NFB Smoking in bars

[TraceZ]

I live in the peoples republic of Madison, where the city council and mayor think they know what is best for us.

They are going to outlaw smoking in all businesses. They already did it in restaraunts, which I dont mind so much. "All businesses" includes ALL bars, and the new law is effective 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

I dont smoke, and I dont drink, so I rarely go to a bar. BUT.. this still bothers me. I would like to think if I wanted to go to a bar and light up a cigarette, I could. We are watching the liberals in government take our freedoms away. What will they ban next? Drinking alcohol in a bar? Why do they feel the need to stick there fingers in everyones business? What kind of egotistical jerk thinks they can make decisions for others?

I never liked going to really smokey bars... But, lots of folks love that environment. Who's right is it to deny them that? These idiots in government really tick me off.

Next it will be our hot cars. Some all high and mightly liberal will decide that the roads will be safer and insurance will cost less without the high power sports car and ban them. This liberal will do a study, and come up with a figure of how many lives will be saved if no car has more than 200 hp. They will show the cost savings in fuel and insurance.

It is bound to happen folks.

[Steve95formula]

My local bar has an outdoor section where you can smoke. Its a big deck like place thats covered. They also have a sand pit where you can play volley ball. They close it durring winter months though.

[Mike71]

its been like that in cali for years..saves peoples lungs that dont smoke since 2nd hand smoke is worse then puffing away urself

[TraceZ]

Originally posted by Mike71
its been like that in cali for years..saves peoples lungs that dont smoke since 2nd hand smoke is worse then puffing away urself

Some bars are smokey, and some are not. Why can't the government just leave it up to us to decide where we take our business?
Tooo many laws.

[TODD 2000 V6 CAMARO]

I can understand and support a law saying no smoking in restaurants and other businesses where a vast majority of the public frequents, including children. I am kind of divided on the whole no smoking in bars thing, though. I mean, people kind of expect to be in a smokey environment when in a bar, they know it is going to be there, so they really have no reason to complain. However, there are those who drink and like the social environment of a bar, but don't smoke and don't want to be subjected to second hand smoke. So, I guess since you can't please everyone all the time, the answer might be to have some bars be non-smoking and some smoking. Then again, the bars that were non-smoking would probably lose alot of business to the smoking bars. Geez, this is a complicated issue. Anyway, I say no smoking in all public buildings, except bars, and the owners of the bars have the right to say whether they are smoking or non, or can set up non smoking areas in their bars. But I would also say that any bar that allows smoking should have proper ventilation systems to reduce the amount of second hand smoke that builds up in the building. Just my $0.02

[TraceZ]

Originally posted by TODD 2000 V6 CAMARO
I can understand and support a law saying no smoking in restaurants and other businesses where a vast majority of the public frequents, including children. I am kind of divided on the whole no smoking in bars thing, though. I mean, people kind of expect to be in a smokey environment when in a bar, they know it is going to be there, so they really have no reason to complain. However, there are those who drink and like the social environment of a bar, but don't smoke and don't want to be subjected to second hand smoke. So, I guess since you can't please everyone all the time, the answer might be to have some bars be non-smoking and some smoking. Then again, the bars that were non-smoking would probably lose alot of business to the smoking bars. Geez, this is a complicated issue. Anyway, I say no smoking in all public buildings, except bars, and the owners of the bars have the right to say whether they are smoking or non, or can set up non smoking areas in their bars. But I would also say that any bar that allows smoking should have proper ventilation systems to reduce the amount of second hand smoke that builds up in the building. Just my $0.02

That sounds fair to me. Lets at least allow people the opportunity to make a decision as to what they want.

[Mr Nice Guy]

I think if they had a really good ventilation system to suck the smoke out, so the place dosen't look like it's on fire, it wouldn't be that big of a deal. I don't smoke but like to shoot pool, play darts, or watch a band play now and then. I hate having watery itchy eyes, coughing, and wreaking of smoke when I leave. Most bars have little or no ventilation. I refuse to go to those places for that reason but it sucks to sit at home when all your friends are going to those places. I say ban the smoking in public buildings unless an extremely good ventilation system is installed. I love the fact that I no longer have to smell smoke while I'm eating at restaurants. I always said "having a smoking section in a restaurant is like having a peeing section in a pool." Later

[DJ Taso]

Actually, Im for it. In the enviornment I work in (clubs) everytime I come home I reek of cigerettes, and I don't even smoke! All my clothes smell like smoke everytime I come home, but that's the price you have to pay to work in this business.

[TraceZ]

Originally posted by Mr Nice Guy
I think if they had a really good ventilation system to suck the smoke out, so the place dosen't look like it's on fire, it wouldn't be that big of a deal. I don't smoke but like to shoot pool, play darts, or watch a band play now and then. I hate having watery itchy eyes, coughing, and wreaking of smoke when I leave. Most bars have little or no ventilation. I refuse to go to those places for that reason but it sucks to sit at home when all your friends are going to those places. I say ban the smoking in public buildings unless an extremely good ventilation system is installed. I love the fact that I no longer have to smell smoke while I'm eating at restaurants. I always said "having a smoking section in a restaurant is like having a peeing section in a pool." Later

I agree on the restaraunt smoking. The majority of the people in every bar I've been in smoke. Most of the non smokers dont mind it. We are going to completely ban it for a slim minority. Why not just set a clean air standard and force bars to ventilate until they meet the standard?

