Should smoking be banned in restaurants?

Question

If so, why?

Answer 1

Yes, ours is. Think about the elderly,infants and children. I worked at one restaurant where the cook smoked right in the kitchen and never washed their hands afterwords. Made me sick. Plus the environment is much better. We now have a patio so when people really can't go an hour without a smoke, they can go outside.



ET

Answer 2

Every state I have lived in has a smoking ban. (MA, CT and now FL) In fact all New England states have smoking bans. I can't even remember the last time I was asked "Smoking or non"



I think it should be banned. Smokers complain about it's THEIR right to smoke. Some state "Well if non-smokers don't like the smell of smoke, go someplace else. What about the non-smokers right? Why should non-smokers have to alter their lives because of somebody elses choice?



Smoking sections are a joke. The smoke does not know an invisible line. Kids, workers and other customers are all effected by someone elses decision to smoke.



It's more than the smokers right, it's others peoples health that are on the line. There is a time and place for everything, and smoking in public effects everyone. Non-smokers choose not to smoke, they shouldn't have to inhale other peoples choice while they are eating.



Smoking should be banned in any place that doesn't require you to be 21 + to enter every day.



Bars & casinos - I don't care too much either way for a ban or not. It is nice and I would be very happy if the bans extended to bars and casinos. In the casino I went to in CT you had to walk through the smoking section to get to the non. There wasn't even any door blocking the smoke from entering. It didn't make any sense.



However, to allow smoking in a bar, it has to be a stand alone bar. TGI Fridays, Chilis type bars need to be smoke-free because it is a restaurant first before it is a bar.



I love living in a smoke-free state and I don't think I could ever live in a state where smoking isn't banned.

Answer 3

For anyone that is against smoking being banned b/c its their right to smoke, you aren't giving non-smokers a choice.



If you smoke, non-smokers have no choice but to inhale and smell smoke while eating. Smoking sections were a joke. I have never been in a place with a smoking section where the smoke wasn't noticeable in non-smoking sections.



Yes, it should be banned. If someone requires a cigarette before/during/after a meal, there is always the great outdoors. I understand that its enjoyable for a smoker to have it as part of their experience but it really does take from the non-smoker's experience.



Should there be restaurants dedicated to smokers? Sure, why not.

Answer 4

No but in Ohio it is. They put 2 issues on the ballot and it confused the votes and it was passed that you can't smoke where you eat. Public buildings and hospitals are or have banned it too. There have been a lot of restaurants and other businesses close because of this as they lost so much business. Some restaurants are building outdoor patios and some people still complain about the smoke outside. Restaurants that you used to stand in long lines or sign in to be seated now you can just walk right in to be seated. Customers are staying home or leaving early so they can go outside to smoke.



I was raised and have been around smokers all my life and I don't think they should be told what to do or not to do. Some employers are giving employees or future employees tests to see if you smoke before hiring you or keeping you employed. I believe that is wrong too. There has been some talk about people not smoking in cars with children and the police having to stop and ticket you too. Are they going to come in your house next? If they want to smoke then it is their right to do so, what are they going to ban next?! Are they going to check to see what your BP, cholesterol or your weight should be before you are hired or before you have kids?

Answer 5

I am a smoker and I dont smoke in restaurants. I think people should learn where to use manners and respect for others. you dont get drunk at the zoo, although you could, and you dont cuss at a daycare, although you could. When your bad habits affect others around you in a negative manner they need to be regulated. If you cant regulate them yourself maybe someone else has to step in. Is there any reason why someone cant walk outside after their meal and smoke? People have this bad habit of taking their children to restaurants and expecting fresh clean air. And what about those losers with health conditions that flare up or are made worse by ciggarette smoke. maybe they should just sit outside! Hit up a mcds or something! Now all sarcasm aside, smoking is not like an oxygen tank. It can wait.if you want to smoke at the dining table stay home! when you cant respect the people around you on your own, they always make a law to enforce common sense.

Answer 6

The founders of the United States left the UK and came here so that they could have freedom--including the freedom to ruin their own lives if that was their desire. Therefore, the issue comes where people who don't want to smoke and people who do interact. If we follow the premise that second-hand smoke is damaging to an individual's health, is it fair that other people's pleasures cause a bystander's early demise? Obviously, most people would say "No", in the same way that "cannibals" are not given free reign to eat other humans.



Thus, as a matter of society, this leads to one logical conclusion. If "innocents" are involved, people should not be allowed to willingly hurt their peers, especially within the public domain. However, on the opposite side of the spectrum, if there are no innocents, there should be no ban, because the people smoking are willing to incur any long-term issues for their short-term pleasures.



