New law in Illinois...... NO SMOKING

[myfoot]

Forgot about that one taking place starting today. I quit 20 years ago so kind of forgot about it but boy are there some pissed off people here! Couple of friends own bars and are worried about their customers crossing into Iowa to do their drinking. Personally I don't think that'll happen . I think there is a 15 foot distance from the building if they go out to smoke. One bar built a gazebo out in their parking lot but it has to have one side open or it violates the new law (about inside ) Not sure how that's gonna shake out.
Chief , don't they have that law out in California? Wondered how the foks out there do with it..

[Wicksy]

The whole of the UK has that law in place now since July last year. I think its quite nice as a non-smoker. There are a lot of bars that i once found unbarable that are now quite good places though i think many people are choosing to stay at home.

[HEAVIER THAN HELL]

Since the no smoking ban came into play in the UK we've started to get huge groups of smokers outside pubs - it's bizarre!

[Wicksy]

But quite funny to see them clustered in the rain.

[monsterwalley]

I have mixed feelings on banning smoking. I havent smoked in 10+ years but I still think the restaurant/bar owner should have the say in whether they choose to be smoke free or not, From a financial standpoint.
On the other hand with healthcare costs on the rise would it be that bad to discourage smoking whenever you can.

[Winder]

They banned smoking in food establishments and I think bars that serve food in Florida a few years ago. In the run up to the vote and implementation, restauranteurs and bar owners wailed and gnashed teeth over the impending lost business. Guess what. It never materialized. People are still going out to eat, etc., and nothing about that changed whatsoever.

All political and freedom-related ramifications aside, I appreciate not having to partake in someone else's filthy habits against my will.

[as5431]

i've never been a smoker and i gotta say i'm more apt to eat out or go see a band now that there's no smoking here. my coats and clothes no longer reek of others' nasty habits. i sometimes used to use that as an excuse not to have to go see friends' bands

[marT]

in Australia they banned smoking in pubs and clubs late last year. I think its a good thing since the air seems fresher. I can understand how it would suck being a smoker and from a financial standpoint of the business.

[monsterwalley]

+1 on the clothes not reeking!
I still think that good or bad it should be up to the establishment, I just hate to see more "gov't" in small business. I agree that in a lot of instances business will not be effected or may actually prosper. But it should be left up to the particular owner. If he/she is cutting their own neck by allowing smoking and losing patrons I would hope they would figure it out.
Don't get me wrong, I don't like being in a smoke filled bar, but nobody is
putting a gun to my head to go there either

[curtg]

I gig every weekend in Alabama (US), so unfortunately I am a second-hand smoker. I keep a big bottle of Febreeze in my truck.

[NY Chief]

Chief , don't they have that law out in California? Wondered how the foks out there do with it..

If you smoke in Califorina they look at you like a parriah! There was objections like everywhere else and now like everywhere else if want to smoke you go outside. Doesn't seem to be a big thing.

[zaphod777]

It is one of the many ways the government, urged by the insurance companies, slowly, and steadily, takes away OUR freedom to choose what is best for US.

In my short lifetime my state has inacted seatbelt laws, done away with fireworks, and now banned smoking in all public buildings. These are just the few examples I can think of off hand.

Seat belt laws, Hey, I think wearing seat belts is a great idea, I think taking away my choice, to make that decision, is bullshit... Who benefits, the government makes a killing on the no seat belt tickets they hand out each day. And insurance companies pay less for injuries. And my freedom to make a stupid, or smart, decision is GONE.

Fireworks, Used to be a family tradition in this state, nearly every family with children, set off fireworks on the 4th. Now, you have to have a permit(money for the gov) and in order to have the permit, you have to have special insurance(money for insurance companies). The number of families who get a permit, and set off fireworks, in my town every year... always single digits. The number of families who set off fireworks before the law, 10,000+.

Smoking- Most of the restaurants and 99% of all businesses where smoke free BEFORE they even started talking about this law. No one FORCED non-smokers to go to smoking establishments. And COME ON, a bar is hardly the place one goes to improve there health. Give me a fucking break. Now the government tickets anyone smoking within a certain distance of the entrance or exit of any public building(private clubs and VFW halls included).


Anyone who thinks insurance companies are working with our health interests in mind, think again, its all about the bottom dollar. The more they can restrict our freedom to choose to take risks. The more money they make.

It amazes me how easily we sheep throw away our right to live our own lives.

Freedom....
yea right...
the freedom to do as your told. Now sit down and shut up.... we know what is best for you....

[bartak]

It is one of the many ways the government, urged by the insurance companies, slowly, and steadily, takes away OUR freedom to choose what is best for US.

In my short lifetime my state has inacted seatbelt laws, done away with fireworks, and now banned smoking in all public buildings. These are just the few examples I can think of off hand.

Seat belt laws, Hey, I think wearing seat belts is a great idea, I think taking away my choice, to make that decision, is bullshit... Who benefits, the government makes a killing on the no seat belt tickets they hand out each day. And insurance companies pay less for injuries. And my freedom to make a stupid, or smart, decision is GONE.

Fireworks, Used to be a family tradition in this state, nearly every family with children, set off fireworks on the 4th. Now, you have to have a permit(money for the gov) and in order to have the permit, you have to have special insurance(money for insurance companies). The number of families who get a permit, and set off fireworks, in my town every year... always single digits. The number of families who set off fireworks before the law, 10,000+.

Smoking- Most of the restaurants and 99% of all businesses where smoke free BEFORE they even started talking about this law. No one FORCED non-smokers to go to smoking establishments. And COME ON, a bar is hardly the place one goes to improve there health. Give me a fucking break. Now the government tickets anyone smoking within a certain distance of the entrance or exit of any public building(private clubs included).


Anyone who thinks insurance companies are working with our health interests in mind, think again, its all about the bottom dollar. The more they can restrict our freedom to choose to take risks. The more money they make.

It amazes me how easily we sheep throw away our right to live our own lives.

Freedom....
yea right...
the freedom to do as your told. Now sit down and shut up.... we know what is best for you....

I couldn't disagree with you more.
The government is slowly striping away our rights, but that's a can of worms for another forum.
The rights you mention just make sense.

Seat belts save lives, I had a good friend die before the seat belt law, and there's a good chance he would still be here if he had been wearing his seat belt.

People, especially kids get hurt playing with fireworks. I don't feel like I'm missing out because I can't shoot off some bottle rockets.

people die from second hand smoke. I spend a lot of time in clubs, and I'm grateful that this law passed. your right to smoke isn't being violated any more than my right to breath fresh air. before the law I had to go outside, now the smoker does. what's the difference.

[zaphod777]

Seat belts save lives

Like I said, wearing a seat belt is a good idea. Forcing me to wear a seat belt, is not.

People, especially kids get hurt playing with fireworks. I don't feel like I'm missing out because I can't shoot off some bottle rockets.

Kids should be supervised by there parents, there IS a safe way to set off fireworks.
I feel there are generations of kids missing out on an american tradition I took much joy from as a kid. But, as long as you dont feel the loss screw everyone else.

I spend a lot of time in clubs, and I'm grateful that this law passed. your right to smoke isn't being violated any more than my right to breath fresh air. before the law I had to go outside, now the smoker does. what's the difference.

You live in this state, you have heard the arguments, and you have made up your mind. I disagree.

People, especially kids get hurt

Following this logic... What shouldnt we ban???

[monsterwalley]

I don't know how people can afford to smoke these days

Not sure how much they are now but assume 1 pack @ $3 x 365 days =
1 metro amp kit and no febreeze!