There is a controversial Citywide Smoking Ban in New York. I'm a non-smoker and love watching hockey, baseball, basketball and auto racing in Sports Bars.

But I haven't done so much in years because I don't like coming home with smoky clothes just because I entered a sports bar.

I'm not sure how the city settled with Cigar Bars, but I think the law as it was initially proposed, was unfair to Cigar Bars. I'm no fan of Cigars, but if an establishment specializes in a bar for Cigar Afficianados, it should be legal.

Interestingly, I've talked to a lot of people here about the ban and was somewhat surprised by the results. You see, at least from people I've spoken to, pretty much everyone that smokes would like to quit. No smoker seems happy to be addicted to smoking. So this ban just helps them to smoke less. Last night I went to a great sports bar and asked the bartender what she thought of the ban and if it has had any effect on business.

She said she loves it. She never minded the second hand smoke but having her clothes smoky all the time really bothered her. But she has noticed no drop off in business as a result of the ban. People just smoke outside. The only time she said it may make a difference are on really cold days.

I can say it was a real pleasure to enter a sports bar, catch a hockey game, not cough all the way through and have to deal with asthma problems and then finally come home to smoke-free clothing. Perhaps at the end of the story, the few lost customers will be more than compensated by people like me, who have avoided these places for years due to the smoke.

Comments:

I think that is ridiculous. Our country's laws/bans/ordinances are getting to be absolutely ridiculous. Everyone is constantly talking about equality among race, sexual orientation, gender, age, etc. Having to walk sometimes a block or more just to smoke a cigarette at work is not something I would consider fair. People should not be punished for legal addictions/actions. I can completely understand others and respecting those especially who do not smoke by compromising with them, which is why separate sections in restaurants have been observed for smoking and non as well as servers almost always being able to choose what section they prefer to serve in, but completely banning it from all bars is ludicrous. Not only is it an inconvience to have to go outside to smoke but places, especially in bars in chicago, that do not have built in patios or balconies force customers to go on the street with other city folk. People do not crave cigarettes at the same times and to tell a person to go outside, alone, around 1am or so to smoke a cigarette on the street risking the safety of that individual. Sure, some bars have bouncers or others may be out there, but lets be real people. You're at a bar, drinking. Most likely you're not going to be aware or in the condition to help someone in trouble. A bar has always been the place, especially in a restaurant atmosphere, where someone could go to smoke, whether it's while they are waiting for a table, or they are with company who does not smoke. I'm tired of being slowly pushed out of society's activities because I smoke. I'm tired of always having to be the one to have to sacrifice half of my lunch break just to walking to the designated smoking area. It isn't equal, it isn't fair and it isn't the right way to deal with the smoking issue in the United States.

Wont be going to NYC soon

Aa a Londoner, I am fervently hoping we don't follow NYC with the smoking in bars and restaurants ban. The argument that bar and restaurant staff have the right to work in a smoke-free environment is particularly stupid, as nearly every person I know who does this work is a smoker. How about asking them how they feel, and what about their rights to be able to have a cigarette while at work?

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