Banning Smoking In Bars Is Not Only Stupid, Research Shows It Is Dangerous

STEVELACKNER.COM ^ | June 20, 2008 | Steven W. Lackner

[Steve Van Doorn]

"I suggest it was because it was offensive to others."

agreed. Not a hazard to others that is not allergic to the smoke.

Thus it should be up to the store how he runs his business.

[metesky]

Drinking establishments existed before smoking became popular

Better check your premises. In the British colonies smoking in taverns was ubiquitous, only they smoked their tobacco from clay pipes instead of rolled in paper. Through the mid-Atlantic colonies tobacco was their first cash crop.

[Steve Van Doorn]

”In walks the pothead. Hey man, dudes were gettin’ high in bars 2000 years ago man.”

Sounds as though your brain has just been fried, I would suggest to lay off the drugs. But what do I know… I don’t smoke or do drugs.

[Glenn]

It’s really simple:

Don’t like smoke? Don’t go in there. Barkeep’s loss.

Don’t like nekkid women? Don’t go in there either. Stripper’s loss.

The only thing you risk, really, is your smugness.

[nonliberal]

[Vigilanteman]

Great list! North Dakota (where I grew up) was also one of the first states to ban the sale of candy cigarettes-- even before the surgeon general's report of the mid-1960s linking smoking and cancer.

I remember when I was in 6th grade and returned from Kansas (our former home) with three or four dollars worth of candy cigarettes. I more than doubled my money selling the contraband to friends. Had I done such a thing today, I'd have probably ended up in juvenile detention.

[Southerngl]

Well, I’m all for private property rights for bar owners to decide whether they allow smoking or not.

But to say that it increases deaths due to idiots driving drunk...

Sooooo, this guy is saying that it is more harmful because the drunk driver, the one who would obviously be driving drunk ANYWAY, has to drive drunk FARTHER?

HUH?

[adversarial]

who cares if you concede the point or not?

[WellyP]

Even here in Chile we have a smoking ban in bars and restaurants. The best thing that could have happened!Banning smoking in bars has allowed me to again have a social life and interact with people when and where I wish to.

[Still Thinking]

Clearly, smoking in a public enclosed space affects everyone in the space. Step outside.

It's not a "public space". It's private property owned by an individual or corporation to which persons unknown to the owner are allowed to enter at their discretion as long as they comply with any rules laid down by the owner.

Not a single penny belonging to anyone who doesn't go there has funded the place, so they don't have any standing to try to participate in deciding what gets done inside.

[swarthyguy]

Dude, this is America.

We don’t smoke fags, we marry them.

Get with it.

[Still Thinking]

More drunk driving miles, thus statistically more accidents.

[Soliton]

It's not a "public space".

According to law it is

It is both a place of public accomodation and a place of employment

As such, it is subject to immense regulation

[swarthyguy]

You don’t see the solution, do you?

Ban public drinking.

[trumandogz]

Smoking was banned in air raid shelters. Some provided separate rooms for smokers

Damn Nazis.

[R. Scott]

Why, yes!
I’d like to include several perfumes and colognes too. I react strongly to many - particularly when the woman uses far too much. I have a hard time breathing and can’t wait to get in the open. Better include a ban on Kimshe while we’re at it - I can’t stand the smell and if it’s too strong I’m close to getting sick.
I am a smoker, but have patronized non-smoking establishments without a problem I just have a real problem with Big Brotherism. In this case, if a person doesn’t want to hang out in a smoke filled bar - they shouldn’t go in.

[R. Scott]

Personally I prefer a neighborhood bar and grill to a tavern or inn. The only thing they have in common is booze.

[Soliton]

I don’t go in.

[Ramius]

I don’t go in.

So why do you want to control what's in there, then? Just like controlling things?

[Soliton]

Why don’t you look at my posts. I said it should be up to the bar owner.

Smoke all you want. Smoke whatever you want. Smoke where you want.