<div>New York City has banned tobacco smoking in bars and restaurants. There have been some negative consequences, but New York still has a night life for drinkers:</div>
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<div><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-07-01-smoking-usat_x.htm">http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-07-01-smoking-usat_x.htm</a></div>
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<div>From website above:</div>
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<p class="inside-copy">New York City is still coming to terms with smoke-free night life three months after a ban went into effect outlawing smoking in virtually all workplaces, including restaurants and bars.</p>
<p class="inside-copy">Five states — New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine and California — have passed similar smoking restrictions that include bars and taverns. New York state's ban, which echoes the city's anti-smoking law, goes into effect July 24. </p>
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<div>I am in favor of banning tobacco smoking in bars (and workplaces). Keeping bars smoke free is a benefit to the workers in these businesses who need the jobs yet are exposed to second hand smoke. The workers in bars are not forced to drink the drinks the customers order; yet they must breathe the air polluted by customers smoking. Furthermore, the damage to peoples lives and society from tobacco abuse/addiction (the single largest cause of premature death) is so huge that laws blocking smoking tobacco in what are publicly oriented businesses (even if privately owned) is reasonable, if practical. I would not support criminalizing tobacco. Any adult wishing to smoke in their homes or on their property should be free to do so (but not to expose children to second hand smoke, of course). But a ban on smoking in bars (and on all advertising) would limit encouragement of tobacco use. If someone wants to form a private smoking/drinking "club" on private property, they should be free to do so. Just don't expect workers who need jobs to have to breathe second hand smoke for a paycheck.</div>
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<div>Ted Moffett <br><br></div>
<div class="gmail_quote">On Thu, Jun 18, 2009 at 12:02 PM, Chasuk <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:chasuk@gmail.com">chasuk@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote style="BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid; MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; PADDING-LEFT: 1ex" class="gmail_quote">I'm not surprised that those in the grip of the smoking addiction<br>would drive drunk. There is no human behavior so pathetic that<br>
someone won't indulge it.<br><br>However, I am against outright smoking bans. Yes, I should be able to<br>enjoy my evening without the stink of cigarettes, but the smoker<br>should be able to commit slow suicide if he or she chooses.<br>
<br>There are plenty of places that I can publicly eat or socialize where<br>I will not be bothered by smokers.<br><br>No more bans, please.<br>
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