OT: Smoking

[Katlin]

Our City Council just passed a citywide non-smoking ban tonight, meaning it will be illegal to smoke inside any restaurants, bars, and bowling alleys and anywhere within 20 feet of the door.

People are all heated and debating about it.

Some say its great; that nonsmokers shouldn't have to worry about being in a smoking environment.

Some are saying that it's not fair to smokers; they should have the right to smoke wherever they want and that the ban will hurt economy.

There's no real point in this thread other than that I was wondering y'alls opinions, since debates around C-bus have been pretty severe.

[SparkleHugs]

oooo we've had that law in cali for years now. its awesome. its a huge reason i wont leave cali.

[LuvBBMaknJSC]

lol..It's been like that a while in New York City.

[pinky]

I'm all for it! If a smoker wants to smoke in his or her own home, that's their business. As soon as they want to smoke where nonsmokers will be, thenthey're infringing on others' right to clean air.

Interestingly, In New York City there is an ordinance against smoking in restaurants. All the restaurant owners fought it, because they said they would lose business. In fact, their business increased once the ban went into effect!

[loonyinminnesota]

I'm all for it, my Mom died at the age of 37 from Emphysema. She remained a heavy smoker up until she died.

[kk822]

That was my FAVORITE part of living in Cali!!! I hate trying to eat when someone else is smoking!!! I wish they'd pass that law in Texas darn it! I agree with pinky about smokers infringing on nonsmokers right to clean air.

I never got to meet my grandma (mom's mom) because she died from Emphysema when my mom was still in high school :mad:

[PrincessTimberlake]

We have that in Oregon too!

I LOVE it!

[lost_n_justin's_smile]

I'm all for it. The smell of smoke gets to me after awhile. I remember when my family in Michigan would get together for Thanksgiving, we'd have dinner and clear away the dishes. As soon as that was done, they'd light their cigarettes and smoke right there at the table. It was disgusting.

I wish my town would implement a smoking ban.

[SparkleHugs]

whenever i go to vegas (or that one bar in cali that allows it) i leave with the sorest throat and just feeling like total utter crap. they'll never ban cigarettes all together, but i think they should at least put this law in every state.

[Yezdnil]

Yes that is one of my favorite things about Cali. When I lived in Wisconsin, I always hated waking up the morning after going out and smelling like an ashtray.

[Sunfire]

That's what I LOVE about Cali too! If you want to slowly kill yourself, fine. But don't you DARE put my life in danger, that's how I look at it. My Grandma and Grandpa died of smoking! I miss them, especially my Grandma because I was really close to her. :(

I remember, Troy and I went to Lake Tahoe a few months back, and we went on a Monday/Tuesday, our days off. We went and gambled in the casino in the hotel. But then we went a few months later for a show (Carrot Top :D :kiss: ) which was on a Sunday I believe, and I had a REALLY hard trouble gambling there because there were a lot more people, which meant more smokers. I could NOT take it and it was so gross. Yuck.

Just felt like sharing. :D

[profoundfool]

I think it's a good ban...like others have said you are free to do whatever you please as far as smoking or not smoking goes within your own house. In restaurants you bother other people, plus smoking is not the best habit so to make it a less convenient addiction is not something that i have a problem with

[FAJTAFan123]

I think it is great. There are so many things I have to worry about killing me when I go out in public anyway. I don't want to add second hand smoke to the list. It is bad enough my mom smoked around me when I was little. I'm glad she quit a few years ago. Smoking is disgusting. I hope something like this happens where I live soon.

[AlmostFamous]

I think some comedian said it best. By smoking, you lose 10 years of your life. Yeah, but they are the last 10 years, when you are peeing and pooping (they used more colorful wording) on yourself.

No, but seriously, in Florida, you can't smoke anywhere that food sales are more than, I think, 20%. So you can still smoke in a bar or club, but no restaurants. And I think that is great, actually. I get tripped out when I go back home and they still ask if you want smoking or non. LOL!

[HipHopChristian]

If everyone thinks its so great... why are people arguing over it lol. We need a smokers point of view I think.

