Smoke-Free Establishments

[houseofdon]

Come on, people. People are injecting emotion and personal preferences into an argument that shouldn't be based on that at all.

This is NOT about smokers' rights vs. non-smokers' rights. This is about a business owner's right to run a business how he or she feels is best -- a fundamental paradigm of free enterprise. Like most of you I like a smoke-free bar, but the last thing we need to do is put more regulation on small businesses. Once the market demands everyone goes smoke-free, businesses will adjust accordingly.

[Sailor]

But it IS about health.

Employees must wash their hands before returning to work so that they and the patrons don't get sick. Want to serve carpaccio? Regulations galore, regardless of how you as a private business want to prepare and serve it. The government health department regulates such restrictions.

And smoking is a health issue--health of patrons and health of employees. If smoking affected only the smoker, I would say go for it. But it adversely affects the health of others, and as such should be regulated.

[doogur]

Come on, people. People are injecting emotion and personal preferences into an argument that shouldn't be based on that at all.

This is NOT about smokers' rights vs. non-smokers' rights. This is about a business owner's right to run a business how he or she feels is best -- a fundamental paradigm of free enterprise. Like most of you I like a smoke-free bar, but the last thing we need to do is put more regulation on small businesses. Once the market demands everyone goes smoke-free, businesses will adjust accordingly.

[doogur]

The following is what smokers is what smokers subject others to in a crowded, enclosed room:

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, MD

Cigarettes contain thousands of chemicals. Up to 600 additives and flavorings may be in a single cigarette. But this is as nothing when we consider the 4000 chemicals that are released when a cigarette is smoked.

Nicotine

Nicotine is the main addictive ingredient in tobacco. It is readily absorbed into the blood and gives a hit (a rush) to the brain in about 10 seconds. Nicotine produces chemicals in the brain called dopamine. It is the regular hits of nicotine that the brain comes to expect and when people quit it causes withdrawl symptoms. Nicotine is a stimulant that increases the heart rate and blood pressure - this is partly a sign that the body is trying to absorb more oxygen.

Acetone

That's the stuff used as a solvent to remove nail varnish. Ammonia

Ammonia speeds up the delivery of the nicotine

It freebases the nicotine in the same way as a crack user takes cocaine.

Tar

Tar is deposited into the lungs every time a person inhales. Smoking 20 or more cigarettes a day deposits 1 to 1.5 pounds into the lungs every year Benzene

Used as a solvent in fuel & dyes. Known to cause cancer.

Cadmium

Used to make batteries, cadmium is known to cause kidney damage. It increases the risk of developing lung cancer.

Carbon monoxide

This is the same chemical pushed out by cars. It prevents the blood carrying oxygen around the body. A heavy smoker's ability to carry oxygen around the body is reduced by up to 15%.

Hydrogen Cyanide

Yet another gas that reduces the body's ability to carry oxygen around the body.

Pyridine

Pyridine is a central nervous system depressant that boosts the effect of smoking.

