Wisconsin now smoke-free

MilwFoodlovers


 
I want the freedom to drive as fast as I want, maybe while blindfolded.

Kindly stay at least three carlengths away from my car if you do!


  

Russ Jackson


I am a lifetime non smoker. But I still have a problem with the government telling them they cannot smoke in there own place. Especially a bar. ...Russ

I completely agree with Russ.

Meh.
In 3 months everyone will wonder why the fuss.
And some people will be able to go into some great bars and restaurants that they couldn't before for the first time.

Last smoke 10/25/09 9:00 p.m.

In PA, the smokers whined about it for awhile - and now seem happy to go outside.  Except in the dead of winter and exceptionally hot days like this week.

Now, the business owners are whining - and the rules have "relaxed" a bit - especially in bars, etc.   Bad business could really could be attributed more to the crummy economy than the ban - but some bars with food have found ways to allow smoking here and there.

I am expressing my FREEDOM to not patronize any place that allows smoking. 

stanpnepa


I am expressing my FREEDOM to not patronize any place that allows smoking. 

 
That's exactly how it should be. However, in states with smoking bans, people no longer have the freedom to patronize places that do allow smoking. The freedom to avoid smoking existed before, but it's no longer a two-way street.
 
Interesting, before the statewide ban in Illinois, as individual towns enacted their own smoking bans, turned out that the vast majority of establishments were already voluntarily smoke free. So the ban just removed the freedom of a handful of business owners to allow smoking and, as fewer people smoke, serve a niche clientele.

  I'm not at all sure on the specifics, but somewhere around the Twin Cities there are supposed to be a few/several "Smoke-easys"  I suppose that was bound to happen...

On a footnote, what a joy it is to go to gastro-pubs that have BANNED smoking.  The ban has given us (as noted above) far more eating options.  No more watery eyes / scratchy throats and the sudden need to go home and get right in the shower.

If I walked into a bar or restaurant and started to fart my brains out, and it smelled like my insides were dead, would everyone be ok with that?

joerogo


If I walked into a bar or restaurant and started to fart my brains out, and it smelled like my insides were dead, would everyone be ok with that?

Is that a challenge?

So I'll solicit some opinions here. Tonight I was at a baseball game and there is no smoking allowed in the stadium. There was guy down the row from me who just puffing away. I am not the type of person that would have confronted him directly (at least not without several more beers) Should I have told the staff about it? (I didn't I just moved)

Joe Rogo,
Do I have the freedom to bring my pet skunk to dinner?
He likes Garbage Plates.

ces1948


So I'll solicit some opinions here. Tonight I was at a baseball game and there is no smoking allowed in the stadium. There was guy down the row from me who just puffing away. I am not the type of person that would have confronted him directly (at least not without several more beers) Should I have told the staff about it? (I didn't I just moved)

I would have just moved as well. I'm not the snitching type, unless I'm seeing somebody being disemboweled or something.

stanpnepa


Joe Rogo,
Do I have the freedom to bring my pet skunk to dinner?
He likes Garbage Plates.

 


Exactly!

ces1948


So I'll solicit some opinions here. Tonight I was at a baseball game and there is no smoking allowed in the stadium. There was guy down the row from me who just puffing away. I am not the type of person that would have confronted him directly (at least not without several more beers) Should I have told the staff about it? (I didn't I just moved)

Major or minor league?  The Milwaukee Brewers now have a system where misbehaving fans can be reported via texting to reduce the chances of a confrontation and I suspect a lot of other MLB teams do as well.
 
I would've discreetly pointed him out to someone and I'm kind of surprised no one in his immediate vicinity did so, at least while you were there.
 
We went to a newly smoke-free bar & grill last night for dinner and the food was pretty good, although the kitchen cooked my medium-rare burger a little too close to medium.  Thanks to the Arena Premium on tap I was able to deal with it.
 
Brad

Mrs MFL and I are off to a blues bar tonight that we haven't been to in years because of the smoke. The door swings both ways you know.

Brad's last comment about the beer on tap made me think of something.  I AM a smoker.  Yes, I am one of THEM.  I do NOT like to smoke where I or anyone else is eating.  I do, however, like to smoke at the tavern.  If I am smoking, I am actuall not drinking excessively since my hands are busy with a cig.  However, if I can't smoke in a tavern now, I will be forced to drink more.  I think it possible that our wonderful Gov. Doyle is getting kickbacks from breweries.  That would make sense.  AND, if I can smoke in a casino, which I never ever ever go into, maybe I'll start going to the casino..why not get me hooked on yet another vice that will line Doyle's pockets in the long run..... Maybe the plan is that once smokers lose enough money gambling, they won't be able to affor the $8.00 plus per pack cigs in WI.

How about being forbidden to smoke in your own home? One of the local tv stations has an ask a lawyer type segment that a woman claims the smoke from adjoining condos are interfering with her health. According to the lawyer, she can sue for "private nuisance" and the judge can order the neigbors not to smoke and pay for the damages per precedent.

Few years ago, similar situation with a woman who claimed respiratory problems from a neighbor that BBQ'd.

http://www.wsvn.com/features/articles/helpmehoward/MI89140/

Not the same, Milw. We all have to use the same highways,
but we choose our eating and drinking establishments. If you feel endangered, don't go there. I abhor the eroding of freedoms one by one.