I think its awesome, I could see how smokers would disagree though. Its taking away their freedom

[Katlin]

If everyone thinks its so great... why are people arguing over it lol. We need a smokers point of view I think.

I think its awesome, I could see how smokers would disagree though. Its taking away their freedom

Yeah...bar owners are saying it should be their own personal choice as to whether or not they allow it because business will suffer and that people have the right to smoke.

[GoalGrl21]

Both of my parents smoke and hate the fact that certain states and cities are banning their right to smoke. And I'm semi-addicted to second hand smoke, so I have to be around smokers anyway. Because otherwise I become Uber-Beotch.

I don't know, I'm inbetween because I've always been raised around smokers. I don't condone their habit, but I understand why they get frustrated.

The thing that really frustrated my mom was the smoking ban at the California beaches. She didn't like that at all, but still smoked when we were at Mission.

But to each their own, everyone has their own opinion and I guess that it would please more people in the long run if smoking wasn't allowed in public places.

[SparkleHugs]

eh no, its taking away our freedom of clean air. they can easily use their freedom to walk their free ass out the door and light up away from our air inside. it isnt banning smoking all together, its bannnig it inside where it just sits ther stagnate moving into the wrong peoplse lungs. its icky.

i think if people dont like it. then quit. they are like 4 bucks a pack anyway. too much $$$

[Katlin]

eh no, its taking away our freedom of clean air. they can easily use their freedom to walk their free ass out the door and light up away from our air inside. it isnt banning smoking all together, its bannnig it inside where it just sits ther stagnate moving into the wrong peoplse lungs. its icky.

i think if people dont like it. then quit. they are like 4 bucks a pack anyway. too much $$$

I agree completely. I can't even count how nany times I've had a meal ruined or had to leave a restaurant because of smoke. It's the dirtiest of all habits, in my opinion.

Perhaps they should just raise the costs even higher? Like to insanely high prices? Maybe that'd keep some people away, lol.

[SparkleHugs]

Both of my parents smoke and hate the fact that certain states and cities are banning their right to smoke. And I'm semi-addicted to second hand smoke, so I have to be around smokers anyway. Because otherwise I become Uber-Beotch.

I don't know, I'm inbetween because I've always been raised around smokers. I don't condone their habit, but I understand why they get frustrated.

The thing that really frustrated my mom was the smoking ban at the California beaches. She didn't like that at all, but still smoked when we were at Mission.

But to each their own, everyone has their own opinion and I guess that it would please more people in the long run if smoking wasn't allowed in public places.


i dont think its medically possible to become addicted to second hand smoke :roll: . are you sure you arent just not around the smokers during pms time?? or are you just a smoker that tries to say she isnt? lol we have alot of those :roll:

smoking at the beaches in cali is because most smokers are really rude about their smoking and just put their butts in the sand that children play in and that is disgusting.

it wouldnt only please more people in the long run, it would leave them healthier.

[PrincessTimberlake]

eh no, its taking away our freedom of clean air. they can easily use their freedom to walk their free ass out the door and light up away from our air inside. it isnt banning smoking all together, its bannnig it inside where it just sits ther stagnate moving into the wrong peoplse lungs. its icky.

i think if people dont like it. then quit. they are like 4 bucks a pack anyway. too much $$$


I TOTALLY agree with this. I don't think I should have to inhale deadly toxins everytime I want to go out.

[Fly_Chiquita]

They're trying to pass a thing like that here too.....I really don't mind it at all, and I smoke. To me, it's not that big of a deal to go outside for 3 minutes and smoke...Yeah it kinda sucks in the winter but I realize that I am making a choice by smoking and have to live with the consequences of that decision. Now GRANTED I am only a social smoker and it may suck more if I smoked like, 2 packs a day, but still. I feel like if you are going to smoke, do it on your own time and places, not where it will effect other people, ESP. Kids...