and for those of you fond of very long lists, here's a list of the others Acacia gum, Acetal, Acetanisole, Acetic acid and/or its potassium and sodium salts, Acetoin, Acetone, Acetophenone, 6 Acetoxydihydrotheaspirane, Acetyl methyl cellulose, 2 Acetyl pyrazine, 2 Acetyl pyridine, 3 Acetyl pyridine, Alga resinoid, Allspice extract, oleoresin and oil, Allspice leaf oil, Allura Red, Allyl hexanoate, Almond oil, Aluminium acetate, Aluminium carbonate, Aluminium citrate, Aluminium lactate, Aluminium oxide, Aluminium phosphate, Aluminium tartrate, Aluminium trihydroxide, Aluminosilicates, Amber oil, Ambergris extract, Ambrette seed oil and absolute, Ambrox, Ammonium acetate, Ammonium carbonate, Ammonium chloride, Ammonium citrate, Ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, Ammonium hydroxide, Ammonium lactate, Ammonium sulphate, Ammonium tartrate, +Amyl acetate, Amyl alcohol, +Amyl benzoate, +Amyl butyrate, alpha Amyl cinnamaldehyde, +Amyl formate, +Amyl hexanoate, +Amyl isovalerate, +Amyl octanoate, +Amyl phenylacetate, +Amyl salicylate, +Amyl valerate, trans Anethole, Angelica root extract and oil, Anise and oil, Anisole, para Anisyl acetate, para Anisyl alcohol, Arachis oil, Ascorbic acid, Azorubin, Balsam oil, Bay leaf, oil and sweet oil, Beech tar extract, Bentonite, Benzaldehyde, Benzoic acid and/or its potassium and sodium salts, Benzoin, Benzoin resinoid, Benzyl acetate, Benzyl alcohol, Benzyl benzoate, Benzyl butyrate, Benzyl cinnamate, Benzyl formate, Benzyl isobutyrate, Benzyl phenylacetate, Benzyl propionate, Bergamot oil, Boric acid and/or its potassium or sodium salts, Bornyl acetate, , *Brilliant Black BN, Brilliant Blue FCF, Butyl acetate, Butyl butyrate, 1,3, Butylene glycol, Butyl phenyl acetate, para tert Butyl pyridine, Butyric acid, Cadinene single or mixed isomers, Cajeput oil, Calcium acetate, Calcium carbonate, Calcium chloride, Calcium citrate, Calcium hydroxide, Calcium lactate, Calcium phosphate1 (mono, di or tri ), Calcium tartrate, Camphene, d Camphor, Camphor oil2 (safrole free), Caramel1 obtained wholly by heating a sugar solution with or without a small amount of acid, alkali or alkali carbonate, Caraway oil, Carbon dioxide, Carboxy methyl cellulose and its sodium salt, Cardamon oleoresin, extract, oil, seed oil and powder, Carob bean extract, Carrot seed oil, Carvacrol, 4 Carvomenthenol, Carvone, beta Caryophyllene, Caryophyllene alcohol, Caryophyllene oxide, Cascarilla oil, bark oil and extract, Cassia buds, bark oil and extract, Cassia extract, Castor oil, Castoreum extract and absolute, Cedar leaf oil, Cedarwood oil, Cedrol ........and there's more....