Oh, please.  Who or what is "eroding" your freedom to smoke in a restaurant or bar  in Mississippi?  As I understand it, the state-wide ban only applies to government buildings, and it's a local option to enact any other smoking ban. 
 
(If I am incorrect about that, I apologize.)
 
But, assuming that is correct, if someone is eroding your freedom in Mississippi, it is presumably your LOCAL elected representatives.  If you don't agree, vote 'em out.  That's the American way.

I agree it is wise to be diligent about watching over those who serve in government office.  And I also agree that if government officials were really serious about banning smoking, they'd ban the sale of cigarettes. Controlling the use of a "legal" product bothers me, as a lawyer.
 
But they won't ban the sale of cigarettes, because they don't want to deal with a black market and they don't want to give up the tobacco tax revenues. 
 
Having said that, the rhetoric about smoking bans signaling the end of democracy drives me crazy.  There are a lot more serious assaults on our freedom to worry about than a smoking ban.

And, for the record, I'm one who likes the smoking bans very much (as you might expect).  I especially like them in the United Kingdom, where I can now go into pubs, which I thoroughly enjoy, and which I couldn't do previously because of my sensitivity to smoke. 

I think the definition of "public place" has been perverted. A truly public place is one that is financed by tax dollars. Restaurants and bars are not really "public" places in the true sense of the word; they are private businesses into which the public is invited under certain conditions (e.g. "no shirt, no shoes, no service"; must purchase something). As such, business owners should have the right to determine whether or not to allow an otherwise legal activity on their premises. The market was working just fine on its own in meeting demand for smoke-free establishments without the government getting involved. Loss of business is incentive enough for an owner to change his policies, and any entrepreneur who can't grasp that doesn't deserve to be in business anyway.

DawnT


How about being forbidden to smoke in your own home? One of the local tv stations has an ask a lawyer type segment that a woman claims the smoke from adjoining condos are interfering with her health. According to the lawyer, she can sue for "private nuisance" and the judge can order the neigbors not to smoke and pay for the damages per precedent.

Few years ago, similar situation with a woman who claimed respiratory problems from a neighbor that BBQ'd.

http://www.wsvn.com/features/articles/helpmehoward/MI89140/

I remember years ago reading about some woman in a condo complaining about cigarette smoke from an apartment on another floor!

I work for a larger healthcare operation who also happen to own duplexes, houses and an apt building. There is no smoking allowed in any of them.
@Jim2093
My wife and I just came back from the Quad Cities and I was surprised to see that in Illinois, not only couldn't you smoke in the bars and restaurants, there was a sign that forbade you from smoking within 15 feet of any door.
 
@ ALLGOOD,
Reservations and Native casinos are sovereign land protected by treaties and they can set their own policies. Right now that means you can smoke, so go for it if you want. Also, Doyle is a lame duck and no one funnels money into someone that no longer can help them. You want to drive 75 on the highway, vote in someone that agrees with you. The people spoke and voted in politicos that followed their wishes and said no more to smoke in bars and restaurants. You're free to run and/or to vote in smoking friendly politicians. For something so very unhealthy, you'll find it impossible I'd guess. A bar is slicensed amd most follow the law. They are free to find a new line of work. We don't let naked customers or live sex shows in our bars do we? I realize that's the government telling randy bar owners they can't  be "free".
 
I used to smoke so I'm very understanding what a hardship not smoking where and when you want but I'm also now far more educated as to the dangers of smoking and I do think it should be banned. Our "leaders" ARE hypocrites and are addicted too, but for them it is to the income that you poor people pay in taxes.

there was a sign that forbade you from smoking within 15 feet of any door.

Smoking in bars/restaurants, meh. I would like to see this sign you mentioned IN FRONT OF MY DOCTOR'S OFFICE.

Every time. EVERY. TIME. I have an appointment there, some other patient is outside having a smoke. I wish Joe was close enough to come fart on them.

stricken_detective

there was a sign that forbade you from smoking within 15 feet of any door.

Smoking in bars/restaurants, meh. I would like to see this sign you mentioned IN FRONT OF MY DOCTOR'S OFFICE.

Every time. EVERY. TIME. I have an appointment there, some other patient is outside having a smoke. I wish Joe was close enough to come fart on them.

 


 

I beleive Joe has long range, stealth capabilities!

ChiTownDiner


I beleive Joe has long range, stealth capabilities!

 


At least I'm in good good company http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LAA9SK2sM4

Smokers were the first to be heavily taxes and no one said wait  it's not fair. well now it's those that use tanning beds taxed at 10%. In a county in California, they've outlawed toys in happy meals. Soft drinks taxes have been proposed at 10 cents an ounce  are next. As you applaud the right of smokers to be diminished, even though nonsmokers have the right not to choose to eat in those establishments, beware as to what is coming to take away your rights too! 

Jim2903


I think the definition of "public place" has been perverted. A truly public place is one that is financed by tax dollars. Restaurants and bars are not really "public" places in the true sense of the word; they are private businesses into which the public is invited under certain conditions (e.g. "no shirt, no shoes, no service"; must purchase something). As such, business owners should have the right to determine whether or not to allow an otherwise legal activity on their premises. The market was working just fine on its own in meeting demand for smoke-free establishments without the government getting involved. Loss of business is incentive enough for an owner to change his policies, and any entrepreneur who can't grasp that doesn't deserve to be in business anyway.

I'm one of those guys that caused" no shoes no shirts no service" signs to appear. GRIN

Those signs say NOTHING about NO PANTS, hahaha.