[SparkleHugs]

They're trying to pass a thing like that here too.....I really don't mind it at all, and I smoke. To me, it's not that big of a deal to go outside for 3 minutes and smoke...Yeah it kinda sucks in the winter but I realize that I am making a choice by smoking and have to live with the consequences of that decision. Now GRANTED I am only a social smoker and it may suck more if I smoked like, 2 packs a day, but still. I feel like if you are going to smoke, do it on your own time and places, not where it will effect other people, ESP. Kids...


i totally love smokers like you! lol i wish more people were like you.

anymore in cali its just the norm. no one really grips about it anymore.

[LA Lady]

As a smoker, I hate having to go outside of a restaurant to smoke. It's a pain. However, I don't argue the law because I understand the point of it. I never believe that I have the right to force non-smokers to breathe in my second-hand smoke. It's not a big deal. Now, if I couldn't smoke in a club / bar, that would be a problem for me. I admittedly wouldn't go out nearly as much if I couldn't smoke in my favorite clubs.

I DO have a problem with the cities / states (and they're out there) where you can't smoke ANYWHERE except basically your own property / home... because you might offend someone.

I personally disagree with not being allowed to smoke on a public beach, because it's open air. Of course, there are friggin slobs EVERYWHERE who are rude enough to not pick up their butts and toss them. Maybe I was just raised with more common courtesy than most. Which is a shame.

[Whoda Thunk?]

We've had the no smoking ban where I live for years. Within the last 2-3 years, they've even made it where you even have to stand a certain number of feet from the doors of public buildings to smoke. I'm so used to not having to breathe smoke that I hate going places where you can smoke any and everywhere.

[SparkleHugs]

most smokers i know just wait until after the meal to go smoke. its just apart of their habbit now.

i think smoke in bars and clubs just ruins the whole experience for me and the places that dont follow the law i wont go in. either way they are losing someones business...lol but most places here are good about having a patio area so that you can go there to smoke.

[GoalGrl21]

No, I don't smoke. And according to medical professionals, they said that a certain percentage of nicotine is put into the air so that if you are around it long enough (try seventeen years of it) that you can become addicted.

I hate smoking, trust me on that one, but when something's that addicting, I can understand why it would be really hard to quit.

[LA Lady]

I think it's an infringement either way. If I'm at a bar or club, and I'm told I can't smoke, my experience is ruined there. If a non-smoker is at a bar or club, and has to inhale my smoke, their experience is ruined there. So it's a lose / lose situation.

I think we should go back to segregation, but rather than black / white, we need to do smoker / non-smoker segregation. That way we can all be happy! I vote for that! That way no ones bar / club experiences are ruined! We can have all-smoking clubs, and non-smoker clubs! If non-smokers wanted to come into the smoking club, they would be allowed, but they'd have to sign a waiver stating that if they cough or choke, or have any medical trauma based upon second hand smoke... they can't blame smokers.

Thoughts?

[GoalGrl21]

Thoughts?I love you. :love: :love: :love:

[SparkleHugs]

it is a good idea, however the coughing or choking isnt necesarily voluntary, but they should keep their mouth shut abuot it.

ive been exposed to more than 17 years of smoking and im not addicted. where are these medical professionals you are refering to? are there links you can show me?

[GoalGrl21]

http://www.man-health-magazine-online.com/nicotine-addiction.html

This just talks about symptoms and the like and when I went and spoke with my doctor, she said that I gave symptoms of nicotine addiction.

http://www.man-health-magazine-online.com/nicotine-facts.html

This is just basic facts about nicotine.

http://www.on.lung.ca/nosmoking/secondhand.html

This is a canadian site that discusses second hand smoke and states that "There is twice as much tar and nicotine in sidestream smoke than mainstream." which is what people who are not the smokers are breathing.

http://www.nida.nih.gov/researchreports/nicotine/nicotine.html

Here's the government's research report on Nicotine.
Basically it was just a common connection between the amount of nicotine that is put into the air and how much you breathe in. Which makes sense that people can become addicted if they are around it long enough.

[SparkleHugs]

yes there is twice as much tar, which is why it is so unhealthy to inhale it i didnt see anything in any of those links pertaining to second hand smoking being addictive, only deadly.

[lost_n_justin's_smile]

There's proof that smoking is addictive. I'm sure that could carryover to people, who even though they don't smoke, have been exposed to it for the majority of their lives.