Will you still eat here?

Question

In Tennessee, the ban to stop smoking restaurants was passed. Starting October 1st, the law will be enforced in restaurants all across the state. How do you feel as a smoker / non smoker? Does a restaurant not having a smoking section hurt their business? What do you think?

I know my husband smokes, I don't. I can't wait to sit in restaurant and not have my allergies go nuts because of the smoke. But on the other hand, I feel bad for my husband, its like he is being punished.

How do you all feel about non smoking restaurants? Is is the governments right to do this? Or should they butt out?

Answer 1

I honestly think it is a very good law. I respect smokers, but a lot of them do not respect us, i believe that it is not fair to go out to a public place to have a good time with our families while having our little ones exposed to this second hand smoke just cause the smokers dont have the coutesy to go out and do it outside. I think that is their body and if that is what they want to do well we should all respect that. But us nonsmokers should also recieve the same respect, we are concious that is not good for our body, that is why we have always tried to avoid it so this law will sure benefit us and our little ones.

Answer 2

The bars and restaurant owners in NYC were all predicting the death of the industry when the smoking ban went into effect. Hasn't happened. Hasn't even come close. I am incredibly happy to be able to go out and not have to worry about the stench of tobacco ruining my meal.

Yes, the government has a right to do this because the government has a right to look after the health and well-being of it's citizens. Smoking-related illnesses, even those from second-hand smoke, cost millions of dollars and untold hours of productivity.

Finally, your husband is being punished by not being able to feed his addiction for a couple of hours? He's being punished by not being able to make people smell his smoke while they're eating? Where's the punishment? Your husband, and every other smoker, made the choice to start. It isn't something they were born with, it isn't something they have no control over.

Answer 3

As a casual smoker the ban is a weekend inconvenience, not a life altering item. What I find to be wrong about the whole thing is that the owner of a business, any business, should have the right to decide whether or not to allow smoking at, or in, their place of business. Period. If I own a bar/restaurant/eatery and I don't want smoking, fine. If I do, fine.

Answer 4

I live in a city where there's no smoking in restaurants; it's great. You can taste your food; you can see your friends across the table; you don't sneeze all of the time; and your clothes don't end up like an ashtray after one dinner.
Secondhand smoke is a serious public health threat. It's especially true for servers who are forced to work in smoking sections.

Some establishments will be hurt by the ban (one restaurant closed, citing only the smoking ban, because so many of their customers lingered over cigarettes), but it's an overall net positive.

Your husband is being punished. He engages in a nasty habit that not only ruins his health and clothes, but ruins MINE too.

Answer 5

I just don't go out to eat anymore. I may order to go but thats it. I am waiting to see what happens where I live in Arkansas because 2 restaurants have opened up that are called Smokers Restaurant. It lets the non-smokers know up front that they are entering a smoking environment.

Answer 6

Honestly, I'm glad. I'm not a smoker myself and I have nothing against people that smoke... but mixing the cigarette smell with my food has been one of my biggest pet peeves. I don't mind restaurants that have the smoking section outside, but if the new law will prohibit that as well, then it's going to be tough on the people who smoke.

Answer 7

I am a smoker, and I love the fact that I do not have to breath in second hand smoke while I eat.

I do not smoke in my own home let alone at the dinner table, because it stinks. I do not want to pay to inhale other people smokes.

Don't feel bad for your husband, I am sure he can brave a 1 hour dining experience without a ciggy.

Answer 8

I'm a smoker. For any smoker who has manners, they shouldn't smoke in a restaurant because the air in the restaurant is everybody's. Restaurants are for EATING, not SMOKING.

Answer 9

it is definitely the governments business. by reducing the amount of second hand smoke the restaurant patrons and workers are being exposed to, it will lower the incidence of lung cancer and other related diseases. this in turn, lowers medical costs for the entire country.

by having a "smoking section" even in the same building (or nearby outside), still hurts everyone who is in it. with the circular ventilation and ceiling fans, it spreads the toxins (albeit lighter) around the entire room and everyone breathes it in.

i don't think it hurts businesses, i live in WA state and we had the WA indoor clean air act (or something along those lines) passed last year, and it has increased my patronage to certain places like bars, clubs, casinos, and cardrooms (yet, these are not necessarily the best places to go!) because there is less smoke and i don't have to smell when i get home.

no, your husband (and others) are not being punished. they are getting help, by teaching them to control their urges while dining, and around others. also, it gives them just another little kick in the butt to to remind them that smoking is harmful for yourself and those around you.

hope this helps!

Answer 10

The government has every right to do this. If someone wants to ruin their body fine they can do that in the privacy of their own home as far as i'm concerned. But if its nears my children or me, thats where I draw the line. Why should we have our chances of lung cancer increase because of someone elses idiotic habit? 2nd hand smoke is more likely to give someone cancer, If I were a smoker I would think about that every time I thought about complaining.