Sometimes you smell like a butt
Posted by Love
I never used to care much about second-hand smoke.
Sure, having my hair and clothes reek like an ashtray after a night out is sort of a drag since I'm a nonsmoker, but bars and restaurants were smoky long before I started going out, so who am I to complain? Then someone came along that made me have second thoughts.
His name is William, and he's my 7-month-old son.
Babies smell so fresh and clean, I just can't bring myself to get near him if I'm blanketed in someone else's cloud of exhaled nicotine. The thought of him actually being around smokers is even more repulsive - and that was before I read about the recent Surgeon General's report, which has, pardon the pun, relit the effort to ban smoking in public places.
The 670-page study cited "overwhelming scientific evidence" that secondhand smoke causes lung cancer, heart disease and other illnesses. It concluded that more than 126 million nonsmoking Americans are routinely exposed to second-hand smoke, killing thousands each year.
Last year, a move to ban smoking in public places in Cincinnati - including bars and restaurants - was defeated by City Council. And election-year caution has pretty much sidelined the debate in Kentucky. But the Surgeon General's report is sure to push the debate back into the forefront both here and around the country.
What side of the issue do you fall on?
CiN Weekly and YPCincy.com, the young professional arm of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, have teamed up to do a three-part online survey heading into Bold Fusion 2006. This week's question asks whether or not our region should ban smoking in public places.
In the next two weeks leading up to the July 28 symposium and networking event, we'll be asking other questions that impact young professionals in the area.
Meanwhile, smoke 'em if you got 'em. Just not around me.
17 Comments:
Yes. I think there is no doubt now that secondhand smoke is dangerous and the public should be protected from it. Laws exist to protect innocent people from dangerous drivers, and people discharging firearms in public. This is no different. However, I believe it should NOT apply to places where you must be 21 to enter. Protect the innocents (like babies), but adults entering a bar know there's gonna be smoke.
2:25 PM
I have no problem with smoking in a bar or a nightclub. You know going in there is going to be smoke. My feeling is if you don't want to be around it, then don't go. I'm a nonsmoker and I don't go into a bar and complain. Anyone who actually thinks that smoke and smoking aren't dangerous is just stupid. Don't complain about it, just avoid it.
3:02 PM
This may sound bizarre, but I'm a smoker and I am FULLY in favor of banning smoking in public places. Including bars. This is sooo passive, but I've tried to quit many times because of the detriment to health, smelling awful, and the financial strain to my wallet - and I succeed for a short time - a month or two - and then I fall prey to one (or many) too many alcoholic beverages and I end up having a smoke . . . and then another, and another. If I could not have the luxury of being able to smoke in bars, I'd likely never start back up again. Again, like I said - very passive and weak-willed - but I'd bet that there are a number of people like me. Maybe they're not in favor of the ban, but it would certainly ease the attempt of quitting.
9:32 PM
This was passed in Columbus a few years back and there was a fear that bars would lose too much business. I have seen the decline of some bars in Columbus, but I have also been to others, where people just go outside, smoke, and come back in. I also have a 10 week old baby and will not go into a bar or smoky restaraunt with him, it is simply unfair to him.
10:46 PM
OK with it in restaurants, not in bars, leave it up to the bar owners.
If you're going to ban it in bars, attach a rider to the ban that all bars must cut people off after two drinks as drunk drivers kill a fair amount of people as well.
4:18 PM
The Greater Cincinnati Health Council said that on Jan. 1, 2007, 19 hospitals in the Greater Cincinnati region will make their entire campuses tobacco-free.
No one patient, visitor, employee, contactor or volunteer will be able to smoke on the properties.
It is about time! If you think stale smoke stench is bad after bar hopping try having a nasty "butt" smelling nurse or doctor taking care of you when you are ill...especially nauseous.
I have long ago stopped going to restaurants that have "non-smoking sections.” There is no such thing! We all share the same air.
I would 100% support a ban on smoking. The best restaurants in town are smoke free!
http://hamiltoncountyhealth.org/cgi-bin/resources.cgi/resource_list?resource_type_id=5
9:50 PM
It bothers me that I am limited in terms of places where I can socialize and not end up smelling like an ashtray. Those who are opposed to smoking bans, what have you to fear? I can only think that you are somehow opposed to clean air which benefits everyone. As for non-smoking areas, this is the equivalent of non-urinating areas of a swimming pool.
2:35 PM
You people crack me up! All of your talk about smoking being so bad. How about you hanging out at the bars drinking a few drinks, then getting behind the wheel & driving home! Which is safer? Driving after a few drinks or a few cigarettes? How about we ban alcohol too! How would Cincinnati feel about that!?
