The growing trend of smoking bans

Brian Ortiz68 said:Look, I find myself constantly comparing my experience to the general public in our beautiful America. I have honestly never seen anyone light up a cigarette on a plane, let alone at the airport. And don't even get me started on talking on cell phones. Even in places like Mexico, Guatemala, Thailand, or Turkey—and I mean Turkey!—if you aren't smoking, people give you these incredibly weird looks.

But hey, what do I know? Laws don't exist to make our lives better; they exist to be broken, right? At least that's how it works back in the North America. Why bother maintaining moral standards, good manners, or health when we live in the North America? We're North American people; around here, ignoring the rules doesn't make you a rebel, it makes you "cool." It’s pathetic. We’d never survive in Europe with this mindset.

Technically, murder is illegal too. So is robbing a bank, the government, or a factory. Our North American people pull those off all the time and walk away scot-free. So why shouldn't someone smoke on a plane and mess with the pilot? If the plane crashes—well, shit happens.

Go ahead, smoke and chat on your phone, just not on the plane I'm flying on.

I highly doubt we'll ever be on the same flight. First of all, I don't believe you fly nearly as often as you claim. Second, even if we were on the same plane, I'd be sitting in the very first row with "smoking" circled on my boarding pass.

I absolutely loathe smoking... and tobacco in general. You guys brought up cars and exhaust fumes earlier—fine, at least there’s some actual utility behind those emissions—but tobacco? It provides zero benefit. Honestly, I say we just set up concentration camps for smokers... it's simple: either quit or head straight to the camp. I can't even sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee without feeling like I'm going to vomit. When I get home from the club, my clothes smell so revoltingly of smoke that I'd rather just set them on fire than wear them again. And don't even get me started on the eyes. I can barely blink because my eyelids feel so coated in ash that they tear up every single time I try. If this stuff were actually like drugs and provided some kind of rush, maybe it would be worth the hassle, but it isn't. I don't know a single soul who finds their very first cigarette enjoyable. Which means they have to be forced into it... which essentially makes them an idiot.

smokers🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

bluewolf4 said:I find it highly unlikely we’ll ever cross paths on a flight. For one thing, I doubt you travel nearly as often as you claim, and even if we were on the same aircraft, I’d be seated right up front with "smoking" clearly marked on my boarding pass.

Wishing you a pleasant flight, 👋 👋

I don't think any airline in Europe or America allows smoking even in first class anymore. I know for sure you can't do it in business class—I've seen it firsthand...

That said, you can still find designated smoking areas at most airports.

Casey Palmer5 said:Still, most airports actually have designated smoking areas.

Sure, if you count sitting in a tiny glass box in Chicago with zero ventilation, or just lighting up at a bar in Germany while you grab a coffee.

I haven't actually made it over to America yet, but if I'm being honest, the idea of visiting is becoming less and less appealing to me every single day.

In Europe, you can usually find spots at the airports where you can actually smoke like a normal person, even while grabbing a coffee.

What if I went around intentionally spreading HIV, Hepatitis C, the plague, or other diseases?

I’d be charged with willful endangerment through the spread of disease,
but when smokers do it, nobody bats an eye.

It’s a proven fact that people who lack basic education tend to smoke and eat junk food.
That’s why most Americans smoke.

James Taylor51 said:What if I just started spreading HIV, Hepatitis C, the plague, and all that other junk on purpose?

I’d be charged with willfully spreading a disease.
When smokers are actually on the clock, nobody gets anything done.

It’s a proven fact: people with less education tend to smoke more and eat junk food.
Why most Americans smoke.

I can't stand it when someone pops up out of nowhere just to shout, "IT'S PROVEN!" Give me a break.
Some tiny college polled maybe forty people and now they’re acting like they’ve discovered the Holy Grail. "Proven," my foot. Give me a break.
Most people in Europe smoke, while in America it's just a minority. So what, you're going to tell me Americans are more educated than us now?

