Smoking Laws in NY and NJ

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I meant to start a thread about this earlier because I just saw some of the interviews from people about it on TV.

Just to recap what I said in an earlier thread, I heard this interview from the Ultra Chickenhead Supreme from a bar in NJ who said and I quote: "Everybody fucking smokes. If you don't smoke, you're a fucking loser. Trust me. Everybody is grubbin' cigarettes."

I'm sure we have some smokers and non-smokers on here. I'm not a rabid anti-smoking guy, but I love the idea of being able to go to a bar and not reek of smoke. I mean it can be like when I was at college, the smokers had their own little "club" on the porches of the dorms. Let the "losers" who don't smoke have the inside of the bar and when people want a cigarette, why not walk outside?

[SmootSmack]

When I was in college all my friends smoked. I never did but I became desensitized to the smell of it on my clothes. But now that I'm around non-smokers again whenever we go to some bar or club that has smoking the worse thing (other than breathing in that lovely second-hand smoke) is having that stench on my clothes. Then it's even worse on your jacket. Because you have to keep wearing that jacket while that stench follows you around all week.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Yup, I have this leather one that just pulls it in like crazy. I try REALLY hard to see the other side of this argument but I just can't see it.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Normally my whole basis for arguments like this is who is incovenienced more by the other's persons rights.

[saden1]

I didn't smoke for the first 24 years of my life and couple of years ago I picked up the habit. Then came the smoking ban here in Seattle, the new job and co-workers, and finally the realization that I went from maybe 5 ciggs a day to 12 a day. I quite 5 months ago and all I can say is good f'cking riddance.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Nice, good to see some people who aren't rabidly PRO smoker's rights either. I'd love to hear the other side of the argument too, I'm just curious.

[Redskins_P]

I started smoking (cigarettes) when I was 14. I ended up moving to South America for a year and since everyone and their mother smoke down there, it became a huge habit for me. Long story short, I moved back home to the states and the first thing my mother did was send to me to the dentist because my teeth were literally dark brown. It was so embarrassing. To this day I don't smoke cigarettes (unless I'm super wasted).

I'd rather smoke something thats less harmful and at least gives you a nice buzz

Malcolm, if you hate it here. Wait till you make your first trip overseas. I've heard that in Europe everyone smokes....I mean EVERYONE. I had my first hand experience in South America and let me tell you, kids down there start smoking much earlier than here.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Oh, I don't hate it at all. I just think it would be awesome if bars banned it. Seriously I don't have a HUGE issue with it, just would "prefer" if it was banned in public areas.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Redskins_P

Malcolm, if you hate it here. Wait till you make your first trip overseas. I've heard that in Europe everyone smokes....I mean EVERYONE.

I went with my family to Spain several years ago and we wanted to sit in the non-smoking section of a restaurant there one night. They had no concept of "non-smoking section" Someone was smoking at every table. It was late at night and there were 10 of us and we were starving but my parents refused to sit with all that smoke around.

Eventually they put together a table for us in their only non-smoking section. We sat in the kitchen

[Redskins_P]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

Oh, I don't hate it at all. I just think it would be awesome if bars banned it. Seriously I don't have a HUGE issue with it, just would "prefer" if it was banned in public areas.

I agree, and it does annoy me to. I hate the smell of it on my clothes.

[Redskins_P]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

I went with my family to Spain several years ago and we wanted to sit in the non-smoking section of a restaurant there one night. They had no concept of "non-smoking section" Someone was smoking at every table. It was late at night and there were 10 of us and we were starving but my parents refused to sit with all that smoke around.

Eventually they put together a table for us in their only non-smoking section. We sat in the kitchen

LOL! I swear its the same way in SA. Question for you........how are the smoking laws in PR? I'm sure they're similar to the ones here.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Redskins_P

LOL! I swear its the same way in SA. Question for you........how are the smoking laws in PR? I'm sure they're similar to the ones here.

Effective next year smoking is banned in all restaurants, bars, and enclosed public places. Casino owners aren't too thrilled because they think they'll lose business to other Caribeean islands that allow smoking in their casinos.

[MTK]

I smoked for about 6 years, started in college and quit back in '97. For a long time after I was just a social smoker if you will, only having a few if I was out drinking. Now I'm totally done with smoking.

I can see both sides of these new laws, but overall I tend to side with the non-smokers. It's so nice to be able to go out to a bar and not come home stinking of smoke.

The smokers want to say it's taking away their right... but when you have a habit that directly affects those around you, I can't have too much pity for you.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

Effective next year smoking is banned in all restaurants, bars, and enclosed public places. Casino owners aren't too thrilled because they think they'll lose business to other Caribeean islands that allow smoking in their casinos.

Speaking of casinos, when I went to Vegas the first few days there were rough until I got used to all the smoke. People smoke everywhere out there, it's ridiculous.

[dmek25]

i dont smoke and love going into bars that are non smoking.i dont mind people smoking,just the idiots that think because they are talking to me or someone in my group,that gives them the right to blow their smoke all over me