Smoking in Restraunts.......

[ncligs]

I don't want this to be moved to te Debate board , so lets keep this topic from going there

I would like to know, as a non-smoker, why when people go out to dinner at a restraunt, they can't go 1 hour (for dinner) without lighting up

? Even if the restraunt has separate sides(smoking and non) the smoke still drifts over to the non-smoking side as well.
I don't think there is any thing more intrusive than having to in-hale second hand smoke while you are eating
If some smokers would answer this, I would appreciate it. Would it be that hard to go "1 hour" without a cigarette? I know in the state of California all restraunts and bars are non-smoking, and the state of N.Y is moving in that direction.I hope in the near future all states follow there lead, at least in "Restraunts."

 

[snoopy]

I'm sort of a social smoker, and the only inside place I smoke is a bar. I've never smoked in a restaurant, even if it has a smoking section, but then again, I don't really crave cigarettes unless I am having a drink.

The people I know who smoke regularly find the smoke directly after dinner the most enjoyable. Sounds kind of yuk to me, but I have heard it described as "dessert" for heavy smokers.

 

[damo]

Here in Toronto there is no smoking allowed in public buildings, restaurants included. However, on my son's hockey team, we have a few dads who can't wait for the hour long game and must stand at one end of the rink and puff away while the kids play. Personally, I find this totally rude and it irritates the hell out of me! Not only do the people around them have to breathe in their smoke but the players have to as well.

 

[sammi]

damo I was just going to say the same thing. I'm in Hamilton and we are a no smoking city (thank goodness) it's so nice to go into a restaurant, have a nice dinner and maybe a couple of drinks and not be bothered by the smoke.

PS.I'm a "reformed" smoker after quitting 17 years ago and I haven't looked back since.

 

[jeffemy]

ncligs,

I so agree with your post. In MD smoking isn't allowed in restaurants unless there is a bar,even then-it still drifts but it is better than if it were allowed through-out the entire restaurant.

 

[tnkrbell]

Here in Fl Im voting YES on the ballet for no smoking in resteraunts and indoor jobs!!! I will be sooo happy to be able to go in a reteraunt with my 7 year old and not have smoke floating over to the "non smoking area!!!"

 

[janette]

Many areas in the town I live have no smoking in restaurants. I really like it and I have a DH that smokes. I think it makes it easier for the restaurants too. A long time ago when I worked in restaurants the smoking / non-smoking sections were always a headache when seating. You are right, there are really no good non-smoking sections if smoking is allowed at all.

 

[pumba]

no smoking is allowed in restaurants or public blds.....this is a good move......not just for us as the eaters.....but for the employees....bars are the exception.....

 

[MerryPoppins]

Oklahoma is close to saying that restaurants either have to be no smoking, all smoking or have 2 sections with separate ventilation systems. I'll love it. Smoke makes me have a headache and is bad for our asthma. It can ruin an evening out for me. I can see that smokers have rights, but it seems unfair that their right to smoke steps on my toes.

 

[bsnyder]

I'm a smoker, but not a heavy one. I can certainly go an hour, or even a few days without a cigarette.

And I do understand that smoke in a restaurant would be very irritating to non-smokers.

The problem I have with the new laws (including the one that is sure to pass in Florida next week) is that it infringes on the rights of private business owners. I'd rather let the marketplace rule. If a restaurant owner wants to allow smoking, he runs the risk of losing patrons....or not.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by bsnyder

And I do understand that smoke in a restaurant would be very irritating to non-smokers.

bsnyder,
Thats my main argument.Why smokers can't at least refrain from lighting up

until they leave the restraunt?? Smokers should "know" they are infringing on non-smokers" right to have a "smoke free dinner".

 

[Nutsy]

Over here there is no smoking allowed in any public place. They used to have smoking & non smoking sections in a restaurant, but they have now changed it to NO SMOKING!!

I agree with you tho. There is nothing worse than inhaling someone elses smoke while having a meal. Yes it does filter over to the non smoking side of the restaurant & it is horrid

I'm sure the smokers can go an hour without a smoke or they could step outside if they were so desperate for one.

 

[supercarrie]

This is one of the reasons I love living in CA. I never have to deal with smoke in a restaurant. My little sister was so confused when we went on her first vacation out of state and had to say "non-smoking" at the restaurant. I am extremely sensitive to smoke (I had asthma when I was little) and cannot breathe if it is blown in my face, so it is great not to have to deal with it.

 

[bsnyder]

Originally posted by ncligs
Smokers should "know" they are infringing on non-smokers" right to have a "smoke free dinner".

But what we left it up to the individual restaurant owners? There would surely be a lot of smoke-free restaurants, as well as some smoking restaurants.

And you'd be free to only frequent the smoke-free restaurants, right?

 

[Planogirl]

Originally posted by bsnyder
But what we left it up to the individual restaurant owners? There would surely be a lot of smoke-free restaurants, as well as some smoking restaurants.

And you'd be free to only frequent the smoke-free restaurants, right?

I agree with this because I think that it is up to the individual business owner to set policy when it comes to a legal activity and not the government's. But it would be nice if more restaurants offered outdoor patios for smokers to have that after dinner smoke and that way maybe everyone could be happy.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I could easily go along with the smoking or non-smoking restaurants. I'd just avoid the smoking ones. Dividing a restaurant into sections does next to nothing.

I do think that most people should be able to wait until they leave a restaurant before lighting up, but who asked me? Secondhand smoke is harmful. We don't let other folks go to restaurants and spew poison to those around them. Why is this different?

 

[Pin Wizard]

Most of the restaurants we go to are non-smoking. The only one I can recall that allows smoking is Wilt Chamberlain's. On my last visit there the smoke was so bad I complained to the manager. How can they call it a non-smoking section when the smoke from the bar drifts over?! I decided that's not a place I'll frequent any longer. They lost my business. Along with the servers who want to know if I want change.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by MerryPoppins
Oklahoma is close to saying that restaurants either have to be no smoking, all smoking or have 2 sections with separate ventilation systems.

I keep wishing that they'd enclose the smoking sections entirely with glass up to the ceilings if the smokers need it that much. Let them enjoy all of it! Now that I think of it, there are other restaurants here with smoking sections...The Olive Garden and Chili's in addition to Wilt's. Yuck! If I do go, I go during off hours when it's not quite so bad.

 

[catsrule]

People I know that smoke say they enjoy it the most right after a meal.

I don't like cigarettes...in fact a loath them. I know too many lives that were taken because of them.

 

[KimRaye]

Well, since the OP asked for some smokers opinions, let me be the first actual smoker to do so.

I CAN go an hour, and more, considering a sit-down restaurant takes more than an hour but, anyway....ask my DIS Meet friends, I go outside when our Meets last longer than that. (Is outside acceptable though, I wonder?)

As disgusting as you all find it, I'm not here to debate that, as the OP asked us not to. If I could wake up tomorrow without the addiction and costly habit, I WOULD!!

So, to answer OP's question, This smoker can and does sit in Non-smoking areas/restaurants, etc. AND, fully respects the rights of non-smokers. If there's such a thing as a courteous smoker, I hope I'm considered one of them.

I booked a non-smoking room for DISConII as my roomie is a non-smoker, I'm hoping it isn't a major issue for me.

BUT, when & IF I'm provided a 'smoking-allowed' area, I'll be there. Sorry.