Do you think the smoking ban in bars in the state of Illinois should be lifted? Why or why not? Do you feel this law violates or infringes on the rights of people one way or the other? Do you feel this law has helped or hurt the bar business?
Buddy Carpenter
15 comments:
I firmly believe that the smoking ban should be lifted from bars and gambling halls. People who are not regular smokers often smoke while drinking and gambling. Nonsmokers have always had the choice to go to the bar or gambling hall where smokers are present and sit in non-smoking sections. The smoking ban infringes on the rights of people who smoke, but on the other hand those who do not smoke should not have to be exposed to second hand smoke everywhere they go. With that being said the smoking ban should stay on work places and restaurants. Some of the smaller bars have probably been hurt by the smoking ban,as their clientele is usually people getting off work. The larger club-like bars have probably benefited from the smoking ban, as their clientele often consist of a variety of ages out to have a good time and don't want to go home smelling like an "ashtray."
Amber Johnson-Garcia
Even though I am not a smoker, I do believe the smoking ban in bars should be lifted. I think that smokers should be able to have a place in public to smoke. I feel that for smoking to be allowed in bars does not infringe on the rights of anyone. A bar is a place for drinking and smoking, why should people expect to go there and be in a smoke free environment? I think that if people want to go to a place where they can drink and smoking is not allowed, they can go and enjoy restaurants. Not being big into the bar industry, I would just have to go with my assumption that the ban on smoking has not hurt the bar business, because if they can't smoke anywhere else either, there's no reason for smokers to choose a place other than the bar to go out to.
-Hannah Miller
I don’t smoke, nor do I drink; therefore I really don’t have much to say on this. People who go to bars are looking to drink or have a good time--in their opinion. When people drink, they are slowly poisoning themselves. Same thing with smoking, they are slowly smoking themselves to death. I’d say, let people drink, smoke and do whatever they want in the same place. What really bothers me is that people stand on sidewalks and smoke. If I have to pass that way; I don’t want to inhale their smoke because of their habits. I’d rather they do it in a closed place; it’s better to have them secluded than in an open place. In return, some people have asthma. Even though they go to drink, one breath of the smoke could set off their asthma and perhaps end with death. I believe that the law does infringe on people’s rights. Everyone should be able to do what they want to themselves, even harm themselves if they like. Which with smoking and drinking you’re really harming yourself. What society looks out for is what's better for the society as a whole, even if some individuals rights are infringed upon. The society says that some rights of individuals are taken away, other rights are given. People should think about what's good for the whole society,not for what's only "good" for themselves.
I believe that the law could have helped and could have harmed business because there’s people who hate smoking and wouldn’t go to a bar where smoking is allowed, and people who smoke don’t like to go to that specific bar because of the ban. The law has infringed upon a lot of rights given to people, but we can’t change it. If anyone really has a huge issue with the smoking ban, just smoke at home, or smoke in your car, problem solved. Better than fighting over it.
People who are against smoking in bars, are right in a way. Because then their rights are harmed. They go to a bar either to drink or to meet up with friends, they don’t ask for people to expose them to second-hand smoke. Second-hand smoke is more harmful than if the person smokes himself. When people go anywhere such as schools, hospitals, government buildings, etc. they are not allowed to smoke inside, why? Because it is harmful for others! Unless they everyone decides to smoke the electronic cigarettes, then no one would have an issue with it because no smoke comes from it.
Would anyone smoke in front of their 1 year old child? If people care not to smoke in front of their children, then maybe they shouldn't do it in front of others as well...
Lori
i think the ban should stay in place. when you go into an establishment that is set up for both smoking and non; there is no way from controlling that smoke from drifting. they do not have proper ventilation to keep this from happening. i do not smoke and wish more poeple did the same.i quess it is up to choice; if a place is set up for smoking than i do not have to go there.A lot of times when a non smoker makes a comments about the cigarette smoke, than you have someone blowing smoke in their direction for the heck of it. that and i do not want to smell like a cigarette hours after leaving. kevin h
I would like to start this post off saying that I am not a smoker and never have been. Besides that, I do believe that the smoking ban should stay in the bars. If a person chooses to go and smoke, that is his/her choice, but for me personally, I don't want to be choking on second-hand smoke while I am sitting in the bar. I have no problem with someone going outside and tearing up their lungs, that is completely their choice.
In addition to this, many people who aren't smokers are actually allergic to cigarette smoke, so if the ban is lifted that means that they would not be able to set foot in that bar, which is not fair. My mom is actually allergic to this smoke, so if she wanted to go to the bars, she almost can't, because of her allergic reactions. That is just not fair in my opinion. If they don't sell it at the bar, then it shouldn't be allowed in the bar, just like drinks.
Also, I think that the smoking ban could potentially hurt the bar's profits, but I don't think it is enough to make the bar shut down or complain to much. If a smoker wants to go smoke then they have the right to do that, outside, for about ten minutes or so then they can go back inside and buy more drinks.
Jake Bock posted the last comment
I am sure the smoking ban has hurt some bars, but on the other hand I’ve heard on the local news channels say they haven’t seen much of a change in business. I think the owner of the business should make the call on whether they will allow smoking or not. The smoking ban on restaurants and businesses is just another freedom stripped from citizens. I understand that some people do not like the smell or the risk factors from second hand smoke. If a business chooses to allow smoking, then it’s up to the non-smoker to go or not. There are plenty of other restaurants that will stick to the no smoking.
