Nothing to Cheer About: Smoking ban violates business owner’s property rights.

Goldwater Institute ^

[sheana]

make that ‘being’ lol

[NY.SS-Bar9]

Your condescension is palpable. I sniff a "career" in Sociology or something equally useful like phrenology.

Actually, I'm a phone sanitizer;)

I am an engineer by day and occasionally, a waiter /restaurant manager by night. I have had to work in restaurants to make ends meet. Sometimes very smoky restaurants. So I have some knowledge of the subject.

As for the "canard" that second hand smoke is harmful, do you deny that tobacco smoke contains carcinogens? Do you deny that smoking causes serious illnesses? Can you cite a scientific study that proves that heavy exposure to second-hand smoke is hamless?

[Gabz]

I am an engineer by day and occasionally, a waiter /restaurant manager by night

You forgot nanny-statist.

I spent 15 hours working at the local Moose Lodge over 3 days last week. I guarantee you I was exposed to more toxins and noxious fumes in the 3 hours I spent cooking in the kitchen than I did in the 12 hours tending bar, in a smoker friendly bar.

I get paid to tend bar, cooking is volunteer time - in other words - I CHOOSE TO DO IT. Just like you choose to enter an establishment that permits smoking.

As to your canard in a previous post about owners not going smoke-free voluntarily, you're out of your mind. When Washington D.C. banned smoking in bars and restaurants more than 75% were already smoke-free.......BY THE OWNERS' CHOICE. What more do you people want?

Our (formerly*)favorite restaurant has been smoke-free since it openned, it never stopped us from going there. One of our favorite lunch places has also always been that way, and that owner is extremely vocal in his opposition to a total ban because he doesn't wish to lose his clientele.

Your support of government forced smoking bans is destroying the market niche business owners have created for themselves by going smoke-free on their own.

*(formerly*) favorite restaurant has nothing to do with the smoke-free policy.........I don't do business with people that cater to illegal aliens and stopped patronizing the establishment after the owner was arrested for running a brothel that caters to illegals.

[Madame Dufarge]

I have had to work in restaurants to make ends meet

I remember that time I had to work as an alligator wrestler to make ends meet. It was the only job available in the entire universe. Talk about risky.

You have to work in "very smoky" restaurants? Who would believe this?

Do you deny that smoking causes serious illnesses?

So what? Life causes serious illnesses, resulting in death 100% of the time. And what does this have to do with the death ray known as "second-hand" smoke?

Can you cite a scientific study that proves that heavy exposure to second-hand smoke is hamless?

Abstract of WHO Study on Second-Hand Smoke

[NY.SS-Bar9]

You have obviously never worked in the hospitality industry. And judging from the demeanor of your responses, you are not qualified.

...subjects up to 74 years of age were interviewed about exposure to ETS

Sorry, an interview is not an accurate measurement of exposure. The study relies on memories and hearsay and is influenced by the biases and prejudices of the respondents.

We did find weak evidence of a dose-response relationship between risk of lung cancer and exposure to spousal and workplace ETS

Did you bother to read the last sentence?

And what does this have to do with the death ray known as "second-hand" smoke?

I would defend your right to smoke, and live your life as you see fit. Respect my right to do the same. We all choose our risks and balance them against the rewards. The calculations are personal and you should not force your choice on others.

[3catsanadog]

...Some news for nonsmokers. Everyday nonsmokers pass away... Just like those that smoke cigarettes...

And they think that they will die peacefully, kind of like Melanie Wilkes in Gone With the Wind. Just go to sleep after a routine day.

For the past 5 years, I've worked in a nursing home and then a hospital and have witnessed the last days of many people. Trust me, most don't go with a serene smile on their face. Smokers and non-smokers alike.

[at bay]

Still at it, eh Gabz? You’ll get all of these laws nationwide overturned if it’s the last thing you do. Ciggie dangling from your lips, you courageously pound out post after post bemoaning the dastardly effects of majority rule.

The solution is so simple, though. Just get an extra sentence tacked on to the equal rights amendment! It’s sure to pass one of these days and just a couple of words—”and our smoking friends, too” should do the trick. With a constitutional amendment, you and your smokin buddies will be protected as the beleagered minority you really are.