No Smoking in AZ Bars & Restaurants After May 1st, 2007! (how much, house)

[Cyanna]

What gets me is how so many automatically assume that if someone gets lung cancer or another chronic lung complaint the culprit MUST be cigarettes. History shows us that lung cancer was very rare until after the year 1900, when apparently smoking cigarettes became more common. However, people were actually smoking cigarettes since at least the 1880's. But what about the Second Industrial Revolution, which included the use of the combustible engine? What about the heavy smoke from factories powered by coal? Then there are the studies which have been conducted on those who have never smoked and have not been subjected to second-hand smoke, yet these people still had lung cancer? It was found that certain levels of arsenic in food or water can also cause lung cancer. Since we all have natural levels of arsenic in our bodies it could be theorized that some have come down with lung cancer because the arsenic levels in their bodies somehow became elevated to a dangerous level.

Even if all smokers quit smoking there would still be air pollution, water pollution, pesticide contamination, food additives and other types of pollutants and carcenogenic substances to worry about. Hairspray, perfume, cologne and other aerosol sprays can be just as nasty to smell and inhale as cigarette smoke.

[Cyanna]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

I should have a right to go anywhere I want without being caused harm to my health, period! It's a very selfish act to smoke in public and apparently I'm not the only one who believes this.

The cold hard truth is that ALL humans are selfish when it comes to their own comfort and needs. The rare exception would be natives of the Rain Forest who leave little or no environmental footprints. Non-smokers can (and will) argue that smokers are endangering their health. Well, it could also be argued that every time someone drives their car, boards a bus or takes a flight they are also endangering the health of others, not just locally but on an international level.

Every time someone buys a new piece of wood furniture, a roll of toilet paper, a box of Kleenex, a ream of paper, a cardboard box, a board game, paper dolls, a book, a newspaper, a wooden spoon, etc... they help to deplete one of our greatest and most important of natural resources which help to filter the air...TREES! Purchase creates demand, and demand requires destruction of trees to meet the demand.

Every time someone purchases a leather coat, cotton underwear, a fabric covered sofa, a bedspread, a bath towel...they help to encourage the pollution of our water. These items are created through the use of tanning chemicals and color dyes, which eventually ends up in our water, causing pollution which in turn contaminates our drinking water, kills fish and can cause birth defects in the human and animal population.

How many non-biodegradable items does anyone of us purchase on a daily basis? Disposable diapers, polystyrene cups or meat trays, glass, petroleum, tin, aluminum, plastic, etc...?

What about medications? Again, supply and demand. Every time we fill a prescription or purchase an over-the-counter drug we add to the contamination of the environment. Medical and chemical companies are some of the worst offenders when it comes to dumping toxic waste. If you require heart pills, blood pressure pills, thyroid pills, cough syrup, headache relief or any other medication it is going to require the use of toxic chemicals and substances to supply this demand. Do you wish to give up using your life-saving medications to help preserve OUR planet?

Smokers are not the only ones contributing to the contamination, pollution and illnesses of the planet. Everyone of us has their own blame in this.

[sfw1979]

Is this for all counties in Arizona?

[BAllUCanB]

I was a smoker for some 20 years, so I have lived on “both sides of the fence”. I was living in So Cal when the smoking ban went into effect there, and I simply could not believe that anyone had the right to tell me where I could or could not smoke. I felt that my rights were being infringed upon by those who saw political correctness as more important than allowing consideration of my choice to smoke.

I have watched several people die of lung related issues; all of them were smokers, and they insisted on smoking to the last breath, in spite of coughing up blood, etc. I realized just how addicted they must have been to make this choice, and I asked myself what choice I would have made if I were in their situation. I chose to quit smoking before I got to that point. It was the hardest thing that I have done in my life.

Not long after I quit smoking I visited Vegas and found out first hand what non-smokers go through when they are around second-hand smoke. My eyes were watering, my nose was burning, my throat was dry, my head was spinning, and I started sweating before I just went outside for some relief. I then felt so badly for my wife who lived with me for so long and put up with the things that non-smokers complain about.

I would encourage people on both sides of this issue to step back from their positions long enough to realize that everyone involved has a valid point of view. Rather than fight about who is wrong or right, try to remember that each of us are in this life together, and so we must not only be understanding of each others needs and choices, but we also must be careful that the choices we make do not harm others.

In a perfect world there would be no addictions, no human suffering driving those addictions; nobody would be making products to capitalize on (or further enable) those addictions, and there would not be a segment of the population who feel that it is their duty to force their values on others. We do not live in a perfect world, but we do still live in a civilized world, where understanding and tolerance can help to reduce addictions and resolve conflicts.

Are smokers selfish? Or are they addicted? Or are they just doing something that helps them to enjoy life a little more?
There are a lot of overweight people who could help themselves and the world by eating less and sharing the money they save with those who are starving to death every day. Why would these people chose to eat more than they need instead of helping another human being? Are they selfish? Or are they addicted? Or are they just doing something that helps them to enjoy life a little more? Who am I to judge? Unless you are the person I am talking about, who are you to judge?

If you are a smoker and you want to quit, let me encourage you that it is possible, regardless of how it feels now. The irritability that occurs when one needs nicotine will diminish as your body becomes less dependent on it. Believe me, the joy of not having this control your choices in life is worth the short-term discomfort (no matter how severe) of quitting. Because your body is addicted, I do not recommend the ‘cold turkey’ method of quitting, even if you are not psychologically dependent on smoking. Instead, choose a method for providing yourself with a controlled amount of nicotine, and follow the directions! All pharmacies carry these products. Stop smoking by replacing the activity with something else, while the stop smoking product is slowly reducing the amount of nicotine you need to feel normal. For example, if you feel like a smoke instead go for a walk and appreciate the air. Or hum a tune in your head. Or take a nap! Be sure to not do the same thing all the time, to avoid becoming dependent on that activity instead of smoking.

