Minnesota Smoking Ban (Bloomington: lenders, neighborhood, asbestos)

[Li'lBeaver]

Originally Posted by Robert P Stewart

I am not a big fan of laws in general. As far as the smoking issue goes, I don't go to restaurants that allow smoking with my family. I think that provides gentle economic incentive to change. I would never dream of passing a law to force a business owner to comply with my preferences - I'm not that important, really.

The REAL crime here is, of course, the fact that smokers are such fun people. Drinking in a non-smoking bar is kind of like going to a restaurant where you're only allowed to look at food. If you're going to put a few scars on your liver, why discriminate against the lungs (they have rights too)?

Robert

Well said Robert. While we are the reverse of you as we normally do not go to a non-smoking restaurant we do if with non-smoking friends who want to. Since Minnesota's smoking ban went into effect we have only ate in a restaurant a couple of times except for going to the local Casino. What we found was an eating area that served not only better food and larger servings, but also for lower prices.

We do gamble some but had never been a regular at the casino until the smoking ban took effect. I also found that the air in the casino to be as good or better than in most non-smoking restaurants.

What really gets me is the same people who will scream about smoking will run not walk to attend indoor truck and tractor pulls, dirt bike moto-cross events as well as the "Monster Truck" events most held indoors where they can be bombarded with the noise of the exhausts but also the fumes and carbon monoxide from said exhausts. Duh!

[Kyle Togareth]

OK all, let's look at this with a little logic....
Smoking releases toxins in the air that can affect anyone who comes into contact with them.
It is the governements responsability to protect it's citizens.
If people are selfish enough to feel that they have the right to expose others to poisonous fumes, then the government needs to step in.
It is no different than regulations that force companies to clean up toxins that they spill into the water supply.
But maybe smokers don't mind their kids drinking poison in the water. Apparently the don't mind exposing them to poion in the air....

[MidniteBreeze]

Originally Posted by Kyle Togareth

OK all, let's look at this with a little logic....
It is no different than regulations that force companies to clean up toxins that they spill into the water supply.
But maybe smokers don't mind their kids drinking poison in the water. Apparently the don't mind exposing them to poion in the air....

Last time I checked, no one under 21 is allowed in (most) bars. I agree that people shouldn't smoke around kids (in their homes, cars or any other enclosed space). But this is a different issue. Of couse it's a moot point now, but just wanted to clarify the point that dumping toxins into the public water supply is not the same thing as allowing smoking in certain adult-only establishments, where people can choose whether or not they want to patronize and/or work there.

[What!]

Originally Posted by MidniteBreeze

Last time I checked, no one under 21 is allowed in (most) bars. I agree that people shouldn't smoke around kids (in their homes, cars or any other enclosed space). But this is a different issue. Of couse it's a moot point now, but just wanted to clarify the point that dumping toxins into the public water supply is not the same thing as allowing smoking in certain adult-only establishments, where people can choose whether or not they want to patronize and/or work there.

Smoking is not productive to anybody, irregardless of your age. Secondly, people truly need to remember that they are not banning smoking altogether. The government is banning smoking indoors. You can still go outside and smoke. The government is not saying stop smoking, or you're a horrible person if you smoke. It is saying go outside and do it. That's what it comes down to. If I was sitting next to you and I farted, would you want to have me be next to you and smell it? Hell no. And it is the same thing as smoking with me. I don't want to sit next to you and smell it. Take that crap outside. Even farting, despite its repulsive smell, is a necessity: to release gas out of the body. Whereas smoking isn't productive by any stretch of the imagination.

[Kyle Togareth]

MidniteBreeze wrote: "Of couse it's a moot point now, but just wanted to clarify the point that dumping toxins into the public water supply is not the same thing as allowing smoking in certain adult-only establishments, where people can choose whether or not they want to patronize and/or work there."

When you smoke outside a building, the smoke drifts through the air affecting those who must share that area as they go shopping/to movies/to work/enter businesses/enter hospitals/or anywhere else that a smoker feels they have the right to fumigate the air. This belief that it is a choice is load that does not affect others because they can choose to be there is a load of crap.
Now that warmer weather is here, it is nice to roll down the window and enjoy the spring breeze. At least it is until you drive by smoke inconsiderate slob who is hanging his cigarrette outside the car window. Anyone else who is using the road in that immediate area is unwillingly subjected to the foul stench of a smokers inconsiderate addiction.
And what do most smokers do when they are done fouling up their lungs and the air outside their car? They litter the ground by throwing the butt out on the street. HOW INCONSIDERATE CAN YOU GET?!?! You subject others to the side affects of a very nasty habit that does no one any good, especially yourself.
I have worked in the medical field for close to 30 years and have seen first hand what smoking does to a person. There is nothing good from this. The list of disease processes that are caused and aggravated by smoking is extensive. I can only conclude that this is an addiction that smokers can not control. If they could control it, they would take steps to help prevent others from being exposed to second hand smoke. Instead, they come up with rationalizations about it being a choice for non-smokers to be subjected to it. This is the same type of rationalization that is often seen in behaviour of addicts.
If smokers did stop and think about this, it would not be difficult to modify their habits so that no one else would be affected by this foul habit. The fact that they don't demonstrates the lack of control of an addict or the behaviour of a rude, arrogant, self righteous, ignorant person who simply does not care how his or her actions affects anyone else.
Stop spiiting out the excuses and face the facts. You are partaking of a habit that is offensive to others and has no good results other than your own personal gratification. If you don't want more laws controlling smoking, then start taking responsability for your own actions and remove the impact you are having on others.
When you are smoking in the car, keep the stench inside and roll up your windows. Don't smoke outside any public building especially a hospital. Go sit in your car or wait until you get home. Don't through your butts on the ground. Maybe we need to go dump our trash in your front yard. Taking steps to be considerate of others is not difficult to do. I doubt it will happen, because most smokers are addicted to nicotene. So, we will continue the fight to regulate this until it no longer affects those of us who chose to avoid this foul habit.

