Smoking ban tough decision for restaurant owners

Mike wrote:

My wife and I decided some time ago what our solution would be - we simply don't go to restaurants that permit smoking. Does anyone know if there's a website that puts up a list of smoke-free Michigan restaurants?
I agree that its' a free country and that the owners of restaurants should be able to make their decision, without government intervention. I figure that if enough non-smokers quit going to smoke filled places, the owners will get the hint.

just plain ol me wrote:

"Why is it that non-smokers feel they have the right to inflict their non-smoking habits in a resturant or any other public place? If you don't want to smell my smoke, stay at home."
I used to smoke. I also found out I have asthma, which was greatly increased by smoking. I can't go to a bar or most restaurants anymore, because I can't breathe if it has smoking in it. I lived in Cali for a couple years and can honestly say that making public places smoke free won't hurt business. I can however say that yes, Michigan in winter isn't a fun place to stand outside in a courtyard to have a smoke. Make an outside covered courtyard with a fire pit in the middle for some heat (maybe a couple windbreak walls, but not a full enclosure?). Maybe there could be a better way to stop smoke from traveling, but in the meantime, the benefits of stopping smoking in public places highly outweighs the slight inconvenience of the few people griping with their holier than thou attitudes about where and when they can smoke. You don't smoke in a grocery store, and you don't complain..why, because it's just always been that way. Why is waiting a little while for that cigarette after dinner or a drink such a huge problem?
I am allowed to go where I want, and shouldn't be forced to "stay home" in order to breathe.

Zippy wrote:

What would the cost of health insurance be with no obesity. We also pay for all the health risks here too.
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Health Concerned Person wrote:

Do you smoking people know that they added more nicotine and more harmful additives to cigarettes to make you crave them even more. Do you know how many people are walking around with lung nodules and lung cancer than ever before. Some people just don't know it. But you will, when you are trying to breathe and your lungs just can't do it anymore and you still have the will to live. Don't look at it like someone is trying to tell you what to do. Don't you want to live?

Justice wrote:

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Ryan.... I don't want you driving to these smoke free bars/eating establishments. Your car exaust contributes to the pollution in the atmosphere. Why should I have to share the same atmosphere with you you stinking car drivers?

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Ryan wrote:

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Just an FYI, but cars only account for about 5% of the pollution in the air so me driving my car makes no difference to you. Now your one cigarette can stink up the whole restuarant. Also, I am not saying that you can not smoke. I just don't believe I should have to smoke along with you.

Gentle Taz wrote:

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Then don't patronize the establishment that allows smoking. Nobody is forcing you to go there.

say what wrote:

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There's choices on both sides. Smokers don't have to go into a place of business that allows smoking-and many are increasingly deciding to do just that-and smokers don't have to light up while in a public place of business and could choose, instead to do so in private or outside. Unless, of course, their addiction is so strong they can't stand to go an hour wihtout lighting up. It's more considerate to aovid doing something the majority of people find offensive than it is to insist that others avoid you while you engage in offensive behavior. Then again, addicts aren't known for their consideration of others; the many 'I'll smoke if I da** well want to and you just need to get over it' replies are evidence enough of that.

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Gentle Taz wrote:

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Well, let's see, non smokers want to go every place that smokers do and then complain about the smokers. That doesn't make sense to me at all. Why shouldn't a smoker go into a place that allows smoking? I agree that you shouldn't be so offensive as to try to run my life. I don't walk into a non smoking establishment and light up so you should just stay out of smoking establishments if smoking is so offensive to you.

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say what wrote:

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Smokers want to go everywhere that non-smokers do and pollute the environment with their smoke while making the place smell like an ashtray. I have to breathe everywhere I go, but you don't have to smoke everywhere you go. Smoke all you want in your home, heck...smoke two or three at a time for all I care, but don't pollute my airspace with it and don't force me to share your nasty habit.

Gentle Taz wrote:

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I don't force you to share my habit. If you go into a smoking establishment, it's your choice, not me forcing you. I reiterate, patronize the smoke free establishments and there will be no problem.