Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

Sonny · **Galveston Has New Smoking Ban -** 01-02-2010, 12:36 AM

I love it! No more stinky smokers to deal with.

Quote:

Galveston Has New Smoking BanViolators Could Get $100 Fine

Galveston's smoking ordinance went into effect on Friday.

The ban is one of the strictest in the state.

The law bans smoking in restaurants, bars and private clubs, on patios and in outdoor seating areas.

Police said they are not actively enforcing it, but are taking complaint reports from patrons.

Violators could face a $100 fine.

Galveston Has New Smoking Ban - Houston News Story - KPRC Houston

DigitalDiva · 01-02-2010, 12:42 AM

I think this is the wave of the future!

ldelacruz · 01:02 PM

Hopefully Katy will be next! I was spoiled in Sugar Land and was surprised when we moved to Katy!

johnastovall · 01-02-2010, 09:14 AM

"Everything Not Forbidden Is Mandatory".

Murph · 01-02-2010, 10:29 AM

While I do not smoke, yet another right taken away with a whimper.

dwilliams35 · 11:29 AM

Ya know, one side of me wants to sympathize about the loss of freedom, complain about governmental overregulation, the "nanny state", etc. etc. etc.

The rest of me is really enjoying actually being able to breathe and enjoy my food in restaurants...

Second part's winning at the moment...

venchka · 01-02-2010, 10:44 AM

When photography in public places is taken away, y'all did it to yourselves. Lawbreakers will be discussing it in text messages sent while driving.

Somehow smoking outdoors doesn't seem near as dangerous to the general public as cell phone use while operating a 2 ton WMD.

jeffkohn · 01-02-2010, 11:11 AM

On the one hand, I hate to see yet another creeping advancement on the nanny state into our lives, and worry what personal rights/freedoms could be threatened further down the road.

On the other hand, it's nice to be able to go concerts, clubs, restaurants and other indoor places and not get suffocated by clouds of smoke. I've always thought the fact that smoking is legal when so many other harmful substances and activities are not is sheer hypocrisy; it's only justified because of the huge amounts of money it brings in, both for the big tobacco companies and the govt (in taxes).

Disallowing it outdoors does seem a bit excessive though; they could have just required designated areas in outdoor venues.

johnastovall · 01-02-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwilliams35

Ya know, one side of me wants to sympathize about the loss of freedom, complain about governmental overregulation, the "nanny state", etc. etc. etc.

The rest of me is really enjoying actually being able to breath and enjoy my food in restaurants...

Second part's winning at the moment...

Just vote with your dollars, not laws.

Flea77 · 01-02-2010, 12:27 PM

I have always wondered why the government has to step in and regulate this. If the owner's of these establishments were allowed to make their own decisions, and the customers voiced their opinion with their money, I would think it would work out on its own. Or maybe it was working, and the non-smokers didn't like the results?

Allan

venchka · 01-02-2010, 02:26 PM

NC, #1 tobacco producing state, just implemented a statewide smoking ban in restaurants, bars, etc. It reinforces the rumor I had heard calling NC "California East."

I'm annoyed and I have almost quit smoking. You would think that I would be jumping for joy.

miffed67 · 01-02-2010, 04:57 PM

I quit smoking today, actually. Don't live anywhere near Galveston, but several of the cities around here; Dallas, Frisco, McKinney, Plano, and others, have had smoking bans for a couple of years now. I'm glad in that I won't be subjected to the smell of smoking, and the subsequent cravings, but that's just weakness on my part. I DO believe the government's getting just a little heavy-handed, but that's been happening, and will keep happening, until someone decides they've lost just a little too much of their freedom.

Angelo · 01-02-2010, 05:10 PM

I don't like the intrusion on private establishments. That bothers me...

dwilliams35 · 05:52 PM

I've talked about this with a restaurant owner one time: he said before the ban he had tried on several occasions to make it non-smoking once or twice: biggest problem was that the smokers would ignore the rule no matter what you did. It wasn't a law, so they really didn't want anybody intruding on their "freedoms"...it became such a conflagration when he told someone he or she couldn't smoke that he decided the disturbance was worse than the smoke. As far as the "intrusion on private establishments", how is this any worse than restrictions on alcohol consumption? Nobody seems to have a problem with that unless they just can't get a beer after midnight... I don't think I've ever heard anyone say that such is an imposition on the business... Can't sell guns to an eight year old? Oh the travesty.

I'm more likely to look at it as a public health issue: I don't care what RJ Reynolds' pet scientists say, I'm coughing up chunks any time I'm forced to be around any significant amount of cigarette smoke: if it causes cancer to the guy sucking it in intentionally through a filter, it's no less a threat to an "innocent bystander"... Invent a cigarette that contains 100% of the smoke, thus keeping it from the lungs of that "innocent bystander", and I'll be a lot more supportive of "smokers' rights"... I try not to fart in a restaurant, either: on occasion I'd appreciate the same courtesy from smokers... If they can't manage to keep their nasty habit from affecting others, tough cookies...

Flea77 · 01-02-2010, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwilliams35

As far as the "intrusion on private establishments", how is this any worse than restrictions on alcohol consumption?

Personally, I have never heard of someone smoking too much, leaving and mowing over a busload of kids because they had too much nicotine

Your restaurant owner needs a reality check. You think telling the customer "please put that out or you will need to leave" creates a commotion, what do you think will happen if they say "please put that out or I will call the police"?

How about we make it a law where you can not smoke in a designated non-smoking area? That would solve your restaurant owner's problems. Oh wait, that already is a law!

I have no problem at all with laws about government property, schools, public transportation, etc where non-smokers have no choice but to go. They should not HAVE to breathe smoke. I draw the line when it becomes illegal for the owner of the land, the owner of the building, and the owner of the business to smoke on their own private property, or to allow others to smoke on their private property.

Allan