Smokin' in the boys room!

[Farmwithjunk]

Remember that ol' "Brownsville Station" song? Well, it's about down to that for smokers where I work. I drive in to Louisville Ky every day. On July 1st, a city/county-wide ordinance takes effect. NO MORE SMOKING in ANY public building, or outdoor public gathering EXCEPT tobacco proccessing factories and the lounges in Churchill Downs. You can imagine the uproar. Especially irritating to the pro-smoking advocates is the allowing of smoking in Churchill Downs bars. City wide, bar and restaraunt owners are up in arms. They claim this new law will drive their business away. (I'm not convinced of THAT arguement. People will eat and people will drink)

Smokers see it as losing their basic rights. Non smokers see it as enforcing THEIR basic rights.

A little bit of history. Kentucky was the 2nd largest tobacco producing state in the nation until just recently. We have the highest number of smokers per capita in the country. For years, Kentucky's tobacco tax was the 2nd lowest. (2nd to N Carolina, by the way, the LARGEST tobacco producer) Tobacco was the states #1 cash crop since that statistic was first recorded.

Now smoking is banned in public or restricted in the states 2 largest cities. (Louisville and Lexington)

I'm NOT a smoker. Never was. The new law doesn't bother me. In fact I like it to a point. My wife smokes. She's not a happy camper. That effects me. (OH, does it EVER effect me ) My Father-in-law raised 12 kids on tobacco income. If there was ever a situation where this new law would be looked down on with little favor, this is it.

Your thoughts?

Smoke 'em if you got 'em. (while you still can)

 

[1bush2hog]

The key word here is "public" Lots of bars/restaurants have become private and/or adult only clubs since similar rules have taken effect in other cities and therefore allow patrons an opportunity to still enjoy a smoke inside their facilities.

I was a smoker (feels weird to say that), quit 4 months ago. It did not bother me when I smoked to not be able to smoke in public places and it doesn't bother my now.

Non smokers deserve every right to breath smoke free air.

Now can we do something about those heavy cologne and perfume wearers? Some of this stuff people wear makes me gag worse than anything.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

The key word here is "public" Lots of bars/restaurants have become private and/or adult only clubs since similar rules have taken effect in other cities and therefore allow patrons an opportunity to still enjoy a smoke inside their facilities.

I was a smoker (feels weird to say that), quit 4 months ago. It did not bother me when I smoked to not be able to smoke in public places and it doesn't bother my now.

Non smokers deserve every right to breath smoke free air.

Now can we do something about those heavy cologne and perfume wearers? Some of this stuff people wear makes me gag worse than anything.

Public in this case means anywhere there's people gathered. Private clubs ARE NOT excluded. Private lodges and country clubs are to conform to the new law also.

 

[jwstewar]

FWJ,

The whole state of Ohio is like this. We passed it back in November, even though they didn't start enforcing it until May. It seems weird to walk into places that used to be smoke filled and you couldn't see across the room and now you walk in and see how bad the place really is. That might be what is costing some of these places business.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

FWJ,

The whole state of Ohio is like this. We passed it back in November, even though they didn't start enforcing it until May. It seems weird to walk into places that used to be smoke filled and you couldn't see across the room and now you walk in and see how bad the place really is. That might be what is costing some of these places business.

LOL! Never though of it in those terms.

I'm gearing up for the inevitable. My wife smokes at work. Soon she won't be able to. I managed to shame her in to not smoking at home years ago to "keep it away from the kids". Now that they're grown and gone, I've been waiting for that proverbial "other shoe" to drop any day. My guess is, July 1st will be that day. She's already getting cranky over the THOUGHT of not smoking.

I suspect the pastures will get mowed every couple of days. ANYTHING to keep me out of the house.

 

[1bush2hog]

Public in this case means anywhere there's people gathered. Private clubs ARE NOT excluded. Private lodges and country clubs are to conform to the new law also.

I think other states started out with the same total ban, but then changed it to allow for smoking in private facilities. Maybe KY will go thru same process if enough smokers voice their concerns.

I don't want to sound like one of those ex-smokers on a soapbox, but I have always believed non-smokers should be able to enjoy a smoke free environment. However, I also believe businesses should be allowed to serve their own type of clientel if this does not intrude on others rights. If a business wants to cater to smokers then they should make this totally obvious to the general public and be allowed to do so.

Why should the government have the right to tell a business owner they can not have a 'smoking' bar or restaurant, especailly since the government allows tobacco sales to still be legal?

 

[mnbowhunter1960]

Mn passed the same law here, goes into effect Oct. 1st, except maybe tribal casinos where the state has little or no say on anything and collects absolutely no taxes.(STUPID) lots of unhappy bar and restaurant owners!

 

[Champy]

Maybe instead of banning smoking altogether, they should sell bars and restaurants a "Smoking" license........like purchasing a licquor license. Regulate the amount of licenses granted; control the amount of second hand smoke; generate tax revenue. Then bars must display a notice/warning to the public that wishes to enter that it is an approved smoking establishment....don't want smoke....don't enter. Kind of like restricting minors in bars; men's clubs; etc.....pick your spots to frequent like an adult.

FYI - I don't smoke either.......

 

[RoyJackson]

I'm a smoker...so no doubt a bit biased.

Personally, as far as public buildings...can't say I really care one way or the other.
However, I've a real problem with these laws when it comes to private establishments. In those cases, it should be left to the owners of the bar, resturant, what have you. They can determine which customers they want to alienate...the smokers or the non-smokers.
To me, these laws are just another unnecessary intrusion in our lives.

 

[3RRL]

Public in this case means anywhere there's people gathered. Private clubs ARE NOT excluded. Private lodges and country clubs are to conform to the new law also.

You are right about that, at least here in California. The country club I belong to has to abide by the law and doesn't allow smoking except outside in the patio area. At the time (years ago when it happened) there was a big stink about it. There is one club I've played that doesn't even allow smoking on the golf course itself!