That comment right above? Yeah, that’s what I call "highly educated."
If you were actually a bit more educated, you’d realize that if I’m smoking next to you, you’re way more likely to catch my cough than me catching anything from your cigarette.

Otto said:Smoking isn't just about individual liberty versus government overreach; it's really a matter of how much respect an individual shows to the people around them through their social conduct.

👍 👍 👍 👍 👍

Well put.

bluewolf4 said:It really irritates me when someone pops up claiming "IT'S PROVEN," haha.
Some tiny college surveyed about 40 people, and now suddenly everything is "proven" based on that. Hehehe.
The majority of Europeans smoke, whereas in America, it’s done by a minority; so, are you trying to suggest Americans are more educated than we are?

And that comment above you is just the definition of "educated"...
If you were actually a bit more educated, you would realize that you'll likely infect me with one of your coughs while I'm smoking next to you long before I infect you with my cigarette.

It is PROVEN that smoking is a disease—specifically, an addiction. And as such, it ought to be treated. As an addictive disorder, it sits on the same level as alcoholism or drug abuse. The only issue is that in less developed countries, smoking is socially acceptable; it is, essentially, a socially preferred pattern of behavior. This stands in contrast to alcoholism or, heaven forbid, drug use (which everyone recoils from as if it were a plague, even while they themselves smoke, oblivious to the fact that they are behaving the same way).

It is also PROVEN that among all addictive diseases and all causes of human activity, smoking causes the most damage—the greatest loss of life, productivity, and medical resources. Why should I, as a taxpayer, have to foot the bill for treating cancer or various lung ailments caused by smoking?

Regardless, this wasn't "proven" to you by some tiny little university using a 40-question survey....

I suppose we shouldn't be pushing for an outright smoking ban here, but maybe there's a more logical way to handle it. It might make more sense to pass a law where smokers pay double for their health insurance premiums, essentially treating them like any other high-risk group.

Alright, just got back from my trip to Ireland. I don't smoke, so I don't mind the smoking ban one bit, but there are two things I really want to point out.

When you walk into a classic, old-school pub, it just feels off without a bit of smoke in the air; it gives the place its soul. Look, I get it—health concerns trump atmosphere every single time, but this is just an observation, not a lecture.

Also, I was reading in the news that since the ban kicked in, everyone from the bars and clubs is crowding right outside the entrance to light up. Apparently, there’s been a massive spike in broken jaws and bloody noses because people are getting into scraps in those crowded sidewalk lines.

And man, if you think that's bad, imagine how tough things are for Drita. 😁

Cancer, along with all those other respiratory issues you pick up from smoking, is a lot harder to shake off than your typical flu or cold that non-smokers might catch from coughing

Dada said:When you walk into an old-school pub, there’s just something missing without a bit of smoke in the air; it adds a certain character to the atmosphere. Now, I realize that’s far less significant than the actual health risks involved—this is merely an observation rather than a critique.

It’s similar to how some folks claim Coca-Cola hasn't been the same since they stopped using cocaine. They argue that the experience just isn't quite what it used to be, and you can't enjoy it like people did in the past. 😁 😁

People also say visiting Bolivia isn't quite the same experience now that they've banned the public consumption of coca in public spaces and on trains. They claim that specific 'vibe' is gone.

And so on...

Brian Ortiz68 said:It’s like how old-timers claim Coca-Cola isn't even real Coca-Cola anymore since they stopped using the original recipe. They swear it just doesn't hit the same way it used to. 😁 😁

Or how people say visiting Bolivia isn't the same experience now that they've banned drinking Coke in public spaces and on trains. They complain that the whole "vibe" is gone.

And so on...

😁 😁 😁 😁 😁

Stop messing around; it's just not polite. 😁

Brian Ortiz68 said:It’s also been PROVEN that out of all addictions and human behaviors, smoking causes the most damage—the highest loss of life, productivity, and strain on healthcare. Why should I, as a taxpayer, have to foot the bill for treating cancer or various lung diseases caused by smoking?

