Mind If I Smoke?

Apparently, we do. Seattle is one step closer to joining New York on its side of the public smoking fence, as the statewide anti-smoking initiative has now qualified for November's ballot.

Seattlest is conflicted, of course. Decreasing public health risk is admirable enough, surely- but we also wonder if saving insurance companies all those lung cancer claims will ever lower our premiums? We don't plan to hold our collective breaths on that one. Then there's the opposition- and no, we don't mean the conspiracy-theorists or slippery-slopers ("First they came for our cigarettes...") We're talking about business.

"I keep asking people. But I get a dismal response from the industry either because they're broke, or see it as David-versus-Goliath," said Gary Murrey, a casino business executive.

Given there's seemingly no opposition, Seattlest is tempted to be contrary... but, having experienced smokeless New York, we must admit it is pretty great coming home not smelling like an ashtray. That leaves us in favor of clean air, but maybe we'll sneak a few visits to the Seattle Pipe Club, just for balance.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@seattlest.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Kristofor in News on August 3, 2005 12:06 PM

Comments [rss]

SmokeOnThisAwhile

there are enough venues that are non-smoking in seattle. and some that are usually smoking (like the sunset tavern) have the option for artists to request that the duration of their set be non-smoking. many restaurants, coffee shops, bars, etc, are non-smoking too. as a smoker, i am cool with all of that. let the non-smokers have their clubs, and let the smokers have theirs. you can't smoke in any stores, malls, banks, and the like.

but there is no need for a public ban, especially with a 25-foot provision. that means essentially, you can smoke at home (unless you live in a non-smoking apartment, and most of them are now) or in your car, or in the middle of the street.

as for health concerns, yes smoking is bad for you. i try not to smoke around kids, or old people, and usually when a fussy nonsmoker gets uptight with me, i will move quietly away from them.

however, ALCOHOL is still legal, and people get drunk and drive into sober people ALL THE FREAKING TIME. people who smoke will likely get cancer sooner, but people who drink get liver damage, kidney damage, brain cells get destroyed, and they make poor decisions about who to sleep with, who to fight with, or who to sit on a barstool next to and regale with their problems.

you don't see someone light a cigarette or two and decide to call and cry on the phone to an ex-lover and apologize for hours about the duration of their dating period/pregnancy/automobile insurance claim.

i think this initiative is a way for self-righteous people to force other people to behave a certain way. take advantage of your right as a business owner to declare your business smoking or non-smoking as you see fit. or your right as a consumer to persuade a business. but kindly leave me smoke in peace.

josh

er. unfortunatley, the stranger is probably going to come out against it because of the 25 foot provision.

fosveny

It was a hard sell in NYC, but I remember the first couple of times I went out after the ban. You didn't notice it right away, but it was so refreshing to be able to leave a club with no more odors than the ones with which you entered.

We have enough odor issues in NYC (especially in the summer), one less is a very pleasant change.