Heather Denam
I think that the smoking ban in Illinois should remain constant. I don’t smoke anymore but, now that I don’t, that cigarette smell just REALLY BOTHERS me. Whenever I smell a cigarette I just get overwhelmed by that scent. It just knocks me over and makes me nauseous. I think that the law should remain intact due to the fact that second hand smoke is just as harmful as primary mainstream smoke. Also to state the obvious, cigarette inhalation causes breast cancer, lung cancer, throat cancer, agitates asthma and causes other health related problems. I think this law does infringe on people’s rights, especially since the policy was enforced so quick and abruptly. Even though this law establishes temporary (or permanent) discomfort to smokers, I think that it’s still a good policy. For instance, now (a) days when you're at a restaurant you don’t have to worry about your kids being around SO much CIG smoke. But in terms of business, I think bars WERE scathed by the new policy. But I don’t think it could’ve affected business too harshly because, everyday is someone else’s 21st birthday.
Pikachu
I don't think the smoking ban should be lifted. I am generally against people smoking in public places because of the nuisance of the smell of cigarette smoke and the health risks associated with second-hand smoke. In those cases when everyone in a bar is a smoker, or when a bar has the reputation of being a "smokers' bar," I am okay with people lighting up (whether it's illegal or not). If I step inadvertently into a smokers' bar, I can always just turn right around and find another place to drink. No harm done (unless it's the only bar in town and I am dying for a drink).
I don't see the no-smoking law as infringing on smokers' rights unless they are being unreasonably asked to refrain from smoking in an area in which the smoke is not going to bother anyone or harm anyone's health but their own.
I have talked to some bar owners in Champaign who told me the law only hurt business for the first few months--since then people have adjusted and simply step outside to smoke. No big deal, really.
John Wentworth
Alex
Honestly I think it hurt bars. In my opinion they should have smoking rooms in bars and clubs and non-smoking. I like to have a cigar every once in a while and when I used to go to Déjà Vu, I had to go outside to smoke when there were only 8 guys in the club who all would go outside eventually to smoke. That was even on a slow night. They could least make a smoking bar. I know there are some hukka bars around, but I’d rather be able to enjoy a show and smoke a cigar, not go to a smoke shop setting. I think this also ruins right to smoke. Like I said, they need a separate room at least for this. In my opinion, someone just wanted to exercise their right to complain because they weren’t happy with something and it turned into monkey see monkey do. I’m all for lifting this ban
I'm sure that the smoking ban law has hurt many businesses. Many people either don't go out as much because they can't smoke in the bar, or they get tired of going outside to smoke while they are at the bar. Most clubs and bars will allow you to smoke outside their establishment, some even have small courtyards that are set up just for smokers. These are the type of establishments I prefer, I'm a smoker.
I do however feel that the smoking ban should not be lifted. It's an infringement on the rights of non-smokers to have to breath second hand smoke. Besides us smokers are allowed to smoke, just not inside. The little inconvenience of having to go outside is really no big deal.
Khattab
I am concerned about the potential for fights if nonsmokers and smokers get into arguments about smoking in a bar. Ever since smoking has been banned in Champaign bars, I ask my customers to step outside. I have set up a warm place in the back for smokers, separate from the regular bar. But sometimes when people smoke in this area, my nonsmoking customers raise a fuss that they are smoking in the bar--when they truly are not. They are in a separate area, divided off by the bar with plastic that smoke cannot get through. When nonsmokers impinge on the legal rights of smokers by telling them to step outside, altercations can break out, and that's what I have seen on occasion.
Jim Cross (owner of Hubers)
I strongly believe that the smoking ban should stay in place because people should have the right to a good time without smoke in their faces and worrying about second hand smoke. Smoking in a public, non-designated area would violate the rights of the nonsmokers who, not only don’t smoke, but also are bothered by the cigarette smoke. Some people who do not smoke are not bothered by the smoke of others, however, there are many other people would not appreciate going to a place meant for public entertainment and being greeted by the overwhelming smell of cigarette smoke. Personally, I’m against smoking altogether and I feel that this ban brings us closer to ending smoking. So many people, both nonsmokers and smokers, are negatively affected by cigarettes every day. Banning in smoking in bars makes one more place that people will not be harmed by smoking or breathing in the dangerous smoke.
Ayah
i believe that they should keep the ban on smoking inside public places. Now am a smoker but i hate inhaling second hand smoke. I know that sounds weird but it is so true. I want a smoke when I want one not when someone else has one. Besides if I ever do decide to quit smoking I don't want to be having a drink inhaling second hand smoke either. It really shouldn't be a big deal one way or the other because there's plenty of things a person can die from. It would suck to get lung cancer and never smoked a day in your life.
Makeisha Riley
I do not think the smoking ban in Illinois bars should be lifted because since the law has been in place people who do not smoke or enjoy (or even want to tolerate) the smoky atmosphere can now still fully enjoy attending a bar and having a drink. It is not fair to those that do not smoke to have to tolerate the smoke from others. This secondhand smoke can even affect their health years down the line. Smokers should smoke in the comfort of their own homes where it cannot hurt or affect anyone else that may not want to have to struggle to breathe in a confined space. Sure those who do not enjoy smoke can simply not attend such bars but why should their good time be limited because some people want to pollute the air? Smokers should be courteous and realize that smoke travels and affects others in a negative way.
On the flip side, some may say the smokers' rights are being infringed upon, but there is no right that I know of that says one should be allowed to smoke in public places--since it does in fact affect others and cause their discomfort. I think those that smoke may be forced to either not frequent the bars as much or smoke outside of the bar, which they may dislike doing. I don't think the bars have been negatively affected that much by the smoking ban however because all of the rest of the perks of going to a bar still exist: the people, the food, the alcohol, the TVs, etc. The fact that they are not allowed to smoke in these public bars are for the public good however, and those who want a drink but not lungs full of smoke can now enjoy the cars freely and comfortably while smokers can still enjoy the venues--they just have to take their smoke outside.
Robert McClinton
Post a Comment