will a smoking ban in bars...

[screaminhugger]

...hurt the industry? What do you all think? Personally, I hate the habit because it effects everyone, smokers and non-smokers alike. But, if they pass a law banning smoking in bars, will it hurt our business...live music that is? It seems to me that 99% of the crowd that faithfully come to hear us are heavy smokers. You folks who play in NYC and in Cali, what say ye? has it hurt or helped?

james

 

[ibanez2005]

They will still drink, i doubt they will stop going in pubs, there aint no where else for people to go is there?

 

[Sigmunds Couch]

Is it a 100% smoking ban in bars - no exceptions? If so, I wouldn't worry too much about it. There will be an adjustment phase everyone has to go through but people will not give up going to bars.

Florida's smoking ban is conditional. If the bar generates a percentage of its revenue from food then there is no smoking inside. Those establishments responded by constructing smoking areas outside to accomadate their smoking clientele.

People who want to see your band will come regardless. When you hit a song in the setlist that they're not that fond of, they jet out and burn one and return. On breaks, the bar empties out and everyone smokes. When you start up again, everyone comes back in.

A smoking ban is a change, but people adapt well.

 

[ibanez2005]

Its a good change too, about time considering the amount of people get cancer from it. They should ban comapnies from making them but i guess the governments make too much money off them with tax.

 

[Kirby]

Is it a 100% smoking ban in bars - no exceptions? If so, I wouldn't worry too much about it. There will be an adjustment phase everyone has to go through but people will not give up going to bars.

Florida's smoking ban is conditional. If the bar generates a percentage of its revenue from food then there is no smoking inside. Those establishments responded by constructing smoking areas outside to accomadate their smoking clientele.

People who want to see your band will come regardless. When you hit a song in the setlist that they're not that fond of, they jet out and burn one and return. On breaks, the bar empties out and everyone smokes. When you start up again, everyone comes back in.

A smoking ban is a change, but people adapt well.

I totally agree with the above. I have played in cities where this ban is enforced and it has not hurt business that I have seen. I had one club owner state that it actually increased his business because many people who would not usually come due to the smoke are now coming to his club.

 

[sandman@midlife]

I was in NYC not long ago and the bars were packed. People would go outside to smoke. The guys in the band told me that the smoking ban didn't hurt them at all.

 

[screaminhugger]

I totally agree with the above. I have played in cities where this ban is enforced and it has not hurt business that I have seen. I had one club owner state that it actually increased his business because many people who would not usually come due to the smoke are now coming to his club.

Yeah, I actually have 3 or 4 friends who don't come out because of the smoke. My own wife hates coming to see me play because of it. She also makes me shower before I come to bed, can't say that I blame her the way I smell when I come home. Maybe it would actually help the business. Not to get on a rant or anything, but the only thing more annoying than the smoke is the litter. Why do smokers feel that it is o.k. to drop the butts wherever they please? isn't it enough to pollute the air? The beach is the worst, I feel like i am letting my kids play in a big ashtray...gross! The other thing I hate is riding my Harley and having the car in front of me throw a flaming piece of garbage out the window, hitting me with it. VERY NICE! So to all you smokers out there, live and let live, but please be considerate. There, i am finished now...thanks for allowing me this rant. And...Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate this holiday.

james

 

[Chris C]

[Rant on/]

Around here, people come to the local bars to get drunk, and in most cases smoke. The bands are just a secondary draw that the club owners use to get people through the door. I really hate the smoke, but you know, I don't have to go into that club, do I? It's my choice. No one is twisting my arm. If my dislike for the smoke outweighs the desire to go into the club, then I can just keep my a** out of there, right?

I just look at the whole thing as an infringement on personal rights. Nobody is forcing anyone into smoky barrooms. You don't like it, stay out. I strongly feel that the club owners should be the ones who decide. If they feel that they can make more money by having a smokeless bar, cool, go for it. The government shouldn't be the ones who decide for us. What's next? Banning drinking in bars? Oh sorry, that's already been done once! I think our current drive for all of these laws for the good of the public will ultimately have the same kind of backlash that prohibition did.

[/Rant off]

Sorry

 

[roburado]

I totally agree with the above. I have played in cities where this ban is enforced and it has not hurt business that I have seen. I had one club owner state that it actually increased his business because many people who would not usually come due to the smoke are now coming to his club.

I'm totally one of the people who is happier to go to a non-smoking establishment. I'm often choosing to patronize a local microbrewery here in the Detroit suburbs over other establishments, because it's a non-smoking establishment.

I long for a California-esque smoking ban.

 

[Chris C]

I'm often choosing to patronize a local microbrewery here in the Detroit suburbs over other establishments, because it's a non-smoking establishment.

... and IMO, that's exactly the way it's supposed to work. That's a free society in action. The society doesn't change to suit me. I decide what to do and where to go based on what's available to me. If my likes are shared, there's always going to be a place for me to go. I don't force everyone else to do things the way I want to have them done.

