Do you think that all restaurants should ban smoking? and Why?

Question

I am writing an essay on this and I need some opinions. How do you a smoker or nonsmoker feel about this? Yes we all know that second hand is bad for you but does banning take away the smoker's rights?

Yes I am well aware that the law has been passed in most places. I am only asking for your opinion. Thanks everyone! =)

Answer 1

I live in California where there is no smoking in restaurants. I have lived through all of the stages that lead up to the lose of this particular "Smokers Right". After living with a smoke free environment in restaurants for a number of years I visited Nevada, where they still have smoking and non smoking sections in restaurants. My friends and I sat in the "Non Smoking section". While we ate I noticed that the smoke from the "Smoking section" came over to our side and I feel that it indeed took away from the pleasure of the meal.

I am a smoker, and have been for 25+ years. I think that a smoker only has the right to smoke where others can reasonably chose to me exposed to the smoke.
For example:

In your own home (where no minor children are present)
Out doors (20 or more feet away from any doorway where non smokers maybe)
In your car (where no minor children are present)

And my fellow smokers please stop throwing you buts on the ground, and out of car windows. Show some responsibility for our bad habit.

Answer 2

Well being a non-smoker i would say YES they should ban smoking in all restaurants...I feel that even when restaurants have a smoking section the smells travel and if I'm trying to enjoy my food I don't feel i should have to smell it. And no i don't feel banning takes away the smoker's rights because they can smoke anywhere else. They can live through an hour without smoking there.

Answer 3

All other things aside, I think that as a courtesy to non-smokers, smokers should have the decency to take their cigarettes to an area where they will bother the least amount of people.

It is just incredibly rude to sit in a restaurant and smoke and stink up the place.

I like the fact that many restaurants have said, nope, not in here. Take it outside. It makes going to a restaurant infinitely more enjoyable.

As for infringing upon the rights of smokers, I don't think it does at all. They still have the extremely reasonable option of stepping outside if they want to light up.

Answer 4

I was a die hard smoker for about 8 years and was PISSED when NY banned public smoking. After a while (as a smoker) I liked it. It was fun to go out for smoke breaks and I didn't stink like everyone else's cigarettes. One bad thing about the area where I am from is that lots of drunk people clutter the sidewalks smoking and fights can start.

Answer 5

I used to be a smoker and now I am not. I am however raising two grandchildren and one was born 2 months premature. She had all kinds of lung problems for the first 2 years. If it wasn't for the smoking laws in Florida, I would not have been able to take her any where.

I have relatives and friends that smoke, but I do not allow it in my home because of the children.

Answer 6

i am a non smoker however i dont agree with the banning of smoking in resturants or any other public place like they are currently getting ready to do in tennessee. i agree that smoking is not healthy and second hand smoke is not any better however its a persons right to smoke if they so choose. and if a paying customer wants to light up a cigarette in a smoking section with other smokers than that is there right. i just cant see how they can take a way a persons right to smoke and still allow people to buy as many beers that they want and get behind the wheel and kill an innocent person. its ridiculous and i want to know when this country became a country that was ruled by dictatorship. your raised to believe that this is a free country but everyday there passing another stupid law that takes away someones rights.

Answer 7

All Restaurants should ban smoking because people who never intended on ever smoking could be harmed otherwise. Lots of people don't enjoy that smell and I think it would be rude for one person to make 10 other people uncomfortable. From the smokers perception - I wouldn't mind smoking OUTSIDE of the restaurant if I decided I have to during the meal because I understand how it would effect others around me. Yes, second hand smoke is very bad and no one should be a potential victim of it. I think it would make everyone feel a lot better if smokers smoked outside so the customers could enjoy their meal inside. Also, lots of people, including myself, don't have to wait for second hand smoke to set in. I have asthma which could be triggered by smoke and if its bad enough, I could wind up in the ER that very night. Smoking is bad in whole. So if the people who smoke want to ruin their lungs, why should they ruin everyone elses? Also, the scent can get on the food and make it practically unedible. Good luck with the essay! Hope I helped!

Answer 8

They've already banned smoking in public places in the Uk including restaurants. I'm a smoker and I have no problem with the ban in restaurants but I have a big problem with the ban in pubs.

Answer 9

Yes, smoking should be banned in ALL restaurants, because, even with non smoking areas, and proper ventilation, the smoke still expands over the entire restaurant, getting on food, and in peoples respiratory systems. As for restaurants losing business, that is not true. California initiated a State wide ban on smoking in restaurants and bars, and they have not lost any business.In fact, they gained more business, because non smokers who once avoided them now go to them.

Answer 10

Banning does NOT take away the smoker's rights. Of course everybody is allowed to do whatever they want, as long as it's legal and it's not harming anybody else. Second hand smoke does harm others, so it shoudl be banned. And it's not like banning them from restraurants restricts them smoking in other places also. They can still smoke at home or just on the sidewalk.

I believe that it should be banned in restraurants. Or at least have a "non-smoking zone" in the restraurant. Smoke is a nasty smell and ruins your appetite and the food you are eating.