SMOKE AND (BROKEN) MIRRORS smoking bans ... have led to an increase in drunk-driving fatalities.

ncpa.org ^ | July 31, 2008

[Just another Joe]

Actually, when suburbs started becoming popular there was an uptick in traffic fatalities.
More driving hours, more fatalities.

The smoking bans are the initial cause of smokers going farther afield to be able to have a smoke with their drink.
This does not excuse anyone for drinking and driving, but the explanation is quite clear.

[stylin19a]

The evidence is consistent with two mechanisms -- smokers searching for alternative locations to drink and smokers driving to nearby jurisdictions that allow smoking in bars, say Adams and Cotti.

Huh ? before or after the smoking ban, they're still driving.

Let's see if I've got this straight...They drive to a bar, get drunk, decide they need to smoke, so they get in their car to look for a bar that allows smoking ?

I wonder how much this study cost ?

[Realism]

Uh oh, time to ban the consumption of alcohol in public establishments.

[norton]

"After all, if I live way out in the suburbs I have to drive 30 miles to get home after a night of drinking. If I live in town, I can just walk a few blocks. "

I guess that mugging is preferable to a fender-bender, but you could still get a ticket.

[monday]

“That appears to be exactly what the author of the study is saying.”

Guess the only thing to do is ban smoking right?

[trumandogz]

No, but it would be nice if these smokers in question did not elect to drive around town looking for a bar and endanger other people’s lives simply so that they can find a place to drink and smoke.

[GOP_Lady]

What about the non-smokers driving around looking for a non-smoking establishment? It works both ways. Let's not be fooled here.

[webboy45]

The only thing to do is close all the bars. End of problem.

[Just another Joe]

What about the non-smokers driving around looking for a non-smoking establishment? It works both ways. Let's not be fooled here.

To be truthful, most, not all but most, nonsmokers, when they are going into a bar to have a few drinks, really don't care whether smoking is allowed or not.

Nonsmokers won't usually go driving to find a nonsmoking bar.

[CGTRWK]

If I were king of the world drivers would be punished for failing to maintain safe control of their vehicle at all times and there would be no such thing as a breathalyzer.

The entire field of DUI is built around the idea that why you didn’t stop in time is more important than that you didn’t stop in time. As if injuring other people because you were fooling with the radio or watching a woman jogging is somehow OK.

[NavyCanDo]

Lets not forget about the increased amounts of cigarette butts in outside of bars. Its been a real headache her in Washington, where smoking was outlawed in all public buildings, except for Indian Casinos, jails, and Prisons.

And there is a lesson for you. Want to smoke inside? - Get arrested.

[Carley]

When Mayor Bloomers instituted his smoking ban for NY he said, not so jokingly, that people would be drinking more.

As tho that was a good thing.

[absolootezer0]

it prolly is for nyc. considering there’s mass transit to transport inebriated patrons, which many utilize, there’s probably no noticable increase in DUIs.
more drinking means more taxes, higher revenues for bars, distributers, bottlers, merchants, etc. plus the added benefit of easier pickings for muggers.

[Gabz]

And there is a lesson for you. Want to smoke inside? - Get arrested.

Pretty pathetic, isn't it?

[metesky]

The kicker to me has always been that they refuse to allow the owners choice or the smokers choice, it's either their way or the highway.

If 23/27% of adults smoke, give 23/27% local tavern and saloon owners at least the option of having a smoking section. They 'll never do it because they are minor league bullies without the brown shirts and common sense, manners and courtesy mean nothing to them. They'd rather take the 2.5 extra deaths per county (How many counties are there?) than admit they can't pound a certain number of people into their imagined utopia.

I hate their hypocrisy and the smug assumption of superiority.

[Joe 6-pack]

"...more drinking means more taxes, higher revenues for bars, distributers, bottlers, merchants, etc. plus the added benefit of easier pickings for muggers."

And more votes for democrats.

[metesky]

What next, are we going to blame developers who build houses way out in the suburbs?

No, blame the evil scum over at Enemy Central and the zoning ordinances that keep a friendly tavern owner from opening a decent bar in the 'burbs.

[Lurker]

I hate their hypocrisy and the smug assumption of superiority.

You and me both my friend.

Couple that with their contempt for private property rights and ...

L

[traviskicks]

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[Diana in Wisconsin]

"The only thing to do is close all the bars. End of problem."

What? And encourage a whole NEW crop of 'Kennedy Rum Runners?' I think not! ;)