[noscreenname]

Unfortunately this 'trend' is gaining momentum. Our city council (Albuquerque NM) recently enacted a total smoking ban in every restaurant in the city. We have a 30' rule around any building that houses businesses (public and private).

I am a recovering smoker (40+ years), but not an 'in your face' born again non-smoker, and totally disagree with the ordinances (my wife smokes). My primary concern is the way these laws are imposed. Usually without a vote of the general population. Another imposition from the left because they know better than the rest of us and we're too stupid to take care of ourselves.

[SheLion]

Usually without a vote of the general population. Another imposition from the left because they know better than the rest of us and we're too stupid to take care of ourselves.

And when it is turned over for a vote, with 25-30% of the state being smokers, smokers still lose. :(

It's hard being in the 'minority,' especially if your a smoker. The other minorities are gaining their rights, but smokers are losing theirs. And smokers pay out more then their fair share in taxes.

[bcoffey]

I'm another Albuquerquean who thinks the city ban is ridiculous, and I'm a non-smoker.

If a restaurant/bar is too smoky, I'll just go somewhere else. If there's nowhere else to go, some creative entrepeneur will figure it out and open an establishment catering to my desires.

In fact, that happened in one case in Albuquerque. When the city council was playing politics with the bill and no one knew where it was going to end up, one of the larger west side restaurants went smoke free on its own accord as part of a business plan. (Must have worked - they got my business.)

[LynnHam]

Unfortunately this 'trend' is gaining momentum. Our city council (Albuquerque NM) recently enacted a total smoking ban in every restaurant in the city. We have a 30' rule around any building that houses businesses (public and private).

My husband an I went to Wyoming for 2 weeks didn't know it was totally non smoking ... we decided to just eat take out food like McDonald's pizza hutt .. never went to one restaurant there if they don't want smokers money they won't get mine.