Smoking in Restraunts.......

[GAIL HAYDEN]

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

They perhaps know they are smoking and there are non smokers, but, figure since you are there and realize that there is a smoking section that you are all right with it.
If the restaurant provides a smoking section, then the smoker has a perfect right to smoke. If people don't like smoke around food, and I happen to be one, then they need to refrain from going to that restaurant or find one that does not allow smoking (which I have found many outside of Disney).

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN

I have yet to encounter smoke in the non smoking area, but, I guess we have been lucky.

Gail,
I have been in restraunts, and I am sure you have been to, that the non-smoking area is only 10 feet away from the smoking sections. And realistically it doesn't matter how far away you are, the smoke will always drift over and you will smell it.
I still find it hard to believe that most smokers(not you ) can't refrain from smoking for 60-90 minutes in an eating establishment.

 

[Tina]

One thing that smokers should keep in mind is that their sense of smell is not as keen as that of a non-smoker. I know this from experience (I quit more than 13 years ago). Additionally, as a smoker, you already smell like smoke (hair, clothing, etc), so how could you be expected to notice the smell of smoke in the restaurant? This topic reminds me of my husband's car-pool partner. She is a smoker. He is not. Every morning when she gets in his car, she pops a mint in her mouth, thinking this will help. What she doesn't realize it that its not her breath that stinks - its her. Regardless of how many mints and perfumes you use, we can still smell it.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by Tina
One thing that smokers should keep in mind is that their sense of smell is not as keen as that of a non-smoker. I know this from experience (I quit more than 13 years ago). Additionally, as a smoker, you already smell like smoke (hair, clothing, etc), so how could you be expected to notice the smell of smoke in the restaurant? This topic reminds me of my husband's car-pool partner. She is a smoker. He is not. Every morning when she gets in his car, she pops a mint in her mouth, thinking this will help. What she doesn't realize it that its not her breath that stinks - its her. Regardless of how many mints and perfumes you use, we can still smell it.

Tina,
Excellent and true post!!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

One thing that smokers should keep in mind is that their sense of smell is not as keen as that of a non-smoker. I know this from experience (I quit more than 13 years ago).

I am afraid I cannot agree totally with this. I, luckily, have a great sense of smell and that is why I constantly clean this house.
LOL. I think that this is another one of those myths that go right along with smokers get more colds than non smokers. Sometimes when I smell some of the perfumes that people wear, I wish my sense of smell was greatly diminished. That would eliminate my instant headache and difficulty in breathing.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I have been in restraunts, and I am sure you have been to, that the non-smoking area is only 10 feet away from the smoking sections. And realistically it doesn't matter how far away you are, the smoke will always drift over and you will smell it.

Try 12". This is what really set the non smoking rule in stone for me. Dee and I went to Olive Garden and asked for the smoking section ( I had had a really bad day and for whatever reason felt the need to sit in smoking). Well, little did I know they seated us right next to non smoking (a half wall, can you believe, set us apart from that section). This family sat down in the non smoking area. Well, I lit up and this poor little girl started to have severe breathing problems and the parents moved her to the opposite side of the table. I went nuts!!!!!! I apologized up and down for causing the child distress, the parents said that they knew when they sat down that the smoking section was there, but, felt that she would be ok. They told me not to worry about it and they went out of their way to ease my discomfort. Frankly, I was more concerned about the child than my discomfort.
Well, from that point on I will NEVER sit in smoking again. If I feel the need to smoke, I will go out of the restaurant.

 

[WDW2002]

I am so glad I live in California, where smoking at restaurants, schools grounds, the work place (except in out door designated areas) etc has been banned for years.

 

[WillyJ]

I smoke, and sure, I can go an hour without smoking. . . (a 3 or 4 hour airplane ride can get a little rough though. . . LOL!! ). If there is a restaurant I want to eat at that is completely no smoking, then I certainly wouldn't not go there just because I couldn't smoke. . .

On the other hand, if a restaurant is allowed by law to have a smoking section and they want to provide one, I don't feel that I am infringing on anyone's rights by smoking there. Anyone who is that bothered by smoke certainly has other options of where to dine, and as long as I'm flollowing the rules of the establishment, I don't feel obligated to refrain just because someone half-way across the place in another room might smell a little smoke wafting out and not like it.

Of course, a situation like Gail decribes is a different story. . in that case I too would have immediately stopped, apologized, and then made a point of not going back there because it sounds like the owners were irresponsible in how they had it set up.

 

[Leota]

Another smoker chiming in here - One who has been on both sides of the fence. I was smoke free for 5 years before I made the mistake of picking it back up again.
I don't smoke in my home, or in my car unless the window is down & the smoke can escape (for the most part) I understand how much ciggerette (and cigar) smoke stink, esp. to those who don't smoke. I also understand that there are some folks who get overly-offended by it - They are so concerned with their "rights" that they work themselves up into a tizzy over it. "Right-Fighters"

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

If an establishment allows smoking - The smoker has the same right to enjoy an after-dinner smoke (which is like dessert to us smokers) I am like Gail Hayden - I sit in non-smoking most of the time & go outside or to the bar area to smoke. On the rare occasions I eat at a restaraunt that allows smoking & that I sit in the smoking section, I enjoy My right to have a ciggerette after my meal.