Complaint: Suggestion No More Excuses...
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  #31  
Old Jan 2, 2010, 4:07 PM
jimworcs jimworcs is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Lot et Garonne, France
Posts: 3,197
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Well clearly we are going to disagree about smoking in restaurants. I do not actually object to a restaurant or bar being a designated a smoking bar. I would not have passed such a draconian law on smoking. However, all restaurants or bars which allow smoking should ban children and have prominant signs outside. Smoking on airlines and other places such as shopping malls and public facilities should banned altogether. Then, if patrons decide they wish to go there, that is fine. However, having smoking and non-smoking areas within a single establishment is not acceptable, especially for staff who may have to go between both areas.

Quote:
Just because you may not be inconvienced by a smokeing ban, there may be a ban at some point that will make you feel like you are not valued as a customer. When you feel that your rights are being stepped on. Like a restaurant that doesn't accept kids. Doesn't provide for people in wheelchairs or walkers. Maybe we can go back to the 50's and get restaurants that don't accept blacks.
Your stance which implies smoking is a civil rights issue is highly offensive. The smoking ban is not "discrimination" or it would be unconstitutional. There are perfectly valid health and public protection reasons for it. Your habit has the potential to kill other people. (If you google Roy Castle and Lung Cancer, you can read about a British entertainer who died of lung cancer caused by second hand smoke). To suggest that infringing on your freedom to smoke is analogous to the deprivation of the civil rights of blacks is deeply offensive and bordering on the racist.

I support an approach of not spending your money with suppliers who do not meet your expectations. However, to suggest you are not welcome at restaurants who do not allow smoking is just stupid. The restauranteur would be breaking the law to allow you to smoke. Your anger should be directed at the legislature. To take out your anger on the restauranteur, who has no means of controlling the law, is petty and ridiculous.

However, a more mature approach might be to be a little less selfish and more understanding of the needs and rights of others. I don't wish to see your right to smoke taken away, but you should equally respect the wishes of others not to be subjected to the smoke generated by your habit. The mutual respect of each others rights will make a more tolerant and livable society.