Petitioning for the Repeal of the Smoking Ban (living in, restaurants)

[aragx6]

If that many non-smokers stay home because of smoke then it would behoove business owners to create non-smoking establishments, which is exactly what they do. Telling them what they can and can't do on their property is just inherently wrong- a concept I should think many Americans feel strongly about. But I guess personal liberties mean squat these days to people.

[boris63]

Originally Posted by aragx6

If that many non-smokers stay home because of smoke then it would behoove business owners to create non-smoking establishments, which is exactly what they do. Telling them what they can and can't do on their property is just inherently wrong- a concept I should think many Americans feel strongly about. But I guess personal liberties mean squat these days to people.

AMEN!!!!!!

[Drover]

Here's what gets me: if we're supposedly going to take away choice for the benefit of public health, it would seem to me the obvious thing to do would be to take away the choice to smoke at all. That would have a far, far greater impact on public health than banning smoking in places of public accommodation (the impact of which will be negligible), to say nothing of banning it in private clubs that are not even open to the public. I wish the Smoke Nazis would be honest enough to say that they just don't like smoke and they're too lazy to seek out the non-smoking establishments instead of hiding behind the cover of "public health."

[aragx6]

Thank you!!!

[jojojohnson76]

That's true that you can CHOOSE to go to a non-smoking bar if you want to go out but NOT inhale smoke, but really, how many people would go to a non-smoking bar if smoking bars were around? Even the non-smokers would have to elect to go to the smoking bars because all of their friends who smoke would not go to the non-smoking bar.

Saying that it should be amended so that there are smoking and non smoking bars is a fine idea, but it wouldn't work because the non-smoking bar would lose a TON of business to the smoking bars. So, none of the smoking bars would go no-smoking.

[sunshine girl]

Can't resist. Have to tell my short story. This changed my personal outlook on the public smoking topic.

Work maternity floor, taking new mom and baby to car that dad has brought to the circle drive. This is a smoke free facility in IL. Very big and clear signs that smokers are not to smoke at the entrance. This day, as most days, smokers were smoking there. Security cannot patrol this area exclusively (and shouldn't have to). We must exit through them, the other entrance at the ER is in same situation. Mom of baby says, and I quote her here, "How sad that my baby's first breath of the outside air had to be through second hand smoke".

End of story.

[aragx6]

I don't understand what this has to do with anything. I don't think anyone has an issue with hospitals and areas outside of them being non-smoking. And while there are obviously some bad apples I think the majority of smokers are respectful and understanding of those kind of policies.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by sunshine girl

Can't resist. Have to tell my short story. This changed my personal outlook on the public smoking topic.

Work maternity floor, taking new mom and baby to car that dad has brought to the circle drive. This is a smoke free facility in IL. Very big and clear signs that smokers are not to smoke at the entrance. This day, as most days, smokers were smoking there. Security cannot patrol this area exclusively (and shouldn't have to). We must exit through them, the other entrance at the ER is in same situation. Mom of baby says, and I quote her here, "How sad that my baby's first breath of the outside air had to be through second hand smoke".

End of story.

And a couple breaths later it was of car exhaust. What do you have to say about that?

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by jojojohnson76

That's true that you can CHOOSE to go to a non-smoking bar if you want to go out but NOT inhale smoke, but really, how many people would go to a non-smoking bar if smoking bars were around? Even the non-smokers would have to elect to go to the smoking bars because all of their friends who smoke would not go to the non-smoking bar.

Saying that it should be amended so that there are smoking and non smoking bars is a fine idea, but it wouldn't work because the non-smoking bar would lose a TON of business to the smoking bars. So, none of the smoking bars would go no-smoking.

There were plenty of non smoking bars and bar/grills in Chicago (at least) that were thriving for years even and the list was growing before Illinois decided to ruin the free market and take away freedom.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by illini84

I think it's wonderful, although I'm a non-smoker. I think it's peoples' personal choice as to whether they want to smoke, but non-smokers have NO choice except to breathe that smoke when out at a bar or club. I was kind of on the fence about this issue until I read about a bartender who got lung cancer--and never smoked a day in her life.

You know she could have got a job where smoking was not allowed or at least improved herself and her income prospects by earning a degree too. I bet she was loving all the cash tips she made from those smokers though. Nothing is free.