Is there smoking in restaurants in Alabama? (home, vacation)

[sick of South Florida]

That's something that really bugs me cause I don't smoke. Florida has banned smoking in Restaurants and I LOVE it! Sitting in the "non-smoking" section didn't keep you from smelling cigarette smoke. Once we were on vacation and stopped in a small place to eat breakfast. Don't remember where but it wasn't Florida. The smoke was so thick I couldn't hardly enjoy my food and ironically there was one man in there on an oxygen tank and across the street was a Cancer Treatment Hospital!! There were alot of flies in there, too! I was so glad to get back to Florida. (North Florida) that is!

[southerngirl_for_now]

Originally Posted by sick of South Florida

That's something that really bugs me cause I don't smoke. Florida has banned smoking in Restaurants and I LOVE it! Sitting in the "non-smoking" section didn't keep you from smelling cigarette smoke. Once we were on vacation and stopped in a small place to eat breakfast. Don't remember where but it wasn't Florida. The smoke was so thick I couldn't hardly enjoy my food and ironically there was one man in there on an oxygen tank and across the street was a Cancer Treatment Hospital!! There were alot of flies in there, too! I was so glad to get back to Florida. (North Florida) that is!

yes that civil liberty has been taken away in Alabama too,which wouldn't bother me so much IF they made people stop wearing colognes and perfumes too since they make me as sick as smoke does you. Bottom line is though everyone should beware because first it's one right taken away then others will follow. Look at the big picture if you will.

[Griffis]

Originally Posted by southerngirl_for_now

yes that civil liberty has been taken away in Alabama too,which wouldn't bother me so much IF they made people stop wearing colognes and perfumes too since they make me as sick as smoke does you. Bottom line is though everyone should beware because first it's one right taken away then others will follow. Look at the big picture if you will.

Well spoken. There was a similar thread on this topic in the Missouri forum recently. I agree I am worried about civil liberties. If you look at some of the anti-smoking literature, they are lobbying to just make tobacco illegal (just what we need--more laws). And more, they have websites that show you how to make your apartment building non-smoking and even sue your neighbor for smoking in their own back yard. Enough is enough.

I have a right to smoke. If you can't sit in your own home (or your own yard) and ingest anything you wish to, that isn't freedom. There are already prohibitions on too many things in this country.

However, that said, I do not really have a problem with non-smoking restaurants and some other public facilities, especially where children are present. I am a smoker myself (though almost exclusively a pipe) and even I don't like cig smoke or like it around while I am eating.

The thing that bugs me is that "adult" places like bars and clubs have been forced to ban smoking, which not only curtails freedoms, but it hurts their business. Why not just open non-smoking bars and establishments of that kind--people who want to smoke would have their places to congregate and people who don't could have theirs. That's freedom of choice. It's choice.

I do applaud what you say about colognes and perfumes. While they may not be as big a health hazard (although a lot of the science regarding secondhand smoke is BS), those things really offend my senses. I don't even like walking by perfume counters in the store, or going down the detergent aisle. But you know what? I don't want to prohibit people from wearing cologne, I just keep my distance.

What strikes me as both funny and sad is that places like LA county banned smoking in most public places. Man, the pollution is so bad in LA county that it actually, literally turns your mucous black. People in LA would probably be SAFER and around fewer pollutants actually going INTO a smoke-filled bar and coming in from the outside air.

[sick of South Florida]

I agree, you have a right to smoke, but not when I have to "smoke" it too. If its in the air in a room, you have to breathe it in too. I have a right to breathe clean air. Perfume and BO is offensive but not a health hazard like cigarette smoke. You can just move away from a smelly person, but you can't clear the room of cigarette smoke. I don't think they banned it in bars in Florida. Should we have smoking and non-smoking restaurants?

[southerngirl_for_now]

Originally Posted by sick of South Florida

I agree, you have a right to smoke, but not when I have to "smoke" it too. If its in the air in a room, you have to breathe it in too. I have a right to breathe clean air. Perfume and BO is offensive but not a health hazard like cigarette smoke. You can just move away from a smelly person, but you can't clear the room of cigarette smoke. I don't think they banned it in bars in Florida. Should we have smoking and non-smoking restaurants?

actually you are incorrect. Perfumes and colognes can and do cause illness in those allergic to them. They cause asthma attacks,wheezing, migraines...you get the picture.

[sick of South Florida]

Sorry if I upset you but its not the same. You can be sitting on the other side of a restaurant and still have to breathe in cig. smoke. A person wearing smelly perfume on the other side--your not going to smell it. But you are right it can make another sick while they are near it.

[Griffis]

Originally Posted by sick of South Florida

Should we have smoking and non-smoking restaurants?

Absolutely. Why not? Why not have a choice? Why not allow business owners who pay for everything in their establishments and generate jobs and revenue for their communities make the decision as to which type they want to have, and then allow free, adult Americans to choose which to patronize?

I also disagree about not being able to smell cologne or perfume from across a restaurant. I've been in plenty of situations where someone will walk by wearing so much of that gunk they'd leave a puddle if they stood still. And once it's in your sinuses, it's hard to get rid of. It sticks to your clothes as bad as cigarette smoke too.

Some people are more sensitive to things like smoke and heavy chemical fragrances. Perhaps we all could stand to exercise a little courtesy, rather than having lifestyles dictated to us.

[TheLastMove]

The EPA deems secondary smoke a Class A carcinogen.

[AlabamaGirl]

Originally Posted by sick of South Florida

That's something that really bugs me cause I don't smoke. Florida has banned smoking in Restaurants and I LOVE it! Sitting in the "non-smoking" section didn't keep you from smelling cigarette smoke. Once we were on vacation and stopped in a small place to eat breakfast. Don't remember where but it wasn't Florida. The smoke was so thick I couldn't hardly enjoy my food and ironically there was one man in there on an oxygen tank and across the street was a Cancer Treatment Hospital!! There were alot of flies in there, too! I was so glad to get back to Florida. (North Florida) that is!

Sadly yes there is still smoking in most of Alabama restaurants. We can go to Ryans and there is smoking and non smoking. I have alot of throat problems and when I get around smoke I get so choked up. I was born and raised in Alabama. I know smokers have the right to smoke ,But I think I have the right to live. My mom died of lung cancer a few years back, And she smoked since she was 12. So I know how smoking can affect ones life. My whole family has lost a wonderful lady because the addiction of smoking. My husband will be retiring from the Army in a few years and We will be moving to Tampa Florida, We lived there for about 3 1/2 years and we loved it .So I can't wait to go back.

[Griffis]

Originally Posted by TheLastMove

The EPA deems secondary smoke a Class A carcinogen.

Yeah, it's funny how you don't hear our government say the same thing about ground toxins, petroleum-based emissions and other pollutants, isn't it?