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Going in to public place we are equals

These are private establishments. They may be open to the public, but they are not public places (i.e. owned by the public). Just as the proprieter can ask you to leave if you're unruly, you can choose to frequent other establishments if you're offended by smoke.

Eating out isn't some "right" that one is entitled to. If you think that a lot of people would prefer smoke-free bars or restaurants, then open one. Don't force the existing businesses to comply via legislation. Obviously, there wasn't a demand for smoke-free establishments, or legislation wouldn't have been required.

The desires of the few, imposed on the many by force. Doesn't sound like freedom to me...

When I used to smoke, and the airlines allowed smoking in certain section of the planes, I used to sit in the NON-SMOKING section. The reason was, the minute the pilot says you may smoke, every one in the smoking section lights up in the same second. Even then, as a smoker, it was unbearable!

Now, I am off this STUPID habit for years, and every time I go to a bar, I encounter the same experience as I did on the flights of early years. Simply all these stupid youngsters, especially the girls, typically do not smoke, and they just puff on a cigarette IN BARS, just to look COOL? The idea that after the hostile campaign against smokers and smoking for several decades, youngsters are still starting in this addictive STUPID habit is very puzzling.

Yes it is intrusive for the government to tell a business what to do, however, if the nonsmoking public has no way of protecting themselves from second hand smoke. The government intrusion is the only thing left.

Say for example that there are certain people who are happy to take their infant with them to a bar/restaurant, and the baby has a diaper loaded with crap that stinks the room? Do you think the other people in that room have a right to expect that parent to clean the baby? Suppose, the parent says, well, I am happy with that smell! If you don't like it leave. Then you leave and encounter the same type of parent/stink in the next bar/restaurant! Do you think that would be offensive?

Smoking is addictive, and the smokers crave that nicotine in their blood periodically during the day. It was acceptable for the nonsmokers to share the room or even the car with smokers, and now it is not acceptable. Smokers should live with that fact; that they stink, and their presence stink the room. They need to smoke outside, and spray deodorant on themselves as they renter the room-not to offend others. Self-consciousness is a good idea for them to be acceptable in the society. If you have lots of gas, you do not impose yourself on everyone in the room?

Thirty percent of people smoke. What was it you were saying about the few impossing on the many?

Yep it is sad isn't it. The Constitution doesn't guarantee you the right to be an idiot.

As a non-smoker I have talked to management about the problem of smoking. I knew some restaurant owners quite well. They wanted to ban smoking but felt it would hurt their business. They were as thrilled as I was when the ban went into effect. As a matter of fact they get more business from from me now. And smoking patrons can't go down the street to stink up some other place to stick to the owners that were doing the right thing. Gotta love it.