The Observation Deck

Just wanted to see people's thoughts on Issue Five.
http://smokefreeohio.org/oh/about/BallotLanguage.aspx

I know I am voting yes on issue five. Can't wait for this one to take place.

I do think it's interesting that whenever anyone starts talking about smoke-free in restaurants and bars, there's a HUGE outcry about how business will be hurt, restaurants and bars will close, etc.

I just spent a week in Massachusetts on vacation. There is NO smoking permitted in any of their restaurants or bars. And they seem to be perfectly thriving. New York City has banned smoking in restaurants and bars in 2002, and they seem to be thriving too.

I think any economic argument against anti-smoking rules aren't going to hold water. No one goes to a bar just to smoke. They go there to drink alcohol. They do smoke when they're at the bar, but that's not the sole reason. Hell, why not just create "smoke bars," where there's nothing to do but smoke. No booze, no food, just a storefront where there's just smoking. You could have "cigarettetenders" who stand behind a bar and dispense individual cigarettes, or sell packs. You could still have music and bands and stuff, but it's just a smoking facility.

Just an odd idea ... I grew up in a household with smokers, but somehow because of that, the smell of cigarettes make me sick. I'm not some sort of zealot, because frankly, if you want to smoke and get cancer, feel free. But don't others have a right to not have to inhale their smoke? Or be able to enjoy a restaurant without smoke wafting around. Having a "no smoking" section that is not physically separated by a wall doesn't cut it, because smoke wafts, and most places won't install the expensive equipment needed to suck a lot of that smoke outside.

More reasonable as a state issue than a city issue. Can't wait to see all those bar patrons hanging out on the sidewalks from dusk to 2 am though. Still surprised that there hasn't been a bar in Lakewood that hasn't gone smoke free yet. Seems to be a competitive advantage and if it was taken up then this smoke free legistlation could die out and be left to free market decision.

Exempt from the smoking restrictions certain locations, including private residences (except during the hours that the residence operates as a place of business involving non-residents of the private residence), designated smoking rooms in hotels, motels, and other lodging facilities; designated smoking areas for nursing home residents; retail tobacco stores, outdoor patios, private clubs, and family-owned and operated places of business;

Here is some of the language from the above link. Doesn't that last bit pretty much allow most of not all the local bar and restaurants to still have smoking? Other than the franchise locations like Quiznos or McDonalds, aren't places like the Rush Inn or bars like Merry Arts "family owned" or is that a very specific definition? Just curious.

Family owned is different than resident occupied. Not sure that one would fly unless Mr Rush was sleeping in the back room while the place was closed.

I'm not sure of how I'm going to vote, but it makes much more sense as a state issue than it does as a city one.

I could be wrong, but isn't Bella Dubby smoke free?

If it was just a city issue, then you would have business owners complaining about patrons going to Rocky River, Cleveland, etc. The fact that it will become a state issue will make the playing field even for everyone.

I find it extremely difficult to understand how a smoker can feel that it is their right and their duty to smoke in front of other people in public places. There is no reason why they can't step outside or better yet, hold off from smoking completely.

I would love to read some statistics on how the clean air acts effect the smoking rates and health care costs.