"> Keeping smokers from smoking because the nanny state doesn't like it. Thats all any of these laws are about.... It's not about anyones health anymore.. its a move toward prohibition and control."
"I'm afraid you're absolutely correct.
And what are we going to do about it?"
If everyone stopped patronizing establishments where smoking is banned for a couple months, the bans would be reversed. People need to stand up to this insanity...and not just on message boards...it needs to happen in real life! I've not gone to a bar since the ban started in my area. I miss it, but it's just wrong and I just don't feel comfortable in a place that is so restrictive.
I have to differ. The vast majority of bars and restaurants don't want the bans -- they argued and lobbied against the ban from the git-go. A lot of them went out of business when the bans went into effect, and more of them nearly did. All that would happen "if everyone stopped patronizing establishments where smoking is banned" is that the ones that survived would finally succumb.
This is the real evil of the nanny state -- there's no recourse that works. Petitions are ineffectual, lawmakers are in the grips of P.C. B.S. The only actions that make any difference are civil disobedience (e.g. a bar that flouts the law and lets patrons smoke under the guise of being a private club or other exempt establishment).
I used to smoke; I quit over 30 years ago for health reasons. I could do without it but I have no axe to grind in either direction -- I don't care if other people smoke around me, it doesn't bother me unless I'm singing (I'm a musician) in which case the non-smoking is actually a plus for the band. But it's hell on attendance.
I saw friends of mine who owned bars and restaurants lose 10's and 100's of thousands of dollars to the smoking ban. I saw a friend lose his life savings worth of capital investment due to the ban. I hate the ban as much as some people hate smoking.
There must be a way to change the law. But putting economic pressure on the establishments isn't going to help, in this case.