...that is the question. The North Carolina General Assembly is in discussions as whether or not to ban smoking in public places. This is a hotly debated issue in this great state due in large to the historical importance of the golden leaf. North Carolina was and is a tobacco growing state. You can not drive towards the coast without seeing a field of green leaves in the summer. While some farmers took the "buy out" and switched growing tobacco for soybeans, alot still make their living growing a product that sickens and kills millions of people every year.
I met a group of JL friends at a new sports bar last night to have a drink and watch some basketball. The new bar, ironically named Tobacco Road, does not allow smoking within the building. I found it refreshing to go out and have a beer without coming home feeling like you smell like an ashtray and immediately need a shower. I had similar experiences last summer upon visiting a college roommate in New York City. Many big city's are following suit by banning smoking in public places.
What do you think?
I am very much pro-ban. I am not, nor have ever been a smoker. I respect our state's history and recognize what "tobacco money" has done for us. But I would welcome the change. And I would welcome being able to head out for a drink without struggling to breathe! I have friends that might not agree with me, but that's the beauty of this great country we live in. We have the freedom to make, and openly support, a cause.
19 comments:
Me too!!! I would love if it they banned smoking here too!
Ohhh I am on the other side of this.
I don't think it should be a law. I think it should be the establishment's choice. Forcing them to do something doesn't seem fair.
I don't smoke either, but still, there are a lot of places that are cigar bars who would be run out of business.
WI and MN are both smoking ban and it's amazing. both passed a few years back, you can actually go out on a Saturday night and not come home and have to shower before you go to bed because you smell like death. Interested to see what happens in NC b/c of the tobacco industry there though....
kHm
The city I live in has banned smoking in public places. I don't smoke but it doesn't bother me to be around. It really hasn't slowed business, and smoker (after 2ish years) have learned to deal with going outside to smoke outside.
This is a tough one. I hate smoking but I believe that smokers have rights. Although it would sure be nice to not smell after going out. I don't know, I'm on the fence on this one...
I totally agree!
BAN IT!!!! It's just unpleasent!
It didn't really occur to me how much smoke in bars bothered me until I moved to NYC where it hasn't been allowed for quite some time now. Now, whenever I visit a state where it is allowed, I notice the smell in my hair, clothes, etc. and the irritation in my eyes so much more! Its pretty nice going out in a smoke-free environment!
I would LOVE to see that happen. WV has already banned it in most areas, which is surprising (my grandparents were tobacco farmers in WV). It seems to have been successful in areas like NYC, so here is to No Smoking!!!
YES PLEASE!!! There is ONE bar/rest. that has banned smoking Raleighwood and let me tell you it is my favorite place. How wonderful is it that you come out of the bar and your clothes do not smell - but better yet your hair! Im all for it - sorry smokers - go outside.
Amen sister! This is such a soap box issue for me. I rarely petition my lawmakers, but the American Cancer Society has done a great job of notifying me when it comes before each group and I've petitioned for the ban everytime. Thanks for posting about this!
Let me say up front that I am totally biased because I work in tobacco control research. I am totally pro ban for the good of the health of the public. Second hand smoke has been proven to be very dangerous and I believe we all have a right to breathe air that is as clean as possible. Ok, I'll get off my soap box now! :)
I just hate the smell of smoke! I gets on your clothes and sticks in your hair. It is horrible! I cannot wait until the smoke ban goes into effect in Dallas on February 2nd, it will make the world of difference to me!
What did you think of Tobacco Road? It's been a favorite of mine since it opened!
We have smoking banned here in MD and I LOVE it!! you can come home from the bar and get into bed without having your sheets and pillows reek and your clothes don't smell the next morning. So I hope NC does the same thing...it really is the greatest!!
In Florida you cannot smoke inside anywhere and here in St. Louis you can smoke anywhere which is kind of bizarro-world for me. Their working on trying to ban it so it's interesting to read both sides.
Here in NE, for the most part, you cannot smoke in any establishment & must be a certain number of feet from the entrance as well. I think it's a good thing, but at the same time I'm torn about smaller pubs & whatnot because I have a lot of friends that smoke/own bars. I think in those instances (no food, etc.) it should be up to the owner. Overall, it's great because I hate smelling like bar-smoke, ew!
I'm pro ban too! In DC, there's no smoking, and it's so nice not to worry about what you wear because you'll be stinky after. However, it's still smoking-on in Virginia bars, so no coats or sweaters to dry clean! I wish we'd go all ban!
I love that there is no smoking in restaurants and bars here in VT. The only problem I see is that now all the smokers are huddled together outside the establishments, stinking up the entrance and making lots of noise on the street. Bad for the neighborhood if you live in an urban area.
And have you heard about the risks of 3rd hand smoke? Residual smoke stink in carpets, furniture, draperies, clothes etc. have been proven to also contain carcinogens.
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