Can we compromise?

Nick Fitt wrote:

I am posting this thread in the hopes that we can talk WITHOUT name calling or bringing negative statements into the mix.(Probably not, but it is worth a try).
1. Any position is acceptable.
2. Do not disparage anyone's position even if it does not allow for compromise.
3. You can ask why, but do not belittle the answer OR the research cited in the answer.
Personally, I would be willing to compromise on SOME bars. I would let the small bars (mom and pop) opt to be smoking and GRANDFATHER them in. A new bar coming in would not get the permission to be smoking UNLESS they purchased a license from mom and pop.
No smoking in restaurants or other businesses. An exception would be a tobacco store or a hookah bar.

Happy Contented Soul wrote:

And you put the negative statements in the first post... no surprise.

BleuJei wrote:

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I applaud you, Nick.
I am in the middle of doing an assignment (due tongight), but I hope this thread can remain uncontaminated by hatespeak.
Anyone who enters this thread should have an open mind and a willingness to discuss with the intention of producing no less than a respect for each other's position.
Compromise is not too much to ask for.
Have a good evening.

Nick Fitt wrote:

I am posting this thread in the hopes that we can talk WITHOUT name calling or bringing negative statements into the mix.(Probably not, but it is worth a try).
1. Any position is acceptable.
2. Do not disparage anyone's position even if it does not allow for compromise.
3. You can ask why, but do not belittle the answer OR the research cited in the answer.
Personally, I would be willing to compromise on SOME bars. I would let the small bars (mom and pop) opt to be smoking and GRANDFATHER them in. A new bar coming in would not get the permission to be smoking UNLESS they purchased a license from mom and pop.
No smoking in restaurants or other businesses. An exception would be a tobacco store or a hookah bar.

Nick Fitt wrote:

I am posting this thread in the hopes that we can talk WITHOUT name calling or bringing negative statements into the mix.(Probably not, but it is worth a try).
1. Any position is acceptable.
2. Do not disparage anyone's position even if it does not allow for compromise.
3. You can ask why, but do not belittle the answer OR the research cited in the answer.
Personally, I would be willing to compromise on SOME bars. I would let the small bars (mom and pop) opt to be smoking and GRANDFATHER them in. A new bar coming in would not get the permission to be smoking UNLESS they purchased a license from mom and pop.
No smoking in restaurants or other businesses. An exception would be a tobacco store or a hookah bar.

KHartman wrote:

Here is the compromise that I favor. Though smoking will not be permitted in public venues, smoking will continue to remain legal.

Cincy Steve wrote:

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As you can see Nick, with some people there is no compromise....

Nick Fitt wrote:

I am posting this thread in the hopes that we can talk WITHOUT name calling or bringing negative statements into the mix.(Probably not, but it is worth a try).
1. Any position is acceptable.
2. Do not disparage anyone's position even if it does not allow for compromise.
3. You can ask why, but do not belittle the answer OR the research cited in the answer.
Personally, I would be willing to compromise on SOME bars. I would let the small bars (mom and pop) opt to be smoking and GRANDFATHER them in. A new bar coming in would not get the permission to be smoking UNLESS they purchased a license from mom and pop.
No smoking in restaurants or other businesses. An exception would be a tobacco store or a hookah bar.

Free America wrote:

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Why not just let the owners decide that has always been the American way.

Free America wrote:

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Why not just let the owners decide that has always been the American way.

Nick Fitt wrote:

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I understand your position, but the problem with that is that it does not offer enough accomodation to the non smokers. Many of us truly believe that second hand smoke is harmful to our health. Non smoking sections in a restaurant are not really smoke free. Many owners try to make as many people as possible happy, hence the different sections, smoking and non smoking. As I said, that is not really a solution because there is nothing to keep the smoke out of the non smoking section.
Being a former smoker, I can understand wanting to be able to smoke in a restaurant. As a smoker, though, I also spent a lot of time in the non smoking sections of the restaurants because that is where my friends wanted to be, so I did get used to standing outside to have a smoke. I, personally (my OPINION here), did not find it to be all that inconvenient.

Free America wrote:

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That does not seem to be a problem where I live. We have six Restaurants one has a smoking section. Two are Smoking and three are non-smoking. We have eight bars Two are non-smoking. All of the restaurants are doing fine,the two non-smoking bars are not doing well. All of the smokers to frequent the non-smoking restaurants to accommodate their non smoking friends but they do frequent the smoking ones more but bars that is more social you are there for hours shooting pool, playing darts,Dancing. Free market does work if there is a demand for a non-smoking bar it will come.

Nick Fitt wrote:

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I understand your position, but the problem with that is that it does not offer enough accomodation to the non smokers. Many of us truly believe that second hand smoke is harmful to our health. Non smoking sections in a restaurant are not really smoke free. Many owners try to make as many people as possible happy, hence the different sections, smoking and non smoking. As I said, that is not really a solution because there is nothing to keep the smoke out of the non smoking section.
Being a former smoker, I can understand wanting to be able to smoke in a restaurant. As a smoker, though, I also spent a lot of time in the non smoking sections of the restaurants because that is where my friends wanted to be, so I did get used to standing outside to have a smoke. I, personally (my OPINION here), did not find it to be all that inconvenient.

Nick Fitt wrote:

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If this was the case everywhere I doubt there would be enough support for a ban. I have been to many areas of the country where it is impossible to find a non smoking restaurant.

BleuJei wrote:

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Good morning Nick: I noticed a few years before the ban was conceived, that more nonsmoking restaurants and bars were becoming available; as well as popular. If this became the focus before the ban proposals it may have been a great compromise. More time and energy would have been well spent on prompting establishment owners to either become nonsmoking or smoking.
Hindsight being 20/20, smoking sections did not alleviate people's concerns or preferences for that matter.
I realize there are people who have embarked on a mission to eliminate tobacco, but this is not a realistic approach. I believe the people are capable of reaching an amicable and mutually beneficial result other than bringing government intrusion into the equation.
Yes, there are small towns in the country that do not have many bars and restaurants, but if the restaurants can be smokefree and the bars provide for an area for smokers to [comfortably] enjoy their time,,,,,?

Nick Fitt wrote:

I am posting this thread in the hopes that we can talk WITHOUT name calling or bringing negative statements into the mix.(Probably not, but it is worth a try).
1. Any position is acceptable.
2. Do not disparage anyone's position even if it does not allow for compromise.
3. You can ask why, but do not belittle the answer OR the research cited in the answer.
Personally, I would be willing to compromise on SOME bars. I would let the small bars (mom and pop) opt to be smoking and GRANDFATHER them in. A new bar coming in would not get the permission to be smoking UNLESS they purchased a license from mom and pop.
No smoking in restaurants or other businesses. An exception would be a tobacco store or a hookah bar.