Citric acid and its tripotassium and tri sodium saltsCedryl acetate, Celery seed extract, solid, oil and oleoresin, Cellulose acetate1 (45 70% hydroxyl groups acetylated), Cellulose acetate propionate, Cellulose alpha alkanoylalkanoates, Cellulose fibre, Chamomile flower oil and absolute, Chlorophyll, Cinnamaldehyde, Cinnamic acid, Cinnamon leaf, oil, bark oil and extract, Cinnamyl acetate, Cinnamyl alcohol, Cinnamyl butyrate, Cinnamyl cinnamate, Cinnamyl isobutyrate, Cinnamyl isovalerate, Citral, , Citronella oil, Citronellal, dl Citronellol, Citronellyl acetate, Citronellyl butyrate, Citronellyl formate, Citronellyl isobutyrate, Citronellyl phenylacetate, Citronellyl propionate, Civet absolute, Clary sage oil and absolute, Clove stem oil, leaf oil, bud oil and extract, Cocoa, cocoa shells and extract, cocoa distillate and butter, Coffee extract, concentrate and powder, Cognac oil, white and green, Coriander extract and oil, Cubeb oil, Cumin, cumin seed oil and absolute, Cuminaldehyde, Cyclamen aldehyde, para Cymene, Cypress oil, beta Damascenone, beta Damascone, Davana oil, delta Decalactone, gamma Decalactone, Decanal, Decanoic acid, Dextrin, Diacetyl, Diammonium hydrogen phosphate, Diatomaceous earth, Dibenzyl ether, alpha 2,3 Diethylpyrazine, 2,3 Diethyl 5-methyl pyrazine, Diethyl sebacate, Dihydroactinidiolide, Dihydrocarvyl acetate, 3,4 Dihydrocoumarin, Dill seed oil and extract, para Dimethoxybenzene, alpha alpha Dimethylphenethyl acetate, alpha alpha Dimethylphenethyl butyrate, 2,6 Dimethoxyphenol, 3,4 Dimethyl 1,2 cyclopentadione, para alpha Dimethyl benzyl alcohol, 2,5 Dimethyldihydrofuranolone, 3,4 Dimethyl phenol, 1,1 Dimethyl 2-phenylethyl isobutyrate, 2,5 Dimethyl pyrazine, 2,6 Dimethyl pyrazine, 3,5 Dimethyl pyridine, para alpha Dimethyl styrene, Diphenyl ether, Dipotassium succinate, delta Dodecalactone, gamma Dodecalactone, beta Elemene, beta Elemol, , *Erythrosine, Estragole, Ethanol, Ethyl acetate, Ethyl acrylate, Ethyl benzoate, Ethyl butyrate, Ethyl cellulose, Ethyl cinnamate, Ethyl decanoate, 2 Ethyl 3,5 dimethyl pyrazine, 3 Ethyl 2,5 dimethyl pyrazine, Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, Ethyl formate, 4 Ethyl guaiacol, Ethyl heptanoate, Ethyl hexanoate, Ethyl hydroxy ethyl cellulose, 3 Ethyl 2 hydroxy 2 cyclopentene 1 one, Ethyl isovalerate, Ethyl lactate, Ethyl laurate, Ethyl maltol, Ethyl 2 methyl butyrate, 3 Ethyl 2 methylpyrazine, Ethyl myristate, Ethyl nonanoate, Ethyl octanoate, Ethyl palmitate, para Ethyl phenol, Ethyl phenyl acetate, Ethyl propionate, 3 Ethyl pyridine, Ethyl salicylate, Ethyl 10 undecenoate, Ethyl valerate, Ethyl vanillin, Eucalyptol, Eucalyptus oil and absolute, Eugenol, Eugenyl methyl ether, Farnesol, Fennel and sweet oil, Fenugreek extract, resin and absolute, Formic acid, d Fructose, Fruits, fresh, dried extracts and esters thereof apple, apricot, banana, blackberry, blackcurrant, cherry, date, fig, grape, peach, pear, pineapple, plum, prune, raisin, raspberry, strawberry., 2 Furan methane thiolformate, Furfural alcohol, Furfuryl methyl sulphide, Gentian root extract, Geraniol, Geranium rose oil, Geranyl acetate, Geranyl acetone, Geranyl butyrate, Geranyl formate, Geranyl isobutyrate, Geranyl phenyl acetate, Geranyl propionate, Ginger oil, d Glucose, Glycerol, Glycerol 1,2 diacetate, Glyceryl triacetate, Glyoxal1 (Tobacco sheet or paper no free residue), Guaiac gum extract, Guaiac wood oil, Guaiacol, Guaiol acetate, Guar gum, Gum tragacanth, 2,4 Heptadienal, gamma Heptalactone, Heptanoic acid, 2 Heptanone, 4 Heptenal, omega 6 Hexadecenlactone, gamma Hexalactone, 3,4 Hexanedione, Hexanoic acid, cis 3 Hexen 1 ol, Hexen 2 al, Hex 2 enyl acetate, 3 Hexenyl acetate, Hexyl acetate, Hexyl alcohol, Hexyl phenyl acetate, Honey, Humic acid, Hydrochloric acid1 (for tobacco sheet or paper no free residues), 4 Hydroxy benzoic acid and/or its ethyl, propyl esters and their sodium salts, 4 Hydroxybutanoic acid lactone, Hydroxycitronellal, Hydroxycitronellol, 2 Hydroxyisophorone, 4(p Hydroxyphenol) 2 butanone, Hydroxypropyl cellulose, Immortelle oil and absolute, , *Indigotine, Indole, alpha Ionone, beta Ionone, Iron oxides, alpha Irone, Isoamyl alcohol, Isobornyl acetate, Isobutyl acetate, Isobutyl alcohol, Isobutyl butyrate, Isobutyl cinnamate, Isobutyl phenethyl alcohol, Isobutylphenyl acetate, Isobutyraldehyde, Isoeugenol, Isoeugenyl methyl ether, Isopentane, Isophorone, 4 Keto dihydroisophorone, 4 Keto isophorone, Isopropyl alcohol, Isopropyl myristate, Isopulegol, Isovaleric acid, Jasmine absolute concrete and oil, Juniper berry oil, Labdanum absolute, oleoresin and oil, Lactic acid and/or its potassium and sodium salts, Lauric acid, Lavender absolute or oil, Lecithin, Lemon oil and extract, Lemongrass oil, Licorice root, fluid, extract and powder, Lime oil2 (terpeneless), d Limonene, Linaloe wood oil, Linalool, Linalool oxide, Linalyl acetate, Linalyl butyrate, Linalyl formate,

