Smoking is a disgusting, filthy habit that the public should not have to endure (laws, kids)

[Ellis Bell]

Originally Posted by Hoosier

Here in Minnesota we have been dealing with a smoking ban on restaurants and bars. The ban was struck down state-wide, except in the counties that surround Minneapolis/St. Paul. Many people are upset that smoking is not allowed in public places. I for one am extremely happy for this because I simply don't like the smell of cigarette smoke and all other types. My wife and kids have severe asthma so that is yet a more important reason for not wanting to be around the smoke.

Many people of course are whining that their rights are being taken away by these bans that have been in place for about a year now. My take on it is what about the rights of nonsmokers? What about the rights of people like my young kids who have asthma and can't go out to restaurants if there is a smoking section? It's a controversy where there are no winners...and everyone loses...like my mother-in-law who died due to smoking.

Smoking is a disgusting, filthy habit that the public should not have to endure

So is drinking, but people still drink and drive in public with recorded deaths on the roadways and highways from traffic fatalities, yet there is no ban on this activity.
Please if you drink, don't drive. If you smoke, drive all day long! You're not hurting any one but yourself.

[tinman01]

It is a disgusting filthy habit. The smell fouls the air we breath and it lingers upon those who do it. I hate the stench.
That said it really is none of my business and I have no right to try and force my views on those who like the habit.
I don't go to bars because I don't want to deal with it. I don't allow it in my home but allow guests to take it outside. To each their own.
If a resturant allows it go somewhere else. Why does anyone think they own the moral right to force their values on a fellow citizen?
I don't like cats. I will never own one. I would never tell anyone that they can't have a cat. Their cats come in my yard all the time. They force their choice upon me everyday. As much as I disagree with it I endure it.

[parfleche]

All smokers are not rude just as all eaters are not fat farting pigs nor all drinkers drunks.I enjoy growing,aging,curing and smoking tobacco.It is a very relaxing and rewarding hobby for me. plus I don't pay those silly taxes.Smoking is not the problem people are the problem

[darstar]

Smoking does just not work anymore....and , It Is a good thing. I was a cigar smoker until last month , 50 years ( never smoked cigerettets). Now I have quit for good ( tonsil cancer)...recovery is painfull, very painfull, I face the problems everyday. I just got back from Mayo Clinic....they were wonderfull, but , I don't want to ever have to go through it again.
I quit drinking 6 years ago ( could not handle it anymore) , now the smoking has caught up to me, I know it would come someday..... Considering the harm to yourself , and the state laws that do not allow smoking anywhere indoors ( also some outdoors as well), it ain't worth it, just quit! I never went cheap ether 500.00 a month for imported cigars.......I wonder what I will spend that money on now....

[stayinformed40]

I am not a smoker and I do think it is a nasty habit. I also say 'to each his own' and if someone wants to be stupid enough to smoke that is their trip to take.

I do feel that smoking should not be allowed in restuarants. There is nothing more disgusting than enjoying a good meal and having to deal with a smoker light up near you. I am lucky in that smoking is now banned in all restuarants in my area. Makes eating out much more enjoyable!

[Jadex]

I am an ex smoker and I think a business should be allowed to allow smoking if they see fit. If it cost them business thats on them

I mean we do want to live in a free country dont we.

[Roadking2003]

Originally Posted by Hoosier

Here in Minnesota we have been dealing with a smoking ban on restaurants and bars. The ban was struck down state-wide, except in the counties that surround Minneapolis/St. Paul. Many people are upset that smoking is not allowed in public places. I for one am extremely happy for this because I simply don't like the smell of cigarette smoke and all other types. My wife and kids have severe asthma so that is yet a more important reason for not wanting to be around the smoke.

Many people of course are whining that their rights are being taken away by these bans that have been in place for about a year now. My take on it is what about the rights of nonsmokers? What about the rights of people like my young kids who have asthma and can't go out to restaurants if there is a smoking section? It's a controversy where there are no winners...and everyone loses...like my mother-in-law who died due to smoking.

Then it would be kinda dumb for you to go to those restaurants and bars, wouldn't it?

One person's "disgusting habit" is another person's choice for a relaxing time of enjoyment.

You have a choice. Don't take away other people's choice just because you want to control their lives.

[Roadking2003]

Originally Posted by Jadex

I am an ex smoker and I think a business should be allowed to allow smoking if they see fit. If it cost them business thats on them

I mean we do want to live in a free country dont we.

Not really. A free country would allow us to have a choice. Our choices are rapidly diminishing.

[Roadking2003]

Originally Posted by Ronzou

Exactly! I couldn't careless if you smoke or not. I don't smoke anymore. It was on and off for awhile for me, but now i'm completely off cigarettes.

But I don't think others should have to sit in their own homes just to have a smoke. This argument was brought up before.

If smokers are not allowed to smoke in public, then I don't want to see anyone fat eat a candy bar in front of my face. Or I don't want anyone who has kids that **** themselves at any store that I shop at. You have bad gas? You best go home, I don't want to smell it.

Saying you can't smoke in public places like bars, restaurants, and bowling alleys, is the most retarded thing ever. That's just saying, if you smoke, you're not allowed to have a social life. And places like bars get most of their business from smokers, and so do bowling alleys.

And yes, it is disgusting sometimes, but it's no different than that fat kid that just shoved 6 twix in his mouth. I find that pretty disgusting, and a filthy habit.

You are correct.

I find cats disgusting. They shed hair all over the place and like their balls. I think all cat owners should be banned from restaurants and bars so that I don't have to deal with cat hair.

[luvmycat]

There should be options...some bars should be able to allow smoking if most of their clientele smokes, for example. I was a NYC bartender when the smoking ban went into effect there, and it was sad to see the old guys who had been going there for 30 or 40 years to smoke, drink a scotch and listen to live jazz forced to abandon their tradition. They were none too happy about it, and business definitely went down for us. Smoking in restaurants is different IMO, because restaurants are for everyone, including kids.