[TraceZ]

Originally posted by DJ Taso
Actually, Im for it. In the enviornment I work in (clubs) everytime I come home I reek of cigerettes, and I don't even smoke! All my clothes smell like smoke everytime I come home, but that's the price you have to pay to work in this business.

Interesting perspective. If the bar is your workplace, how do you fight for a smoke free workplace? You have a point. How can we allow smoking in bars, yet not force the employees to smell it all day?

I remember in shop class they had a central vacuum system for the sawdust. Why not use some PVC pipe and a vacuum to make a smoke recovery system in a bar? Have a smoke collection hood over every table or something.

This is going to cost alot.

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

Re: NFB Smoking in bars

Originally posted by TraceZ
I live in the peoples republic of Madison, where the city council and mayor think they know what is best for us.

Madison is a mess politically - I am ashamed of what goes on there and in Milwaukee as well. Our state has 2 bad senators, a bad governor, and Milwaukee has yet another bad mayor. Other than the outrageous taxes and all the liberals, this is a fine state. Oh, and we got tons of fat chicks. I've tried and tried, but I just can't love them. It's a shame cause they're a way underutilized resource. Go Wisconsin!

[fastTa]

This is definitely a topic that is gaining more and more attention across the country.

Although I consider myself to be a conservative, I think alot of these new "controlling" type laws are a byproduct of the overwhelming increase in frivolous lawsuits. Second hand smoke is no doubt dangerous and unhealthy but people are aware of that when they enter a bar.

On the other hand, why shouldn't a non-smoker be able to go out to a bar with his friends without having to breathe in the second hand smoke?

I would say that I totally agree with no smoking in restaraunts, but I am a little torn on the bar issue.

[N20LT4Bird]

I gotta disagree. This whole thing annoys me. I dont smoke, never had and never will (maybe a cigar here and there ) , but this is just another shot at the freedom we should enjoy in this country. It doesnt matter what people like. If a business owner wants to allow smoking in his private establishment - THATS HIS BUSINESS. If you dont like smoke, or dont want your family to breath it - dont go there. Its that simple. Its called freedom. This is flat out wrong. This is one more step towards socialism (not like were not there already). Whats next?

[Mr Nice Guy]

Originally posted by N20LT4Bird
I gotta disagree. This whole thing annoys me. I dont smoke, never had and never will (maybe a cigar here and there ) , but this is just another shot at the freedom we should enjoy in this country. It doesnt matter what people like. If a business owner wants to allow smoking in his private establishment - THATS HIS BUSINESS. If you dont like smoke, or dont want your family to breath it - dont go there. Its that simple. Its called freedom. This is flat out wrong. This is one more step towards socialism (not like were not there already). Whats next?

Yes but think of peoples rights not to inhale smoke when doing things in public buildings. Maybe bars are Ok but if it was legal to smoke in all establishments you would be very limited to where you can enjoy a night out and not inhale a toxic cancer causing substance. Second hand smoke is not just an annoyance, like crappy or loud music, it's a proven health hazard that we shouldn't be subjected to on a daily basis. Just because people are careless and damage their own health I don't think it should affect mine. Most smokers seem to have no consideration for non smokers hence we have to have laws. No smoking laws are a far from socialism IMHO....Later

[N20LT4Bird]

Originally posted by Mr Nice Guy
Yes but think of peoples rights not to inhale smoke when doing things in public buildings. Maybe bars are Ok but if it was legal to smoke in all establishments you would be very limited to where you can enjoy a night out and not inhale a toxic cancer causing substance. Second hand smoke is not just an annoyance, like crappy or loud music, it's a proven health hazard that we shouldn't be subjected to on a daily basis. Just because people are careless and damage their own health I don't think it should affect mine. Most smokers seem to have no consideration for non smokers hence we have to have laws. No smoking laws are a far from socialism IMHO....Later

PUBLIC buildings are one thing. Private businesses are a totally different ball game. Bars are owned by private individuals who have the right to operate the type of establishment that they want to. If there was a niche for a non-smoking bar, then anyone who has the time, money and ambition can open one to cater to those who wish to patronize that type of establishment. Thats a right. You as an individual have the right to not go to a smoke filled bar. If people stopped going to smoke filled bars, and the owners CHOSE to make them smoke free in order to draw in the non-smokers than thats their right.

As far as non-smoking laws being a far from socialism......yes, in and of itself, I agree. But its that type of mentality that speaks of socialism........Big Brother deciding whats best for everybody. Id rather decide whats best for myself . I dont like smoke. I dont go to bars....no big deal. Others like smoke. Thats their right.