Ah, the fresh breeze...of the Smoking Ban
Feb. 6th, 2008 11:32 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
terribleturnipWell, or the usual funk of too many people in one place. And spilled beer. But that might just make my stomach jump until it gets used to it.
But a brief wafting of sympathy is all I can do for you -- because well, I just suck at sympathy, for starters -- and, while at the expense of your convenience and even enjoyment, I can breathe again. And go to see shows and bands and performances that have been near off-limits to me for years.
Yeah, yeah, I know, your rights....they end where they infringe on mine, as far as I'm concerned -- because it IS all about me! And I'm tired of not being able to go see Trixie Little, Bonearama, another half a dozen acts/bands whose shows I've had to blow off because faced with the choice of going, risking needing to leave early because of an asthma attack and guaranteeing 24-48 hours of hacking up chunky snots afterwards...and going to see them, I usually have to bow out. Being able to see the Do or Die Mysteries or go to trivia night at Whispers (FABULOUS), without paying for it for 2 days later...oh, joy. (Note: for all I know, these places have invoked the hardship clause...idiots...so I may be celebrating prematurely) Although, all the bitching aside, restaurant and bar revenues rise in localities that ban indoor smoking. And if it's so bad for business -- well, trust me, I work closely with Marriott and they are all about what makes sense to the bottom line. (Marriott recently banned smoking in all US properties, hotels, conference centers, including rooms, bars, restaurants.)
Sure I could argue in your favor. If I don't like it, I can stay in Montgomery County. Although, I can argue that you can take your habit outside and my lungs pretty much have to stay with me, wherever I go. And an oxygen tank is not the best idea in a crowded place full of drunkards and lighters. And if I don't want to risk inhaling vast quantities of second hand smoke, I could work someplace else. Although when you're in a bar, you're only trapped in it for what, how many hours a week? Far less than 40-50, like the wait staff and bartenders have to endure, I'm guessing. Like farts, your own stink is always easier to take. Go work someplace else? Sure, that's easy for me to say, and probably for you. But for the single Mom who needs to be able to waitress or bartend someplace within walking/bus distance and doesn't have a lot of options -- that's a harsh call.
I would make one change -- that smoking establishments should be allowed AND licensed like liquor -- with only so many in a given geographic area (so that there would be plenty of options, say, to be a bartender without having to resign yourself in inhaling that crap unwillingly) yet there would be a majority of places that the rest of us could enjoy while letting the smokers envelope themselves. The extra money raised from licensing should go to fund the health benefits of the people who work there -- because they WILL cost more money than nonsmokers, who aren't exposed to 40 hours/week of smoke.
But really, when it comes down to it, I'm glad. Pleased as punch. Happy as a clam. I'll be able to breathe, I'll be able to socialize and let's face it, if I love you, I want you to quit. And I'm enough of a benevolent dictator-type to have no qualms about squashing your rights to do whatever you want to do wherever you want to do it. Quit panicking that this is just another step that will lead to the government taking away your right to eat a potato chip. Did abortion lead to euthanasia of old people (as a right-to-lifer told my high school civ class)? No. Not that I'm against that, either, frankly, but that my friends is another can of old worms.
Besides, if Ireland, Italy and France...three countries where I think you're born with a cigarette in your hand...can enact bans...well, hell, they made us look like pussies, afraid we'll catch a cold if we go outside for a smoke....
Refrain from posting if you're outraged -- I'm having a brief shining moment in an otherwise awful week (I got my contract done before the deadline and I wanna bask before I go back to all the stuff that has piled up) and I so don't want to hear it....
But a brief wafting of sympathy is all I can do for you -- because well, I just suck at sympathy, for starters -- and, while at the expense of your convenience and even enjoyment, I can breathe again. And go to see shows and bands and performances that have been near off-limits to me for years.
Yeah, yeah, I know, your rights....they end where they infringe on mine, as far as I'm concerned -- because it IS all about me! And I'm tired of not being able to go see Trixie Little, Bonearama, another half a dozen acts/bands whose shows I've had to blow off because faced with the choice of going, risking needing to leave early because of an asthma attack and guaranteeing 24-48 hours of hacking up chunky snots afterwards...and going to see them, I usually have to bow out. Being able to see the Do or Die Mysteries or go to trivia night at Whispers (FABULOUS), without paying for it for 2 days later...oh, joy. (Note: for all I know, these places have invoked the hardship clause...idiots...so I may be celebrating prematurely) Although, all the bitching aside, restaurant and bar revenues rise in localities that ban indoor smoking. And if it's so bad for business -- well, trust me, I work closely with Marriott and they are all about what makes sense to the bottom line. (Marriott recently banned smoking in all US properties, hotels, conference centers, including rooms, bars, restaurants.)
Sure I could argue in your favor. If I don't like it, I can stay in Montgomery County. Although, I can argue that you can take your habit outside and my lungs pretty much have to stay with me, wherever I go. And an oxygen tank is not the best idea in a crowded place full of drunkards and lighters. And if I don't want to risk inhaling vast quantities of second hand smoke, I could work someplace else. Although when you're in a bar, you're only trapped in it for what, how many hours a week? Far less than 40-50, like the wait staff and bartenders have to endure, I'm guessing. Like farts, your own stink is always easier to take. Go work someplace else? Sure, that's easy for me to say, and probably for you. But for the single Mom who needs to be able to waitress or bartend someplace within walking/bus distance and doesn't have a lot of options -- that's a harsh call.
I would make one change -- that smoking establishments should be allowed AND licensed like liquor -- with only so many in a given geographic area (so that there would be plenty of options, say, to be a bartender without having to resign yourself in inhaling that crap unwillingly) yet there would be a majority of places that the rest of us could enjoy while letting the smokers envelope themselves. The extra money raised from licensing should go to fund the health benefits of the people who work there -- because they WILL cost more money than nonsmokers, who aren't exposed to 40 hours/week of smoke.
But really, when it comes down to it, I'm glad. Pleased as punch. Happy as a clam. I'll be able to breathe, I'll be able to socialize and let's face it, if I love you, I want you to quit. And I'm enough of a benevolent dictator-type to have no qualms about squashing your rights to do whatever you want to do wherever you want to do it. Quit panicking that this is just another step that will lead to the government taking away your right to eat a potato chip. Did abortion lead to euthanasia of old people (as a right-to-lifer told my high school civ class)? No. Not that I'm against that, either, frankly, but that my friends is another can of old worms.
Besides, if Ireland, Italy and France...three countries where I think you're born with a cigarette in your hand...can enact bans...well, hell, they made us look like pussies, afraid we'll catch a cold if we go outside for a smoke....
Refrain from posting if you're outraged -- I'm having a brief shining moment in an otherwise awful week (I got my contract done before the deadline and I wanna bask before I go back to all the stuff that has piled up) and I so don't want to hear it....
