smoking bans going too far?

[Mikey-OH]

The thing is with Ohio (or atleast my personal experience) is that I rarely, if ever, saw an establishment that specifically said they were a non-smoking one. If more businesses chose to do this it would be great, but in all reality many of them wouldn't because it usually deters business and really button-holes them as to the amount of potential customers they can have.

Like Baka said it really is a slippery slope and just one of those things that isn't going to have any clear cut agreement on it. But as for the topic, California of all places having these laws is something I don't get.

[ashauler]

The thing is with Ohio (or atleast my personal experience) is that I rarely, if ever, saw an establishment that specifically said they were a non-smoking one. If more businesses chose to do this it would be great, but in all reality many of them wouldn't because it usually deters business and really button-holes them as to the amount of potential customers they can have.

Like Baka said it really is a slippery slope and just one of those things that isn't going to have any clear cut agreement on it. But as for the topic, California of all places having these laws is something I don't get.

Such is the functioning of a free market........little demand = little supply. Here in backward Wichita, Kansas, you can find plenty of non-smoking establishments, be they bars/nightclubs or restaraunts. We have smoking bans in government buildings, hospitals, etc......but not private establishments.

No one is forced to go out to restaraunts or bars, nor do I believe it is an infringement on anybodies rights, at least I don't recall having a right to eat out and drink wherever I want and require the proprietor to make the setting suitable for me.

I'm not tryin to be an ass, just participating in the discussion.

[Mikey-OH]

Yeah I know your fine. I don't know that I have much else to say on the matter. We all pretty much covered everything. These are the types of conversations that require lighting up your favorite stick and kicking back and discussing it with your buddies. Which is exactly why I came to this forum to be able to talk with you guys. So...........good talk? Haha

[Smoked!]

Interesting discussion. I am all for less regulation and more common sense. Common courtesy goes along with that.

Smoking at home:
I saw a related article on these California ordinances a while ago. It is interesting to note that the new code would be enforced based on “complaints.” Hmmmm… So, if no one says anything, you can still smoke in your own apartment. I bet that will last all of 10 minutes. My point in highlighting this is twofold. Not only have they created a code of behavior governing private citizens’ rights to participate in legal activities in their own homes, but they have put the burden of policing this infraction on the neighbors of the perpetrator! (Innocence is presumed, of course… until the cigar humidor is discovered… and taken into evidence. I’m sure this would make a great “COPS” episode.)

Smoking in "Public":
On a related note, the State of Florida and most municipalities implemented rules years ago to curtail public smoking in government buildings, public places, and most restaurants (even those with a bar). I recall the publicity and the predictions that many establishments would lose their customers and be forced to close up shop. Surprisingly, years later, these businesses are still thriving and in many cases expanding. An excellent example is the attendance at the Seminole casinos. As I understand the situation, when they permitted smoking inside the casino, the smoke was as thick as fog. Consequently, very few non-smokers would go. When smoking indoors was “banned”, the attendance went up along with their revenues. I’m just saying…

None of this is a problem for me personally. I mean, hey, I don’t live in Cali. And I only smoke cigars. And the government is really just looking out of me, aren’t they?

*sigh*