NC Bammers: Who else is psyched about the smoking ban?

[phillybri]

It goes into effect on January 2nd and includes just about all restaurants and bars in the state.

http://tobaccopreventionandcontrol.ncdhhs.gov/smokefreenc/

I'm sure many of you smokers aren't too happy about it, but I'm fairly psyched...

[PJLCC14]

Not cool in my book........just another rule GovCo can force on small business. Next they'll want to ban alcohol out of the bars!!!
Oh wait.....they already tried that in the early 1900's.......didn't work to well if I remember!

[geddins81]

I'm sure most of the bar owners aren't too happy about it....I'm a non-smoker, but have never had a problem either 1. Not going to a place where something's going on I don't like or 2. Getting over it.

[Harker1440]

The no smoking law went into effect here in VA on Dec 1
some bars including the one we are playing in tonite have put up walls and seperate ventilation systems to get around the ban If they have to smoke they will figure out a way to do it

[Daniel]

It's been a local option here in SC for a year or two I think. Local government can choose to ban or not. There was much doom and gloom forecast by bar and restaurant owners when the ban was adopted by the local City Council (after a referendum vote in favor by the people) but after the ban went into effect, they found their business actually went UP.

[leroy4403]

Best thing to have happened here in Corpus Christi!:dude:

At first, the bar owners were upset, but just provided areas outside. Now, even the smokers don't have a problem and agree its not that big of a deal.

I find it very nice to not smell like a cigarette when I return to my house.

[Twinfan]

We've had it here in the UK for a while, and Ireland has had it even longer.

I miss the smoky atmosphere at bar gigs, but other than that it's good for us non-smokers :)

[midnightrider]

I dont like it but its been coming for a long time. All the bars and restaraunts around here have rushed and built outdoor patios to try to accomodate the smokers. I'm open minded enough to realize that smoky rooms irritate non smokers so I'm just quietly going to accept it. I've made a good living working in the tobacco industry but its slowly dying. Maybe thats the way it should be. I dont like losing another freedom, but on the other hand I dont want my habit to irritate someone else.

[tdarian]

It's been a local option here in SC for a year or two I think. Local government can choose to ban or not. There was much doom and gloom forecast by bar and restaurant owners when the ban was adopted by the local City Council (after a referendum vote in favor by the people) but after the ban went into effect, they found their business actually went UP.

I believe that bar business actually went up here in Califrornia when the ban went into effect long ago.

[02Singlecut]

In Washington State it has drove most of the bar patrons to the Tribal Casinos which are exempt from the ban. The bars are struggling and I know 1st hand as I'm out playing in them most every weekend. Don't believe what the papers and city govts publish. Talk to the business owners.

[James]

It goes into effect on January 2nd and includes just about all restaurants and bars in the state.

http://tobaccopreventionandcontrol.ncdhhs.gov/smokefreenc/

I'm sure many of you smokers aren't too happy about it, but I'm fairly psyched...

I'm with you on this one. Despite the initial moaning, people adjust.

[Graham Sloan]

We've had it here in the UK for a while, and Ireland has had it even longer.

I miss the smoky atmosphere at bar gigs, but other than that it's good for us non-smokers :)

Yes that's correct, we've been without smoke filled indoor environs for quite some time now in UK. I don't think it has had a detrimental effect on business owners. Hopefully, it's having some positive effect on our health both the smokers and non-smokers. It's great playing out without suffering the smoke, smell, etc. You'll get used to it! :p

[cust22]

I'm not a big fan of banning anything. I am not a smoker, and I enjoy going out more when smoking is not allowed. But out right banning things is really a slippery slope. Don't want to get political, but certain amendments come to mind.

[Bill Niersbach]

I think its a good thing. We have a few places we wont go to because the ventilation systems were so horrible that it felt like you were sitting in an ash tray and now we will go anyplace and not worry about it. THe whole time I lived in California it was banned and was absolutely no big deal....the smokers would just go outside for 3 minutes at a time and then come back in....didnt affect them in the least and made it MUCH more bearable for all of the non smokers. THere is NOTHING worse than sitting down to eat and hte guy a table over lights up and blows his smoke your way because he doesnt want to blow the smoke near the poeple at his own table....

Now if I was a smoker and was given a choice to to to a bar that allowed smoking and a bar that didnt I would probably fo to the one that allows it...which is what is hapopening in Todds case. Sort of unfair competition....but if its equal for everyone I jsut dont see smokers staying home and not going out just because they have to go to designated area's.

