Who has to deal with a smoking ban in their city? What are everyone's thoughts? I'm ENRAGED!!!!!

[fireflytx 0]

A STUPID FUCKING SMOKING BAN WENT THROUGH HERE IN AUSTIN! I am really upset my money is going to definitely hurt as of September 1st when this ban goes in effect. I know all the arguments for why it will be better but I CHOOSE WHERE TO WORK AND I DO I KNOW WHAT IT DOES TO MY HEALTH. Last year here in Austin you had to get a certain air filtration system put in and get a permit to have smoking. Ok, Fine. My club did that along with 200 other bars & restaurants. THIS LEFT SMOKERS AND NONSMOKERS A CHOICE OF WHERE TO WORK OR PATRON. And if you know anything about Austin, 200 bars and restaurants is MAYBE a third of what is here. BUT NOW IT IS BANNED!!!!!

I had a plan this year to pay off my credit card, buy a new rig, pay off my car early and get Lasik surgery and perhaps next year take some trips and go to school. Now because of stupid do-gooders that think they know what is best for me I probably won't be able to get my eyes fixed, or persue my life in the way I had planned out for this year.

We lost by 2% or the vote. I think it was rigged. What right does the city have to even bring it to vote?????? THEY DON'T! I am going to fight this. It is smoking first, what is next alcohol??? This is prohibition all over again! So I guess if we have a vote that everyone should eat bananas on a Wednesday and it pass we need to eat bananas on a Wednesday. WTF?????

Our rights are slowly being taken away from us, everyone. We need to stand up and fight. This is America, Land of the Free!

Or maybe not so free.......

"Well behaved women rarely make history"

[kingbunky 3]

we have the same thing here. the bar we (a bunch of skydivers) go to every tuesday night used to allow smoking. now they don't. we talked to the bartender about it and he said that initially, smokers stopped coming, but ex-patrons that left because of the smoke started coming back, then the smokers came back as well, they just had to step outside to have a butt. it'll work out.

"Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart."
MB4252 TDS699
killing threads since 2001

[pop 0]

Yeah as much as I like going home not smelling like smoke...banning smoking is bullshit....this is a free country....you can go anywhere in Europe that is not so "free" as us and smoke anywhere you want. But then again...its a standard to get 4 weeks vacation in Europe...so WTF?

7 ounce wonders, music and dogs that are not into beer

[QuickDraw 0]

Ask them to ban cars and anything else that produces smoke/fumes from the city.

Same thing on a bigger scale.
I feel your pain dude.

-- Hope you don't die. --

I'm fucking winning

[nanook 1]

Smoke Ban history has proven that the smokers will always come back. I saw it here in California and other places.

_____________________________

"The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you can never know if they are genuine" - Abraham Lincoln

[fireflytx 0]

California has a lot more terraces to smoke on.

"Well behaved women rarely make history"

[QuickDraw 0]

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you can go anywhere in Europe that is not so "free" as us and smoke anywhere you want.

Not any more mate, a few places are taking that stance on smoking now.

Vive La Revolution.

-- Hope you don't die. --

I'm fucking winning

[ChrisL 2]

Its bound to be a painful transition, but ultimately maybe nobody will smoke anymore.
I dont think its our freedoms being taken away.
The majority dont smoke and forced change through the political process.

That's exercising our freedom, not taking it away.

Thats democracy.

It sucks that its going to hit some folks in the wallet.

I dont think smoking should be illegal, but I think people that choose to smoke should do it in private where the smoke doesnt hurt anyone else
that did NOT chose to breathe it. Not in public places.

I smoked for 25 years and I felt this way the entire time. As a ex-smoker my feelings have not changed one bit.

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My mighty steed

[pop 0]

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Quote

you can go anywhere in Europe that is not so "free" as us and smoke anywhere you want.

Not any more mate, a few places are taking that stance on smoking now.

Vive La Revolution.

Bastards!!!!!!

7 ounce wonders, music and dogs that are not into beer

[ccowden 0]

It basically comes down to smoking infringing on others rights to breathe clean air. If someone is drinking alcohol next to me, it doesn't impact my health. If someone eats a banana next to me it doesn't impact my health. If someone's driking starts to impact others, that is where the laws are in place. I smoke cigars from time to time and there are almost no bars that will allow me to smoke them. Why? because people find them offensive. Is it my right to smoke them? Yes. Is it my right to force people to deal with it just because it's my right? No. But in these same bars that don't allow cigars, they do allow cigarettes. Is that right? No. But cigarettes have been accepted by society as something we have to put up with even if you are a non-smoker.

Bottom line- 53,000 non-smokers die every year in this country from second hand smoke. Whe someone's right to smoke has that type of impact on others, I think we need to change things.

It is a pain for smokers and I understand that. But just saying it's your right and the rest of us just have to deal with it is not the answer. What the answer is, I don't know exactly.

Just some thoughts and opinions. This is in no way meant to be a slam at you or your feelings. I just thought I would answer your post.

[nanook 1]

True. Now that I think of it, the Gaslamp Quarter allows someone to stroll and smoke. I hope your area has a good front to hang out at.

_____________________________

"The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you can never know if they are genuine" - Abraham Lincoln

[DrunkMonkey 0]

*yawn* Wah.

[scottbre 0]

Sorry, but maybe you could better explain why a smoking ban would affect your finances...

I'm not making the connection.

"Your mother's full of stupidjuice!"
My Art Project

[Icon134 0]

Who thinks this conversation belongs in SC? Sorry... trying to lighten the mood a bit...

An exercise in democracy is precisely what this is... personally as a non-smoker I don't like to sit at a bar or club that is completely full of smoke...

Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife...