[lovinmyhair]

I agree, seperate but equal- I thought this was America-the home of the free? It's not that big a deal- if the bar owner or resturant owners decides they would like to permit smoking then I think it is their own right to determine how they choose to run thier establishment. I am a non smoker but I am so for freedoms to choose,(you pay taxes, you should be able to determine where the money comes from). It would then enable me to make the choice to be in a non smoking situation or a smoking situation, either way it's my choice.......

[lovinmyhair]

Originally Posted by Kyle Togareth

OK all, let's look at this with a little logic....
Smoking releases toxins in the air that can affect anyone who comes into contact with them.
It is the governements responsability to protect it's citizens.
If people are selfish enough to feel that they have the right to expose others to poisonous fumes, then the government needs to step in.
It is no different than regulations that force companies to clean up toxins that they spill into the water supply.
But maybe smokers don't mind their kids drinking poison in the water. Apparently the don't mind exposing them to poion in the air....

OKay so won't you live in a plastic bubble because there are toxins in everything you do.. from eating, to washing you clothes, using toliet paper. In fact your putting yourself at risk everytime you turn on your computer, with every breath you take. I agree with the liter portion though hate to see the mess but, there is no way you can protect yourself from toxins dude. I'm sure you have a car, I'm sure you have a cell phone, I'm sure you have your share of trash in land fills. How can you be so strong against something you, yourself are no saint. Our government is the number one reason we have these types of problems to begin with..Do you realize each time a space craft exits and enters the o-zone layer it causes this ripple affect that enlarges the whole each time, no ones telling them hurrican katrina could have been prevented if we were more responsible and less nosey. Smoking is the least of our enviromental concerns dude!?

[What!]

Originally Posted by lovinmyhair

OKay so won't you live in a plastic bubble because there are toxins in everything you do.. from eating, to washing you clothes, using toliet paper. In fact your putting yourself at risk everytime you turn on your computer, with every breath you take. I agree with the liter portion though hate to see the mess but, there is no way you can protect yourself from toxins dude. I'm sure you have a car, I'm sure you have a cell phone, I'm sure you have your share of trash in land fills. How can you be so strong against something you, yourself are no saint. Our government is the number one reason we have these types of problems to begin with..Do you realize each time a space craft exits and enters the o-zone layer it causes this ripple affect that enlarges the whole each time, no ones telling them hurrican katrina could have been prevented if we were more responsible and less nosey. Smoking is the least of our enviromental concerns dude!?

Looks like somebody's paranoid; and most likely a smoker, or an annoying libertarian. Either way, you make a lousy point.

[Kyle Togareth]

Originally Posted by lovinmyhair

How can you be so strong against something you, yourself are no saint.

No, I am not a saint. But I do not impose my foul habits on others the way smokers do.

[demtion35]

Originally Posted by Mikess38

Why do the non-smokers have to cause discrimination.

Why don't the non-smokers allow the restaurants and bars to have a Smoking Only Facility. - Then only Smokers would be there.

Then also allow the bars and restaurants to have a non-smoking facility.

Let the Bars and Restaurants choose, which type of facility they want to have.

If it is a smoking only Restaurant - Then only smokers can go in to it - no non-smokers.

If it is a non-smoking restaurant - Only non-smokers could go in to the restaurant.

Is there anything wrong with this solution - It keeps the non smokers from inhaling the smoke.

It keeps the smokers out of the non-smoking establishments.

How about it, please give me your comments. When you do also please state whether you are a smoker or non-smoker

So the people and all employees would have to smoke also then right? I wouldnt want someone who is smoking and touching their mouth and have yellow fingers touching my food. Its disgusting/and unhealthy.
Smoking stinks. Clothes smell. Bad breath. Yellow mouth from ex hailing, yellow teeth, touching my food?? No way. I have a right to be in a non smoking establishment whenever and wherever I go.