[TSgt]

This is great news!

It is good to hear that private businesses are making the decision to ban smoking and not being forced to do so by the government.

That is what you FR-smoking types wanted isn't it?

Every time I read a smoking thread it contains pissing and moaning from FR-smokers about how the government should not interfere with private business. Well here you go! A private business made the decision to ban smoking…and guess what? You all are all still pissing and moaning!

Your habit stinks and I should not be forced to smell like Phillip Morris when I leave a restaurant. Now I can tell you what you always tell me, "If you don't like it, go somewhere else!"

Ha!

[jimt]

Ease up there, friend.

Most of us are not complaining about Applebee's decision. My favorite Thai restaurant was non-smoking, even though the owners, who were also the only employees, were smokers. It simply was too small for a smoking / non-smoking section.

The comments I've read were critical of the Applebee's management's hypocrisy, not their policy.

The vast majority of restaurants here in Houston accomodate both, and it seems to work out well. With adequate ventilation and filtration everybody can be happy.

[Just another Joe]

That is what you FR-smoking types wanted isn't it?

That's right, Mike, we want the business owner to be able to make the decision.
If Appleby's wants to go smoke free at ALL their locations, franchises included, I have no bone to pick with them.
It's a business decision.

That said, Mike Scanlon get's no points from me because he is a hypocrit.
He wants there to be freedom for him to decide, as a business owner, whether or not to allow smoking because, "However, as a businessman, I need to listen to my customers and do what I believe is right for my business."
However, Mr. Scanlon doesn't want to allow the business owner in Lexington, Kentucky to have that same right to make their own decision.
Mr. Scanlon is no more than a hypocritical antismoker in a position of semi-power.

[Gabz]

That is what you FR-smoking types wanted isn't it?

Yes it is and I don't see any pissing and moaning here except from the anti-smoker gnatzies like you.