Is smoking really noticeable? (Raleigh, Durham: appointed, chapel, how much)

[AJ1972]

...to the non-smoker?
Florida has banned smoking, so I can't even remember what it's like to go into a bowling alley, restaurant, etc. and smell cigarettes.
No offense to the smoker, I'm just curious how noticeable it is.
I'm picturing smoking everywhere, and opening doors to huge areas of smoke (of course I'm being dramatic LOL).

[Dire Wolf]

Yes, very.

We were eating in a "non-smoking" section of a restaurant at lunch this week that was basically worthless. Heavy cigarette smoke rolling out of the smoking section.

More and more places are going non-smoking, which is nice. It was almost unheard of 20 years ago.

[sneezecake]

It's VERY noticeable....not oppressively so, but being from CA, the very first time I walked into a NC restaurant it hit me (not the smoke, the realization) OH, they allow smoking here - you cant get away from the smell.

It's been a while since I had to answer "smoking or non" upon arriving for dinner.

[Waterboy526]

I'm from Virginia so it's pretty much the same here as there, but you would be suprised how much smoke you can get in a non-smoking section. There have been times however where we sat in a smoking section or at the bar and no one was smoking at all in the whole place. I would say it depends on the restaurant, bar, etc. and whether or not you have more smokers there when you visit.

[RDSLOTS]

My husband and I both used to smoke, so I can address the issue from both sides.

As a smoker, I felt just as worthy of the right to smoke, as nonsmokers do to not having to be around the habit. However, all these years later, and with what we know now about the dangers and risks of smoking, and the ramifications of second-hand smoke, I think the rights/requests/however-you-want-to-look at it, take precedence over the smokers'.

I KNEW I wanted to quit when I was smoking and found my own smell offensive. My closet reeked, and I was sorely reminded every time I cleaned a window in my home, or the car, of what damage I was doing to my lungs.

What I don't understand are the sheer numbers of young people -- HS and college aged -- who choose to smoke, with all of the information available to them. Otherwise intelligent young people making such a stupid choice. Our own daughter came home from college her sophomore year, smoking. I was never so disappointed. She has since quit, but now our former exchange student, who stays with us during intercession on campus, has picked up the habit, and in three to four months' time, is what I would classify as a 'heavy smoker.'

What is the deal with these kids?


I've been smoke-free since 1986, my husband since the early 90s. We both find it very offensive, if not downright stupid, now, but do try to be mindful that it is a truly addictive habit, even moreso for some, who in spite of their best efforts just haven't been successful quitting.

Awful habit. Awful addiction.

[MrsSteel]

Just so you know, there are quite a few restaurants in the area that choose to keep their facilities non-smoking.

[annesg]

I am sure VA and NC will be the last to ban smoking, seeing as how they're the tobacco capitals of the world

I am a VA native as well and it always stops me cold when I have to answer "non smoking" since I lived in FL for 8 years and there are no more smoking sections there. I do notice the smoke in restaurants in NC and VA. It does depend on the establishment and type of day. We tend to eat early dinners when we eat out b/c we have kids, and it's not as bad as later, "bar" hours.

I too am a reformed smoker (quit 10 years ago, yay!) and sometimes I think we quitters are even more sensitive. I smell a just-lit cigarette and I CRAVE it still...but old, stale smoke? EWWWWWW.

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Originally Posted by MrsSteel

Just so you know, there are quite a few restaurants in the area that choose to keep their facilities non-smoking.

Yup, I notice a lot of the places I frequent are all non-smoking. I think the numbers are growing too. Not that I go there often, but I've even notcied some of the large chains going that route too. The Outback Steak House on Creedmoor Road in N. Raleigh is now 100% non-smoking.

[kelly237]

Warning..major vent.. passionate about this topic...
We have noticed more restuarants going non-smoking. Outback on Creedmoor Rd is non-smoking. We don't go to Applebee's on Six Forks (Celebration Shopping Center) anymore because you have to hold your breath to cross the bar area to get to the restrooms,
and even their nonsmoking seats smell smokey.
We always mention to a manager when smoke bothers us hoping if enough people complain.

This is what I don't get. How do the restaurants get away with forcing their employees
to work in a smokey work environment. At one restuarent there was a very pregnant
young girl who had to stand at the hostess area that was very smokey from the bar. I could hardly breath and I kept thinking about that poster that shows that the
baby was breathing the smoke too. Why can't an employee refuse to work in smoke ?Why are the worker rights groups so silent on this??
Can you tell I am passionate about this topic???
What about families with kids who have ashma/ it can't be good for them to walk thru
smokey areas.
Our lawmakers don't want to breath smoke so they ban it from public buildings but leave
the restuarants alone..urgggg!!!
Their have been towns that banned pubic/restuarant smoking and had heart attack/stroke rates drop. I'll try to find that article.

[welovedurham]

I can't remember the last time I've run into someone smoking in a restaurant. I don't think it's very common in Durham and Chapel Hill (not to leave out Raleigh; I just have no idea about there).