Smokers beware--Washington state

[bimshire]

In Washington state, voters approved a statewide ban on smoking inside public places that will be the USA's most restrictive. Smokers also will risk a fine of up to $100 for lighting up outdoors within 25 feet of a building entrance.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-11-08-ballot-measures_x.htm
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Boy oh boy, I wish Texas would do this. When I have to go in a building or the airport(DFW), I have to run a gauntlet to avoid the smoke as much as possible.

 

[bananiem]

Minnesota's been like this for a few years. I LOVE it! Our city even is smoke free in restaurants. It's great!

 

[gigglesnort]

gosh, maybe one day they'll move all the smokers to an isolated island. or maybe they'll just start arresting smokers in their own home.

you know, if I smoked, I'd stand at 26 feet from the entrance and just blow smoke all day long!!!

 

[Straycat]

I love our restaurants being smoke free here in florida but I really wish we had the no cigarettes within 25 feet of a buildings entrance rule here. I can't walk in the back door of my work without holding my breath. There are always several workers out there getting their fix, they remind me of druggies, kind of feel sorry for them even though they are making the choice.

 

[robinb]

Our bars and restaurants are recently smoke-free here in Madison, WI. While I don't go to bars (anymore ) I go to restaurants that have bars attached and it's soooo nice to be able to wait for our table in a smoke-free bar.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Sure do hope Chicago and Illinois get with it soon.

 

[gigglesnort]

Sure do hope Chicago and Illinois get with it soon.

They will. But I have a feeling it will be just like New York. At about 11 pm or so, the bars let everyone start smoking in them!!

 

[yeartolate]

Caleeeeefornia has been like this for years.

Although I dislike the idea of legislating something like this, the results have been great.

 

[RickinNYC]

They will. But I have a feeling it will be just like New York. At about 11 pm or so, the bars let everyone start smoking in them!!

Not sure what bars or restaurants you're hanging out in, but you still can't smoke at these facilities in NYC, before or after 11pm. If they allow it, they're breaking the law.

 

[gigglesnort]

Not sure what bars or restaurants you're hanging out in, but you still can't smoke at these facilities in NYC, before or after 11pm. If they allow it, they're breaking the law.

quite a few in Brooklyn (Williamsburg) do, and the ones in the East Village did. This was this summer.

 

[cardaway]

Yeah us!

Having people stand out side the entrances of malls and other places really defeats the purpose.

Now if only Disney would start enforcing their smoking rules. Saw many people lighting up all over DL in Oct.

 

[Kimberly]

New York State is like this too. I wish NJ would do it too, but I fear that it is too "middle of the road" on everything. It is great going into a bar or restaurant without walking through that cloud of cigarette smoke. Filthy disgusting habit in my opinion.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I too hope Nj goes this route too. No reason I should be subjected to someone else's disgusting life ending habits.

 

[Meriweather]

 

[WebmasterAlex]

Does anyone really believe that the police are going to waste their time on this except for the occaisional case to make a point? Just another law like jaywalking to make people feel better but that is generally ignored

 

[Kimberly]

Does anyone really believe that the police are going to waste their time on this except for the occaisional case to make a point? Just another law like jaywalking to make people feel better but that is generally ignored

I don't believe so, especially when non-smokers strongly detest cigarette smoke.

At least with Jaywalking, you're only putting yourself in harm's way.

 

[C.Ann]

Does anyone really believe that the police are going to waste their time on this except for the occaisional case to make a point? Just another law like jaywalking to make people feel better but that is generally ignored

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My thoughts exactly.. It's a great vote-getter for the politicians though!

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I don't believe so, especially when non-smokers strongly detest cigarette smoke.

At least with Jaywalking, you're only putting yourself in harm's way.

Actually it's the opposite. There is no proof whatsoever that unless you are one of the few who are truly allergic to it that the very occaisional exposure to cigarette smoke, like walking through it at a building entrance has any health effects whatsoever. On the other hand if you hit a jaywalker and they go up on to your hood you can be badly hurt. Jaywalking is far more dangerous than smoking near a building entrance!

 

[Mom2Ashli]

In Florida you are not allowed to smoke in doors or anyplace that sells food (ie. resturant or bar).

I would love the 25 foot rule. You go to the mall or a store and there are 5 people standing right outside the doors smoking. You have to walk right past them and their cloud of smoke to get into the building.

 

[RickinNYC]

quite a few in Brooklyn (Williamsburg) do, and the ones in the East Village did. This was this summer.

Really? They are so busted!