Smoking bans in bars

[Reggie1971]

(Note: sorry if this discussion has been posted before )

Several months back the city council in Dallas, TX took it upon themselves to ban smoking in all bars in Dallas (excluding the cigar variety). The ban takes effect this April 10th.

What is everyone's opinion about this? Personally I think that smoking and drinking sort of go hand and hand, and that the bar owner should make the decision about whether he wants to allow it or not.

[Kat24]

I can see it hurting sales. I'm not a smoker but, I used to be and know plenty of people who are. And I'm sure there are many nonsmokers who'll love the idea of being able to go into a bar and not choke on smoke. But, I have to wonder what it will do to their sales when the majority of people will have to get up and go outside for a smoke. And I guess bouncers will now have the task of throwing out the pissed off drunk person who won't take their cigarette outside.

[~tangerine~]

I won't go into a restaurant that i know allows smoking and i avoid bars because i can't stand to be around smoke, not even for a minute. I think it's a good idea for establishments that are restaurant/bars to be non-smoking, but i think that small neighborhood bars (where locals go for cheap beer and pool) should be allowed to do what they want. There are enough places to hang out that i would never miss the smoke filled corner bars.

I will just add that second hand smoke is just as bad as smoking yourself, and i don't think non-smokers should have to be exposed to smoke.

[ninelives]

I don't think it's hurt sales at all. I've yet to hear someone say they won't go to a bar because you can't smoke inside. I for one am happy about the fact it's pretty nationwide now.

[spats]

I agree with the ban. Second hand smoke kills. Nobody else should suffer because of someone else's bad habit.

[Footsteps of Dawn]

I don't know what to think about this. I definitely think smoking should be banned in restaurants and other public areas, but bars? I don't know. Even though smoking's been banned in indoor areas for years here, it still just seems kinda wrong not to be able to smoke in a bar (though I don't smoke myself). And come on, if you're hanging around in bars so much that you're seriously at risk for lung cancer, that's probably not your only problem. Although it's probably a good idea to ban it for the employees' sake, hmm.

Maybe you should have the option of getting one of those super-duper air filters like they have in casinos in Las Vegas if you really want your patrons to be able to smoke inside.

[PennyLane]

Wish I could light up one now, but I can't. I really enjoyed smoking. Anyways, I don't think smoking should be banned in restaurants or bars. Have we gotten to be "too politically correct"? I remember the 2 martini lunches back in the day. And, yes I am ex-smoker.

[longdistancewinner]

Smoking in pubs, clubs and restaurants was banned in Britain about two years ago. I don't think it's affected sales one bit. We have heated areas outside for smokers, and inside is nice and smoke free. I can now go to the pub without smelling like an ashtray, and people can still enjoy a pint and have a fag. In the summer everyone's outside anyway, so we all win. It's only in the winter that people don't like being outside, but most pubs now have built heated shelters for smokers.

[3hrsoflunacy]

It's been banned here in California for several years. The ban covers quite a lot of different places - restaurants, bars, ballparks, etc.

[~Bonnie~]

I don't know what to think about this. I definitely think smoking should be banned in restaurants and other public areas, but bars? I don't know. Even though smoking's been banned in indoor areas for years here, it still just seems kinda wrong not to be able to smoke in a bar (though I don't smoke myself). And come on, if you're hanging around in bars so much that you're seriously at risk for lung cancer, that's probably not your only problem. Although it's probably a good idea to ban it for the employees' sake, hmm.

Maybe you should have the option of getting one of those super-duper air filters like they have in casinos in Las Vegas if you really want your patrons to be able to smoke inside.

Good point.

[Jahfin]

And come on, if you're hanging around in bars so much that you're seriously at risk for lung cancer, that's probably not your only problem.

Except for those of us that frequent clubs to hear live music. On that front, the majority of the bars here have a no smoking policy or have a portion of the club designated for smokers.