Methyl 2 octynoate, Methyl 2 pyrrolyl ketone, 2 Methyl 4 phenyl butyraldehyde, Mimosa absolute, Mint oil, garden 2 Methoxy 4 methylphenol, 2 Methoxy 4 vinylphenol, 1 (para Methoxyphenyl) 2 propanone, Methyl acetate, 4 Methyl acetophenone, Methyl anisate, para Methyl anisole, Methyl benzoate, alpha Methyl benzyl acetate, alpha Methyl benzyl alcohol, 2 Methyl butyraldehyde, 3 Methyl butyraldehyde, 2 Methyl butyric acid, Methyl cellulose, Methyl cinnamate, Methyl cyclopentenolone, Methyl ethyl ketone, 5 Methyl furfural, 6 Methyl 3,5 heptadienone, 6 Methyl hept 5 en 2 one, 2 Methyl heptanoic acid, 2 Methyl hexanoic acid, Methyl hydroxy ethyl cellulose, Methyl hydroxy propyl cellulose, Methyl isovalerate, Methyl linoleate, Methyl linolenate, Methyl mercaptan, 2 Methyl 5 (methylthio)furan, Methyl beta naphthylketone, 3 Methyl pentanoic acid, Methyl phenyl acetate, 2 Methyl pyrazine, 5 Methyl quinoxaline, Methyl salicylate, Methyl sulphide, 2 Methyl undecanal, 3 Methyl-1 cyclopentadecanone, 3 Methyl 2(2 pentenyl) 2- cyclopenten 1 one, mint oil, wild mint oil2 (partly dementholised), Molasses extract and tincture, Mullein flowers, Musk ketone, Musk pod extract, acetate, Phenethyl alcohol, Phenethyl isobutyrate, Phenethyl isovalerate, Phenethyl phenylacetate, Phenethyl valerate, Phenyl acetaldehyde, Phenyl acetic acid, 4 Phenyl 3 buten 2 one, 3 Phenyl propionaldehyde, 3 Phenyl propionic acid, 3 Phenyl 1 propanol, ortho Phosphoric acid, Pine needle oil, dwarf, Pigment Red 18, Pigment Yellow 1, alpha Pinene, Piperonal, Pipsissewa leaf extract, Polyvinyl acetate homo-polymer, Polyvinyl acetate/vinyl alcohol copolymer, Polyvinyl alcohol, , *Ponceau 4R, Potassium carbonate, Potassium or sodium chloride, Potassium hydroxide paper1 (no free residue), Potassium hydroxide sheet1 (no free residue), Potassium phosphate, Propane, Propenyl guaethol, Propionic acid and/or its sodium salts, n Propyl acetate, n Propyl alcohol, Propyl butyrate, Propyl phenyl acetate, Propylene glycol, Pyroligneous acid extract, Pyruvic acid, Quebracho bark extract, Reaction products1Known and specified mixture of amino acids and reducing sugars heated under pressure, Rhodinol, Rhodinyl acetate, Rose water, Rose oil and absolute, Rosemary oil and absolute, Rum ether, Saccharin and/or its sodium salt, Saffron, Sage, sage oil and oleoresin, Salicylaldehyde, Sandalwood oil, yellow, Shellac, Silicic acid, Sodium alginate, Sodium bicarbonate, Sodium bisulphate, Sodium carbonate, Sodium hydroxide paper1 (no free residue), Sodium hydroxide sheet1 (no free residue), Sodium phosphate, Sorbic acid and/or its potassium or sodium salts, Sorbitol, Spearmint oil, Spike lavender oil, Spiranol, Spirits, distilled, Star anise oil, Starch, Starch, modified including cationic, Styrax gum and extract, and oil, Sucrose and sucrose syrup, , *Sunset Yellow FCF, Tamarind extract, Tannic acid, Tarragon oil, Tartaric acid and its potassium and sodium salts, , *Tartrazine Yellow, Tea, absolute and resinoid, Terpineol2 (alpha , beta and gamma), Terpinyl acetate, 4,5,6,7 Tetrahydro 3,6 dimethyl benzofuran, Tetrahydro 4 methyl 2- (2 methylpropen 1 yl) pyran, 2,3,5,6 Tetramethyl pyrazine, Thiabendazole, Thyme oil, white and red, Thymol, Titanium dioxide, , **Tobacco extracts, Tolu balsam gum and extract, Tolualdehydes2 (ortho ,meta and para ), para Tolyl 3 methylbutyrate, Tolyl phenylacetate, Trichlorofluoromethane, Triethyl citrate, Triethylene glycol, 2,2,6 Trimethyl cyclohexanone, 2,3,5 Trimethyl pyrazine, Tuberose absolute and oil, Turpentine oil, gamma Undecalactone, Undecanal, Urea, Valerian root powder, extract and oil, Valeric acid, gamma Valerolactone, Vanilla beans or pods, or extract and oleoresin, Vanillin, Veratraldehyde, Vetiver oil, Violet oil and absolute, Violet leaf absolute, Wheat extract and absolute, Wine and wine sherry, Ylang Ylang oil and absolute.

