Smoking ban in bars, yes or no? What's your position?

Question

I'm against a ban. When people go to a bar, they already know it's smokey. Besides, why does government tell private property owners that they can't allow smoking patrons inside of their own building? Many who go to bars smoke, so why ban them from fully enjoying the bar experience?

That's my take on it. What's yours? Let's not argue here, everyone is entitled to his/her opinion. Nice posts please, thanx.

joevette: I agree with you 100%. Banning smoking in bars is too much of Big Brother getting his hands into private affairs. True, non-smokers are affected and some don't like it, but if there were smoking and non-smoking bars, then everyone would have a comfortable place to wind down and relax. The decision to make a bar smoking or non-smoking should be up to the bar owner, and not Big Brother. Even though I don't consume alcohol, I wish dual-type bars could become a reality. I'm a smoker in CA, land of the politically correct, lol!

Answer 1

It really does seem stupid to ban smoking in all bars. When I go to the bar I go to one where I can smoke, but I know some people don't like smoke or have allergies to it, so it's a nice option to have a non smoking bar to go to. But I think it's stupid for the government to ban all bar owners from permitting smoking - it's a personal choice and people should be allowed to have the choice of going to a smoking or non smoking bar. Even though I smoke, I still think it's a good idea to ban smoking in family type restaurants (even just during the day for 24 hour places would be ok) because I won't take my kids in a smoky restaurant and most other people I know say the same thing.

Answer 2

Hi, I'm from California, and they have banned smoking in bars, restaurants, and pretty much all indoor public places for a long time now. My husband and I own a bar/pool hall and we love the fact that it's smoke-free. The ban was imposed to protect employees from second-hand smoke. Imagine being a non-smoker who is subjected to second- hand smoke for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. That's like smoking several packs of cigarettes a day, without the benefit of a filter. To me, that's way less fair than a smoker having to step outside for the duration of one cigarette. There is a loophole in the law, though. The law states that an employer can not subject his employees to smoke. If the owner of the establishment is also the bartender, then he isn't subjecting any employees to smoke. Maybe you could try to find a bar like that. Also, some bar owners would prefer to keep paying the fines, and let people smoke anyway. Smokers have been imposing thier smoke on everyone else for a long time now. I think it's about time the tables were turned, frankly. But I'm sure you'll be able to find a place that suits you. You could always try a cigar lounge...

Answer 3

It is good for the food businesses. But people go out to bars to relax and get away from the weeks chaos. They want to sit back and if that means smoking..then thats their choice. Yes, there should be some bars that has no smoking and some bars that DO allow smoking. I am a smoker and ALL the bars where I live has a smoking ban on them now. Now our only Nightclub has banned smoking...most of the bands has stopped doing shows there. I haven't went back to the nightclub since the smoke ban cause my fave band out of PA has stopped coming. That was my way of releasing the weeks stress. Going out, having a few drinks, smoking my cigs and hanging out and partying with the band. I'm sure alot of others feel the same way too.

Answer 4

I used to say, hey... people want to smoke, let them smoke, but:

1) The employees there don't need to be exposed to second hand smoke which seems to be just as bad as smoking directly.

2) Health care for these smokers is CRAZY. Several businesses are actually firing people for smoking b/c they cost the company way too much.

Something that you can't prevent like diabetes or cancer is fine, but smoking doesn't benefit you in ANY way @ all. In fact it actually hurts your body, so why should I have to pay higher health insurance rates for them.

3) Sometimes for peoples own good, the government has to make some kind of rules. People feel that just b/c it's legal, it's ok to do. SMOKING CIGARETTES KILLS. I mean seriously, is there anyone that doesn't know that by now ??? If they're not concerned for themselves or the people around them, someone has to step in.

The nicotine is addictive and these people really CAN NOT STOP smoking. Unfortunately, they're not able to ban smoking totally yet, but at least they can prevent you from passing along the lung disease to other patrons.

Answer 5

i'm completely against smoking bans in bars. one huge reason why is because business owners don't have an option in this matter, it's being forced on them. not all business owners are non smokers......... and neither are all thier employees. i've been a smoker for quite sometime now, but i'm also a cautious smoker. i fully know the dangers of it and it's effect on others. that's why when i'm in a bar i'll step away from the crowd to smoke, but it never fails, as soon as i step aside a non smoker will come stand right next to me and give me the evil eye. some people love reasons to complain and to try to control people, it makes them feel superior.

to try to lecture someone in a bar about the dangers of smoking (while they're standing right in front of you assulting their own liver) is the pot calling the kettle black. if they were that concerned about their health why are they in a bar to begin with?

"It is difficult to design a study which conclusively proves, one way or another, whether these are caused by the ambient smoke. Many of these symptoms are common even among people who are not regularly exposed to second hand smoke. Also, many of the studies which have been performed have received funding from parties with definite interests in seeing specific conclusions, one way or the other." - taken straight from wikipedia

i also suggest watching the t.v show "penn and tellers bull@#$!".
"The aim of the show is to expose ideas generally believed to be unscientific through critical thinking and scientific skepticism, and to expose promoters of such things—especially those with ulterior motives". they did an episode on second hand smoke (even though they clearly state they are non smokers) which exposed how much of a danger it acually is as oppossed to all the false hysteria that is being circulated about second hand smoke.

Answer 6

YES.

The ban is fabulous. What right do smokers have to kill everyone around them, just because they have stupidly become addicted to something that will eventually kill them as well?

The workers in those bars should be allowed to earn a living without cutting short their life.

People who don't smoke should be able to go to a restaurant or bar, and enjoy themselves without having to breath in the smoke, and smell like an ashtray all night.

Why would anybody think that such a disgusting, filthy, deadly habit is worth fighting for?

Answer 7

leave the issue to the owner of the bar. The people who go to the bar should give a good idea what they want buy the sales and number of people showing up on a regular basis. As for protecting the health of the employs and customers; they are free to go to another bar. I think that as an adult in a FREE country that choice is an option.

Answer 8

I hate it when I go to a bar and come home smelling of cigarettes. I choose not to smoke for health reasons. There is no getting away from the fact that it's bad for your health. Why should I be forced to breathe someone elses secong hand smoke? I like eating curry. Some people don't, I wouldn't walk into a bar and force it in their mouths.

If they can't wait for a fag they should go outside.

PS. I see yahoo have banned fags

Answer 9

I think its a ridiculous ban. I don't even smoke, but even I know that when people go to bars they often go to wind down, and most people like to have a cigarette with their drinks. Smoking and drinking go hand in hand. I think the smoking ban in bars would definitely cause a decrease in alcohol sales. Also, I think its funny when people complain that smoking in bars should be banned because they hate going home smelling like smoke. If you are even in a bar, chances are you are going to go home smelling bad. Bars smell bad....period. If its not smoke, you;d come home smelling like beer or liquor. Trust me, I know. I was a bartender for 3 years.

Answer 10

I think they should just have a designated area for peole to go if they do not want the smoke or vice verca if the property owner decides to. Let the property owner make the decision on there own and let the government just stay out of it.