Smoking Ban in Boston (sales, loan, house) - Massachusetts (MA) - City-Data Forum

sambo2929 · 10-22-2010, 08:52 PM

What are the smoking laws like in Boston? Can you smoke in bars? I know where I live, even though its against the law, there are still some bars that will allow their patrons to smoke. Are there bars like that in boston? What are your thoughts on these bans? I think they are a plague on free enterprise and infringe on business owners personel property rights. Just b/c the public is invited in dosnt make the establishment a "public" venue. I say kudos to any bar owner that allows their patrons to smoke to spite the law, keep fighting for your freedom, there are those who support you.

Vermolas · 10-23-2010, 09:33 AM

No cigarettes but more Marijuana

mysticaltyger · 10-23-2010, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sambo2929

What are the smoking laws like in Boston? Can you smoke in bars? I know where I live, even though its against the law, there are still some bars that will allow their patrons to smoke. Are there bars like that in boston? What are your thoughts on these bans? I think they are a plague on free enterprise and infringe on business owners personel property rights. Just b/c the public is invited in dosnt make the establishment a "public" venue. I say kudos to any bar owner that allows their patrons to smoke to spite the law, keep fighting for your freedom, there are those who support you.

What about the freedom of those who don't want to inhale secondhand smoke?

If you choose to smoke, that's fine. But when your choice affects MY health, that's not ok.

lrfox · 10-23-2010, 03:19 PM

I get it. Smokers are unhappy. The fact is, the majority of the people out there aren't smokers. There's no reason that we should have to deal with smoke in our faces every time we walk into a place to get a drink. I hated going to bars and leaving smelling like I was a cigarette. It's not just an inconvenience, it's a serious health risk. Smokers can deal with stepping outside to have a butt. I don't like the wording of the poll, but I'm happy there's a ban on it. I would NOT like to see the city/state enact a ban outdoors. The outdoors are shared public space with (obviously) better ventilation. No, anyone should be able to smoke outside if they choose. Forcing non-smokers to share smoke-filled rooms is not right though.

Now, I think cigar bars are exceptions to the rule. I think the permitting to allow them to have smoking indoors involves tobacco sales that exceed liquor sales (someone can double check that, I'm not 100% positive). I have no issue with this. If you walk into a cigar bar, it's to smoke so there's no reason you shouldn't be allowed to.

Anyway

thenewtexan · 10-23-2010, 04:11 PM

There's actually a statewide smoking ban in all bars and restaurants in all New England states. If you don't like it go to Kentucky, WV, AL or MS, or some other red state, where the percentage of smokers is higher.

city_data91 · 10-24-2010, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenewtexan

There's actually a statewide smoking ban in all bars and restaurants in all New England states. If you don't like it go to Kentucky, WV, AL or MS, or some other red state, where the percentage of smokers is higher.

West Virginia actually has a smoking ban. It doesn't count as statewide because they let the county decide. But much of West Virginia is covered by a smoking ban.

city_data91 · 10-24-2010, 11:46 AM

I lived in Massachusetts before the smoking ban. I also lived in Massachusetts after they passed the smoking ban. I got so used to it that now I can't imagine living any other way. I could never live somewhere without a smoking ban.

Something that bothers me is when people say "the owner should decide" or "you don't have to go in if you don't want to." Very few places were smoke free before the ban, at least in the area where I lived. Non-smokers shouldn't suffer and miss out on good food just to please the smoking minority. Majority rules in a democracy. Also, what about people that have to work. Don't say "they can work somewhere else" because not everyone has a job waiting for them if they quit. And even if they quit to find a non-smoking workplace, that would be hard to find if there was no smoking ban.

sambo2929 · 10-24-2010, 07:10 PM

While most all major US citys are liberal blue staters, Its no surprise to me that the responses are what they are. This isnt saying anything against Bostonians, so please dont take it that way. Somone said "what about our rights as non-smokers to breathe clean air? To that I say, you know the risks of second hand smoke before you enter the establishment, so if you dont want to be exposed to it, I would suggest that you dont enter. Talk to the bar owner and ask to make it non-smoking but dont demand that he do so! Dont dictate how he runs his business. You see, as a smoker, the last thing I would say is that "I have a right to smoke anywhere I want" But I would say that a business owner should have the right to determine wether or not he wants cigarette smoke on his own personal property. How would you like it if laws were passed saying what you could and could not do in your house that you are paying money for? Ahhhhh then you would also fight against such draconian laws wouldnt you? Well prepare b/c thats whats coming to a town neer you. Your personal freedoms are vanishing before your very eyes and by the time you realize it, it will be TOO LATE!!!

city_data91 · 10-24-2010, 08:04 PM

The idea of letting the owner decide only works in theory, like communism. Sure, communism works in theory. But in reality, communism fails. Letting the owner decide is the same way. The owner might be against smoking, but allow it out of fear that people will stop coming if he bans smoking. But when he's forced to ban smoking, he has no choice but to comply. And business doesn't suffer either. Sometimes the government has to pass a law if they want to get anything accomplished. And sometimes you don't know how good a smoking ban is until it actually happens. The owner might think nothing of allowing smoking if there's no ban and he's used to people smoking. But after he gets used to the ban, he might think "why did I ever allow smoking?"

sambo2929 · 10-24-2010, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by city_data91

But when he's forced to ban smoking, he has no choice but to comply."

Read aloud and listen to what you have just said. You have just described a DICTATORSHIP city_data91. Do you want to live in a country where you are "forced" by the government to do somthing and "have no choice but to comply"? I know I dont!

What I wanted to say in my previous post but forgot to was this. Its not about wether or not you think bars owners should allow smoking or not, its so much bigger than that. Even if you like the idea of a smoking ban you should fight against it. Why? If for no other reason than to preserve our civil liberties. For example, in my state, there was a bill to put a limit on the interest that these payday loan places could charge. I like that idea b/c it will help to keep ppl from getting in debt over their head but i voted it down anyway b/c if it passed, that would be another example of the government dictating how a private business was run. If only I could help ppl to look deeper than the surface and see the bigger picture.