For the exact same reason I pay for medical treatments and surgeries resulting from drunk driving.

bluewolf4 said:It’s the same reason I, as a taxpayer, end up footing the bill for medical treatments and surgeries caused by drunk driving.

Driving under the influence is illegal 🙂
and those who break the law face fines. Cops pull them over. You're rambling again.

Occupational Safety and Health Act, Section 63:
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(3) Smoking* is prohibited in workspaces, except in specific areas where the employer explicitly designates them as permitted, provided a smoking area sign is clearly displayed.

*- this applies to everyone, including guests!

For a restaurant manager, server, or busser, the bar area and the dining room are considered workspaces. (And for bartenders or hostesses, often 😁 too.)

It stands to reason that smoking should be banned there. This isn't about protecting customers—they don't have to step foot in a smoky lounge. It is about protecting employees who are required to work in those spaces.

DECISION REGARDING THE SMOKING BAN LAW
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Section 13.
Smoking is prohibited in hospitality establishments: specifically in snack bars and cafes according to standard industry classifications.

Section 14.
In other public spaces, per Section 2, Point 7 of this Law, smoking is prohibited except in designated smoking areas.

Section 15.
Designated smoking areas under Section 14 may not exceed 30% of the total public space area.

The owner or user of the public space is responsible for designating smoking areas per Section 14 within 6 months of this Law taking effect.

Smoking areas must be equipped with ventilation systems, ashtrays, and fire safety equipment as required by law.

Section 16.
Hospitality establishments serving food must clearly designate both non-smoking and smoking areas.

Section 17.
The owner or user of a public space under Section 14 may choose to ban smoking entirely. This must be indicated by signage at the entrance and in visible locations within the premises.

Section 18.
The entity operating in a public space must display all signs required by Sections 11 through 17 in visible locations, ensuring they are legible from ten feet away.

Section 19.
Ashtrays must not be present in public spaces where smoking is prohibited under this Law.

An exception is made for artistic or decorative ashtray displays that are not intended for actual use.
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Section 26.
A fine ranging from $50,000.00 to $33333 will be imposed on any individual or legal entity if:

1. They fail to clearly display the prohibition of tobacco sales to minors under 18, contrary to Section 7.

2. They fail to designate smoking areas in public spaces (per Sections 14, 15, and 16).

3. They permit smoking in violation of Sections 14 and 15.
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V.

Thurgood Marshall said:Drunk driving is illegal 🙂
and if you break the law, you pay the price. Cops pull people over for it. You're rambling again...

Do you honestly think a simple fine covers the cost of lifelong medical care and rehab? There are people out there whose intoxication causes accidents that ruin lives forever—that kind of damage costs way more than even lung cancer would.

Witch said:*- hi everyone, including our guests!

For a manager, a server, or even a kitchen hand, the cafe area and the dining room are their actual workplaces. (And honestly, for bartenders and escorts too, it's often 😁 )

So, it makes total sense to prohibit smoking in those areas. It’s not even about protecting the customers—they don't have to step foot in a smoky lounge if they don't want to. It's about looking out for the employees who are required to be in those spaces all day...

V.

In some bars, you'll still see "smoking permitted" signs at a few tables. To me, the bigger issue is that owners aren't investing enough in proper ventilation or physically partitioning off the smoking sections from the rest of the room.

Besides, those kinds of patrons don't even need to visit these establishments, but I worry that cutting them off might hit the business hard and hurt the jobs of the people working there. I totally agree that staff in these places are exposed to secondhand smoke, but then again, it's not much better for people in industrial jobs dealing with nasty chemicals, or even for me, since I'm exposed to really intense non-ionizing radiation at my job. At the end of the day, everyone chooses their own path when it comes to their career...

In restaurants, you rarely see people smoking; at least I don't recall ever being able to smoke in the actual dining area. Almost everywhere you go, it's either banned or the smoking section is physically separated...