The whole law of no smoking in public places

Original post by WithThisRing

Apr 03, 2003 10:44 PM

I had bowling tonight and every Thursday when I come home I have to take a shower and febreeze my clothes before I can put them in the hamper because I completly reak of cigarette smoke.

I dont smoke so this law benefits me as a non smoker. I am so glad to have come home tonight and not smell of cigarettes

Though I am not entirely selfish, I did however feel bad for the woman who do smoke because they had to keep changing their shoes or put their little booties on to protect their bowling shoes to go outside to have a cigarette. Some even sneaked into a bathroom just to get a puff.

I was very happy to see that the establishment posted signs all over the place and even made an announcement over the loud speaker reminding bowlers of the law.

Thrilled Posted: Apr 04, 2003 09:39 AM

Re: The whole law of no smoking in public places

Shamma, I completely respect your right to your health and I would never smoke in your presence if you asked me not to

Fact is, however, this law is costing private bar owners, waitresses and bartenders a LOT of money. This is actually BAD for the bar business - contrary to popular belief, having non-smoking bars does not encourage non-smokers to come out and enjoy the bars more often. What it is doing is driving the normal lifeblood of the bar business - smokers - away. And that's a shame for the bar owners and it's a shame for tax paying citizens (smokers) to be driven away like pariahs.

ChristineC68 Posted: Apr 04, 2003 09:40 AM

Re: The whole law of no smoking in public places

I think this law is ridiculous. The only thing it will accomplish is reduce the income of drinking bars.

Just last night I was talking to a bartender in Nassau county and said the 'non-smoking law is killing their busniess. This place is usually jam packed on a Thursday evening and look at it' (there were 12 people in the bar).

As bad as the NYC law is, I was even more outraged to read that NYS is imposing even stricter non-smoking laws. NYC was going to allow establishments to section off a portion of their bar with a dedicated ventilation system for smoking. There were places in the city that were going ot great expense to do this. Then NYS comes in and says, nope - you can't even do that! Will these establishments get their money back for trying to comply? I doubt it!

I am SURE we are one step away from someone saying that the NYC streets have vendors - this is their work place and smoking will be banned there too

As far as I know, smoking is still legal in this state and this country. There is no law that states that non-smokers HAVE to work in bars that allow smoking.

And the exhorbitant taxes placed on cigarettes was to help recover income lost due to 9/11 and other economic events.

BTW, yes I am a smoker. And I am all for smoke free restaurants, no one wants smoke blown in their face while they are eating.

KarenK122 Posted: Apr 04, 2003 09:41 AM

Re: The whole law of no smoking in public places

I am a smoker and while I agree with most of you that I myself do not like people smoking while I'm eating or in the movie theathers and such, but I do think that is absolutely crazy to ban smoking from all inside establishments. Smoking is not illegal but the new laws make smokers feel like criminals sneaking outside to take a 'puff'. I just think this law went to far. I think it would have been more beneficial to have seperate smoking rooms or something of the sort rather than to have it banned completely. What's the next thing they are going to ban....drinking alcohol???

dkga1026 Posted: Apr 04, 2003 09:41 AM

Re: The whole law of no smoking in public places

Shamma and others - I totally agree that non-smokers should not have to breathe in our second-hand smoke. I am with you on that! But, I guess what I'm advocating is having bars known as 'smoking establishments' and bars known as 'non-smoking establishments'. And I agree with keeping places like bowling alleys and restaurants completely smoke free.

shamma Posted: Apr 04, 2003 09:42 AM

Re: The whole law of no smoking in public places

Thrilled, do you really believe that if these patrons cannot smoke they will not come out?? I beg to differ, I think when people go to bar, they go for the atmosphere, the drinks and the people. I would like to do a poll of bar owners to see if they feel as if business has fallen off since the law has gone in to effect.

Thrilled, not everyone is as considerate as you. I wish all restaurants all over did not allow smoking, while I was in Paris, I almost died, they smoke everywhere. The same down south Yuck!!! I just cannot take how it makes my nose burn and make me cough and make me smell.

ChristineC68 Posted: Apr 04, 2003 09:46 AM

Re: The whole law of no smoking in public places

Shamma - I totally respect your feelings on smoking. I would never smoke around someone that does not like it - I always ask the person I am with if they mind! Many times I go out and don't smoke b/c my sister or one of my friends dont like it.

Karen - you put it perfectly, we are made to feel like criminals!

A few weeks ago I was outside my office building standing next to one of those ashtrays having a cigarette. Then some guy walks over and stand 4 feet away from me and starts yelling at me about smoking around him. W T F??? I was standing there first and by an ASHTRAY!! What did he think it was there for?? Then he started to threaten to spit at me!!! I was so ****ed and one of the guys in my building told him to 'watch what you say and you are not doing anything to her' Why should I be subjected to that!??!!!! I am not breaking any laws here. I was so angry

wacky Posted: Apr 04, 2003 09:47 AM

Re: The whole law of no smoking in public places

n you imaging sitting in jail next to someone who was caught selling cocaine and you are in for smoking a cigarette.

