smoking ban in washington (Seattle: home, taxes, restaurants)

[gosharks]

So I just found out no indoor smoking is allowed anywhere in Washington nor within 25 feet of a public window, door, or vent. Smokers or people who know smokers: is it impossible to go to a bar and be able to step out occasionally to smoke? Do people just never smoke on the streets? Or do people usually just not follow the law?

[Ira500]

Some bars have outdoor covered smoking areas, sometimes heated, that are more than 25 feet from the entrance from the bar.
And as long as you're 25 ft or more from the entrance, you can smoke.

[gosharks]

but isn't 25 ft pretty far? I imagine that if you are walking down a sidewalk that has restaurants, shops, etc along it that you would not be able to smoke at all.

[azoria]

Yeah....I know.

If you look around, some places have an unofficial smoking area. A few places bars/taverns have patios witout servers and you can smoke there because technically nobody works there. The 25 foot thing is only enforced in downtown Seattle as far as I can tell.

What I don't understand is why you can't smoke on patios? Europe has gone more and more non-smoking (Ireland, UK, Germany, France, Italy) but they've then gone and installed patios where you can take your drink and smoke. But not Washington. Oh no.

The doorway thing is a joke. Police have better things to do than measure a smoker's distance from the nearest doorway.

There are a couple of places at Bell and 2nd in downtown Seattle that have little patios out front and they don't enforce the no-smoking nonsense at all. Usually packed. You can have your beer too, closest thing to nirvana in Seattle. There are also some taverns up on Greenwood that could give a $hit and up in Lake City.

Other towns around here in Seattle aren't nearly as noxious about the letter of the law as Seattle is. After all tobacco is a legal substance--the last time I checked.

P.S. For all their hypocracy, pot seems easier to get in this state than cigarettes, and cheaper too. Go figure.

[springshades]

My understanding is that if you're walking down the sidewalk you're not breaking any laws even if you happen to step into the magical 25 foot zone. The law applies to if you are simply standing right outside. The purpose was supposed to be to stop the clogs of people standing right outside the doors smoking that pretty much defeated the purpose of the original law in the first place.

[tcres]

As a non-smoker this is one of the best things the state has ever done. There was a lot of whining at first but I think now people have gotten used to it. I think sometimes I am more put out then my smoking friends because it's annoying when I am in a group of smokers and they all go outside to smoke leaving me at the table...

I really like the fact that I can come home and not smell like smoke. It is the most disgusting smell. Especially if you do not smoke.

[allforcats]

Originally Posted by springshades

My understanding is that if you're walking down the sidewalk you're not breaking any laws even if you happen to step into the magical 25 foot zone. The law applies to if you are simply standing right outside. The purpose was supposed to be to stop the clogs of people standing right outside the doors smoking that pretty much defeated the purpose of the original law in the first place.

I think you're right, springshades. Walking outdoors and smoking at the same time, regardless of momentary closeness to a door, works.
And you're spot-on about the purpose being to remove the gauntlet of smokers through which people had to walk to get to a door.

[70Ford]

Originally Posted by tcres

As a non-smoker this is one of the best things the state has ever done. There was a lot of whining at first but I think now people have gotten used to it. I think sometimes I am more put out then my smoking friends because it's annoying when I am in a group of smokers and they all go outside to smoke leaving me at the table...

I really like the fact that I can come home and not smell like smoke. It is the most disgusting smell. Especially if you do not smoke.

As a vegetarian, I can totally agree on this. I am looking forward to the ban on outdoor BBQ's and grilling in general. I suppose some can tolerate the smell of grilled flesh, but it's just NASTY.. you know?

What? Don't you know that grilling creates carcinogens? Do you want people to smell your carcinogens? The smoke REEKS of DEAD FLESH and CAUSES CANCER.

And that is why grilling smells within 25 feet of noses must stop at once.

(P.S...... ....I love steak.) HA HA HA! I smoke, too. But the point is valid.

You can lawsuit yourself - and your country - to death. Be very careful what you wish for..... One person's concerns and prioriities are important. Just be careful not to diminish others in your zeal to have your world vision unfold.

[jinj]

This smoking law is great!

The problem is that a large % of smokers are idiots and do not follow basic laws such as littering, increases the taxes to $1000000 per pack, haha.

[tcres]

Originally Posted by 70Ford

As a vegetarian, I can totally agree on this. I am looking forward to the ban on outdoor BBQ's and grilling in general. I suppose some can tolerate the smell of grilled flesh, but it's just NASTY.. you know?

What? Don't you know that grilling creates carcinogens? Do you want people to smell your carcinogens? The smoke REEKS of DEAD FLESH and CAUSES CANCER.

And that is why grilling smells within 25 feet of noses must stop at once.

(P.S...... ....I love steak.) HA HA HA! I smoke, too. But the point is valid.

You can lawsuit yourself - and your country - to death. Be very careful what you wish for..... One person's concerns and prioriities are important. Just be careful not to diminish others in your zeal to have your world vision unfold.

Except that you BBQ in your own backyard. Not out in public.

I personally think smoking is stupid but I don't have a problem with other people smoking... as long as I don't have to breath it in too. I do enough unhealthy things to my body as it is.