Re: Washington State bans smoking... with a twist
 

I talked to my wife about it and commented that it would basically make downtown Seattle a No Smoking Zone. As a former smoker I can understand your frustration, but as a non-smoker I have way more empathy for those who choose not to smoke and are exposed to it anyway. I don't dislike smokers, I dislike smoke.

Re: Washington State bans smoking... with a twist
 

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I talked to my wife about it and commented that it would basically make downtown Seattle a No Smoking Zone. As a former smoker I can understand your frustration, but as a non-smoker I have way more empathy for those who choose not to smoke and are exposed to it anyway. I don't dislike smokers, I dislike smoke.

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As a never-smoker, probably-never-will-smoker, and someone who doesn't care for cigarettes, I think this is completely ridiculous. A sensible restaurant will have a non-smoking section if they don't want to alienate customers, and that's perfectly fine. Anyone bothered by someone passing by them on the streets with a cigarette needs to grow up. It's just one more freedom to take away from us.

Re: Washington State bans smoking... with a twist
 

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good law, second hand smoke is a bitch. Ban it in public I say.

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Wimp.

Re: Washington State bans smoking... with a twist
 

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I talked to my wife about it and commented that it would basically make downtown Seattle a No Smoking Zone. As a former smoker I can understand your frustration, but as a non-smoker I have way more empathy for those who choose not to smoke and are exposed to it anyway. I don't dislike smokers, I dislike smoke.

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I dislike the smokers who throw their cigarettes on the ground...but I guess that's more of a dislike of litterers.

As to smoking...I don't care if people do it or not, as long as they don't do it around me. Aggravates my asthma and makes me start coughing :-p

Re: Washington State bans smoking... with a twist
 

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25 feet isn't nearly as far away as you might think. Also, I don't know of any states that have passed a similar law, but I know that many colleges and universities have similar anti-smoking rules (it's only 15 ft. here, though).

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Shame it's not better enforced
I've seen a lot of the "no smoking within X feet of building entrance" signs...usually with someone leaning against them having a smoke :-p

Re: Washington State bans smoking... with a twist
 

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I talked to my wife about it and commented that it would basically make downtown Seattle a No Smoking Zone. As a former smoker I can understand your frustration, but as a non-smoker I have way more empathy for those who choose not to smoke and are exposed to it anyway. I don't dislike smokers, I dislike smoke.

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As a never-smoker, probably-never-will-smoker, and someone who doesn't care for cigarettes, I think this is completely ridiculous. A sensible restaurant will have a non-smoking section if they don't want to alienate customers, and that's perfectly fine. Anyone bothered by someone passing by them on the streets with a cigarette needs to grow up. It's just one more freedom to take away from us.

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I'm semi-torn on the issue. I don't think the gov't should have the right to tell private businesses whether they can allow smoking in their establishment. But then there's in public. Now, the non-smoker is being forced to inhale the smoke, which has been proven to be dangerous. On the other hand, there could be people who want to ban cars because the exhaust annoys them. Where's the line? I don't know.

Re: Washington State bans smoking... with a twist
 

smokers have been inconsiderate. by exhaleing smoke as they pass you by on the street. and huddling in the doorways of businesses when smoking outside. so the general public finally is backlashing against them with extra might.
next comes the littering the streets and parks with the butts because smokers think they also have the right to throw their trash on the ground because its too hard to carry it home.
when other things become intolerable then the public will ban that.

Re: Washington State bans smoking... with a twist
 

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I talked to my wife about it and commented that it would basically make downtown Seattle a No Smoking Zone. As a former smoker I can understand your frustration, but as a non-smoker I have way more empathy for those who choose not to smoke and are exposed to it anyway. I don't dislike smokers, I dislike smoke.

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As a never-smoker, probably-never-will-smoker, and someone who doesn't care for cigarettes, I think this is completely ridiculous. A sensible restaurant will have a non-smoking section if they don't want to alienate customers, and that's perfectly fine. Anyone bothered by someone passing by them on the streets with a cigarette needs to grow up. It's just one more freedom to take away from us.

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I am torn on these smoking bans. I am generally against the governament interfering in people's private lives; however I have asthma and have had to go to ER from navigating the smoke that lingers outside a building when smokers are allowed to stand in front of the door and smoke.

Re: Washington State bans smoking... with a twist
 

So, when's the Anarcho-Cap Clown Parade gonna chime in on this one?

Re: Washington State bans smoking... with a twist
 

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But then there's in public. Now, the non-smoker is being forced to inhale the smoke, which has been proven to be dangerous. On the other hand, there could be people who want to ban cars because the exhaust annoys them. Where's the line? I don't know.

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Why is this such a big deal – In most cases you can’t drink in public.

If you want to smoke in your own home, fine. If you want to open a private business/bar/restaurant that allows smoking inside – fine. I do have to admit that I am tired of trying to get into a building and having to run the smoker’s “gauntlet”.

Ray is correct. If people has shown the basest of consideration and moved 10 feet away from the door and picked up their trash this might not have happened.