2. Category of Problem/Issue identified in article: Health and Environment
3. Level of problem/issue: Local Level
4. A potential
policy that is being considered to help a problem/issue that
individuals/families face
5. Why this is
important to individuals/families OR How does this affect individuals/families: This is important to individuals and families because secondhand smoke is extremely dangerous to whoever ingests it, especially to children. Most restaurants already have smoke free environments but with this new policy, it would create and absolute law so families wouldn't have to guess if a certain restaurant was indeed smoke free or not.
6. What are
your views on the issue/policy? I definitely agree with banning smoke in the restaurants and public areas. I'm not a smoker and I don't want to ingest smoke while I'm trying to eat. However, in the article they're talking about banning smoking in the bars as well. I don't necessarily agree with this. Yes it would be healthier but I mean if you're in a bar, you're already around alcohol and we all know that alcohol is not healthy for you, unless it's red wine. When people drink, they enjoy smoking while they're drinking. It's a social norm; hence, social smoking. Smoking in a bar is just different than smoking out in public or at a restaurant around children and the elderly. Another issue stated in the article is one that business owners will face. They're afraid they are going to lose all of their smoking customers. I don't think they will because if smoking is banned in every restaurant, it's not like the smokers will go elsewhere. Plus, in the first part of the article, a city council member stated that every city is moving closer to this smoking ban if they already haven't done so. I think it's a leap forward for the environment but I don't think they should ban smoking within the bars.
I support the bloggers view on the smoking ban. I, myself, am a casual smoker. It's a bad habit that I need to get rid of but I do like to smoke at bars when enjoying a drink. If I smoke outside the bar, it is at my own home. I do not want to encourage children to smoke, and do not like to smoke in front of others that do not smoke. I think it is great to have a smoking ban in all public places but bars. I do think that bars should have the right to decide whether they want to ban smoking or not. I'm sure many people would love to go to a bar that is non-smoking, and I don't blame them. I do see it as a concern for some bars if it is banned from all bars entirely. I know that bars such as Zelicks and The Shade would not be affected because they are outdoors, but one of my favorite bars, Showdown, would. Showdown, is my place to go to have a good whiskey and coke and enjoy a cigarette while having a great conversation with close friends. Everyone there is friendly--it's almost like a family environment. Showdown does not have any space to make an outdoors section to smoke, putting it in a problematic setting. Although it does have its regular consumers, such as myself, I don't think it will be a huge problem, but they're might be a concern with people trying to find an area to smoke while at the bar. I think that banning smoking for places such as restaurants is great, but if banned in bars, it would put those businesses in a problematic situation. It would also be a concern if they banned smoking from bars, because I would assume that many would go right outside to smoke one, putting those passing by to inhale the smoke. I think this would defeat the purpose of what they are trying to do. It is very hard to decide whether this beneficial to everyone. It would be beneficial to everyone's health of course, but to businesses, it might be a different story. During this weeks city council meeting, an old professor of Health Administration, who is now a resident of San Marcos commented on the research that she has brought upon on the smoking ban issue. She brought upon data from Massachusetts, before and after their smoking ban. The research she presented showed no difference in receipts or employments and not change in business closures. She also added her breast cancer defeat and how it could be relevant to cigarette smoke exposure (and other environmental factors). Even though Massachusetts showed no evidence that it impacted businesses, doesn't mean that it wont impact our businesses. Every city and state is different, which makes it difficult for each county to make a decision whether they want this smoking ban passed or not. This week, City Council did not make a decision on the smoking ban. I guess we will see whether the final decision is made next city council meeting.
ReplyDeleteI dont support the blogger's stance on the smoking ban 100%--this is only because I feel she/he is taking a public policy and forming her opinion solely off her own preferences and habits. Just because alcohol and smoking are not healthy choices for your body, and they both take place in bars...doesn't mean that smoking shouldnt be banned from bars. The difference rests where drinking is voluntary. Inhalation of second hand smoke is not voluntary. Nobody should be forced to do something they do not want to do, that is harmful to their body, in a public place.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that having a blanket smoking ban would not be harmful to businesses, if it was enforced with all businesses--for the same valid point made by the blogger (where else would smokers go?). I know it feels a bit weird to have a freedom taken away, especially a freedom that most people feel doesnt matter and doesnt hurt anyone. But since smoking is so common place, its not cool to be in a bar and tell your friends you really really hate them smoking next to you. Or to reach over to someone you dont know and tell them you have an allergy to smoke (they arent going to give a sh*t). But if a policy is made to eliminate the issue, then it can be a more comfortable environment for everyone.
A lot of times people do not make changes in their life unless some other enabling factor changes. For instance, to fix my dirty habit of doing laundry, drying my clothes, then living out of my laundry basket for the next week at home (because I dont like folding/hanging)--just move to an apartment that doesnt have a washer/dryer and start going to a laundromat. Case in point, Ive been forced to start folding my clothes, and be more organized with my time allocations. I feel the same applies to smoking. What this law really is working on is making it just one step more annoying to go do something detrimental to both your finances and health. I think it is really troublesome to have to leave a bar to go stand outside to smoke. Half the time you have to get your purse, say goodbye to some people, cash out at the bar, regroup, and find a lighter! hahaha whereas it would be much more simple to enjoy your guilty pleasure cozy-ed up to your beer on a bar stool. I GET IT. But I also dont think its fair that smoking cigarettes is legal and smoking marijuana is not. And I sure as hell would like to have the privilege to smoke marijuana legally, which wont be happening for a while, so in the mean time...why shouldnt cigarettes be banned?
I strongly agree with the one hundred percent ban on smoking in all restaurants and bars in San Marcos. I agree with the previous responses and comments pertaining to the fact that I would like to enjoy a meal in a smoke –free environment and not have to worry about having that aroma lingering in the air while I am eating. I grew up in a family of non-smokers, and am also a very high level asthmatic. Being in an enclosed atmosphere where smoke is present is definitely a big issue for me, and always has been for me and my family growing up. I also believe that this ban could potentially decrease the amount of smokers in the area, and help to support and encourage smokers to either cut back or work towards quitting the habit. I know that many do not agree with the banning of smoking in bars, but I do agree with it. I have a history of attending a bar that was once smoking indoors and then switched to only smoking outdoors. This action made a huge difference and the place became a lot more clean and presentable when it came to the atmosphere. I have nothing against people who do smoke, I just strongly agree with there being designated areas for these people to smoke. There are several outdoor bars along with indoor bars that have an outdoor area available for smokers. I believe that banning smoking indoors at the bars within the county will not be that much of a detriment for smokers. If you want to smoke, you will find a way, it is that simple. Some may disagree and claim that it is a inconvenience for them, but from my point of view, it is an inconvenience for me to have to sit and take in your secondhand smoke as an asthmatic when I am just trying to enjoy myself and have few drinks. I do not go out to the bars to smoke, I go to socialize and enjoy a drink.
ReplyDelete