lilalee

Well, we don't drink, but use to. They say its not good for you, yet you can drink in clubs, but not smoke in the same place! I can understand no smoking where one eats and in public places, but bars, pool halls, and bowling alleys! If everyone really quit drinking,smoking and buying gas, well where would the gov. get their tax dollars then?? Gosh, when I worked in a beauty salon, everyone was puffing away, and the non-smokers never complained!! Its just a crazy world now. And I'll still draw, as its in my soul and heart, and the gov. can't take that away!!

kmkagle

I was a very heavy smoker and quit, cold turkey. Didn't have a choice! I was in the hospital for 3 weeks the first time. Glad I quit but won't preach to those who still do. That's a personal choice. I'd love a cig sometimes.! Yes, I remember smoking in the beauty shop, in the supermarket. Wow. Can't believe it!

lilalee

And at the movies!!!

Dragon

We have a smoking ban here, it's been in effect for about 2 years and it's only a matter of time before it's province wide. Businesses are doing just as well as ever and I must say as a non-smoker it's nice to not have to worry about going out to a pub and coming home stinking. I know everybody comes down on the government for taking away smokers rights but I have to advocate for the rights of non-smokers here.
There are alot of places I would not have gone to before because of smoking, I now have that choice.
I'll also advocate for the non-smokers who have to work in bars and restaraunts. There's alot of wait staff out there with lung cancer who never smoked a day in their life.
I don't want to sound like I'm up on a soap box here, but I fully support smoking bans.

kmkagle

I've been on both side of the fence now. I smell the smoke on clothing and thing, OMG! I had wanted to quit smoking before my accident, I think that's what made easier for me. I respect both rights. I didn't smoke around people who couldn't tolerate, nor in my home if guest couldn't, I went out of my way to respect non-smokers. It's difficult for both. Businesses hurt over it. I object to the government dictating everything, it scares me. What about offensive after shave cologne, perfume, these affect breathing too. I really shouldn't be voicing my opinion on this. Let's just say, I respect both sides. I want to make friends.

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Dragon, I totally agree with everything you have just said. Like kmkagle, I will not preach to those who wish to smoke ... that's entirely their business but, as an asthmatic non smoker, I am so grateful for the smoking ban in enclosed spaces.

Qsilv

I don't mind smokers smoking all they like... I just don't want to be forced to do it too.

Unfortunately, short of their walking around with a goldfish bowl on their heads, I don't know how to get 'em to quit sharing it with me. (blandest, pleasantest of smiles... just ignore the steely eyes)

matthew

...I think smoking bans have their place... I just don't think bars & pool rooms are the place for them...

...I believe that I should have the right to ban non-smokers from our pool room... That would hurt my business a heck of a lot less than banning the smokers...

...But it all comes down to the fact that it is not the governments pool room. Where do they get off telling me who can do what in it...

kmkagle

I can smoke, but it will kill me. It almost did. I'm a very lucky person. I hate what it did to me, my own fault of course, nobody held that cig in my mouth. It's very hard sometimes not to pick up one. I like TD because it keeps my hands busy! Again, I'll say, both sides have a point. With the way the prices are going, which is wrong, I don't know how anyone can afford to smoke.

kmkagle

I do have to add that I empathize with Matthew. He's got a new business and you have to accommodate a lot of things to make a go of it, especially today. Starting a new business is very difficult. I wish him luck and wish him well.

Qsilv

Y'know what? I agree! There SHOULD be smoking-allowed places!

Not that I wouldn't mind having a local pool hall where there was none... sigh... but the truth is, in your average bar, sports bar or pool hall, *I* would be the outsider wearing the fishbowl... and that'd be fine.

Yes, I know about building businesses... I'm quite thoroughly on matthew's side here.

Please don't interpret my snapping about 2nd hand smoke as meaning I approve of government extending regulation to private places; I don't.

I do feel it's appropriate for public places such as airports, train stations, family style restaurants etc. Those used to be sheer torture for me, even if I walked around with a pocket full of throat-numbing lozenges and nibbled them constantly.... and the further price I paid was more often than not a couple days with a "cold" immediately after. So my freedom was curtailed by someone else's. Pffff. I'd rather have a drunk fall out in front of me... him I could step over.

Both my parents smoked for most of their lives, and it did kill them. One of lung cancer, the other of emphysema and ultimately cardiac arrest. It was a rough way to go... and.. well... I miss them still.

Now one of my dearest life-long friends has tissue-paper lungs that have collapsed twice in recent months... it's ironic that the, er, over-the-top exciting lifestyles back in our salad days didn't do near the damage that ordinary cigarettes achieved. Odds of spending our crochety old age sitting around in rockers together on a porch, shocking the young'uns and whacking at 'em with our canes are slim....

km -- let me offer you my whole-hearted admiration, sympathy, congratulations... all of it.

Smokers-- quit if you possibly can. If you really can't out-wait those urges... well... then leave us all the best memories you can, and know we love you anyway. Just do find ways not to inflict it on the rest of us... pretty please.

Q (hopping off soapbox)

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So eloquently put, Qsilv. I agree with your every word.
In UK, the ban was accepted surprisingly quickly. There were a few determined protestors at first but, once people became used to the ban, they simply went outside for a drag and then came back in again.
Matthew, if you ever decide to give up paying the fines and conform to the law, you may even attract some extra customers who previously couldn't take the choking atmosphere. Good luck in your new business. I hope custom improves, along with the air in your poolroom.

lynnspotter

matthew, if we keep getting increased taxes on tobacco your problem may be a moot point! Best of luck with the pool hall. I will be in Santee in a couple weeks, & looked to see how far out of the way it would be to stop by. Alas, it would be a good hour longer drive, & don't think my mom would go for the extended time for a drop in! Maybe some day.

kmkagle

Qsilv-Be on your soapbox. I truly empathize with you for the suffering you have endured. My dad was asthmatic, but then, smoking wasn't associated with it, yes, he smoked. Those attacks scared the begeebees out of me. Learning the hard way wasn't fun. My own fault! I see both sides and empathize with both. Anyhow.......off my box and I'll stand next to you?

caramia

Uh.. I've done homework, more homework, and... uh... Spring Break I went to the East Coast!
The Strand RULES.