Smoking (hell, sin)

[SK2005]

I have a little joky type thing that I say about smoking...

"if second hand smoke is actually worse for you, then I think that I am going to start smoking"
I love saying it because it makes people laugh.

[Fat Old Sun]

I have not had a cigarette in three weeks.

I think smoking bans suck. If a restaurant wants to be completely non smoking, that should be on them. That said, I think that many places did a very poor job separating the smoking and non smoking sections. How much sense does it make to ban smoking in a bar? I have a friend who has lost nearly everything and at 43 years old is living with his parents because his once successful cigar bar is now out of business thanks to a$$hole politicians and their smoking bans. There are plenty of places where it should not be allowed, but come on, ban smoking in a cigar bar?

Taxing them does no good. All it does is create a black market and increase theft.

[Majikthise]

You must spread karma.....

[iaminterface]

Hmm, well this seems to be an interesting topic. I think all this obsession over smoking is wasted breath. People will keep smoking whether you want them to or not. I really think the "land of the free" is quickly becoming the "land of the offended"

[Fat Old Sun]

Originally Posted by iaminterface

I really think the "land of the free" is quickly becoming the "land of the offended"

It's good for people to be offended once in a while. It keeps them on their toes. If people go too long without someone getting under their skin, they run the risk of forgetting what or why they believe in the first place.

[Quoth The Raven]

Originally Posted by Fat Old Sun

I have not had a cigarette in three weeks.

I think smoking bans suck. If a restaurant wants to be completely non smoking, that should be on them. That said, I think that many places did a very poor job separating the smoking and non smoking sections. How much sense does it make to ban smoking in a bar? I have a friend who has lost nearly everything and at 43 years old is living with his parents because his once successful cigar bar is now out of business thanks to a$$hole politicians and their smoking bans. There are plenty of places where it should not be allowed, but come on, ban smoking in a cigar bar?

Taxing them does no good. All it does is create a black market and increase theft.

Yes, well that is quite stupid, but apparently I must spread the joy before I throw some more your way.

[Fluffy]

Hmm, well this seems to be an interesting topic. I think all this obsession over smoking is wasted breath. People will keep smoking whether you want them to or not. I really think the "land of the free" is quickly becoming the "land of the offended"

I do not view smoking bans as an effort to stop people smoking and I fully support people's right to smoke if they wish to. I disagree with second hand smoke and think that this is in violation of the rights of the people around the smoker. Banning smoking in public places is an effective way to solve the problem, just like banning the consumption of alcohol in public is an effective way of removing drunken behaviour from our streets.

[Fat Old Sun]

It is an effort to stop people from smoking when it applies to a business thats primary function is a place for people to gather to smoke. What is really accomplished by bankrupting these people?

[Fluffy]

It is an effort to stop people from smoking when it applies to a business thats primary function is a place for people to gather to smoke. What is really accomplished by bankrupting these people?

Yes I agree with this sentiment. Perhaps a system of licensing, as with other drugs, underneath the ban, will solve this kind of problem?

I just find it odd that there are restrictions on where people can and can't drink alcohol, a substance which does not DIRECTLY affect anybody else other than the user, whereas there is opposition to the idea of limiting the places where people can smoke, a substance which DOES directly effect the people around the smoker. For the purposes that I wish a smoking ban to be introduced, your case would be exempt since it would not be furthering the aim, to protect the right of those who do not wish to be exposed, in an enclosed, badly ventilated space, to smoke.

[angellous_evangellous]