 

[boomer074]

There was just a total ban passed here in Ohio and it just went into effect December 7, but there is still an adjustment period until like April, I for one am in favor of the ban for shelfish reasons, I have to sing a lot and I end up with a real sore throat for a few days after a show from the smoke. While I am not a scientist or anything, I can guess that is from what it is from because every practice we run through our entire show and I don't have a sore throat the day after practice. So for the sack of not sounding like a frog I welcome the ban.

 

[Psycho Ward]

I think it’s cruel to make smokers go outside to smoke; we should have more respect for the dying...

 

[Chris C]

Hey, I don't smoke. I hate it. But, you know, if others want to smoke, what business is it of mine? I don't have to go out of my way to hang around them and then whine about it.

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!

 

[screaminhugger]

Hey, I don't smoke. I hate it. But, you know, if others want to smoke, what business is it of mine? I don't have to go out of my way to hang around them and then whine about it.

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!

I can kind of see your point, but I don't necessarily agree that people have a "right to smoke in bars". I should have a right to go were I please without being inflicted with someone else's habit. I agree, I should just stay out of bars, but you see, I depend on the income it provides for me and my family. should people be aloud to smoke at work and if we don't like it, we can work somewhere were people don't smoke? how bout the beach? should my family and I choose another vacation destination? Should we not go to the mall because of all the people who now smoke by the doors and make a cloud of smoke for my family and I to walk through to get in and out of the mall? IF my neighbor is on her front porch smoking and the wind is blowing south, I have to go inside to get away from the smoke...should I have a right to sit on my porch? The fact is that the habit is intrusive at best, and the only reason it is even legal anymore is that it does in-fact generate huge amounts of revenue, and the politicians are afraid to even try to do anything about it. I used to dip snuff...I once thought about asking a smoker sitting at the table next to me in a restaurant, blowing smoke on my food, how he would react to me spitting my snuff juice on his...but I already knew the answer to that one..."but that is different"...right? I am guilty of not wanting a ban to hurt revenue however, so I may infact be a bit of a hypocrite i guess. I wouldn't want a ban if it hurt the live music business in anyway. Lesser of two evils thing I guess...

james

 

[Psycho Ward]

They say that kissing a smoker is like licking an ash tray... which is good thing to remember the next time you get lonely...

 

[screaminhugger]

They say that kissing a smoker is like licking an ash tray... which is good thing to remember the next time you get lonely...

I kissed a smoker once...a real babe, but I must say that statement is TRUE...it was gross, I never kissed her again... If my wife started smoking I would be in real trouble i guess.

 

[screaminhugger]

...just to clarify...I never actually licked an ashtray...but I imagine it would have been as gross as kissing that smoking babe! LOL

 

[ibanez2005]

Most of my girlfriends have been smokers, most have been barmaids too

 

[Chris C]

I can kind of see your point, but I don't necessarily agree that people have a "right to smoke in bars".

james

Okay... one more. I promise. Really, I do! Last one...

No, you're right. People shouldn't inherently have the right to smoke in bars. It should be up to the owner of the bar and the intended usage of the establishment.

Here's another point on the topic of banning things based on public safety issues:

Should I be subjected to other people's car exhaust fumes? Isn't it dangerous to my health? Doesn't it cause global waming? Hasn't it contributed far more to air pollution than cigarette smoke? On inversion days, isn't it the primary toxin within the soupy smog? Isn't it by far more deadly to my health than smelling smoke on someone's clothing?

So... after answering these questions honestly... shouldn't internal combustion engines be banned? No, you say? Why? Something about huge amounts of revenue? And convenience? And cramping your lifestyle? But, it's bad for my health, right? And up to 100 years ago, people seemed to get by without cars, didn't they? So why not ban this toxic nuisance?

Okay. Done. Sorry. Too much passion--why am I arguing in favor of something I really detest? I just see it as an infrigement on personal rights. Next comes the food nazis. And you don't even want me to get started with that one!!! Ha, ha.

Okay. Done. Really. Really. I... I think I promise. Yeah, I guess I do. I'll stop... at least I believe I will... Ummm... yeah. Don't touch that keyboard, hoss!!! Step away from the keyboard.

 

[DJBenzBass]

...hurt the industry? What do you all think? Personally, I hate the habit because it effects everyone, smokers and non-smokers alike. But, if they pass a law banning smoking in bars, will it hurt our business...live music that is? It seems to me that 99% of the crowd that faithfully come to hear us are heavy smokers. You folks who play in NYC and in Cali, what say ye? has it hurt or helped?

james

My band plays mostly in NJ bars. I like the smoke ban because my fur covered cabinets don't come home smelling like smoke for weeks. Actually, I don't get yelled at by my wife either for smelling like smoke. I used to use Mesa Boogie cabs mostly because they weren't fur covered. That's not an issue any more.

What I don't like about the ban is that between bands is when all the smokers go outside. Lots of times, they aren't back yet when the next band starts. That gets a little annoying. Even worse: I suggest that bands try not to play a gig while "Midget Tossing" is going on. Most everyone's attention is on the tossing. Just a little extra tip there.