When the second hand smoke issue came up way back when I thought what a bunch of wimps and wimpettes, then I thought about it some more. when deciding something I try if I can to put myself in someone else's place which is not always easy to do. I thought about how I can't stomach being around a cigar, makes me feel deathly ill. So that made me look at it from the other point of view.

Another way to look at it is when you are the one that has to clean a house where you smoke. Anyone that has had to know it's ten times the work, then imagine many people smoking daily in that same place and how it must be to keep it clean.

I do love to smoke, but I have no problem smoking outside, and when I do I of course tend to smoke less. People do have the right to not be subjected to smoke and it's related hazards, just as I have the right to smoke, but outside where the damage is less, unless your a smoker that litters the world with cigarette butts.. Yuck!! Pick those damn things up!!

It isn't just the US who has banned smoking in public places.

My friend recently quit smoking. She said one of the first things she noticed was how bad it smells now when others smoke.

I understood that it was my choice to go out and be around smokers. Though, I didn't go out nearly as much as I would have liked. Now, it will just be much more enjoyable to be places without it.

The guy upstairs used to smoke in the stairwell and throw the cigarette butts all over the ground in front of my patio.

no answer???

Ya I know, guess I am about to relive that myself. I have quit a couple of times over the years. Just shoot me if I become one of those converted exsmokers.. grin

Ya, that makes me nuts. Had a nieghbor once that let everyone including himself throw cigarettes everywhere on his property.

Private clubs will be able to allow smoking. Public places will be allowed to have enclosed smoking areas. It's going to happen whether you like it or not.

I asked him nicely to stop. He ignored me, so I went to the leasing office. It hasn't happened since.

private property rights...

If I own a bar...a restuarant...I...not the government should dictate the terms...the fair way to handle this would be...bars and restaurants should have to post a sign...on the front door that says " This is a SMOKING establishment "...and let the people make up their own minds...choice right ?...

Started in PA on 9-1 really sucks

What about those non smokers who are sick and tired (literally) of being trapped in a cloud of smoke in non-drinking restaurants...What about those of us who don't drink?

It's a moot point for me...the public smoking ban has been in effect through most of Canada for about a decade. And I for one am glad that my days of coming home from a public place feeling like I swallowed battery acid are in the past.

But anyway, who said non-smoking drinkers are hypocrites? They choose to drink, just as they choose not to smoke. It's not about hypocrisy, it's about personal choice.

I'm not talking about resteraunts. I'm talking about bars.

Personal choice indeed. Freedom....????

Think about it...


And to Singmesweet...america was the first to start the no-smoking trend. Most of Europe could give a sh!t. And....being over there a couple years ago, seeing some of the most in shape, healthy people I have ever seen.....smoking...in public. Well...I was flabbergasted...

Go over there, witness for yourself, and prove me wrong...

If you're referring to the freedom of blowing smoke in people's faces, well, count me out of your idea of freedom.

It's always struck me as strange how smokers are so quick to cite their freedom, generally with a complete disregard for the freedom of a non smoker to breathe reasonably clean air and to envision a future without an iron lung, but that's just my opinion.

You know.. if you looked at this the right way, not using the power of the state to enforce your idea of a perfect society on the rest of the world, there might be a business opportunity in opening a smoke-free bar where there's a demand for it.

Why won't people let the free market do the talking?? Bars here have the choice of allowing or disallowing smoking.. guess what??? people go to both. some people like being in bars where there's nobody smoking and people like being able to go to a bar, have a whiskey and smoke without the health-facists breathing down their throats!

I think a lot of it has to do with the cost of health care. When Vermont passed their law it had a lot to do with protecting the non smoking staff of the business and the non smoking customers. This state also covers a lot of the health costs for people without insurance.

then the staff can CHOOSE not to work there and go down the street where they don't allow smoking!

I'm tired of the state and the cost of this and that to the taxpayer being the excuse for dictating behavior

Wikipedia isn't the best source, however this gives you a general idea of what places have smoking bans.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_smoking_bans

When it saves the state hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in health costs the law will be made. Not looking to argue with you but it all comes down to money.

bullhockey!! the states bilk millions and millions of dollars off taxes on cigarettes.. the feds too!

The least they could do is show the common G.D. courtesy to let them smoke while they say nurse a budweiser and watch the ball game.

Otherwise REPEAL EVERY F'ing tax on cigarettes and tobacco and then the state can have a say where people smoke.