and on and on and on and on...

[N1P]

Just found this on AccessKent Smoke Free Eating Establishments

[MuskeMI]

Just found this on AccessKent Smoke Free Eating Establishments

[GRDadof3]

I read this as "not everybody is just like me so we should pass laws to make everybody just like me". Pretty much every new bar opening these days is opening smoke-free - you are already winning this battle.

A non-smoker can go to the bar and step outside to enjoy the smoke-free air. And stay there.

[plee30]

How coincidental I am reading this topic and my father just handed me a flyer he picked up at the MGM Mirage after a recent trip to Las Vegas. The place where everything goes...apparently it doesn't.

The Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act:

Places you can smoke:

• Gaming areas of the casino floor

• Designated smoking guest rooms

• Certain stand-alone bars and nightclubs
  • Restaurants

  • Lounges where food is served

  • Hotel lobbies and elevators

  • Guest room hallways

  • Theaters

  • Arenas

  • Arcades

  • Malls and Retail Stores

  • Meeting and convention areas

  • Other indoor public spaces

  Personally, I feel it should be the right of the business owner to dictate being smoke free or not; and it's ultimately the consumer who decides with their pocketbook if they patronize a smoking establishment or not. The ones that suffer the most are the ones who have to work daily in that environment. State governments, and business owners, lose far more money on lost productivity with employee sick days alone (as a result of tobacco) than they're getting by the taxes on each box of cigarettes.

  I'm someone who enjoys a smoke on occasion and personally would have no problem paying $10 for a pack. I know it's a habit I shouldn't have and therefore shouldn't come cheap.

  Leave it up to the businesses to determine their own smoking policy; but tax them, like cigarettes, the privelege (or choice) to allow smoking.

[luma]

That doesn't even make sense. Why would the non-smoker go out to enjoy the air, and not the smoker go out to enjoy his or her bad habit?

Smoking is not who you are, it is just something you do. No inherent rights are attached to the smoking habit, hence no "smoker's rights".

[GRDadof3]

Read the quote before it - it will make more sense.

In any event, I'm all for eating in a place that's smoke-free. Pretty much every place now except bars and restaurants are smoke-free, and many/most restaurants are getting rid of their smoking sections.

The enormous post a couple up there lists all sorts of nasty things in cigarettes - the problem is, there isn't much evidence to suggest that any of that affects people who aren't smoking the cigarette. The EPA study which suggested it does was thrown out in federal court as the "science" was below third-rate. Moreover, posting a long list of deleterious health effects regarding cigarettes is a little silly when we are talking about bars. I don't know about you folks, but I go to the bar to drink alcohol. Guess what - it's a mild poison (although with some healthful side-effects if taken in moderation).

