Smoking problem

Been that way here in MN for 2-3 years already. As it should be. It has been like that in Australia for a long time. I think even Ireland passed a no smoking law in bars there. The best thing they could do is just make it illegal period. Problem is that they lose squillions in tax revenue, and then would have to also bailout the farmers. Not even considering the black market that would arise and make lots of people criminals.

Just like with the healthcare nonsense. It has nothing to do with health, just more government power. I smoke, I don't mind it being banned in restaurants because the places that allow smoking do stink. I am tired of it just being taxed to death. If they really cared it would be illegal, period.

It's nonsense! What's next ban on drinking in restaurants, bars, and sporting events! They'll keep ***************g around with crap like this and not dealing with economy and soon none of us will have the money to go out and worry about being effected by smokers. For those of you who do not smoke I commend you, but be careful what you wish and vote for. Watch the local revenue and tax dollars go bye-bye with a lot of these businesses. There are several small towns around were I work that have been "dry" or liquor-beer free for some time. Some of them revoked the ban after decades just to gain that revenue and tax dollar to survive in this economy.

Been in effect for about 10 years in NY, lots of dire predicitons about lost revenue and places shutting down. Places vowing to pay the 1000 fine every day...Didn't happen. The biggest difference is the crowd of people outside every bar and restaurant out for a cigarette come rain sleet snow... out they go.

im not a smoker,   but if a bar wants smoker then let them have it......   just dont go there if you dont like it... i hear more complaining about not being able to smoke ...

i went to a camp-ground and they wouldnt let me have a camp-fire,   what the f?     let us do what we want and if u dont like it then dont do it or dont go there.... its simple

Ohio did the same about three years ago, didn't hurt the bar/ restaurant business one bit. I'm not against smoking, they're your lungs. Went to a establishment across the river in Kentucky, I had forgotten how bad the smoke is.

You can spot all the smokers gathered outside now, the smoke breaks are a lot quicker when the weathers bad!

I smoked for many years until I finally gave it up 10 years ago. I had a love affair with Phillip Morris. Maryland and DC have similar bans. There was a ton of fear from small business that customers would leave but in the end they did not.

The trouble with smoking is it’s a person’s right to smoke if they choose to but eventually it's my insurance premiums and taxes that will eventually pay for it. For those Fans that are or have family that are nurses, doctors and the like you know that smoking is attributed as a root cause for just about everything that can go wrong in a person’s body.

My job takes me to government medical facilities throughout the region. All have large glass heated enclosures outside the main doors. As first I thought it was a subway stop or a bus station until I was told it was a smoking hut for the patients. Some of patients are out there on oxygen puffing away. I got to talking to a purchasing manager and told me the huts cost about $45K installed each. That’s your tax dollars hard at work.

What is even scarier is the push in employers who are looking to charge employees who smoke higher rates or exclude the employee from the employer based group plan all together. I am not sure I agree with it but I can help to wonder if it actually makes sense. How else can you ‘incent’ a person to live a healthier lifestyle that is not a government mandate?

Enter hear the ‘slippery slope’ argument of what will the government ban next? Beer? Bacon?

My company just started a policy where an extra $25 is deducted from each paycheck if you or a member of your family is a smoker.

It does affect businesses(on both sides), but not the ones most of us would patronize.
    
    I have a customer who owns a bar, and it has damn near put him out of business. His customers are the, shall we say, "less desireable type". There are a few "private clubs" around here where you can still smoke. For $50 bucks a year you can join and yes, most of his customers want to smoke so bad when they drink that this is what they have done.

    His buddy owns one such club, and has told him his memberships have tripled since this law took effect in NH.

     I smoke. Personally, I can't stand going somewhere that smells like smoke. I don't smoke in my house & I never wear the same thing (ie pants,coats,etc) 2 days in a row without washing because I hate the tobacco smell that clings to them. It's a nasty habit and hopefully I will be throwing the towel in sooner than later.It's darn expensive,too. Until then, I'll just go outside to light up. Having to go outside keeps me from smoking twice as much when I drink.

   FWIW, I don't think the .gov really gives a crap about anyone's health . Tobacco is a huge revenue tax-wise and the cost is not increasing to get people to stop. It is increasing because they know people won't stop, no matter how expensive it is.

    Mike

My brother owns a couple of bars in Chicago. Nothing changed, except now they mark hands at the door. To know that they already saw your DL/ID card.

A lot of places around have the smokers patio somewhere. Couple of those propane outdoor heater pole deals, and some big ashtrays.

I must say it is nice not stinking after a concert, or a night on the town.