99 replies to this topic

[Steve Heard]

Should smoking be banned on bar and restaurant patios and in apartments buildings?

 

That's the question before City Council leaders right now.  The city is considering expanding Folsom's smoking ordinance to include a ban on smoking on the enclosed patios of bars and restaurants within the city, as well as with newly built apartments.

 

118 people responded to a recent survey by Breathe California on the subject of smoking on restaurant and bar patios in Folsom. 80% claim to have smelled smoke while out on such patios, 83% said they were bothered by it, and 74% would support the new ban.

 

Councilman Ernie Sheldon, a non-smoker who suffers from asthma says, "People that have to work in these restaurants, why should they be subject to go into the smoke and be affected by secondary smoke. We were very concerned with the employees". 

 

Folsom City Councilwoman Kerri Howell, herself a smoker, says that the subject has come up, in part, because of complaints from apartment residents concerned about smoke traveling through ventilation systems.

 

The City Council has directed staff to further investigate the need and possible impact of the proposal, and will re-visit the subject in the coming months.

 

What do you think? Do you agree with the ban? Is it long-overdue?

 

Infringing on the rights of smokers? Creating more of a nanny state?

[Steve Heard]

I am a non-smoker. Can't stand cigarette smoke. I do, however, realize that for a lot of people, smoking and drinking go hand in hand, so as far as bars go, I think they should be left alone.

 

I would be in favor of banning smoking on restaurant patios while food is being served.

 

As for apartments, not only for ventilation purposes, but also because cigarettes have been known to cause fires, I'd support the ban.

[mrdavex]

I am a non-smoker. Can't stand cigarette smoke. I do, however, realize that for a lot of people, smoking and drinking go hand in hand, so as far as bars go, I think they should be left alone.

 

If it wasn't for the indoor smoking ban at bars, I would never have set foot in any bar that allowed indoor smoking.  They may have lost some smoker business, but they gained my non-smoker business.  I don't mind allowing patio smoking, as long as the smoke stays outside and away from the main entrance, and it is not a table service establishment.

 

While I don't want to prohibit people from smoking inside their own homes, the smoke must stay confined, and most of the times it doesn't.  When my wife and I were dating, she lived in an older apartment complex, and even though she didn't smoke, her apartment had a strong smoke smell, as the smoke would seep in from other apartments or those who smoked in the corridors.  

[Robert Gary]

I'm a non smoker but I think that just disagreeing with someone isn't sufficient for forcing my ideas on them. They already can't smoke in my house and that works for me.

[ducky]

Regarding bars & restaurants, I think it should be up to the establishments.

 

The apartment situation is a little trickier.  I think this issue initially arose from tenants at a senior apartment place here in Folsom.  If your only option financially is to live in one of the subsidized units, I don't think you should have to suffer if the ventilation spreads the secondhand smoke.  I thought the situation was more related to smoke coming from patios, though, but I could be wrong.

 

Maybe it's just me, but if I'm asking for others to subsidize my housing I wouldn't feel that I could afford to smoke.

[kcrides99]

Should be banned in public in general. My kids don't need to be near that or even inhale the slightest amount!

Include parks, while driving, anywhere but within your own home!

Increase the tax to $5 a pack to pay for the chronic illnesses causes by smoking!

[ducky]

Hey, Steve, does this only pertain to tobacco cigarettes?  I'm asking because what if someone has a prescription  for marijuana to counteract the effects of chemotherapy and they happen to live in an apartment?

[4thgenFolsomite]

I'm with Robert Gary.

[caligirlz]

Yes, to both.

 

In apartments, not only does the smoke go through the ventilation, and through open windows, but it gets into the carpet/draperies & it's very difficult to remove the smell.

 

Smoking should be banned. Period.

 

Just call me the anti-smoker nazi.

[The Average Joe]

I hate cigarette smoke. However, I don't want a nanny state deciding for me what I can and can't do. If it is an enclosed patio, that is one thing. I say leave it up to the particular business. If an apartment wants to market to non smokers, or smokers for that matter, let them go for it and let the market decide. Same for restaurants and bars. I know you won't find me in a smoke filled venue, but that is MY choice to make. Not some nanny government.

 

Why do I rail at a cause many think I should support? Because over intrusive government is the bane of a successful, independent society. Take this example of nanny state overreach. It is absolutely unbelievable, but that is what happens when "those that know what is best for us" turn our fates over to bureaucrats.

 

http://www.slate.com..._kids_walk.html

Police and CPS grill family for letting kids walk home

 

But...but...but.... it's for the children. <hurl>

[Steve Heard]

Hey, Steve, does this only pertain to tobacco cigarettes?  I'm asking because what if someone has a prescription  for marijuana to counteract the effects of chemotherapy and they happen to live in an apartment?

 

Good question. I know that since it is illegal to smoke marijuana in public, it applies to the bars and restaurants, but I don't know how they'd handle it with apartments. 

[Robert Gary]

I only lived in an appartment briefly but each unit had its own hvac system. Is that uncommon? Someone mentioned shared ventilation. I'm wondering if that's more of a group home/care facility set up than an appartment.

[4thgenFolsomite]

Yes, each unit in an apartment has its own thermostat.

[camay2327]

From today's SacBee...   1-17-2015

 

Folsom considers smoking ban in apartments and restaurant patios

Since California passed a landmark law two decades ago banning smoking in enclosed workplaces, cities and counties have expanded restrictions, and Folsom leaders are now poised to ban smoking in apartments and in outdoor seating of restaurants and bars.

 

Statewide, 129 communities restrict smoking in outdoor seating of restaurants and bars and 39 ban smoking in apartments, according to Maria Bernabe, spokeswoman with the American Lung Association.

 

The Folsom City Council on Tuesday night directed staff to draft new amendments to the city’s 20-year-old smoking ordinance to impose those bans. The City Council began amending the ordinance last year with restrictions on smoking in recreation areas.

 

Officials said they are responding to growing concerns over the effects of secondhand smoke.

 

A majority of council members indicated they were inclined to support the expanded smoking ban after hearing a report from the city attorney about how businesses handle smoking and comments from the public. Several people spoke in support of restrictions, while the only opposition came from the Rental Housing Association of Sacramento Valley.

 

However, the association’s executive director, Jim Lofgren, said the rental industry is moving toward nonsmoking buildings and the association’s sample leases include a nonsmoking clause.

 

// the rest below //

 

http://www.sacbee.co...cle7097642.html

 

[Robert Gary]

I have a hard time believing that smokers won't smoke in their apartment. The Objectivist in me would like the business owner to make the call. If I don't like it I won't go and they can decide who's business is more important. Much easier than using govt storm troopers to enforce social rules.