Smoking policies

[Darrell KSR]

I teach one class at a local two-year college, and just read their revised smoking policy. I am not a smoker, don't like it, don't like the smell, etc. But man...if you're a smoker, you're really a second class citizen.

This policy is--

No smoking in classrooms (doh--although, back in the day, it was common).
No smoking in campus buildings. See above.
No smoking in areas immediately outside buildings.
No smoking in parking lots outside private automobiles.
Smoking is permitted only in private automobiles, in the parking lot (where else is the private automobile going to be?)

What do you think about this policy? Good, bad, or indifferent?

[MTcatfan]

That is basically the policy that a lot of places like schools and hospitals are going to. The local hospital here bans smoking on hospital property and you can only smoke in vehicles or in the public street that goes through one section of the hospitals property. So you do tend to see employees that smoke in their cars or huddled just off the sidewalk smoking while standing next to the curb.

[blueboss]

Typical smoking policy and they are getting tighter, I don't smoke but when I did I wasn't a heavy smoker and don't ever recall dying for a smoke. Smoking is banned in public buildings here in the hoosier state and that includes within eight feet of an entrance. The company I work for has an in the car policy or in the designated smoking area which is across the parking lot 50 yards from any of the doors. If the policy is abused we will go to no smoking anywhere on the property.

[CitizenBBN]

My opinion?

the Nanny State swings a mean paddle.

There's no second hand health risks of letting people smoke outside in the open air, so this is about simply trying to get people to stop. I'ts good if everyone stops, it's very bad for you, but that's all its about. It doesn't work to ban it so we use social pressure to drive it out.

Not saying we shouldn't drive it out, but I don't like doing it through piecemeal rules and regulations against something that only hurts the person in question. These are often private decisions, so it's their right, but when it's a government rule I get less OK with it.

[Doc]

If I want to enjoy a smoke, great. I'll go out and buy a pack but I'm not a fan of being force to smoke a pack because the guy or gal next to me has decided to indulge.

I'm all for bars and restaurants deciding if they want to be smokeless, and being able to advertise as such to attract their own type of clientele. I'll assume this is not a private school so access is for all. I do think the no smoking in open air is a bit over the top though

[dan_bgblue]

Doc, how do you feel about cities, towns, etc that enact a law that prohibits business owners from allowing smoking in their establishment? I fully endorse the right of the business owner to prohibit smoking in their place of business.

I also think the regulation of only smoking in one's vehicle versus standing in the open air and doing the same as long as the smoker is not standing next to the entrance of a building or among a crowd of others at a public event is an egregious restriction on the right of anyone that wants to smoke a cigarette.

[Doc]

Doc, how do you feel about cities, towns, etc that enact a law that prohibits business owners from allowing smoking in their establishment? I fully endorse the right of the business owner to prohibit smoking in their place of business.

I also think the regulation of only smoking in one's vehicle versus standing in the open air and doing the same as long as the smoker is not standing next to the entrance of a building or among a crowd of others at a public event is an egregious restriction on the right of anyone that wants to smoke a cigarette.

I'm confused by the wording. I endorse allowing a business to decide is they want smokers or not. Let the business decide for themselves if they want to allow a LEGAL activity. Its not the gov't job to decide. If I want to go to a restaurant that allows smoking I should be able to go to a restaurant that allows smoking. If I want to own a restaurant that caters to smokers then I should be allowed to do so. Have a big sign out front that say SMOKERS WELCOME. If you don't want to go to a smokers restaurant then you go elsewhere. Have some type of signage outside to note smoking allowed.

My complaints with smokers are two fold. One is they do not have the right to force me to breath their smoke. Smoke all you want, I could not care less. Its your body, your lungs. Likewise its my body and my lungs. Your smoke, albeit second hand, give me a headache. You do not have the right to give me a headache. So keep your smoke out of my space. That means don't smoke in public places, places where others are free to enjoy.
Second is the smokers who use smoking to slack at work. Smoke breaks are not part of the job. A 15 minute smoke break every hour isn't part of your pay package. Why is it that smokers gets a 15 minute smoke break when nonsmokers don't? And if you work for me and you stink like a pack of cigarettes, that does affect your job. As a business owner your appearance is part of your job. I don't hire folks with visible tattoos. If you have anything pierced other than your ear lobe and its visible, you don't have it in at work, etc. These are all appearance things, professional things. Reeking of old stale smoke is part of the package. So while one has the right to smoke, I reserve the right to fire your stinky ass for stinking up my office

[bigsky]

Bozeman doesn't allow smoking inside any business. Montana State banned smoking inside or out on its entire campus--people have to walk out of campus and across the street to legally smoke.

There is some smoking here but you really don't see it much.

[dan_bgblue]

bigsky, how do the lawmakers legitimize this action as it pertains to individual business owners that wish to provide their good and services in a smoking friendly environment?

[bigsky]

bigsky, how do the lawmakers legitimize this action as it pertains to individual business owners that wish to provide their good and services in a smoking friendly environment? Much like any other nanny state law; the majority says it's for your own good. Students requested it after a referendum and admin put it in place. State Supreme Court has upheld. But I would also tell you, no business that allowed smoking in Bozeman, short of a casino, would stay in business. And the issue doesn't even come
up anymore. Indoor smoking is some relic of the last century.

[Doc]

Much like any other nanny state law; the majority says it's for your own good. Students requested it after a referendum and admin put it in place. State Supreme Court has upheld. But I would also tell you, no business that allowed smoking in Bozeman, short of a casino, would stay in business. And the issue doesn't even come
up anymore. Indoor smoking is some relic of the last century.

But is a business wanted to attact a smoking clientele, why not? Lets say a restaurant wanted to allow smoking. Why not allow it so long as the business makes it clear they are not a smoke free restaurant? Ditto with bars. I know I would not eat in a smoking restaurant but thats me.

[bigsky]

But is a business wanted to attact a smoking clientele, why not? Lets say a restaurant wanted to allow smoking. Why not allow it so long as the business makes it clear they are not a smoke free restaurant? Ditto with bars. I know I would not eat in a smoking restaurant but thats me. employees are entitled to a safe environment

[Doc]

employees are entitled to a safe environment



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"WELCOME TO FRIDAY'S. WHAT CAN I GET YOU TO DRINK?"

[kingcat]

Just a small link in the direction we are being led.

The laws where I live are already strict, and have been for nearly a decade.

[MickintheHam]

Pretty standard policy. I believe UK's is similar. Coming back to Kentucky this time of year, it is stunning to see how little the tobacco crop has become. We used to cut it On Labor Day weekend when I was a student. It would be hard to find a job in the fields anymore.

[dan_bgblue]

Mick about 1/3 of the pounds are grown today vs what was being grown just 20 years ago. Fields of tobacco grown today are generally in the 50 acre range with many growers taking care of 250-500 acres.

[CitizenBBN]

It would be hard to find a job in the fields anymore.

You can find the work, but finding a US citizen who wants to cut tobacco is surely impossible. :) Well unless they are related to the owner, in which case at least some of them get their butts out there and work. lol.