Smoking Ban in Your City (NRR)

[onetet]

Has a smoking ban taken effect in your area -- and, if so, what impact has it had? People happy with it, unhappy with it? Business holding steady, going up, going down? People who opposed the ban still pissed about it, simmering down, coming around? Bmore's passed in Feb or so and goes in effect in a few weeks. It's a hard-drinking, hard-smoking town so some people are up in arms about it. As someone who stopped going out as much due to my distaste for smokey environments and related health concerns, I'm looking forward to it -- but I'm more interested in the observations of people who've had it implemented in their areas rather than whether people are "pro" or "con" w/ this issue.

 

[G_Balliando]

Yeah, Denver's had it in effect for a couple years now I believe. I love it, but I'm an ex-smoker. Restaurants and bars are much easier to deal with now that you don't have to worry about choking in a room full of stale smoke and or having your clothes smell like smoke. I don't think most people really minded the ban. It was somewhat surprising that there weren't more angry people because Denver is also a big drinking town. Now if they would just ban idiots from bars we'd be all set!

 

[djkingotto]

minneapolis' went into effect a couple years (3 maybe) ago and its great! most places set up an area outside for the smokers and even in winter with -20 wind chills, they're still out there puffing away. it didn't change a damn thing except i can breathe better and i don't stink after going out to a bar/club! that stale smoke stench is mad gross for those of us who don't partake.... enjoy!

 

[hcrink]

It's been at least 10 years now in California. At first it was kinda werid being at a show or whatever and having to go outside, but I definitely appreciate it now that I'm a non-smoker.

 

[elise]

Im so tired of my clothes or my jacket smelling like smoke. Can't wait for the first!

 

[onetet]

It's been at least 10 years now in California. At first it was kinda werid being at a show or whatever and having to go outside, but I definitely appreciate it now that I'm a non-smoker.

I've heard people in some cities say they thought they'd hate having to go outside, but generally like it (except in shitty weather, obviously) -- due I guess to the social component to smoking. This ring true to the smokers out there in non-smoking cities?

 

[onetet]

Im so tired of my clothes or my jacket smelling like smoke. Can't wait for the first!

you stay in Bmore?

 

[Delay]

In a city as expensive and fashion concious as ny, the lower, less frequent drycleaning bills definitely outweigh the hassle of going outside to smoke. It's always a good chance to go holler too.

 

[SouthCrackalack]

In my smaller city, they banned smoking inside establishments..but then a lot of bar/restaurant owners fought back and took the city to court and won the right to allow it inside if wanted.

 

[yuichi]

Fuck smoking dude.

 

[Jonny_Paycheck]

Man I can't imagine Baltimore without smoking in bars. I'm for teh ban personally. Bars smell just as bad without the smoke though, true story.

I'd bet most of the neighborhood joints will remain smokey, the ban will probably be felt mostly around downtown and fells point and stuff.

 

[elise]

Im so tired of my clothes or my jacket smelling like smoke. Can't wait for the first!

you stay in Bmore?
Oh! Hi Ontet! No I do not. Im about and hour and a half from Chicago. I live in a College town (U of I). Heres a funny clip of The Daily Show making fun of a rather long issue in my town about the Chief. I thinks its funny as hell!!


Its funny cause when schools in session everyone is ridiculous and wasted all the time. And stupid...but anyways....



But we had a smoking ban about maybe 7 months ago and it was turned around by a tally of votes and names on a petition. BUT, Illinois goes completely smoke free on the first so it will be good to see it end finally.

I DJ at a few places here and one of the spots is so small and everyone lights up at the same time. Its so ridiculous.

So after all that...No I don't live in Bmore, but I should come check it out!! Especially after a ban!!

 

[Bsides]

I was in boston the year it went in place. Trust me, even if you smoke, its much better.

In other news im still smoke free after 6 weeks. It feels awesome.

 

[G_Balliando]

Bars smell just as bad without the smoke though, true story.

Well, the difference is that you won't smell any worse than normal when you leave the place.

 

[onetet]

Man I can't imagine Baltimore without smoking in bars. I'm for teh ban personally. Bars smell just as bad without the smoke though, true story.

I'd bet most of the neighborhood joints will remain smokey, the ban will probably be felt mostly around downtown and fells point and stuff.

There is a provision in Bmore legistation that bars can apply for an exemption if they can document that the ban has hurt their business; only time will tell how many will apply, how tough or lenient the gov will be in granting these, etc. It has the potential to result in a smoking ban in name only.

And yeah, I'm sure many neighborhood bars will just ignore the law or pay someone off. Also, the music scene in Bmore is very much centered around uncoded venues like warehouses and lofts, and I can't imagine any of these will choose to go non-smoking.

 

[rsmeets]

in columbus (OH), the ban has been in place for a year or two. I like it because I don't smoke, but many bars/business have seen steady decline in numbers- a few of them have had to close.. i know the musicians have been hit especially hard by this as decrease in numbers means less money at the door and lower guarantees.

 

[Fatback]

VA will be the last place on the planet to do this. Phillip Morris actually goes around to bars and gives out cigarettes. I'm a casual smoker and fully support the ban.

 

[The_Hook_Up]

I love it...had my first smoke free DJ gig this weekend and it was awesome...my hair and clothes were smoke free. I dont really see it hurting business (time will tell), I mean what music fan is going to not go see a band they like because they cant smoke during their set...effing go outside in between bands...any smoker that complains about this is a douchebag( I know they are addicts in addtion to being a douchebag, but still).

 

[onetet]

VA will be the last place on the planet to do this. Phillip Morris actually goes around to bars and gives out cigarettes. I'm a casual smoker and fully support the ban.

they've done this in Bmore for years as well. Their employees are always hot ladies with a flirty demeanor, and in exchange for a free pack of cigarettes you only have to let them... photocopy your ID.

 

[onetet]

Funny stuff.