we do that? I'll tell you why, because the non-smoking clubs don't seem to stay in business, when there is a choice. Dosen't that tell you something? It has been tried numerous times in my neck of the woods. Every time, it has failed and the places were out of business in no time. So... since free enterprise doesn't seem to work, let's legislate it, right? Force it.

Last I checked, although you may WISH you were dead from a bad burrito fart, they are not generally regarded as dangerous of life threatening, nor is really bad chunga music at 130 db. Smoke, however, is known to cause cancer, and myself, I regard that twit puffing in my face pretty much as an assault with a deadly (albeit slow acting) weapon. Major differences. Oh, and the 130db chunga music IS illegal, you just have to motivate a cop to actually deal with it . . . .

- Tim

 

[Chris C]

Yes, I am whiney. Just like the smoke nazis... and the food nazis... etc. That's been my point here on this thread all along. It finally worked. You GET it now!!! Now just turn that thinking to the point I'm trying to make. No one ever died because someone was smoking in a bar... unless THEY chose to go in there.

 

[sandman@midlife]

You make a good point Chris.
I don't think any of us are going to change anybodys mind. It's good we can disagree without it spiraling down to a flame war.

 

[RitchieDarling]

Smoking ban.

My Father-in-law has owned and operated the most successful bar & grill in this area for 24 years.

Since the smoking ban took effect, his business has nearly doubled. And he is drawing a nicer clientele.

Ritchie

 

[Chris C]

I don't think any of us are going to change anybodys mind. .

Very true. Just one of those issues. It has been a nice diversion for the day, though. I mean really... what better to do on Christmas???

 

[phatduckk]

ya... he he. lets all agree to disagree since its xmas n all.

Because we tried to be nice to you non-smokers. We f'in tried. Okay? You wanted your own sections in the restaurants. We gave you that, huh. But that wasn't enough for you. Then you wanted the airplanes. We gave you the whole damn plane! You happy now?