ChristineC68 Posted: Apr 04, 2003 09:48 AM

Re: The whole law of no smoking in public places

Shamma, see my first post. I have been told by owners and bartenders that business is falling off!

shamma Posted: Apr 04, 2003 09:51 AM

Re: The whole law of no smoking in public places

Christine, I guess we were posting at the same time. I saw your post after the fact.

If I see someone smoking outside the building, why would I go and stand next to them, how stupid is that. That man must have been crazy

Christine I would like to see the poll over a period of time, not just right after the law. People who love hanging out in bars with their friends will still do it, law or no law. Especially, with baseball season coming up and foot ball season, and the warmer weather. I would like you to ask your friend after a little while and let us know

Wacky you are crazy

cw0904 Posted: Apr 04, 2003 09:57 AM

Re: The whole law of no smoking in public places

Christine are you serious some jerk did that to you? I would have given him a piece of my mind as well as kicked him in the you know what for coming at me like that! People got some nerve.

ChristineC68 Posted: Apr 04, 2003 10:06 AM

Re: The whole law of no smoking in public places

The law has been in effect in Nassau county for a few months already and they are already feeling the effects.

On another note. A friend of mine was going to open a cigar bar in baldwin last year just as the law came down in nassau. They already leased a storefront and aquired their liquor license when the law was put in place so there was no turning back. they decided to make it a cigar lounge and sell cigars, pipe tobacco, cigarettes, etc. and provide a place for people to sit inside and smoke. (the law states that 90% of income must come from tobacco to allow smoking inside) They sell coffee, snapples, soda, etc. Since they have a licquor license, patrons can bring their own drinks in. They opened in December I think. They are already looking to expand because the DEMAND for this is so high!

and yeah - people are nuts!

Teri Posted: Apr 04, 2003 10:17 AM

Re: The whole law of no smoking in public places

I'm a former smoker and LOVE this new law! The only place I was surprised to hear about is bars - so many ppl smoke when they drink I'm surprised there wasn't more of an uproar about this. But not yet sure it is really working. I was just in a pub 2 wks ago in Nassau, after the law passed, and everyone was smoking?!

When I did smoke I was used to going outside and to be honest, I don't think that's asking too much. Sometimes even outdoor places are still annoying when a smoker is nearby.

WithThisRing Posted: Apr 04, 2003 11:29 AM

Re: The whole law of no smoking in public places

Diane where do you bowl???

I agree with if you smoke its your right to do so, and I also agree with if you want to destroy your lungs please dont destroy mine.

I am just in the middle of how I feel. I love that their is this law, but I feel bad for those it affects

sha11209 Posted: Apr 04, 2003 11:34 AM

Re: The whole law of no smoking in public places

I love this law! I think it's great that I can go out to a bar and not reek of smoke! I was out last night in NYC and it was so weird o have the air so clear and not smoky! It was crazy to see all the people standing outside smoking! It looked rediculous! What I also like is that I'm pretty much garanteed a spot at the bar b/c people kept leaving to go outside to smoke! That was awesome! The bar I was at was still packed despite the law, people just kept going in and out. I think they will still come to the bars, but I guess their revenue will go down b/c of people not drinking during the times they step outside...oh well! People will adjust.

yabbobay Posted: Apr 04, 2003 11:47 AM

Re: The whole law of no smoking in public places

I am completely against this law for one reason only: it is completely unconstitutional...we should really look at what kind of control our government takes of our lives...whats next? we cannot drink in bars b/c it causes liver damage...or someone could drink and drive and kill someone...or people could get into a fight?

BE CAREFUL PEOPLE!! don't let the government take away your rights!!

This country bases our foundation on capitalism...and according to capitalism...the business owners decide the rules...if there is a DEMAND for non-smoking bars- there would be non-smoking bars...

thrilled...I think this is the first time we agree on something!!

BriarRose Posted: Apr 04, 2003 12:19 PM

Re: The whole law of no smoking in public places

I have such issues with this whole thing. My father is a bar owner/smoker and I shudder to think what kind of effect this will have on his business.

I dont think you should be allowed to smoke in a restuarant. I always enjoyed how convenient it was to smoke at your table but, understand it's effect others. Especially now that I have my son, you know how hard it is to go to a restaurant with him? I agree that you should not smoke where other's eat.

However as a smoker and a former clubgoer/barhopper, I would be very annoyed at having to call it a night just to smoke a ciggarette.

My father and many other business owners are working together on getting the ban lifted from drinking establishments. Right now they are just talking amongst themselves and there lawyers, too see what the options are.

The ban just passed here in my area of Fl and goes into effect this june, good thing I'm too old to party!!

Marnles Posted: Apr 04, 2003 12:59 PM

Re: The whole law of no smoking in public places

Smoker here, who is actually for the ban. Do I HATE it - yes, do I UNDERSTAND it, yes.

Shamma -
I will not smoke in your presence at the GTG!!!! I will bring bath & bodyworks spray to cover the smell, and gum - I promise!!!!!

Scoop Posted: Apr 04, 2003 12:59 PM

Re: The whole law of no smoking in public places

I am not a smoker but I do feel bad for smokers. I mean, don't they have rights too? However, I agree that it will feel so good to come home from restaurants, bars, etc. w/o your hair & clothes smelling of cigarettes.

I'm in the middle on this one...supporting both sides.