Are you ready to quit? Tell us
After midnight Thursday, many Ohioans (and perhaps a few Kentuckians) may breathe easier because a statewide smoking ban takes effect.
No smoking in public anymore in Ohio (with a few exceptions). So what does this really mean and how will Ohio smokers change their lives?
Those are among the questions we want you to answer as the ban takes effect.
Will you:
- Abide by the law?
- Go to bars, restaurants or clubs in Kentucky?
- Be more likely to frequent Ohio bars, restaurants and clubs that are now smokeless?
- Decide to kick your smoking habit?
If so, we want to hear from you. Be a part of our community conversation on the new smoking ban. We will discuss the issue in Sunday’s Forum section.
Please email responses to letters@enquirer.com (write smoking in the subject line). Or add a comment to this blog.
posted by Byron McCauley at 6:20 PM
10 Comments:
at 2:29 PM, December 07, 2006 
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at 5:31 PM, December 07, 2006 
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at 3:16 PM, December 09, 2006 
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at 9:02 AM, December 10, 2006 
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at 9:31 AM, December 10, 2006 
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at 10:04 AM, December 11, 2006 
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at 10:33 AM, December 11, 2006 
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at 6:14 PM, December 11, 2006 
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at 7:12 PM, December 11, 2006 
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at 10:10 PM, December 13, 2006 
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Post a Comment*I will definitely be frequenting more restaurants, and far more often, now that I and my children will not be subject to the stench and hazards of second-hand smoke. My father-in-law survived a minor cardiac event a few years ago and we're very happy that we can go out with him now and not worry about him breathing in all the junk smokers produce. The non-smoking sections have never been efficient. The smell permeates the establishment and the hair/clothes of the customers, regardless of how many fans one uses to move the air around.
California, with an economy most countries envy, did not fall into the ocean after their No Smoking bill passed many years ago. It's a pleasure to know that, no matter what building we enter there, we won't be inundated with foul-smelling cigarette/cigar smoke. I look forward to enjoying the same experience here in Ohio.
The citizens voted and the majority want this ban. Yea!
I think it should of been up to the businesses, they own the place! what gives people the rights to tell them how to run there business they own it!If they allowed smoking go elsewhere,Just like the smokers had the right to choose if they wanted to go to a non smoking place! More then half these little hole in the wall bars you uptight people don't hang out in anyways! If they would of explain on what people was voting for in the first place 4 would of most likley passed, you still would not of got to smoke in alot of places but at least the owners would of had a choice in the matter. I won't be going to the bars in ohio anymore.
Shame on the Cincinnati Enquirer for your misleading headline, “Smoking Ban takes a Breather”, (December 8, 2006). Since when do we have the choice as to what laws to obey and what laws to ignore?
The ban is IN effect as of December 7. The people have spoken, by an overwhelming majority, to take back their personal health, and to eliminate smoking and second hand smoke in public places.
I will not patronize any businesses that do not comply with the “No Smoking” law just because penalties have not been determined. It is the law. If they chose not to follow this law, how can I be assured that they are following other fire, safety, and health laws? Maybe, they will try to squeeze a few more meals out of that expired meat or poultry because no one is looking.
The proprietors that ignore the ban, say that they need the smokers for their revenues. What they fail to realize is that their economics may improve if they were smoke-free. They feel they will comply when penalties are in place. What they have miscalculated is that some people, including myself, will not patronize their businesses now or at any point in the future because of their criminal behavior
I'm a sometime smoker in favor of the ban. Since it started, I've been out to a few of my favorite local bars and it is so much nicer without the smoke. Before, I'd be tempted to not go to places I knew would be especially smoky. Now, no worries. This should be a boon to many bars. And I'm sure the people who work at these places are much happier not having to breathe forced smoke every night.
I am so tired of hearing about the non-smokers rights. If you know that a place allows smoking, they why in the world would you go there? DONT GO THERE. I am a smoker and if an establishment is going to allowing smoking, then I will be there. I dont go to Applebees, because they are smoke-free, but you dont hear us smokers whining about that, so you? So SHUT UP you big cry babies!!!!
