Smoking in Va Restaurants after Dec. 1st 2009 (food, cars)

[arielmina]

honestly I just moved here from CT where they have banned smoking in all restaraunts AND bars and I am counting down the days to December. LOVE this law! I was dismayed when I found out that the only restaurant in my small town (and one that I can walk to easily), is known for being full of smoke all the time. Frankly I am waiting until 12/1 to visit it and I can't wait. I imagine that their sales will go up big time as I'm sure the smokers won't stop going and now you're adding in those that wouldn't go before. Somehow I don't feel badly for the restaurant as it will be good for them in the long run. I hear you on voting with your feet and just not going to a restaurant that allows smoking, but honestly there are so few choices out there in my neck of the woods, that I'd like to go to where I can find the best food....and not worry about someone elses bad habit ruining it. I think you can spend an hour eating and not smoking, correct?

Let's face it, my husband is addicted to nicotine so I get it...but it's a habit (like drunk driving) that endangers others. That you don't have a right to do in my book. Do what you want to yourself, but once you start impacting others, I have a problem with it.

[Moe III]

This is for Ric75.

Libertarianism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[jhrichmond]

Originally Posted by Moe III

Why worry about the health consequences if your not in a smoking restaurant.

If you really want to know about the health consequences of second hand smoke, it's all right here. This is the most comprehensive report ever done on the subject. 118,093 adults in a nearly 30 year study.

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/326/7398/1057

Smokers, don't forget to check out Home

The British Medical Journal is considered a joke by doctors in America. Second hand smoke does cause many health problems. Secondhand Smoke: Questions and Answers - National Cancer Institute

[Moe III]

Originally Posted by jhrichmond

The British Medical Journal is considered a joke by doctors in America. Second hand smoke does cause many health problems. Secondhand Smoke: Questions and Answers - National Cancer Institute

Hello - It's an American study. If you read more then the link address you know that. If you like it is published elsewhere to.

[Moe III]

arielmina said:

"I imagine that their sales will go up big time as I'm sure the smokers won't stop going and now you're adding in those that wouldn't go before. "

Never seen sales go up, Hometown Grill in Powhatan reported a 54% loss when they ban smoking. So they had to close and reopen under a new name. Oh yes, with smoking. Most however, report about a 20% loss when they ban smoking.

[Moe III]

Yet still no one brave enough to argue the issue? see post 17.
It seems the non smokers have given up.

[jhrichmond]

Take a look at these studies. They are just the first few that came up with a google search of "second hand smoke". Not picked and chosen to support my opinion.

Secondhand Smoke: Questions and Answers - National Cancer Institute
Secondhand Smoke: MedlinePlus
Smoke-free Homes and Cars Program | Indoor Air | US EPA
Secondhand smoke: Avoid dangers in the air you breathe - MayoClinic.com

[GreenGene]

Originally Posted by Moe III

GreenGene:Why are you talking about smoker freedom (see post 17). Maybe you should start a thread? We're talking about Va somking ban.
If it's OK with you for the State to tell you what legal activety you can and canot do on your own property, well then OK. Bur Frankly, it scares the hell out of me. Please read post 17. I would love to fine someone, anyone that can argue this while staying on topic. Good Luck

Moe III: I'm talking about "freedom" since that's the subject of the poll - What will be the next freedom lost in the U.S.?

I didn't create the poll - I'm just reacting to it. If you didn't want people to comment on the freedom aspect of this, why did you word the poll in that way?

In terms of the smoking ban, I'm all for it - all stores, all restaurants, all the time. And frankly, I'd like to see a ban on smoking immediately outside the doors to such establishments. I can hold my breath for only so long.

[arielmina]

Originally Posted by Moe III

arielmina said:

"I imagine that their sales will go up big time as I'm sure the smokers won't stop going and now you're adding in those that wouldn't go before. "

Never seen sales go up, Hometown Grill in Powhatan reported a 54% loss when they ban smoking. So they had to close and reopen under a new name. Oh yes, with smoking. Most however, report about a 20% loss when they ban smoking.

Ah but even if that's true in that one instance, when there are fewer smoking options out there come December 1st, they will have an increase in their sales...unless all you smokers are planning to just stay home...

[ric75]

If this were a total ban on smoking then I might better understand the premise of the Libertarian Smokers Association's argument however I still wouldn't agree with you. This new law, however, isn't a ban. Restaurants have the "right" to build a separate smoking room if they feel the majority of their clientele is smokers and that their revenue will be hurt by this law. Pubs would probably fall under this category but not most restaurants. The new law simply ensures the cloud doesn't drift over into non-smoking areas since the open-air boundaries most restaurants have between smoking and non-smoking areas are generally ineffective. Please tell me how this is even remotely related to Freedom of Speech? And why won't smokers andswer my question regarding whether or not they feel it is a restaurant's "right" to serve food handled with bare, unwashed hands. Most of you seem to think it's ok to have regulations in some cases but not when it involves your habit.