[minah149]

I live in Oregon and I have family in the Los Angeles area. My uncle told me that when the smoking ban was passed in California in '98, business went up. Then in '01, a smoking ban for ALL workplaces, including bars, was passed in my city but not in the rest of Oregon. There was only one other city in Oregon with a similar smoking ban. Around the same time, smoking was banned in restaurants but not in bars for the rest of Oregon. So what we had was people planning what town they were going to go to a bar in so they could smoke over their drinks.

However, just this year, a ban on smoking inside any business was put all over Oregon. The thing is, when the smoking ban was passed in my city in '01, bar business tanked here. Oregon is just a different place and much of it is very rural so naturally, people weren't too happy to not be able to smoke and drink inside the bars. Now, people cannot even smoke within 10 feet of any doorway of any business, and if it's a school or other public building, it's 50 feet.

Now, I certainly understand the concern with second-hand smoke and the thing is, smoky air can be nauseating as well as extremely dangerous. I was just reading up again on the effects of smoking this morning and to force non-smokers to deal with second-hand smoke is dangerous and extremely rude.

I think that as long as smoking cigarettes is legal, at very least the bars should have (as many here do) an outdoor place that is shielded from the public where people can take their drinks and smoke outside. Several of our bars have the propane fueled outdoor heaters well away from the building with a cover and a fence around the area so people can do just that. That is probably what has saved our bar business from completely disappearing because of the smoking bans.

[ally]

I'm a smoker and I have to admit that I agree with the ban in inclosed areas. No argument there. I smoke much less when I'm out these day's and that's a good thing. I've learned to live with the rules and TBH welcome them. A total ban however is another matter. Total overkill IMHO. If I wish to have a smoke outside and away from people why should that be any concern to anyone else. Too many freakin' do gooders out there who want to stick their nose in other peoples buisness. I'm not in your space, get the fuck out of mine BTW, why don't people like that go down to skid road and try to work their wonders on the poor bastard that's cranking a fix at a bus stop and leaving his needle in a public park or have the presence of mind to stop every non smoking punter who walks out of a pub and decides it's cool to drive home ? FUCK ! I just wanted a walk and an excuse for a couple of pints

[Pb Derigable]

I personally like this ban.

Obama just raised cig tax to pay for children health care. So when cig sales go down, and therefore the tax revenue go down, Obama will have another reason to raise taxes for everyone.

Awesome

In truth, i see it this way. I don't visit alot of bars that have a smokey environment. Most bars now have areas to smoke. No big deal.

[Reggie1971]

I won't go into a restaurant that i know allows smoking and i avoid bars because i can't stand to be around smoke, not even for a minute. I think it's a good idea for establishments that are restaurant/bars to be non-smoking, but i think that small neighborhood bars (where locals go for cheap beer and pool) should be allowed to do what they want. There are enough places to hang out that i would never miss the smoke filled corner bars.

I will just add that second hand smoke is just as bad as smoking yourself, and i don't think non-smokers should have to be exposed to smoke.

I think that's the best compromise I've heard, and yes folks I think there is room for compromise on this. Here in Dallas the big establishments probably won't experience a huge drop off in sales due to the ban, so I'm not going to get my libertarian guns up too much about it. But in some of the little places ( I go to one that isn't too much bigger than my apartment) EVERYONE SMOKES, including the bartenders, and everyone is complaining about the ban. These are single proprietor neighorhood places that people don't go to to be part of a "scene". It's like a second living room to them. I've been going there and hanging out with some of the same people for 17 years and I get the sense that now they are going to flee to some of the smoke friendly suburbs rather than endure an unpleasant nicotine fit that alcohol seems to magnify when you can't smoke.

[Knebby]

I agree with the ban. Second hand smoke kills. Nobody else should suffer because of someone else's bad habit.

Never ever thought I would completely agree with one of your posts.

[kirchzep27]

I personally like this ban.

Obama just raised cig tax to pay for children health care. So when cig sales go down, and therefore the tax revenue go down, Obama will have another reason to raise taxes for everyone.