1:56 PM
I am from Cincinnati, but now I live in a city where a smoking ban was implemented on July 1. I'm a non-smoker, so of course I absolutely love it....I used to try to frequent the non-smoking bars and lounges only (believe it or not, these places were always packed, and many people were smokers who went outside to do their business).
The smoking ban has not affected businesses here, or at least not as far as I can tell. All of our bars and clubs still have long lines to enter. Many of my friends smoke, and they are actually in favor of the ban! They say it keeps them from smoking too much during a night of drinking, and they don't mind walking outside if they want to light up.
To the silly who said something about banning alcohol, don't be ridiculous! People need to be a bit more responsible, and not get behind the wheel after drinking. I have no sympathy whatsoever for drunk drivers. It's pretty easy to call or flag a cab regardless of where you live; I, and everyone I know, live a $5 cab ride from most of the places we go downtown, and the rest are walking distance! 'Sides, I'm not forcing those around me to drink my drinks, so I'd rather not be forced to breathe their smoke!
2:28 PM
I agree with JDW, if we're talking about saving lives and preventing unnecessary deaths of the innocent, we should stop serving alcohol as well. Drunk drivers kill too! While we are at lets keep everyone inside, we don't want the sun giving us cancer. Don't drink the water, not real sure what might be in there either. Get over yourself! If you don't like smoky places then let them know by taking your business somewhere else. We don't want you there anyway! I kind of understand the no smoking in restaurants but bars?!?! Give me a break.
2:58 PM
And another thing. Let's ban FAT people from restaurants & bars too. After all, we are just looking out for thier health....Stay at home & eat a salad.
3:33 PM
No Offense, but with all the facts about smoking and what it does to your health and other people's health, it amazes me that there are people who are still smoking! Take care of yourself, and if you are stupid enough to put your own self at risk, you do not have the right to put MY health at risk. We all have to share this world together, let's be aware of the others around us and respect the right we have to live a healthy, smoke-free life. I am a survivor of cancer, and I have no desire to go through that again because of secondhand smoke. It is completely fair to ban the smoking inside public spaces.
12:26 PM
I am with the 2nd anonymous poster. I'm a "social smoker" -- formerly a full time smoker, and I completely support a city-wide smoking ban. It would help encourage me to quit, which is hard to do if you go out to a bar at all.
And this issue is NOT the same as drinking and driving. Driving under the influence is already against the law. It's just a matter of whether or not you get caught before you hurt yourself or others. Occasionally there are roadblocks, but otherwise the cops can't catch every single person who drinks and drives.
Non-smokers who work in the bar and restaurant industry are literally forced to inhale second-hand smoke. Yes, they could try to find another kind of job, but many waiters/waitresses and bartenders make more money in those jobs than they could without going back to school or acquiring some other skills and not everyone can afford to take a pay cut or continue their education.
4:07 PM
I 120% support a ban on smoking!!! Bars, restaurants, EVERYWHERE! There is solid, scientific proof that second hand smoke is nearly as harmful as smoking yourself...why should people trying to enjoy a nice meal or some drinks with friends have to 1)damage their own lungs or 2)not go as a paying customer to a public place? I am from California and I forgot how DISGUSTING it is to try and enjoy a nice night out with friends and have smoke blown in your face all night long. If you want to smoke and kill yourself, that is your prerogative--but don't bring me down with you! You can smoke outside, get your fix, and not harm others in the process! What is wrong with that?
10:38 PM
Again people, if you don't like the smoke, go somewhere else! There are non-smoking establishments for people like you. I understand the health factor and agree that it’s not healthy. There are ALOT of things that are not healthy but we do them anyway. That’s our right. Freedom to choose! Choose a non-smoking bar or restaurant and let others choose differently!
9:18 AM
I like the idea of carrying a can of Raid fly spray around, and when someone sparks up a smoke, take out the can and start spraying it until the place reeks of it. When the smoker starts to beef about the horrible smell of the insecticide, you could cheerfully explain that you like the smell of bug spray, it's a legal product, and it's your right to use it. If you don't like it then go someplace where I am not.
6:19 PM
I was born and raised in Cincinnati and lived there until 3 years ago. I now live in Boston and there is no smoking allowed in any bar. I LOVE IT!! Let me make one thing clear, your hangover is not as bad when you don't smell like a bar the next day. Trust me, I know. And there is never an empty bar in Boston. People just go outside for 5 minutes and come back in. Not a big freaking deal! Also, when I come back to Cincinnati for holidays and go out to meet my friends, it's a real bummer b/c you do end up smelling awful the next day. I would think that even smokers don't want to smell like ass the next day. Am I right?
12:32 PM
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