Opinions on Smoking Bans

[jcruz1027]

I have a friend of mine running for the Maryland State House. His name is Saqib Ali and he knows I'm a big cigar smoker and wanted to know how the cigar community feels about the rash of smoking bans popping up everywhere. Is cigar smoking and cigerrette smoking interchangable actions? Would the cigar community rather have increased taxes on cigars over state wide bans? Basically wanted some insight on what the cigar community feels. So what do you guys think? How do you feel?

[jgros001]

hmmm, a couple of thoughts from a Maryland resident.

1. No, I do not agree with smoking bans that affect the ability of a private business owner to run his/her business. Although Maryland essentially decided that they can run private businesses as evidenced in the health care decision (ie the Walmart decision).

2. Cigar and cigarette smoking are not interchangeable actions. But let's for the sake of argument say they are, I cannot stand cigarette smoking but that in no way changes my views on public smoking.

3. Yeah, sure I would rather have increased taxes over a state-wide ban. Not really sure why those are the only two options - another reason why I think that our legislature has no ability to think (eg our fine governor telling the public that the only way to raise state revenue is through gambling).

To be honest, I do not think it really matters what my opinion is because Maryland will fall just like the other states. Do you really expect me to believe that Maryland will be the lone state to allow smoking...ain't gonna happen.

[Mad Dog Rocket]

Not my favorite idea, but one compromise that I've floated in the past is that bars that allow smoking must offer hazard pay or some variant thereof. This would ensure that a bar could continue to feasibly offer smoking if most of their patrons wanted it, but would encourage more non-smoking bars for the whiny non-smokers to flock to. Other professions get hazard pay, why not bartenders?

[scc135]

I would prefer to have the government find some other way to raise revenue. I can understand public indoor areas to not have smoking, but I don't believe private businesses should be told what to do. If an employee doesn't like the smoke, let them find other emplyment. If people are that concerned by not allow a smoking area in private businesses?

[n2advnture]

Jcruz,
I have lived in Northern Viriginia my entire life.

I have worked for a Maryland based company for 12 years - 1 hour to 1+ hour commute both ways every day

I could easily afford to move my family to Gaithersburg to be 10 minutes from work but would NEVER move to Maryland solely based on the fact their government is WAY too involved in their people's business. Unless, of course, Virginia bans smoking and even then it would be tough

I am a firm believer that the consumer should dictate what they want from an establishment. If someone is going to take the MAJOR risk if investing in a business (especially the rest. business), the government OWES them the courtesy of not interferring with their success. Some people say there is no effect on business because of the bans in the counties but have him go talk to the actual business owners (I have talked to many who have said 20%-65% drops, especially those closer to counties that currently don't have bans.

First, designated smoking sections were established in open walled establishments.

Then, designated smoking sections with walls were established.

Then, many business owners have spent hundreds of thousands to install full (100%) air exchangers in their establishments prior to the different counties in Maryland banning smoking because their patrons called for it.

It should be up to the business owners to decide and if the partons don't like the smoking, they won't frequent the establishment and the business will lose on its own. With the restrictions that Maryland puts on its businesses, they are essentially increasing their risk needlessly.

I agree with SCC...find another way to generate taxes or better yet, find away to cut the overhead of the government.

I just did a search...check this out.
http://www.davehitt.com/facts/badforbiz.html

~M

[D. Generate]

Against.

[oddball]

I understand some of the bans, but the business owner that wants to cater to smokers thru restaurants or cigars bars should not be restricted by the man. And restrictions on outdoor smoking is just outright insane

[SD Beerman]

Being in California and in the restaurant biz I have seen it unfold. Having been a bartender previously and going home full of cigarette smoke wasn't great but I considered it part of the job. When the smoking ban went into effect I was no longer a bartender but a manager and thought that the govt was overstepping it's bounds. But the guy across the street was in the same boat so we both suffered equally. People being a social animal they still had to go out and be around other people. I believe that the employees actually like working in the smoke free environment, I did, even though they all smoke. We did add a patio so people could smoke outside and it was well received. Being in SoCal the weather is OK to smoke outside and most places have smoking areas. I think it has also made cigar smokers become more comfortable going out because most places allowed cigarette smoking but not cigar smoking. And now in SoCal they are looking at ways to stop people from smoking outside while they raise taxes on smoking products. I think your friend, if elected, tell govt to let people live their lives and work on bigger things than Raising taxes or regulating taxpaying Americans.

[zamco17]

They need to mind their own business and quit interfering with private organizations.

[12stones]

Against. The government needs to stop overprotecting us and let us decide if we want to be in a smoke-filled environment or not.

[Dogwatch Dale]

Please pass along to your ambitious friend that we already have all the laws we need, called The U.S. Constitution (and the admendments).

Okay, off my Big Soapbox and to the real question you asked - I would ask your friend to really check into the facts and the real reasons that smoking bans are put forward.
Folks will always vote with their $$ by going to the type of establishment they want to frequent. If someone feels strongly that an environment with smoke is bad for their health, they have the right not to go in. However, business owners also have the right to determine what legal activities can occur on their private property. The government (and "any way the wind blows" politicians) should not try to usurp those rights because a minority of vocal "I know whats good for everybody else" do-gooders have made it politically correct (never mind the real facts) to push these bans.
Many states are on this bandwagon of over-regulation of people's lives in the name of health concerns and workers rights. Well I say ! It's none of the governments concern if I want to ride a motorcycle at 70 mph without a helmet, drive my car without my seatbelt on or smoke cigars! I understand the risks I take and I don't want or need any government to protect me from myself. I also don't expect any one else to pay for my care should I crash and injure myself or contract an illness "linked" to smoking. Personal rights also come with personal responsibility, and the many shouldn't have to pay for, or suffer from, the (perhaps) poor choices of the few. There is no guarantee of happiness, but there is a guarantee of the pusuit of happiness. Government needs to get out of the way of our pursuit of happiness! I choose to pursue with stogies in hand!

[Flash Gordon]

All smoking bans infringe on my rights as a cigar smoker. Flash

[onlyonerm]

I am obviously against public smoking bans being an avid cigar smoker but not sure your going to get much of a varied response on a Cigar website.