what are the cons to a smoking ban?

Question

I am doing a paper on why smoking bans are bad and I need more insight, since I am a nonsmoker.

Answer 1

Well dear, hold on to your hat, I've got an entire thesis for you:

1. People lose rights that they otherwise had in a free country. I'm NOT talking about the "right" to blow smoke in people's faces, but simply the right to smoke outdoors, as most city/state/goverment buildings do not even allow smoking on the property! Furthermore, there are some cities that have banned public smoking altogether.

2. Prohibition DOES NOT WORK. We have seen this with the prohibition of alcohol in the 1930's. We are currently seing this with the prohibition of drugs today. I am not condoning the use of any of these substances, but when you tell everyone that they CANNOT do them under any circumstances, there will always be a black market for those substances which creates crime and violence. (This will be one of your best arguments--look up 1930's prohibition and the outcomes of it).

3. We are creating a faction of society with a learned prejudice and hate towards another faction of society, and we feel that somehow this is "okay", because those people are nasty, evil smokers. Somehow we justify our hate by saying "it's in their best interest". Don't we have enough division and hate in our society already??

4. The medical establishment has gotten too big for its britches. It states that:

a. Smoking CAUSES lung cancer. Excuse me? Based on what evidence? We don't know what CAUSES any form of cancer--the best the medical establishment has come up with so far is that cancer can (and usually is) GENETIC. It is fair to say "Smoking CONTRIBUTES to lung cancer", but not causes it.

b. Second Hand smoke KILLS. Again, what evidence do they have for this? NONE. If second hand smoke from a little-bitty cigarette can kill someone, then imagine what the smoke from a campfire, a factory, a forest fire, or a smelly 18-wheeler is doing to you??!!

...The medical establishment is turning itself into a political force, as opposed to a scientific one. Yes, it's all about selling services and prescription medications--making themselves and the drug companies rich.

5. Why ban smoking in BARS? I can understand restaurants, where a lot of the "smoking sections" are inadequate and people don't like to be around smoke when they are eating. But bars? People are in there drinking! Most non-smokers I know light up a smoke or two whilst drinking alcohol. Furthermore, does this not smack of total hypocrisy? "It's okay to kill your liver in here, but not your (or anyone else's) lungs"??!!

Also, in Madison, WI where I live, they have banned smoking in CIGAR BARS! Go figure! How does this work? LOL

Good luck on that paper,
Ana

Answer 2

I have co-owned a small tavern, in upstate NY, since 2001. Not a classy-place, but not one where you're likely to get stabbed either. Profit-margins were normal for an establisment of its size. The place had a fairly decent lunch crowd (eaters), from surrounding businesses, and a small crowd of daily regulars (drinkers). Mostly blue-collar workers. Definitely not a college-bar. While we do serve food, most of the profit comes from the sale of alcoholic beverages. I'd say roughly 70% of our patrons smoke.

In 2003, after NY banned smoking in bars, about 1/4 of our patrons stopped coming in, both eaters and drinkers, and profits dropped ~35%. We were on the verge of bankruptcy. To recover, prices were increased, one waitress and a kitchen asst., both part-time positions, were laid-off and we re-negotiated with our suppliers. It has taken three very difficult years, but we are finally profitable once again. Our business volume is still below the pre-ban volume and we have not replaced either employee that was laid-off.

Smoking patrons must now go outside for a smoke. We added an awning onto the back of the building, to shelter them from rain/snow, and put a couple benches out there. In winter we have a salamander type heater to keep them from freezing. Sadly, no matter how many butt-cans we put out there people seem to think the entire parking lot is an ashtray. All these changes were not free. The funny part is, one of the arguments to support the smoking ban in bars was to not expose the employees to second-hand smoke. Yet all three bartenders, the waitress and both cooks smoke.

I know this is not the case with all bars/restaurants since the institution of the NY smoking ban. A lot of it depends on the type of clientele that frequents a given establishment.

Answer 3

The only bad thing that most people might bring up would be loss of profits in bars, restaurants, nigh clubs. However, studies have shown that profits actually increased with a smoking ban, especially in restaurants.

Answer 4

Honestly I'm a smoker and I agree that smoking in public areas should be banned it's not right for other to have to deal with it if they don't have to.

Answer 5

There really isn't one. Now if it was banned all together where you couldn't buy, then it would be they are addicts and will just grow their own illegally.