[Ridgeback]

Best thing to have happened here in Corpus Christi!:dude:

At first, the bar owners were upset, but just provided areas outside. Now, even the smokers don't have a problem and agree its not that big of a deal.

I find it very nice to not smell like a cigarette when I return to my house.

A big +1! Exactly what happened in Vancouver.

And I used to drink regularly in a cellar bar - no windows and just two doors - and you'd never know anyone was smoking, because the (former Marine) owner had invested in a proper ventilation system. The bleating from the bar owners is simply because they're faced with the cost of doing the same - to protect not only their customers but their non-smoking staff.

Anyway, after 40 years of having no choice and putting up with other people's disgusting second hand smoke, it's our turn!! So you smokers - Suck it up!! We had to........for the last 400 years!!!

[PJLCC14]

I don't think the issue here is of smoking.....I smoke, I know it's bad for you....I don't do it indoors for the most part.

The Issue is GovCo "Banning" something they have deemed not good for you!

How long before Alcohol makes that list? Or Dip? Then what? Worse, then what's next? ;)

[11top]

Man, I wish Indiana weren't so backward. I love to see it banned here. Good for you! :dude:

[alantig]

When they banned it in Pittsburgh (actually Allegheny County), there was great moaning and whining from businesses. "It'll drive our business away." The ban was overturned as being against the state constitution, then the state adopted a law banning it (with some exceptions). One of my favorite restaurants adopted the initial ban before it went into effect. Before the ban - lines out the door at lunch. After the ban? Lines out the door. It actually opened up the business a bit more because there was no more waiting for the no smoking section (or smoking section). No one walking away because the wait was too long for limited tables in a given section. In fact, at most places I go to, their tables are full where there may have been some empty in the smoking section (which was generally larger than the non-smoking).

A few places are still whining that they've lost some business, but at least one of those is a place I won't go back to because of their opposition. Granted, if the bar around the corner can allow smoking and you can't, it's a bit unfair, but if your customers are willing to switch based just on that fact, then you're not offering them enough to make them your loyal customers. The place I'm staying away from claimed the county ban would drive their customers to neighboring counties - a minimum 12-15 mile drive to the next county. If your customers are going to do that just for a cigarette they could walk outside for, your business isn't that good.

Alan

[Zilmo]

Anyway, after 40 years of having no choice and putting up with other people's disgusting second hand smoke, it's our turn!! So you smokers - Suck it up!! We had to........for the last 400 years!!!


Bite me.

[Ridgeback]

Bite me.

I love a well-reasoned response......:rolleyes:

[Spike Dee]

Yes that's correct, we've been without smoke filled indoor environs for quite some time now in UK. I don't think it has had a detrimental effect on business owners. Hopefully, it's having some positive effect on our health both the smokers and non-smokers. It's great playing out without suffering the smoke, smell, etc. You'll get used to it! :p

Yep we have had it a while in the UK. With regard to restaurants it's a real boon and I have seen no effect on trade in the restaurants I go to. Much better for us non puffers. However it's a pain in the bum at gigs in pubs. You are inside playing your ass off and the crowd is outside in the smoking area. Mainly because most young girls seem to smoke now and if they are outside you can bet the blokes are going to be out there too. There are definately less people coming out than before, but that might also be the recession.

Lator Gator,

Spike

[G.I.G.]

For philosophical reasons, I don't agree with it. I don't think government should dictate what small business can and can't do if the activity is legal. With that said, and for selfish reasons, I was very pleased when they passed that law here in CO several years ago. It was nice to be able to come after a gig and not have my house smell like an ashtray because my gear sucked up all the stank from the bars. I used to smoke so I'm not really bothered by second hand smoke but I certainly don't miss the smoking in the bars either.

[G.I.G.]

.....However it's a pain in the bum at gigs in pubs. You are inside playing your ass off and the crowd is outside in the smoking area....

Yeah, I noticed the same problem when the passed that law here in CO, especially in the summer. People would go out to smoke and if the weather was nice, they would stay out there. If you can score an outside/patio gig in the summer, that is the ideal situation. Having more people outside than in is a problem when you are trying to draw a crowd to your gigs.

