[Tacis]

What a clymer. The free air legislation was never intended to increase business. It was meant solely to to prevent rude and inconsiderate tobacco addicts from contaminating the air for non-addicts.

Tobacco is so addictive that it cuts the brain power of smokers in half and they believe that others enjoy the stench as much as they do. If they can burn tobacco, why can't I burn chopped truck tires (Michelins are great after a steak).

BTW, what happened to the guy that used to scream about me owning a car as proof that he should be able to light up and ruin my meal? I hope he has not died of lung cancer.

I also like the "private property" silliness. Smoking is an offensive act. Non-smoking is passive. A business open to the public can't justify offenses against any single customer by claiming privaye property. No, this guy should stick to writing about sports.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

I agree. In my area, the public was against the smoking bans voted in, but now they love it and are in favor of it. It's a selfish agenda vs. the big picture.

[CSM]

"I also like the "private property" silliness. Smoking is an offensive act."

You have made your logic clear with this statement. Because you are offended by something, you think it is acceptable to confiscate the use of someone's property to meet your standards of morality!

If you wanted to "enjoy" your meal in a smoke free environment, then you have the freedom to frequent a smoke free restaurant. If none exists, you also have the freedom to take the risk and start one. Smokers would have the freedom to not frequent it and non smokers would. There problem solved.

The weakest in our society always require the government to do their bidding. You are one of the gnatzies. Gnatzies are showing that they are the weakest in our society.

[Grit]

The free air legislation was never intended to increase business.

No, it was intended to punish business.

It was meant solely to to prevent rude and inconsiderate tobacco addicts from contaminating the air for non-addicts.

Assuming you are one of the non-addicts, I can't imagine that this is relevant, since you are the reason many bar owners have the sign that says: "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone."

I also like the "private property" silliness.

You are not a business "owner", are you?

Smoking is an offensive act.

To you and many others, but not to me.

Non-smoking is passive.

Ok. But criminalizing a common behavior and then forcing business owners to enforce the law for the state is anything but passive.

A business open to the public can't justify offenses against any single customer by claiming privaye [sic]property.

Define "offensive". BTW, Someone is "offended" by everything.

I hope he has not died of lung cancer.

Sarcasm and compassion noted.

[SheLion]

I agree. In my area, the public was against the smoking bans voted in, but now they love it and are in favor of it. It's a selfish agenda vs. the big picture.

News from Florida:

The ban has been especially tough on smaller, local hangouts like Rodbender's Raw Bar and Grill in Cutler Ridge.

For nearly two months after the law took effect, owner Kathy McMillan banned smoking. She said she lost almost 90 percent of her customers, and more than $14,000 in sales.

[MrLeRoy]

A business open to the public can't justify offenses against any single customer by claiming privaye property.

If they give advance notice of the "offenses," they certainly may.

[Judith Anne]

Tobacco is so addictive that it cuts the brain power of smokers in half..."

Do you know, have you read, or are you aware of the effect of cigarette smoking on brain waves? Do you know which, smokers vs non-smokers, have the most beta waves, the brain waves associated with critical reasoning, and which have the most alpha, the brain waves associated with a dreamlike, emotional haze?

Do you know the relationship between Alzheimer's disease and smoking?

I'm going to say something so UN-PC that you may be shocked: Tobacco smoke smells nice. It is as pleasant as incense. It is alluring, on a man wearing a wool sweater and a leather jacket...it's pleasing on a woman in silk, and it blends nicely with her perfume...It's a relaxing smell, soft, non-intrusive, and a great background to slow jazz music and interesting conversations...The smells of fresh baked bread, hot coffee, and a cigarette are intoxicating in the morning...after dinner, the smell of cigarettes blends perfectly with the single-malt scotch in a heavy crystal glass...Smoke is so much more than a smell, it's the soft rise of misty swirls, it's the lipsticked kiss on the end of a filter, the click and fire of the lighter...it's an adult pleasure, it's a zone that says relax...

I'm a part-time smoker...I smoke a pack in four or five days...I think you people are uncultured busybodies...

[E Rocc]

A business open to the public can't justify offenses against any single customer by claiming privaye property.

So what you are saying is that if Donald Wildmon walks into a bar, they must quit serving alcohol because drinking offends him?

-Eric

[Labyrinthos]

The free air legislation was never intended to increase business. It was meant solely to to prevent rude and inconsiderate tobacco addicts from contaminating the air for non-addicts.

W R O N G ! ! ! The smoking ban in New York was enacted specifically to protect the health of employees who work in bars and restaurants, which is why the Federal District Court sitting in Syracuse may strike the law as unconstitutional under the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution. Why is that, you ask? Because Congress in creating OSHA decided that the Feds should occupy the areas of workplace safety in order to have uniformity across the country and as a result, the states may not pass workplace safety laws that conflict with federal law.

Tobacco is so addictive that it cuts the brain power of smokers in half...

Yup, look what smoking did to Judge Scalia... turned him into a walking idiot. < /sarcasm >

[bc2]

I hope you aren't really in charge of anything, because you have no idea what you're talking about.

Private property is not silliness. Smoking is certainly offensive to some people. It matters not, because you are free to patronize, or not, whatever businesses you choose to. Welcome to a Free Country (for now). You show how little you know by calling them "open to the public". They do not have to justify anything. There is no force involved in you patronizing, or not, their business; you are free to go to non-smoking bars and restaurants, repair shops where the mechanics don't smoke, shoe stores that have no smoking policies, etc.

You have every right to open a restaurant, and burn tires after dinner. It is your private property! I have every right to be offended. What I *DO NOT* have the right to do is dictate, through the force of government, what you do on your private property.

You also show how little you know by stating the legislation was enacted to keep the air clean for other customers. You're wrong: the legislation was passed under the guise of protecting the air quality for EMPLOYEES.

Here is a novel idea: why don't you mind your own damn business on your property, and if you are offended by an activity taking place on someone elses property, remember that at any time you are free to leave.

If not, you should call the police and file kidnapping charges.

It's idiots like you that will soon enable these nannys to ban steaks, and ice cream, and fatty foods etc.

If you don't believe me check out the website of John Banzhaf, a simple Google search will get you there. You will be shocked.

That is, unless you are just another nazi who can't wait for total control of every aspect of society.

[Leisler]

"Non-smoking is passive. A business open to the public can't justify offenses against any single customer by claiming privaye property."

Passive.

"A business.." Passive nouns.

No sense in having you read Orwell's Politics and The English Language. It's about 10 pages and would tax your XT cpu.