Smokers - do you follow the rules?

[rchristiansen]

Sunday afternoon we went out for lunch at a restaurant that had outdoor seating. The law in our state is that there is no smoking in restaurants, but a woman was smoking on the outdoor patio and it was wafting our way.

I let it go and wait to see if she would stop after a while. However she lit up again. I wasn't sure if smoking was allowed outside so I discretely asked the waiter if it was. He sort or rolled his eyes and said that he already asked her ONCE to stop smoking and asked I wanted him to get the manager. I said, no and I'll just wait and see if she stops. Well, later the waiter told her AGAIN to stop smoking and the ladies all just giggled and started flirting with him. Good lord. Anyway --- I told her myself to stop smoking and she looked at me very surprised and apologized.

I find that most smokers have been extremely considerate of those who do not smoke. However the ones that think they don't have to follow the rules, really bug me.

Anyone else feel the same?

 

[Froggyswife]

I am a smoker and always follow the rules. I hate it when smokers do not because it makes it hard on those of us that respect other people's right to free air.

 

[lakelandgal70]

Yes I feel that way about anyone who feels they don't have to follow the rules. I really don't understand how people feel they can get away with things like that.

 

[marmalade]

There is no smoking in the restaurant, but is it still illegal to smoke outside?

 

[DMass]

I got tired of following the rules so I quit smoking.

 

[gracie1]

I follow the rules as a smoker as well. However, where I live if your outside then normally you are allowed to smoke. And if the outside area is 'allowed for smoking' then yes, I will smoke.

 

[Carly_Roach]

I am a smoker and always follow the rules. I hate it when smokers do not because it makes it hard on those of us that respect other people's right to free air.

Agreed. Same here.

Yes I feel that way about anyone who feels they don't have to follow the rules. I really don't understand how people feel they can get away with things like that.

For the same reason that people feel they can walk up to a smoker and 'educate' them about how they're going to die, how they're polluting the air, what they're doing to their bodies (or their children's bodies), etc, etc, etc.

There are self-centered smokers just as there are self-centered non-smokers. The Law of Averages dictates that you'll likely find more self-centered non-smokers than you will self-centered smokers, however.

 

[Carly_Roach]

I follow the rules as a smoker as well. However, where I live if your outside then normally you are allowed to smoke. And if the outside area is 'allowed for smoking' then yes, I will smoke.

Here in Michigan it is unlawful to smoke on patios reserved for eating (IE: just outside a restaurant or bar). I would imagine it's the same for Ohio and Wisconsin, too.

 

[SaraJayne]

There is no smoking in the restaurant, but is it still illegal to smoke outside?

No. I live in the same state as the OP and I'm pretty sure you can smoke on outside patios.

I'll double check to be sure and let you know.

 

[SaraJayne]

Here's the exact wording...

Beginning July 5, 2010, smoking will be prohibited in enclosed public places and workplaces, publicly or privately owned, including taverns and restaurants.

Under the smoking ban law signed by Governor Doyle May 18, 2009, the word enclosed was defined as a structure that has a roof and more than two substantial walls. A substantial wall was defined as a wall with an opening, door or window, that may be used to allow air in from the outside that is less than 25 percent of the wall’s surface area.

Near the end of the 2009-10 general legislative session, the Legislature amended the definition of substantial wall to now mean, a wall with no opening or with an opening that either does not allow air in from the outside or that is less than 25 percent of the wall’s surface area. That means the smoking ban law will allow structures that have a roof and not more than two substantial walls. Bar and restaurant owners could, thus, build L-shaped outdoor patios or beer gardens with two substantial walls and allow smoking in such areas.

 

[rchristiansen]

Here's the exact wording...

That's what I was thinking - and why I asked the waiter. But I think too, couldn't the owner of the restaurant set up their own smoking rules for their property?

 

[Carly_Roach]

Here's the exact wording...

Beginning July 5, 2010, smoking will be prohibited in enclosed public places and workplaces, publicly or privately owned, including taverns and restaurants.