[gag halfrunt]

For philosophical reasons, I don't agree with it. I don't think government should dictate what small business can and can't do if the activity is legal. With that said, and for selfish reasons, I was very pleased when they passed that law here in CO several years ago. It was nice to be able to come after a gig and not have my house smell like an ashtray because my gear sucked up all the stank from the bars. I used to smoke so I'm not really bothered by second hand smoke but I certainly don't miss the smoking in the bars either.

Agree 100%.

I don't like any more restrictions on freedom either, but I do hate coming home from gigs with my clothes and gear stinking of smoke. Just played a gig at a bar last night, and it was the same ole same ole.

Michigan's ban comes into effect in a few months, and I am looking forward to it.

[edmiller9999]

I don't think the issue here is of smoking.....I smoke, I know it's bad for you....I don't do it indoors for the most part.

The Issue is GovCo "Banning" something they have deemed not good for you!

How long before Alcohol makes that list? Or Dip? Then what? Worse, then what's next? ;)

The other side of the coin is that people can vote and effect change. Here in Colorado, we passed a medical marijuana law and dispensaries are popping up so fast, legistation can't be enacted quickly enough to manage them.

So keep voting, keep talking to people about political issues, stay informed and maybe we can make this country great again.

[Bill Niersbach]

I don't think the issue here is of smoking.....I smoke, I know it's bad for you....I don't do it indoors for the most part.

The Issue is GovCo "Banning" something they have deemed not good for you!

How long before Alcohol makes that list? Or Dip? Then what? Worse, then what's next? ;)

They arent banning Smoking....they are banning you from affecting ME while you are smoking!!!! Its like I said....if people were considerate it wouldnt be that big of a deal, but when I go to our local "Joint" to have a drink and eat some snacks while listening to the local band play we literally had a group of 4 sit at a table next to us and the smoker in the group would literally blow his smoke to MY FREEKIN TABLE because he didnt want the non smokers at HIS table to be offended....and then was completely offended when I asked him to stop doing it, as I was freekin eating. Its because of stupid crap like this that I am SOOOO Glad that its just straight up not gonna happen at all now. Like I said, I could give a rats ass if you smoke or dont smoke...but I dont and I dont want to have to deal with your foul assed habit when I go out to eat ...LOL Now granted, I feel sorry for those who smoke and are at least considerate of those around them, but those are few and far between...and once its just straight up not allowed, you will find that its not that big of a deal...

[Flanagan]

Ohio Passed a similar law in '07...as a smoker,I'm not entirely crazy about it,but the advantages are(at least IMO):

1.) All my friends/family that weren't smokers come out to gigs a lot more often,and don't go home smelling like smoke.

2.) I don't end up smoking half a pack in 4 hours like in the old days,and waking up with ashtray mouth the next morning.

3.) I can 'escape' between sets,and it doesn't raise any eyebrows.

...It also shows you who votes,and who doesn't...my guess is ( at least in Ohio),that law was passed by a bunch of people over 65 who haven't set foot in a bar in years.

[Ridgeback]

Ohio Passed a similar law in '07...as a smoker,I'm not entirely crazy about it,but the advantages are(at least IMO):

1.) All my friends/family that weren't smokers come out to gigs a lot more often,and don't go home smelling like smoke.

2.) I don't end up smoking half a pack in 4 hours like in the old days,and waking up with ashtray mouth the next morning.

3.) I can 'escape' between sets,and it doesn't raise any eyebrows.

...It also shows you who votes,and who doesn't...my guess is ( at least in Ohio),that law was passed by a bunch of people over 65 who haven't set foot in a bar in years.

Sorry, Tim, I don't buy that. It was the older generation that made smoking "cool" - I remember being a kid and in every movie/TV show I watched in the 50s/60s - EVERYBODY smoked! Not to mention my folks smoked 60/day each. Then the pothead generation smoked their way firmly into the 70s and 80s.......

Obviously there were people of my generation who voted, but many more would have been kids who just grew up like I did with smoking parents and found it disgusting after a while. And I can tell you that the whole anti-smoking movement was started in Vancouver 10 years ago by servers in bars/restaurants who didn't smoke - and were sick of breathing carcinogens from people who did.

Old farts don't serve in bars and restaurants - it's a young person's game...

[geddins81]

They arent banning Smoking....they are banning you from affecting ME while you are smoking!!!! .