As many have suggested in this thread, I feel that the best solution is to let the business make it's own decisions. The tide is already heading in the direction of smoke-free, so why legislate it? The marketplace has spoken, and non-smokers are winning.

Meanwhile, I'll be hanging out in smokey bars drinking liquid poison. If you want to drink liquid poison without smoke, there's plenty of bars for you as well. I don't really see the problem here.

[oakesLife]

With all the politics being thrown around I'd just like to sneak in that Hopcat is a really great place to enjoy a drink smoke free. And they never have a cover! It's quickly becoming my regular drinking hole.

[fotoman311]

With all the politics being thrown around I'd just like to sneak in that Hopcat is a really great place to enjoy a drink smoke free. And they never have a cover! It's quickly becoming my regular drinking hole.

[doogur]

Read the quote before it - it will make more sense.

In any event, I'm all for eating in a place that's smoke-free. Pretty much every place now except bars and restaurants are smoke-free, and many/most restaurants are getting rid of their smoking sections.

The enormous post a couple up there lists all sorts of nasty things in cigarettes - the problem is, there isn't much evidence to suggest that any of that affects people who aren't smoking the cigarette. The EPA study which suggested it does was thrown out in federal court as the "science" was below third-rate. Moreover, posting a long list of deleterious health effects regarding cigarettes is a little silly when we are talking about bars. I don't know about you folks, but I go to the bar to drink alcohol. Guess what - it's a mild poison (although with some healthful side-effects if taken in moderation).

As many have suggested in this thread, I feel that the best solution is to let the business make it's own decisions. The tide is already heading in the direction of smoke-free, so why legislate it? The marketplace has spoken, and non-smokers are winning.

Meanwhile, I'll be hanging out in smokey bars drinking liquid poison. If you want to drink liquid poison without smoke, there's plenty of bars for you as well. I don't really see the problem here.

[doogur]

This is anecdotal, but I think we can all come up with similar stories:

8 years ago I bought a house previously occupied by smokers. Apparently, a lot of smoking was done in the kitchen. The transom window over the back door was literally yellow from smoke. I thought the blinds were off-white...until I cleaned them.

They also apparently smoked on while lounging in the living room. The ceiling had a stain on it. I put two or three coats of stainblocker primer on it, then two or three coats of paint until the smoke stain no longer seeped through.

Now I don't know about you, but if I lived in that house with the previous owners, I'm thinking that residue would stick to more than windows, blinds, and ceilings. I'm guessing it would be in my lungs, too.

One doesn't need any kind of science to figure that out.

Edited to add:

The University of Cincinnati banned smoking inside all buildings and within 20 feet of their buildings. When this happened local conservative talk radio went nuts, ripping the University.

There's a courtyard outside the building where I take a class. There is a painted line on the ground and the words, "No smoking beyond this point." Situated at this line are two pedestal ashtrays.

During break the other night, I counted probably 50-100 cigarette butts in a 20x20 area immediately outside the door.

This isn't an isolated thing, either. One can go outide of just about any public building and it will be littered with cigarette butts. I mean, what is it with cigarette smokers? So many don't care if others breathe in their smoke and a huge number (a majority) think flipping a butt into (name your public space) is socially acceptable behavior.

It isn't.

[MuskeMI]

I wonder if/when they are they going to open the outside seating area?

[houseofdon]

Looks like there's movement on this. Bishop has never let the smoking ban come up for a vote in the Senate, but has changed his mind.

From MIRS News (Michigan political wire)

Senate Majority Leader Mike BISHOP (R-Rochester) said today he would allow a vote on banning smoking Michigan restaurants and bars as soon as Thursday, even though he personally opposes the idea.

Bishop told MIRS, "I think there are enough who would like to see some sort of vote on the subject," and Bishop said he would not stand in the way of that vote, which will be discussed again Wednesday in the GOP caucus.

"If my caucus signals to me that they are ready to vote on something, that's my responsibility to put things on the agenda," Bishop said. "It is not my responsibility to block things."

