The Agony of Defeat
OK, get ready to empty those ashtrays. Michigan wants to become the 26th state to ban public smoking. A few months ago I spelled out my view. That is, ban smoking in all public places except bars. It should be the choice of the owners whether or not to allow cigarettes. Seventeen counties, two cities, four hospital systems and 4, 300 restaurants are smoke free in Michigan. So you see, by choice, works.
I knew that this issue would come up after the election. Last year there was so much controvercy over Proposition 2 that no one cared about it. Now, the dust has settled and the smoke nazis are at it again. I’m tired of fighting the good fight. My slogan, “no one goes to a bar to get healthy” is being shot down.
I am sorry to say, my fellow inhalers, my hands are up. I surrender! Take my zippo from my nicotine stained fingers. Prevent me from enjoying a Don Tomas after a fine dinner. Make my day easier because you are making decisions for me. Thank you so much for relieving me of the stress of making my own choice!
Ohio passed a smoking ban last November that went into effect in December. I went to a bar in Cincinnati last weekend where people were smoking all over the place. Apparently it doesn’t work.
I am actually hopeful that this law passes. And personally I hope they ban smoking in bars too. If you want to smoke…that’s your choice, but you also have the choice to step outside to enjoy your death stick. It isn’t the same for non-smokers. We can’t just step outside or leave the room everytime a smoker lights up. And no, it should not be the choice of the owner, that’s like saying it should be the choice of the owner to serve alcohol without a license. They should however have a choice to build an enclosed smoking area. I suppose if you had a choice, you’d drive 100 mph everywhere you go too? We have laws for reasons, and smoking is a major health issue that needs to be addressed.
So, you do have a choice to smoke, but there is no reason you can’t do it in the privacy of your home or in designated areas. Is it really that hard to abstain from smoking until you are in a smoke friendly enviroment? And if it is that hard, perhaps you need to take another look at your life and gain more self control.
I wouldn’t mind if bar owners had to purchase a smoking license the way they do a liquor license. Well, I guess I would when the price of my drink went up in order to allow smokers to smoke, but I think the problem would sort itself out economically.
i have been to places that have “smoke free environment” signs. they made the choice to offer a haven for non smokers and even though i don’t smoke i make the choice every day to go where i want to be regerdless of those around me and their legal habits. now if it were an unprotected sex and dirty needle bar i’d think twice about it. “no one goes to a bar to get healthy”…love that phrase.
SRAH — I like your idea about purchasing a smoking license just like purchasing a liquor license. Very creative and a definite alternative to a full-out ban in my book.
I hope that it is a go, I hate smelling cancer smoke as I dine!
Bygbaby
I can only speak for myself, as I do not smoke, but the ban would please me individually. Unfortunately asking someone for a light at a bar is the best pickup line most people have around here, so it will be interesting to see how people compensate :0)