Again...I'm a non-smoker. But when I don't want to be around smoke...I stay away from places that allow smoking. I've got a son with asthma, so we have to be careful where we go; so smoking isn't something I condone or appreciate .... at all.

But the smoker's right to do so...especially in a privately owned establishment that chooses to allow them to SHOULD still be sacred. The old "Your rights end where my nose begins" swings both ways....or it used to.

[gag halfrunt]

Sorry, Tim, I don't buy that. It was the older generation that made smoking "cool" - I remember being a kid and in every movie/TV show I watched in the 50s/60s - EVERYBODY smoked! Not to mention my folks smoked 60/day each. Then the pothead generation smoked their way firmly into the 70s and 80s.......

Obviously there were people of my generation who voted, but many more would have been kids who just grew up like I did with smoking parents and found it disgusting after a while. And I can tell you that the whole anti-smoking movement was started in Vancouver 10 years ago by servers in bars/restaurants who didn't smoke - and were sick of breathing carcinogens from people who did.

Old farts don't serve in bars and restaurants - it's a young person's game...
Not sure if you're being serious, or not, but that ain't true. There have been no smoking movements down here in the lower 48 for longer than that.

[Mr_You]

I'm looking forward to it, but I just remembered something.

Someone said if the bar/club is members only then it can allow smoking.

Also if a bar/club (with no food service) is "members only" it can serve liquor.

I use to frequent a great bar that has great music almost every weekend. They would get around this issue by having you sign your name on a sign-up sheet when entering.

Can anyone clarify this? Will something similar for smoking occur with some of the smaller clubs/bars?

[midnightrider]

If a club is private, in other words if you have to buy a membership than smoking is allowed if the owner installs proper ventilation.

[PJLCC14]

I'm looking forward to it, but I just remembered something.

Someone said if the bar/club is members only then it can allow smoking.

Also if a bar/club (with no food service) is "members only" it can serve liquor.

I use to frequent a great bar that has great music almost every weekend. They would get around this issue by having you sign your name on a sign-up sheet when entering.

Can anyone clarify this? Will something similar for smoking occur with some of the smaller clubs/bars?

This was an escape clause in other states.......but after reading the NC version....No cigar! Your membership has to be exclusive AND be non-profit........so there goes any bars trying that route. Cigar bars are still allowed.....but only if at least 25% of your revenue is generated by Cigar sales.

[Ridgeback]

Not sure if you're being serious, or not, but that ain't true. There have been no smoking movements down here in the lower 48 for longer than that.

Point taken - sorry, that was badly worded. Smoking has actually been banned here in public places since December 1996 and the movement started well before that.

Nevertheless, the timing's irrelevant. The point I was trying to make was echoing Bill N: the law is in effect to protect non-smokers from the proven-beyond-doubt effects of inhaling second-hand smoke, both in the workplace and recreationally.

If you want to kill yourself/ruin your health by smoking - go ahead. I'm all in favour of personal freedoms, too. However, if you want to affect my health and limit my recreational choices because you have a habit with not one positive, healthy or socially-redeeming feature - forget it. Why the hell should you have that right?

Period.

[Christopher Wade]

Anyway, after 40 years of having no choice and putting up with other people's disgusting second hand smoke, it's our turn!! So you smokers - Suck it up!! We had to........for the last 400 years!!!
Exactly. You can smoke in public places again in 2409, when it's your turn again.

[Zilmo]

Point taken - sorry, that was badly worded. Smoking has actually been banned here in public places since December 1996 and the movement started well before that.

Nevertheless, the timing's irrelevant. The point I was trying to make was echoing Bill N: the law is in effect to protect non-smokers from the proven-beyond-doubt effects of inhaling second-hand smoke, both in the workplace and recreationally.

If you want to kill yourself/ruin your health by smoking - go ahead. I'm all in favour of personal freedoms, too. However, if you want to affect my health and limit my recreational choices because you have a habit with not one positive, healthy or socially-redeeming feature - forget it. Why the hell should you have that right?

Period.


Yes, it's high time we started having public executions of smokers. That'll show 'em!!

[Ridgeback]

Yes, it's high time we started having public executions of smokers. That'll show 'em!!

I love a reasoned response.......;):D

Are you still basking in Paradise?

[leroy4403]

I love a reasoned response.......;):D

Are you still basking in Paradise?

Quit mixing up the threads!:eek: That was Dino basking in paradise!:D

(Hoping you are as well, Mike. Happy new year!)