I am a non-smoker totally against this smoking ban. Tobacco is a legal product from which this State derives a great deal of tax money. It is wrong for the State to ban the use of tobacco in a private business. Economics will do the banning. If no one goes to a bar or restaurant that allows smoking, the owners will ban it. Just what is wrong with posting a sign on the door "SMOKING PERMITTED"? This would tell everyone BEFORE they enter what to expect. Stop with the endless laws. Soon the number of breaths you take will be controlled by law.
Let me clear up something for smokers. It's a bar, yes. And if I don't like it, I can leave...except I'm in the band. I can't leave; I work here. I don't smoke, because my living depends on my ability to draw in large amounts of air. I don't just breathe at work; I take deep breaths, all night long. I'm STUCK here, working, while you stink up my clothes and clog up my lungs, the lungs I use to make my living.
Some musicians smoke. Most of the ones I know and work with do not. Do not be so ignorant as to lump all of us into one big box...many singers and players in this town have a great deal of trouble working in the unhealthy air. Musicians in very popular bands in this town have had to take weeks off of work because of health issues such as asthma...I know this for a fact.
You smoking party-hounds get to work in the daytime in your clean-air office buildings. The work for me is in the bars...your ashtrays. That's where my work is; I can't leave. Would you prefer I go on welfare and you support me with your tax dollars, rather than let me make my living entertaining you in a healthy environment? Why should I have to breathe your nastiness just because I make music for a living? Well, I shouldn't. I should have the right to have my health insurance rates lowered because I work in a non-smoking place. I should have the right to perform without gagging on your smoke.
I am thrilled about this law passing. I know dozens of other musicians in this town are thrilled, too. Finally, we can work AND breathe. I voted for this law, I'm glad to see most Ohioans voted for it too. THANK YOU!!
As for the smokers, perhaps you need to start self-serving your drinks and play the jukebox, rather than force waitresses, bartenders, and the band to put up with your nasty smoke anymore.
It would be very interesting to see everyone in Ohio quit smoking and see what happens to the state budget.
I am a non-smoker who voted against the ban. I do not particularly like the smell of smoke, especially when I am eating. However, I see the ban as an intrusion into private businesses. Many non-smokers say they will go out more often, but that is rarely the case. I hope they do go out more because the ban will effect Cincinnati businesses more so than it will in Columbus or Cleveland. Citizens in those cities have no choice but to abide by the ban. Citizens here can always go to Indiana or Kentucky.
As an 18 year-old, I remember having dinner with my parents, an aunt and uncle, and another couple at my home. I remember telling them that as citizens, we have given the government the sword to cut our throats. We ask too much of government. Not everything needs to be placed on a ballot, or heard in a court room. For god's sake people, wake up! People in favor of the ban are sheep. They are easily slaughtered. Some of us, though against smoking, are capable of making up our own minds without the government or someone else telling us what we can and cannot do.
OHIO SMOKING BAN
My heart bleeds . . .
It is quite understandable to see and hear the public commotion to the smoking ban. Any echoes to such a complex subject are not about to fade away soon. This is a free nation; it is also a land of law. I am proud of being part of this wonderful configuration. Nevertheless, nothing is perfect; we always find a few faults in the system, sometimes in abundance. The people have voted. New laws were adopted. Maybe not overwhelmingly popular, but nonetheless they are laws to comply with. If you want to change them, do it in the next election. Remember—it is a free country. Do not blow smoke in the face of your opponents. I am not offended by the rumbling of the general public. I am, however, deeply disturbed by our elected officials’ powerlessness and more so by the shameful disregard of entrepreneurs to their loyal patrons and the public at large. A few of their media slogans were no other than clear incitement: “ ‘Smoke ’em if ya got ’em . . .’ ” Shame on you! A sad thought: we have many other laws that are being respected just the same—immigration, national security, just to name a few. So, at this point, I’ll use my most modest protest to all those who laugh in the face of our civilized institution: As they say in the Broadway’s Monty Python’s Spamalot, “I fart in your general direction.”
Kalman Kivkovich
Clifton
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