New ohio state-wide smoking ban...this is bull.?

Question

I'm a light smoker, and this past election we in Ohio had two issues on the ballot, smoke-less and smoke-free Ohio. Smoke-less, which banned smoking in most areas, failed, while smoke-free, which banned smoking in ALL areas passed.

I have no problem banning smoking in public areas. Restaurants, hotels, you name it, ban it. But when it comes to Bars, that just has me confused. Since there have been bars in existence, there have been smoking in those bars. Smoking and drinking go together, it's not some new concept created by this generation. Is there anyway to overturn this, to make it Okay to smoke in bars?

Answer 1

it sucks....yes...but join the club - California has been that way for years and Arizona just passed a similar law....you just adjust. After living in CA for several years, coming back to OH (where I grew up) and actually smoking in a public place was weird. Once you're used to it and the bars make adjustments and accommodations - which they will....you'll forget what it was like before. The nice thing about no smoking inside a bar is that when you get home, you don't have to shower before bed. When ever I've gone out to a bar I always have to leave my clothes down in the laundry room and shower before going to bed, otherwise my closet & bed smell like a big old ashtray the next morning.

As for overturning it - not gonna happen unless smoking suddenly becomes socially acceptable and cool again (which it won't). If all the smokers would get out and vote, (and in some cases...actually read up on what they're voting for...cause things can be worded in such a way that you are actually voting opposite of how you feel) this never would have happened. The loudest voice wins....and the loudest and most organized voices are usually those pesky special interest groups....which - don't get me wrong, aren't always bad....but they don't usually speak for the majority. Can you imagine a lobbist going and pushing for smokers rights? Getting pettitions signed? Smoking is so taboo and "disgusting" now, I just can't see it happening. Consider yourself lucky tho - there's a town in AZ where you can't even smoke in your car unless the window is rolled up! Explain that one!! You can pump gallons of noxious fumes in to the air so long as it comes out of a tail pipe, but god forbid you puff a bit of smoke into the air where someone might smell it and be offended! (and in AZ - we have polution warnings all the time and something known fondly as the "brown cloud" hovering over the city of Phoenix....but they don't call for a decrease in vehicle traffic to save our lungs that way) Ok...I'm starting to ramble now.

Anyway...this is just another classic example of why, as Americans, we need to be involved in the political process....and not just leave it to "everyone else"

Answer 2

I am pretty sure it is too late, People had a chance at those polls to voice their opinion, I have noticed many who are hollering the loudest, did not bother to vote, so there you have it,,that "it wont pass attitude"
I do not like the fact that I cannot smoke in my own store. and I worry how this ban is going to affect business in my area. But all the worrying in the world is not going to change a thing/ Once it gets legislated and enforcement gets set in place, we second class citizens {smokers} are going to have to hide. I just hope when I am standing outside smoking, I do not get spit on , or spray painted like they did the people who wore furs a while back. OH BOY<,,,,,,

Answer 3

I'm a non-smoker and I oppose the smoking ban. Its not even a smokers rights vs. non-smokers rights issue. Its a property owners rights issue. If I own a business, I should be able to let my customers use any legal product. If customers don't like smoke, they can vote with their feet and wallet. I say require the business to post a sign on the door that says "Smoking Allowed" of "Smoking Prohibited". People can choose to go in or not go in.

Answer 4

I live right across the river from cincy...it's all bull...The Havana Marntini and Cigar bar is going to close....sucks bc that's a really cool place.

I think that if you own a business....you should be able to chose if you want people to smoke in your bar.

It's good for business on this side of the river...bars over here are booming!!

And did you also know....that ban....includes truckers in their cabs...it's considered a workplace...isn't that a hoot!!

Answer 5

As a resident of the state of Ohio, I am in agreement with you. They screwed up when they put the law & the amendment of the ballot in November. They forgot to get the rules & regulations in place before implementing the law, so no one knows who will get exempted & who won't.

Class action lawsuit has been filed by sw Oh liquor association & if you are a resident, contact your state legislators to get their rears in gear to clean up the mess.

Answer 6

smokers have rights too. I feel that when you take the rights away from anyone you take it away from all.