[ChrisL 2]

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Sorry, but maybe you could better explain why a smoking ban would affect your finances...

I'm not making the connection.

I think he works in a bar/restaurant and feels the ban will cut into business/tips

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My mighty steed

[Kris 0]

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I think he works in a bar/restaurant and feels the ban will cut into business/tips

Firefly is a "she", and quite a lovely one at that. I believe she's a dancer.

As for the ban, it sucks, but as a smoker, I can actually understand this one. Secondhand smoke isn't very pleasant stuff, healthwise. Granted, it's your decision whether to tolerate it or not.

There was a vote taken here to ban smoking in restaurants/clubs and even one to raise the taxes on cigarettes. I voted for the first one and after reading where the taxes were going, I voted for the second.

Businesses here were screaming about lost patronage, and they did suffer for a short while, then the numbers bounced back to the same levels.

Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and
Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™

[TheAnvil 0]

This is one of several issues that makes me a very hypocritical libertarian. I support smoking bans in general.

I cannot STAND coming home smelling like cigarette smoke. It really, really pisses me the fuck off. 'Go to bars that don't allow smoking Anvil, you dumbfuck!' you might respond, and I would reply 'which ones are those again?' because the majority do allow smoking, in order to cater to more patrons, knowing that those who detest cigarettes will come in anyway. The converse will hold true as well - the patrons that want to smoke will eventually come in anyway due to lack of options.

Going against my libertarian beliefs on this one. I support the ban. It's healthier for everyone.

Yes, I am a hypocrite and a real JACKASS. Sorry you're enraged and hope you don't lose business as you predict.

This might be more appropriate for Speaker's Corner.

Vinny the Anvil
Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL
JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

[unformed 0]

I assure you in some places, it can affect it greatly.

We had a smoking ban go through in our town. Well, there's a fine rstaurant/cigar club heavily catered to businessman. They would have informal business meetings, eat good food, drink good wine, and smoke good cigars, while talking about their businness plans, and the owner said, they used to keep coming back because it was such a relaxing placae .... he got fined way to many times for allowing cigar smoking after the ban, and eventually had to disallow it ... yeah, he lost a lot money in the process ...


this does show democracy, but just as it's people rights to breathe fresh air, it should be a proprietor's rights to allow whatever he pleases in his restaurant/bar. You still have the right to leave.

This ad space for sale.

[AndyMan 7]

I'm jealous. I LOVE cities that ban smoking. When in a city with smokeless bars, I go to more, stay longer, and spend more money. I LOVE the fact that when i come home my clothes don't stink.

There's talk again in Chicago of them banning smoking. I really hope they do.

Cities that have banned smoking have found that their restaurants get more business afterwards.

_Am

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You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[rower 0]

I live in Austin and am a non-smoker, but unfortunately, was out of town for the vote. In any case, I spend a lot of time in bars seeing live music so I'm interested to see how it will affect the venues that I frequent as well as the music scene. Honestly, I'm not even sure how I feel about the smoking ban. While I believe in my right not to have to inhale that bullshit, I also know that I can choose not to go to those places, but I choose to accept the risk and go anyway.

Sorry to hear that this will negatively affect your income

[Darius11 12]

Yea I agree with you.

I am an Ex-smoker but I think it is just stupid to ban smoking.

Unfortunately it seems are system is run by hype whatever gets the more hype seems to become law and get attention.
If you want to not smoke don't smoke or go to a place where there is no smoking. I get sick of people always-making people follow what they think is right.

People have different wants and opinions.
We should respect them all.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[lawrocket 3]

Welcome aboard! We've dealt with this for years here in Cali. It's social engineering, make no mistake about it.

Back in the early 80's, airlines could not allow smoking on flights of less than two hours. I thought that reasonable considering planes are tubes. But then it went up to four hours. Then transcontinental flights. Then International flights. Then airports all together. Then public buildings. Then public parks and other areas.

Now it's moved to private businesses. Next step is on private property.

You must understand that this is done for the children. It is not about choice. After all, the system is set up so we all have to pay for people's "bad choices." That means that we, as a society, should ban these "bad choices" from occurring.

I'm shocked that you can care so little about society and about the children. Are you merely a paid tool of the tobacco companies?

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[Conundrum 1]

You cannot smoke inside any public building, except *some* bars in California, and I love it.

Take that shit outside. Why should I have to breathe your unhealthy smoke so you're not inconvenienced for 5 minutes?

Most people who smoke will argue the exact opposite and say " Well why should I have to be outside so you're not inconvenienced with my smoke?

My answer to that is: I'm not doing aything to harm your lungs if I stay inside and not smoke, if you smoke inside, you're harming my lungs.

[ChrisL 2]

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Firefly is a "she", and quite a lovely one at that. I believe she's a dancer.

Apologies to firefly for misrepresenting her gender.

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My mighty steed

[SkydiveNFlorida 0]

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I dont think smoking should be illegal, but I think people that choose to smoke should do it in private where the smoke doesnt hurt anyone else
that did NOT chose to breathe it. Not in public places.

Agreed.

I also used to smoke. I don't do so any longer. When I smoked it didn't bother me to be around smoke, of course, and I was a little upset when smoking was taken out of certain bars, etc, here in Florida. But, I got used to it, and came to appreciate the way things didn't smell anymore. I eventually quit smoking and am not longer tolerant of it. I would like to enjoy a meal and a beer without breathing in someone's second hand smoke.

In short, i'm FOR the ban. . . everywhere. Smoke at home or in designated areas. Me, my family, my friends, other people and their children do not deserve to be forced to breathe that crap in while walking in the park, down the street, etc, either. Not to mention cigarette butts that are thrown everywhere, I think people should be fined.

-A