Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests Ban Smoking in Public Places?

It has happened in Duluth Mn as well. I like it when I go to a restaurant there and they don't have to ask you if you want smoking or non because it is all the same. I do feel in a way that it is infringing on "freedoms" but also at the same time when that freedom can involve harming others something has to be done.

I've had to travel to California quite a bit in the last few months and I must admit, it was nice to be able to go to a bar, lounge or restaraunt and not have to deal with the smoke. The atmosphere was so much different.

If smoke didn't have the kind of affect that it does on non-smokers, maybe it wouldn't be such a big deal. I guess I can't agree with those that shout smoker's rights simply because what they want to do publicly in a bar or club or pool hall has a direct affect on someone else.

When they banned smoking in public places in Dallas, there were a lot of restaraunt owners and such screaming that their profits would decrease significantly. I know my word alone isn't enough to say it isn't so but the restaraunts still seem to be just as busy.

Remember when we were all kids swimmin in the pool at the water park, and one of the little [censored] would piss in it? The smoke travels thru the air just like the piss did in the pool...

To me, I think it shud cuz everybody that doesn't smoke doesnt want to breathe that [censored] in, and get their lungs filled with rotten chemicals.

Restaurants, bars, etc. are not public places, so it's none of the government's business as far as I'm concerned. They're privately-owned establishments. Considering this is supposedly a free country, a smoking policy should be the business owner's decision. If he wants to ban smoking, fine. Hell, if he wants to REQUIRE smoking--it's his property.

I agree with banning it in malls and stores. I believe restaurants should have smoking sections. I believe bars should never ban smoking. If you're at a bar, you're likely killing yourself with alcohol anyways. Smoking is part of the bar atmosphere. Maybe have smoking sections at sporting events. Don't ban on sidewalks or in parks.

cali also has the no smoking ban in all public buildings as well as the 50ft from buildings rule. when the smoking ban first went into place many bars and sports bars would claim not to have any ashtrays for you. you had to ask for a "tip caddy" at which point they would bring you an ashtray and ignore your smoking. unfortunately, the second one is not enforced nearly enough. infact, when i worked at home depot i worked nights and in the front of the store where the managers would stand at the open door and smoke. a violation of both the law and depot policy. so i would come up behind them and shut the doors on them locking them outside since i had to work right there but they did not have to smoke right there. they had keys to get in so it wasn't that big a deal. only once did any of them complain at which point i reminded him of the law and pointed out that in a battle i would win and i would do my best to end his career with depot in exchange for the harrassment i was receiving should he decide to pursue any reprimand. he left the doors shut. i even make my roommate(a good buddy of mine) go outside and shut the door everytime he smokes. occasionally i will follow him a him around with some smoke eliminator and febreeze just to point out how annoying smoking is and how ones personal lifestyle choices can negatively effect others. if you want to kill yourself that is your business, but i will thank you for not taking me with you by forcing me to breathe your chosen poison.

having said all that, i have defended the right of my friends to smoke in an area where they are negatively effecting no one except those who choose to join them.