An open debate on Cigarette Smoking?

Question

Who here thinks it is wrong for a government to mandate if a person should or should not be allowed to smoke in restaurants or other public places?

Before you start...let me clarify...It's not that I disagree that smoking is bad..or that passive smoke is bad...however...doesn't it take away from the idea of capitalism to mandate to a business owner what he can or cannot do with his/her business? If a businss owner is anti-smoking than he has the right to not allow smoking in his establishment...same goes for a pro-smoking business owner. As a consumer, you then have a choice in which restaurant or bar to go to. I just don't think it's the government's place to make a blanket decision for all business owners.

Any thoughts?

Answer 1

Since smoking is legal and previously patrons of businesses were allowed to smoke there, I think they should continue to be allowed to smoke there.

However -- the reason cigarette smoking is legal to begin with is that our lawmakers are not heroic. They are self-interested little bureaucrats looking out only for themselves and keeping their jobs. All of the deleterious effects of smoking has been known for quite some time now. Far less hazardous substances are proscribed by law.

Cigarette smoking needs to be illegal, since as smokers age, they put a heavy burden on our medical system. If it were made illegal, anyone caught smoking a cigarette would receive a citation, just as they do for marijuana in more liberal states like Massachusetts.

(I'm a smoker and have been since 1998.)

Answer 2

~~~It is scary that the Govt can tell a busines owner how their suppose to run their establishment. Will the govt also tell people who are overweight that they cannot go into a fast food resturant because the will have higher colesterol levels if they eat the greasy food that will cause them to have a heart attack. How about alchol,,,,should we shut down all the bars because of the irrisponsibe people who drink and drive ???
I myself am a smoker,,,years ago it was considered glamorous,,just watch a few old movies,,, everyone smoked back then,,,,unfortunately nicotine is a highly addictive drug,,,,so hard to stop when you started so young.
I think alot of non smokers have been offended by inconsiderate smokers who flick there cigarette butts on the sidewalks or just light up in a restaurant with out regard to others,,,,I personally dont mind going to a restaurant without smoking,,I can always go outside,,,,I dont expect a non smoker to get up from their dinner and go out side just to get some fresh air.
I could go on and on here about this subject,,,,but if smokers would not get so hot headed about their "rights" and if non smokers wouldn't get to self ritechous we wouldn't be having this conversation,,,, ~~~~

Answer 3

I agree with you for the most part. I do like the idea of smoke free enviroments as I am now a non smoker and do not want second hand smoke. But I can see the side of wanting to have a ciggerette after diner or with a drink bacause I did enjoy that as a smoker. The only people I think the government has really helped is the wait staff. They should not have to be subjected to second hnd smoke. Prior to non-smoking laws they did not have the choice.

Answer 4

It's a free country, and a business owner should be allowed to allow smoking in his/her establishment. However, another fantastic part of our country's laws, is it's support of healthy working conditions and worker's rights. These two ideals provide a contradiction in this circumstance.

As a smoker, i love when restaurants offer a smoking section (the patio.) However, i have been in places that were sooo smoky, that I chose not to hang out there. This is my solution. I had the opportunity to live in Houston, Texas for 4 months. Houston has one of the highest restaurants per capita of any American city. There were many fantastic restaurants that had smoking sections, and when I lit up, my smoke just went strait up in the air and disappeared. I think this is due to the fact that Houston gets incredibly hot, and most of the restaurants have incredibly strong air conditioners and high ceilings. If a business owner is willing to spend the money on an air system that sufficiently cleans the air, then that owner should be allowed to have a smoking section. (Especially in California...for purely selfish reasons.)

*interesting fact--Bars were created as a place to smoke, the alchohol came later.

Answer 5

I hate smoke, I hate the smell and I don't want to be around it, BUT I will say - the business owner should decide, not the government!

I am glad there are smoke free restaurants - FINALLY! But still, businesses should descide. Smoking is not against the law....but I think that is where this is headed eventually.

Answer 6

Well, I'm not completely sure on this, and the answer is kind of mislead. I think that we don't have stricter laws is because cigarettes are taxed in the first place. Why would they want to ban something that is giving them tax dollars? It happens to be a secure tax revenue, because, its addicting and hard to quit! Cigars, cigarettes, and other smoking tobacco has been around for ages, and somehow it has been popular ever since. Business owners don't want to get rid of the smoking majority of business. Its really great to see people with smoking addictions though, the homeless people, they will purchase plenty of those short stacked, little filtered, sticks that light on fire, but they won't invest in a house, or a cheeseburger. They need the nicotine more than food. That's sad.

Answer 7

hy hons its gay partners steevie and davey, we work in the restaurant, adult entertainment industry okay, as nude waiters gay mens bar restauants hons anyways, we think its ridlicious to infringe on the business owners right around here(southern caifornia) okay the owner banned smoking and we have lost a ton of business on it okay, its not that hes against smoking its something like he said called kleaning costs, and presures from non smoking gay men here okay, and lets face itt who wants too kis something that smels like old roten ashtray okay?/ anyways it should be up too the discretion of the business owners not the goverments rights hons, they got there noeses stuck into everything and what gets is they raise the price of a pack of smokes on the street so godam hight then ban smoiing in some states, dont these idiots want the tax dolars generatedd bye it? if they make or force people to quit?? you would think so, anyways its up too the publicc too have a say in this not some jerk off stufy legislatorr in a godam thre pice suitt i bet they get away with itt!! and you nevr did say are you a smokeer did you quit what hm just wondered, anyways, this goverment has gone too far hey if you dont like the smoke in a restaurant then just sit home if your a non smoker!

Answer 8

No, I smoke but I think that businesses need to be mandated to do certain things. No one is taking away your right to smoke. A lot of people don't smoke and lets face it, smoking can be an offensive and disgusting activity to non-smokers (it is to me sometimes!) It's everyones right to be in any and every building that they choose. If I want a cigarette, I have no problem taking it outside. Interesting question though.

Answer 9

I am a non smoker, and I like to go to restaurants. It's nice to know that I don't have to worry about someone blowing smoke in my face while I'm trying to enjoy my meal. Since smoking is dangerous to everyone, not just the smokers, it should not be allowed in public places. I like being able to go to a bar and come out not smelling like smoke. I like not worrying about which restaurant bans smoking when I'm choosing where I want to go. Smokers can smoke anywhere outside. Non smokers should not have to be bothered with these things. It's the smokers who chose the bad habit, they should be the ones to worry about it.

Answer 10

youre right, if an owner wants a non smoking business then fine, but there should be a way for an owner to have a smoking business if they so desire. non smokers can stay clear of those estalishments.