You're not the only one who thinks the cigar smoke from the next table over is ruining your steak. More than half of America would like to see smoking totally banned in restaurants, and only 4% are OK with unrestricted smoking. It looks like cigarette smoking - its culture, its use, its support - is becoming a thing of the past. Both the percentage of cigarette smokers in the U.S., and the support for public smoking has declined since 1987.
A new Gallup study asked U.S. adults if they would rather have a total ban, a designated smoking area, or no restrictions in restaurants, workplaces, hotels, and bars. Most people wanted a designated smoking area in each category except for restaurants, where most wanted a ban. The fact that only 17% of adults wanted smoking banned from restaurants in 1987, and now most are demanding it, is a rare reason for society to pat itself on the back.
Not many think that public places (other than restaurants) should be totally off limits. Only 31% of adults said they wanted smoking banned from bars, and 36% said the same for hotels and motels. Less than 10% of adults were alright with unrestricted smoking in hotels, but 23% said it was fine for a bar.
Smoking bans have found their way into almost all of the states in the U.S., and it's going to probably be a hot issue for upcoming local elections.
Comments
Where I live here in the Pacific NW, we passed these anti smoking laws years ago and our society has been greatly improved by it. I can go into any building, public or private, bar or bus station, and not have to breath this crap.
You're not free to pollute the air in confined spaces other people have to breath.
That's NOT personal freedom.
If you want to smoke, do it at home.
Leave the rest of us out of your habit.
x
A 1000 respondents and thats it. I guess I could call a 1000 folks and get disimular results...........wth!
In Arizona, you cannot smoke in any public building, nor can you smoke outside within 20 feet of any entrance. Smoking is banned in bars as well.
It is wonderful.
I agree that smoke really puts a damper on a night out at a restaurant. PEW!
I am an ex-Patriot, living in Europe, and they have passed No Smoking laws over here too, which I find Great! No more having to come home and jump in the shower because you stink like a bar, Yuk!
As far as eating goes, I don't think a Hypocrit, like Queen Obambi, should be telling Americans they have to tighten their belts while she stuffs her face with taxparer paid Lobster in Spain! Have you seen that butt lately! Good Lord!
in china, many people smoking.but many people no to Eating.
www.fondshoes.com
Wow thats totally insane dude.
Lou
www.web-privacy.at.tc
Next they will tell me that I can't smoke in my house or yard..Wake up people you are falling for a farce that has been perpetuated by a few to apply to the many. The ANTISMOKING campaign is based on falsehoods by paid lobbyist and believed by the multitudes due to ignorance. Sure there are problems with smoking but pollution of our air has been a factor that makes smoking look small in comparison. Ride on any expressway for 10 minutes and breathe more carcinogens than being in a smoking bar for 24 hours....believe it or not But study the facts before jumping to conclusions.
non-smokers don't have to frequent smoking establishments. Just like before I had kids I walked out of non-smoking only restaurants. The business owners used to be able to choose if they wanted to allow smoking in the business. Now that choice has been taken away from them in many states.
The freedom is not reserved for a person to smoke where they want, but for the property owner to say what can or can't happen at their place. If you don't like smoke don't go to a place that allows it, and tell the owner/manager why you're not going to their business. When they lose business they will change on their own with out our government babysitting.
We have had a ban on smoking in any public indoor place for a few years, Great Britain, pubs, restaurants, shopping centres, work places everywhere! It's fantastic, also the age of smoking went from 16 to 18. Smoking is a disgusting drug and really should be made illegal.
(posted to pikk) Yes or No? Totally banning smoking in all restaurants - your vote? [POLL] - www.pikk.com/3d300
I just feel that if i open a bar or restaurant i should have the right to decide if it's smoking or non smoking.
It's more a slight against business owners rights than anyone else.
if everyone started smoking we wouldn't have this problem and everyone would be happy. quit whining. there are serious problems in the world.
I can go with the ban at restaurants but at bar is a bit much. It's is not a public place. It is privately owned establishment that the public is allowed in and as the owner they would have the discretion to refuse service to whomever they chose. So it is not public and should not be subject to what the public wants. If non smokers choose not to visit a smoking bar then thats his problem to deal with.
Wow, there are states that still allow smoking in bars and restaurants?
Smokers are just being all butt hurt that they are banning smoking and more and more people are wanting the ban, they should ban smoking from a lot of places especially restaurants. its a disgusting smell when your eating and people are there to enjoy the food and have a nice time out. if people want to smoke then they should do it in their own house and shouldn't be killing and poisoning other people and kids.. SO GET OVER YALLS SELVES SMOKERS..!!!
SMOKING must be banned!! In the sense that, not only the users got this lung cancer and everything related to cigars..but also those who are non-smokers at all. It is not fair,right? A lot of people cares for their health to the extent that they never engaged to smoking but then they still suffer lung diseases just because they have inhaled the air with nicotine..or they just happened to speak to a person who have just finished smoking. We should be aware of this..so we must support the ban for smoking.
Listen, I'm not a smoker, and I think it's a terrible habit. But you can't call for an all-out ban on smoking in restaurants. I don't like people smoking in restaurants as much as the next guy, but let's get serious here: if people smoking in an establishment is causing the restaurant to lose business, then it should be up to the OWNER of the place to decide whether or not he or she wants to allow it or ban it. It SHOULD NOT, however, be mandated that no one can smoke in ANY restaurant. If people have made the bad decision to smoke, then let them be. While everybody supporting the ban may tout that it will save lives, they should be mindful that all they're doing is hiding the problem. The smokers will still be smoking, and sooner or later they're going to want it banned altogether. Is this really where we want to head? (By the way, if any smokers are reading this, I hope you agree with my points. But really, try to quit :) )
It's been banned here for years in restaurants and clubs
Go back to 6th grade and learn the difference between "it's" and "its"-- it's not that hard, and you write for a living, right?
Smoking has been banned in Restaurants, bars, all public buildings, and all private businesses (you must be at least 15 feet from any door) here in Oregon for a while now...
Other than the bars, it doesn't really have much of an impact on people... most people have been used to going outside to designated smoking areas at work or in restaurants for years.
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