The poster who started this thread asked how we feel about this new restriction. My personal feelings about it don’t really matter since it is the way it is. But I have to agree with the ban because unlike passing gas, humans were not born with the need to smoke, and since this choice can cause harm to others, it is best that smoking be done in areas where it does not affect others. I wish for the sake of those who smoke that business owners had chosen to mark their establishments as smoke free or not, before there had to be an ban put into place to protect non-smokers. I wish for non-smokers that smokers would choose to smoke only where it does not affect others. We all wish that we would not have to be around someone who passes gas. But we do not live in a perfect world, and this is not how things have gone, so please, let’s stop demonizing people for having needs and addictions, and let’s instead try to be more understanding of each other, so that we will be more able to make choices that do not harm one another.

I apologize for the length of this post. I’m really not trying to preach, although I realize I have a tendency to word things in a way that may sound like I am. I only wish to help people on both sides of this issue in whatever way I can.

[Cyanna]

Originally Posted by BAllUCanB

I apologize for the length of this post. I’m really not trying to preach, although I realize I have a tendency to word things in a way that may sound like I am. I only wish to help people on both sides of this issue in whatever way I can.

Great post I am a smoker who is in the middle of trying to quit. My mother was a non-smoker when she died of lung cancer in 2004. The problem is that there are many types of addicts yet it seems that the smokers have been the main target for anti-ism over the last few years. Why is this? Is it because they are easier to spot and therefore a ready victim of verbal attack for those who are so inclined? People need to be a bit more tolerant and understanding and less judegemental and rude. If they feel the need to bully or insult others might I suggest they go to the home of the nearest heroin dealer and chase them out of town? Better yet, report them to the police.

I would love to be a non-smoker, which is why my husband is working with me to change my neuro pathways to break the habit. Unfortunately I am a very strong-willed woman so it is taking some time Encouragement is what is needed, such as you have offered, and not derision, rudeness and thoughtlessness.

[MotleyCrew]

When the smoking ban was passed in CA., not one bar or restaurant in our town closed, in fact they picked up business. Some CA towns are however taking the restrictions a little too far IMHO. San Luis Obispo has a city ordinance (so my friend says) that a neighbor has the right to complain and the smoker fined if the neighbor can smell the smoke from the other house. That is a little invasive.

[RockyMtnr]

Smoker here. (puff, puff, hack hack).

All for a healthier planet, healthier attitudes - raise your hands. Mine's raised too.
However ...
Before they started this hoopla over smoking bans, before they set smokers and non-smokers against each other, before they demonize (read that on this thread - good show) otherwise innocent smokers ...

Wouldn't it have been a better idea to force the Tobacco Companies into packaging "The CURE" in every carton? Maybe even in every pack?

Non-Smokers, if you haven't heard it before - we're addicted - stronger than heroin addicted! The now-moot points are "how" (50's&60's TV ads, peer pressure, etc) - the true point on this side of the ashtray is - we're addicted - and that addiction runs with our meals, our drinking, our driving, our phone, our waking up, and our "one last cigarette and I'm going to bed".
Maybe none of their "cures" so far work - but why not force the Tobacco companies to package nicotine-withdrawal meds in every carton? A small pack of "nicoban" in every pack?
Why not solve the problem first?
Then, if anybody wants, we can arm the smokers and non-smokers for an all-out.
Okay, joking on that - but CURE THE SMOKER FIRST!!

[azloafer]

Some Green Valley restaurants banned smoking several years ago. We asked one of the owners (Mama's Restaurant) if his business went downhill and he said that it increased! The same thing happened at McDonalds here. On another note...I smoked 2 packs a day for 25 years. I started smoking in 8th grade. I thought it was cool! It was VERY hard for me to quit, but I finally made it. Now I am so sorry that I didn't quit sooner because I have breathing problems when I walk or go up stairs. My doctor said, "Where do you think that smoke goes when you inhale?" "You can't inhale that fine ash in the form of smoke and expect no problems!" He was right!

[Desertlovers]

I think it's fair and reasonable to have more and more non-smoking restaurants and bars! I've always been in favor of this, even though I smoke!

But, it's not fair when smoking is banned in every restaurant and bar.

Every citizen deserves a place to go, where we feel welcomed and wanted. We don't live in a "one-size-fits-all" type of world.

Some of us moved to Arizona because it used to be a conservative state, where people fought to keep "big government" out of their daily lives. It's sad to see all of the recent changes here in Arizona....

We've become nothing more than "extended suburbs" of California. Same goes for Nevada. Believe it or not, a lot of us fled California years ago to get away from all of the "health-nuts" & "fear-mongers" who tried to control every aspect of our life....from smoking to the type of food we were served in restaurants, etc.

It will be interesting to see how things evolve over the next few months as the smoking ban takes effect. California was full of passive and quote "politically correct" people who were afraid to speak up about the smoking ban....but this may not be the case here in Arizona or Nevada!

[AksarbeN]

Same thing happened in a little café here in Phoenix that I go to all the time. They turned non-smoking first of April and their business has increased. Yes a few smokers did not come back, but many others started coming in and enjoying the food. It’s a little Mom&Pop café that is busy all day long. Best thing they ever did.