Here in El Paso, they first made it illegal to smoke in public restaurants, that shortly followed by public bars and nightclubs, followed shortly by a ban to smoke within certain number of feet from a public entrance, and finally in any public building.
I have to disagree that banning smoking would be a boon for establishments. Those who smoke and like to smoke after a meal without standing outside in the cold will just not go out. Those who desire to eat a meal without smoke around will be more likely to go out. After they passed laws here, I take my business just outside city limits. Interestingly enough, those establishments that before the ban were not doing so hot - now are.
I wouldn't have had a problem if they made establishments section-off (including it's own ventilation system) a smoking section to meet the desires of their customers. But they didn't, and it's about impossible to determine the impact on businesses as this area is growing very fast. Not to mention the soon influx of 16K soldiers to Ft. Bliss.
It is a personal choice, I am against excessive regulation on business owners or private citizens. The spitoon notation is nothing different, if you do not feel comfortable there, it is your choice as a consumer not to give your business to that establishment. Two sides to every story indeed. My nextdoor neighbor has no right to tell me if I can smoke or not smoke. Nor would I have the right to blow smoke in their face.
It does come down to responsibility, I smoke, but I do not toss butts anywhere, if I am around non-smokers I walk away. But If I am smoking and they come to where I am, I will continue to smoke as it was their choice to go where I am. (not talking a sidewalk or entrance here). The argument is then made that they have the right to be any public place and not be subject to second hand smoke. True to a degree, but as public property, anyone has a right to be there - or to walk a different direction, myself included. What would you do if your on public property and come across someone with really bad body oder - stand there? It's a concious choice we make. I've been *followed* before by people who do the dramatic coughing. By followed I mean, I've gotten out of their way, wind not blowing back at them, and they move closer to me followed by dramatic coughing, I move again, the process repeats. You can understand the smokers that tell them to go inside if they do not care for it.
Personally I hate smoking, I'd love to quit. Believe it or not theres a slight medical condition that cigarette smoking helps me quite a bit. But interesting discussion on this topic.
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