Under the smoking ban law signed by Governor Doyle May 18, 2009, the word enclosed was defined as a structure that has a roof and more than two substantial walls. A substantial wall was defined as a wall with an opening, door or window, that may be used to allow air in from the outside that is less than 25 percent of the wall’s surface area.

Near the end of the 2009-10 general legislative session, the Legislature amended the definition of substantial wall to now mean, a wall with no opening or with an opening that either does not allow air in from the outside or that is less than 25 percent of the wall’s surface area. That means the smoking ban law will allow structures that have a roof and not more than two substantial walls. Bar and restaurant owners could, thus, build L-shaped outdoor patios or beer gardens with two substantial walls and allow smoking in such areas.

I sure wish our state allowed that. We have had so many smaller bars and taverns closed because smokers couldn't smoke outside.

http://www.michiganpolicy.com/index...catid=43:health-care-policy-briefs&Itemid=159

An updated story on problems associated with enforcing the state smoking ban is available here: Smoking Ban Enforcement and Information Problems

On December 18, 2009, Governor Granholm signed a smoking ban bill into law. This new law, called the Dr. Ron Davis Law, will be put into action on May 1, 2010. The Dr. Ron Davis Law will officially ban smoking throughout the state of Michigan. Smoking will be banned in all public places including workplaces, restaurants, and bars. This law even goes as far as to ban smoking on the patios of restaurants.

 

[kt_mom]

Here its only illegal to smoke inside the restaurant you can smoke outside on the patio and most of the local places have either extended their outside patios or built them so that the smokers have a place to enjoy themselves too. Several restaurants/bars have added additinal rooms so they can be allowed to have a smoking section. It has to be a seperate room with seperate ventilation.

 

[Carly_Roach]

That's what I was thinking - and why I asked the waiter. But I think too, couldn't the owner of the restaurant set up their own smoking rules for their property?

You'd think so but this is the direction the US is going in. No more rights to do what you want (as long as it's legal and smoking is legal) on your own property.

 

[DrCavin]

Here in Michigan it is unlawful to smoke on patios reserved for eating (IE: just outside a restaurant or bar). I would imagine it's the same for Ohio and Wisconsin, too.

In Ohio you can have a smoking area outside. Many bars/restaurants built patios after the smoking ban went into effect to allow a place for smokers.

 

[rchristiansen]

You'd think so but this is the direction the US is going in. No more rights to do what you want (as long as it's legal and smoking is legal) on your own property.

I think the difference is that the public can freely enter a privately owned place like a restaurant, store, etc and therefore certain things that may affect others - like smoking - have been banned in those public (yet, privately owned) places.

But the public can not freely enter a private home. So perhaps that the difference.

 

[LilyWDW]

I do not smoke, but my mother does. She is very careful to make sure she is following all rules when it comes to where she can and can not smoke. She will always check before "expecting" it to be okay.

What peeves us off is when we are in a designated smoking area (such as those at Disney) and then someone comes in and starts with the stares, huffing, and coughing while giving you an evil look. Ummm... you are in a smoking area. Get over yourself! If you don't want to deal with it, then don't sit where there is a giant ashtray and sign saying it is a smoking area.

 

[Carly_Roach]

Maybe. I'm waiting for the day (and I don't see it too far off) where smoking in a car will be banned if your children are in it with you. VERY private area, but since everyone will be doing it "for the children" then it'll be considered OK>

 

[marmalade]

Maybe. I'm waiting for the day (and I don't see it too far off) where smoking in a car will be banned if your children are in it with you. VERY private area, but since everyone will be doing it "for the children" then it'll be considered OK>

What about when I am sitting in MY car at a red light and the car in front of me is smoking and it goes directly into my window. I suppose I am the one who has the issue and needs to roll up my window?

 

[SaraJayne]

Maybe. I'm waiting for the day (and I don't see it too far off) where smoking in a car will be banned if your children are in it with you. VERY private area, but since everyone will be doing it "for the children" then it'll be considered OK>

I wish it would be banned.

People that smoke in cars with babies/children are disgusting. Once it impacts someone else that is unable to defend themselves (so to speak), it's no longer about your "rights".