[NorthEnder]

People who choose to poison themselves still have a right to do so. Limiting the areas where one can partake in this activity isn't about trying to take away a smoker's right, it's about trying to ensure the air quality in public places is relatively safe for everyone. With more and more establishments going smoke-free, it seems like business owners understand that the economics of going smoke-free is nothing to fear.

[highwayguy]

As indicated in the last couple of posts, earlier today the Michigan Senate unexpectedly passed a smoking ban in essentially all public places, including workplaces, restaurants, bars, casinos, bingo halls, horse tracks, cigar bars, and smoke shops.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-...,0,371410.story

Since this is actually a more restrictive version of the bill passed by the House back in December there could be a few changes, but I don't think there will be any problems getting the majority of it through, and the Governor has said she will sign it. Looks like a list of smoke-free establishments will no longer be needed! It's about time!

[GRDadof3]

As indicated in the last couple of posts, earlier today the Michigan Senate unexpectedly passed a smoking ban in essentially all public places, including workplaces, restaurants, bars, casinos, bingo halls, horse tracks, cigar bars, and smoke shops.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-...,0,371410.story

Since this is actually a more restrictive version of the bill passed by the House back in December there could be a few changes, but I don't think there will be any problems getting the majority of it through, and the Governor has said she will sign it. Looks like a list of smoke-free establishments will no longer be needed! It's about time!

[Sunlover38]

Wow. Very disingenuous to compare smoking with drinking.

Anyway, if someone is drinking next to me, that doesn't mean I have to taste their alcohol.

_______________________-

I'd rather sit next to the smoker for an hour then get killed on the road by the person who was not smoking but drinking too much . .. . . .. . drinking is far worse issue that ruins lives, ruins marriages, causes countless health issues, etc etc but is still a social preference and highly encouraged form of entertainment . . . ban the smoke great! then move on to the far more serious issue . . .

[cheshireguy]

[i'd rather sit next to the smoker for an hour then get killed on the road by the person who was not smoking but drinking too much . .. . . .. . drinking is far worse issue that ruins lives, ruins marriages, causes countless health issues, etc etc but is still a social preference and highly encouraged form of entertainment . . . ban the smoke great! then move on to the far more serious issue . . .

[GR Jackson]

I am somewhat ambivalent about smoking laws specifically, but the previous post about drinking being bad too gets me thinking about legislating what is good for you. Is it really the government's job to tell you what you can and can't do based on some idea that they are our parent?

[plee30]

Since every gov't position is an elected one, they're not forcing anything on you that cannot be changed if it's unpopular. For example, look at the towns in Ottawa County repealing their ban on Sunday beer, wine, and in some cases also alcohol sales.

Since there are no federal laws making tabacco use illegal, states have rights to enact and enforce their own laws. If this proves to be unconstitutional, it can be taken to the Supreme Court ... with a few stops along the way. Nonetheless, smoking related deaths and illnesses are a greater burden on state resources than alcohol related issues. Not to say alcohol related issues are any less important. Those taxes on smokes aren't to line the states very shallow pockets, it's to help offset smoking related (diabetes, cancer, heart desease, lung desease, etc.) care for the uninsured. Your government is obligated to protect you, citizen or not, and if it means a non smoker is not subjected to the potential harm of second hand smoke, so be it.

[Sunlover38]

[i'd rather sit next to the smoker for an hour then get killed on the road by the person who was not smoking but drinking too much . .. . . .. . drinking is far worse issue that ruins lives, ruins marriages, causes countless health issues, etc etc but is still a social preference and highly encouraged form of entertainment . . . ban the smoke great! then move on to the far more serious issue . . .

Okay, this is going too far now... Yes, I would rather smell like stink butts over GETTING KILLED. You bring a great point. I would also choose smelling like smoke over getting attacked by a sea lion. AND, I would choose polluting my lungs due to your cigarette over getting struck by lightning. Second-hand smoking isn't so bad after all...

Every time I am driving down the street or highway and a filth-monger in front of me tosses a stink butt out the window, I swear and wonder why this isn't policed more as well........pigs.

[localtalent]

You missed the entire point . . . .I'm not advocating smoking in public places, I'm just saying there are bigger issues to worry about than some lousy smoke wafting your way . . . . .