Awesome

I disagree, cause its really expensive in some states. although, i think all children are awesome and deserve health care without a doubt.

smoking not being aloud in bars, is just not normal. it has been banned for yrs in ny, so i'm used to it. but now, its almost looking back to the good old days or something....conversation, drinking and smoking, its all a dream.

[Cecil.]

Two bars one street, why is it that the smoking bar is the one that is full?

[redrum]

Once the anti/smoke Nazi's got their foot in the door (smoking or non-smoking) that if you disagree with them now, you will be sent to a concentration camp.

[jimmie ray]

I definitely think smoking should be banned in restaurants and other public areas, but bars? I don't know. Even though smoking's been banned in indoor areas for years here, it still just seems kinda wrong not to be able to smoke in a bar (though I don't smoke myself).

Same here, being a non-smoker. It is hard to enjoy a meal while people are smoking, but not drinks. A bar that has an outside area to bring drinks out - to join the smokers that you want to chat with, or just get away from the noise, is optimal.

[Mary Hartman]

I think smoking should be banned inside anywhere. And I think it and alcohol are some of the best things to tax because they are not a staple. They are a luxury.

Take it outside so our children don't grow up with a higher chance of respiratory diseases and death.

[kirchzep27]

Oh my god, no talking or no cursing either. i don't know, spent all my youth in a cloud of blue smoke cause of my father smoking. i really think smoking outside is enough, the crazy taxing is absolutely not right.

[Mary Hartman]

Oh my god, no talking or no cursing either. i don't know, spent all my youth in a cloud of blue smoke cause of my father smoking. i really think smoking outside is enough, the crazy taxing is absolutely not right.

Apparently they have to tax something or we will just keep going further in to debt and it will seep in to everything.

The U.K. taxes cigs pretty high and people go on smoking like they always have. Last I was there they were about 6 quid a pack. Roughly 11-12 USD a pack.

I drink wine so I will pay taxes on that just like everyone else. Smoking I don't have to worry with. I am half way through my second year.

I know people in my fam who need to quit because of health and I WISH the taxes would help them decide. Probably not..I prefer health insurance for the kids to more smoke in lungs causing additional health issues for the smoker and the kids.

2 years YAHOOOOO.

[ninelives]

Apparently they have to tax something or we will just keep going further in to debt and it will seep in to everything.

The U.K. taxes cigs pretty high and people go on smoking like they always have. Last I was there they were about 6 quid a pack. Roughly 11-12 USD a pack.

I drink wine so I will pay taxes on that just like everyone else. Smoking I don't have to worry with. I am half way through my second year.

I know people in my fam who need to quit because of health and I WISH the taxes would help them decide. Probably not..I prefer health insurance for the kids to more smoke in lungs causing additional health issues for the smoker and the kids.

2 years YAHOOOOO.

My brother finally quit smoking because the cost of cigarettes got to be so high he couldn't afford them anymore.

[kirchzep27]

Apparently they have to tax something or we will just keep going further in to debt and it will seep in to everything.

The U.K. taxes cigs pretty high and people go on smoking like they always have. Last I was there they were about 6 quid a pack. Roughly 11-12 USD a pack.

I drink wine so I will pay taxes on that just like everyone else. Smoking I don't have to worry with. I am half way through my second year.

I know people in my fam who need to quit because of health and I WISH the taxes would help them decide. Probably not..I prefer health insurance for the kids to more smoke in lungs causing additional health issues for the smoker and the kids.

2 years YAHOOOOO.

Guess what, i'm not going to argue with you. i understand the whole thing, but cigs in ny are too expensive!!! its insane. when i go to sc, i buy 300dollards worth of cigarettes.

Yes i will gladly pay tax on alcohol and cigarettes too, but the the tax is going up way too excessively on cigarettes in way to short of time....doesnt make any kind of sense for someone already smoking, its just not right.