And this finally leads to the fair and just answer that follows the constitution's natural law rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness/property. Simply put, privately-owned establishments should be allowed to choose if smoking is allowed or not; and likewise, patrons/customers should be allowed to choose whether to enter those establishments. (And of course, workers could choose to work or not work in a smoking environment--perhaps with hazard pay.) Ideally, the same way consumers choose with their dollars not to enter certain bars, clubs, etc., in similar fashion, they could very well cause "private" restaurants to "privately" decide to ban smoking to attract more "private" customers and increase revenues--without government interference! (A novel concept indeed.)



In the end, ironically, by attempting to police it's people, the US government is doing precisely the opposite of it's founders' intentions (and exactly what the UK did do). The US, (in a lot of states), is taking away freedoms, one small right at a time . . .

Answer 7

It is banned in some states already. I have worked in a smoking and a non smoking restaurant(because I moved to a different state).



It is a cleaner atmosphere. I think smoking should be banned in all states, If you can't Wait an hour to have a cigarette, you have a problem!

Answer 8

I'm a smoker myself,and I got to admit eating in clean(smoke free) restaurants is nice.I live in Ohio where there is no smoking in public buildings.So I'm used to it.The one place I don't like it at is the bars.I mean ,drinking and smoking go together it seems.Around here people are more upset over this aspect then the restaurant smoking ban.I know a few people who quit smoking easier due to this ban too.Wish it'd work for me as well.Oh well,guess I'm not ready to quit my nasty habit yet.

Answer 9

Well, well, well....I live in PA and starting September 11, we will not be allowed to smoke in restaurants. I smoke, and my co-harts do too, and it's going to be a pain in the asp!! And I think we will loose a lot of customers as well, only because we have counters, where people sit and bs with others, having their coffee and cigarettes.

My husband and I go to nearby NY, and you are not allowed to smoke in their restaurants either. But I'm used to that. It doesn't bother me that I can't smoke, but at work it definately will!!

Personally, I feel that there should be restaurants that allow or not to allow smoking, depending on the owner. And they should advertise it somehow, whether it being a sign outside, or whatever, to let people know if it's smoking or not. People who do not smoke can go to the non-smoking restaurants, the smokers can go to the smoking restaurants. If you want to try a restaurant of the other, then deal with it.

My biggest complaint on all of this, what about the DUI's? What about the drunks that kill innocent people? But they don't outlaw bars or beer distributors. We have a bar connected to where I work, and it will kill the bar business. I think they are making a big mistake, but you can't fight the government.

Like I said, it doesn't bother me when I go out to eat, but I just don't know how I'll handle not being able to smoke at work.

What I would like to do, is blow a big puff of smoke on the governor's face!!!

Answer 10

Absolutely. I remember when we first did this in California and everyone complained and thought it was going to be horrible. Now, everyone loves it. If you want to smoke, go outside where it won't affect other people. And since it's banned in all restaurants and bars, it didn't affect their individual businesses.

Answer 11

It already is in Australia . No smoking in clubs, pubs, night clubs, any public enclosed area at train stations or bus stops and get ready for this one the next place you will be banned from smoking is in cars.

Answer 12

NO! The Government shouldn't be able to ban a perfectly legal activity from a private business owners establishment. Everyone in this country is free to go to any restaurant or be employed at any restaurant.

Answer 13

I think we should be able to do as we please with minimal government involvement as long as we're not harming our "neighbor". Smoking in a restaurant is harming those around you and eliminates their choice of whether or not they would like to breathe in second hand smoke, sooooo YES I think it should be banned and there should be designated areas.

Answer 14

I am a smoker and I think it should be banned in family style restaurants. But absolutely no bars!!

Answer 15

Yes, and it is already,,, Atleast in tn it is.. and I agree and am a smoker who doesnt mind going outside.. We should not force those who dont smoke but want to enjoy a meal at a public place to be subject to such nastiness like that.. it should have been done along time ago.. even i dont want to be next to someone who chainsmokes or around a 15o ppl all smoking..

Answer 16

Yeah I think so because allot of people cannot stand to smell cigarette smoke when they are trying to enjoy their meal.Or they could have a enclosed roomy space in the restaurants for smoking.

Answer 17

In restaurants, yes. That is where we go to eat & half of us don't like smelling cigarettes when we are eating especially children that's in there with their family trying to have a decent meal. However a bar is different, I think you should be allowed in a bar.

Answer 18

Yes, to protect the rights of those who do not want to smoke.

Answer 19

The owner of the restaurant should choose.

Answer 20

yes, its already banned almost everywhere else and its the last thing you want to smell when your eating.

Answer 21

It already is in many states.

Answer 22

Yes, smoking is nasty.

Answer 23

yes second hand smoking is more dangerous duh