If that is true, it’s another reason why the public smoking ban should be nationwide.

All the anti-smoking time and money should have been used to stop illegal drugs.

Another reason is, smoking and drinking go hand in hand for many. When they are forced to stop smoking while they drink, there is a tendency to consume more alchohol faster. You try to make up for the mental addiction of one drink one puff and it becomes three drinks.

Hmmmm…easy fix. Let’s bring back prohibition; no alcohol, no drunk, or at least less, drunk drivers.
KIDDING

This always happens. The saying of each reaction causes and opposite and equal reaction applies here. This is only temporary, hopefully. As people get used to the idea of not being able to smoke in a public location, they will ease back (yes I am thinking positive here) on the drinking, or at least find another way to counter their drinking with something less harmful than smoking.

On the other hand, if people can’t become more responsible in their drinking habits, 1) Maybe they shouldn’t be drinking 2.) Law enforcement, and judges, need to step up and be more diligent in enforcing the drunk driving laws. Increase penalties and take away licenses instead of letting drunk drivers off the hook. I know of at least three people that had 4 drunk driving CONVICTIONS and didn’t get their licenses taken until conviction 5.

T
There is no “I didn’t know” excuse here. People know very well they aren’t supposed to drink and drive.

The main issue people should be concerned with is the continued ‘legislating away of rights’ from private individuals and businesses.

The government, local or federal, should not be mandating what a private business can do in their establishment because last time I checked cigarettes were legal and they do not seem to mind the ridiculous amount of tax money they receive from their sales.

I should add I am a non-smoker and personally feel it is a silly habit, but that doesn’t give me the right to tell someone what to do.

While you may feel strongly opposed to smoking in a public places just remember the poem “First they came…” by Pastor Martin Niemöller, because who knows what the next crusade activists will be on.

Smoking Bans are a big reason why our economy is going down the tubes. The idea of ‘big brother’ keeping us all safe from ourselves stifles independent thought and makes a mockery of the American Dream’s ideal that if you work hard you can succeed. What rights will our wonderful government take away next? Drinking alcohol seems likely — certainly the right to bear arms will be striken and taken away soon. When you know you can’t succeed no matter what you do and the government puts more restrictions out & takes away more and more rights every day, why would anyone bother trying to succeed? What will success even mean when we all live in safety pods & breathe bottled air because it’s “better for our health?” No more risk taking folks — you might get hurt! People who still smoke have lost even the right to enjoy an evening out with friends. Think of something you enjoy & be ready for the government to ban it soon — for your own good, of course.

Our state just banned smoking in bars and restaurants and now they’re wondering why they have a shortfall in tax income. Hello! My husband and I both smoke and now, instead of going out for dinner and a few drinks several times a week and dropping $40 taxable dollars each time, we are staying in. Groceries aren’t taxable. If enough smokers boycott their local establishments, I can imagine that it WOULD result in a tax shortfall. Our wonderful lawmakers don’t think about the economic ramifications of some of their legislation.

What idiots. Just gotta love the logic here. Quote from article:

the increase in drunk driving should be weighed against the “potential positive health impacts” from smoking bans.

Hey, go to the funeral of the next drunk-driving victim and explain exactly what are these “potential positive health impacts”.

I have never heard of a smoking driver killing 27 kids on a school bus. However, a drunk driver did just that. From what I can find, there are more people killed by drunk drivers a year than Americans in the Iraqi war so far.

OMG, here comes another whine story for the smokers… my right to breath clean air should not be trampled my a smokers desire for a fix,,, now these loosers cant walk out a local pub to smoke,, no the lazy slobs feel entitled to pollute others so they commute to locations allowing smoking and have the nerve to think that driving back home drunk is somehow ’society’s’ fault? R u kidding me? Hope the cops, MADD and everyone else is lining up to pull these DUI ’smokers’ over. They’ll have plenty of time to smoke in jail. What no smoking in jail? Why dont we let them drive to a better jail so they can smoke? Better yet, all smokers should just be given amnesty, no crime in pursuit of a smoke! Give me a break.

Smoking bans do decrease revenue- we’ve seen it in our state- but also- getting up to go out for a smoke definitely lets you know how drunk you and I think it counts as exercize!!!
Not a big fan of the ban in bars- or even if most are banned permits should be allowed for certain establishments- ie smoker’s bars or something. A whole ban is just too Big Brother for me!!

That’s funny! Hope the holier-than-thou health nuts are happy.

I couldn’t agree with you more Joe. Although I am a smoker, I don’t like the government telling me where I can or cannot smoke. Sometimes people need to dissolve their differences for the common good of all. Don’t let them take any more from us, or continue dictating to us laws that take privileges away.

Next they will try to pass a law making it illegal for you to smoke in your own home. But I will still be good enough to pay taxes won’t I.

So end the stupid bans already–it’ll save lives.

I just heard on the news today that studies now show cell phone use is actually more harmful to a person than smoking. I also read that New Zealand has banned birthday cakes in schools now, because they want kids eating healthier.

I don’t understand why Americans are standing for bans on private property to begin with especially in bars. Part of the logic sold for smoking bans is “it is good for the kids”. Are “kids” allowed in bars, no, so why is this type of fanatical logic not questioned at all? Why were studies on second hand smoke that shows no real damage allowed to be hidden?

I am not a drinker, but I go to bars once in awhile to see my friends socially. I hate “the smell of someone drinking talking right into my face”, but you know what, I am an adult who made a decision to go into a bar with people drinking. So, you know what, I accept the “smell” as a part of the evening I chose. If there was too much smoke, I just stepped outside for a moment or left, because I chose to go to a bar. Adults must be able to make their own choices especially business owners. One group should not dictate to another that all establishments must be to their liking only. There needs to be choice for all and adults are capable of making choices lets remember.

The healthly food watchers are the next ones that are coming forth for “the good of everyone”. Bans on food establishment on how they can cook – new “sin” taxes on unhealthy foods – isn’t that how the smoking bans all started? Wake up America.

Smoking bans have hurt businesses all over America, and government and the media has hidden this with public lies. I am not pro-smoking, but I am pro-business and pro-adult-choice without government mandates on legal products.

Making smoking bans or any bans nationwide, because “WE” feel it is good for you is really not the answer. Smoking bans should be lifted especially in non-kid enviornments. This will be the only way to actually say “NO” to the government and the new lifestyle bans special interest groups that think they can continue to push their agendas on American adults. Get off the bandwagons on bans you think do not affect you like smoking, because unfortunately the next ban coming (FOOD) affects everyone.

Why don’t the bar owners have a say in the matter?After all;,it is their business as to what is allowed at their clubs.I don’t like all the smoke,but if you got em smoke em.