Hot Topic (9/15): Should smoking be banned in outdoor areas?

[Cafe GroupAdmin]

From The NYTimes.com:

When New York City's smoking ban took effect in 2003, cigarette and cigar puffers were driven outdoors.

But soon the outdoors--or at least much of it--may no longer be an option.

The city's health commissioner, Dr. Thomas A. Farley, announced on Monday that the Bloomberg administration would seek to ban smoking in city parks and beaches.

Such bans are still rare, though growing in  number.  A number of municipalities ---particularly in California--have banned smoking in outdoor parks, playgrounds and beaches.  In 2007, Los Angeles extended its smoking ban, which already covered beaches and playgrounds, to include municipal parks.  Later that year, Chicago banned smoking at its beaches and playgrounds, though smoking is still allowed in many parks.

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Do you think smoking should be banned in outdoor areas such as city parks and beaches? 

Should smokers have the right to smoke outdoors?

[justauntie]

No way.......

[Rivkah_Ahava]

It is banned where I live and also we can't smoke on any patio outside of bars.

[Mergath]

In playgrounds, yes.  There's no reason for anyone to sit in a playground, or any other area primarily used by children, and smoke.  But banning smoking on beaches and the like seems a little extreme.

[Lizardannie1966]

I've been to a few NYC beaches and they were littered with cigarette butts so I can see the point there. I can also understand playgrounds. Why smoke around your child while they're on the playground?

But there are other areas that are geared for smokers, where they've been herded off. My suggestion to the non-smokers is just don't go to these areas. 

[mommytobe921]

I still cannot believe that I cannot smoke at the bar!!! It is ridiculous! Everyone at the bar is over 21 years old and most of them are getting drunk lol.  Why would people at a bar care if I am smoking.  Now, a playground I would never smoke at and should be against the law.  Not sure about parks.  I don't see myself smoking there unless I am there for over 2 hours.  Restaurants should be illegal because even though you have a smoking section, you can still smell the smoke in the non-smoking section and many families go to restaurants.

[witch_e_woman]

Yes, at Playgrounds/Kids Parks & schl areas, however, other than those places~ Hell, NO !!!

[athenax3]

At schools, and playgrounds sure, but in general no, but the fact that it's a bit extreme isn't going to stop it from happening- smokers are like the new pc villians of the current social climate, lol....I've quit, but even when I smoked I did it at home primarily and always outside- though I imagine soon your neighbor will be able to call and report you if they can smell the smoke from thier backyard, lol...I laugh, but it's likely true. I'm just glad I quit so I don't have to deal with it.

[adulation]

If we're talking city owned parks & beaches,  yes,  i think the city has a right to ban smoking in those vicinities, even though it's outdoors. 

If we're talking restaurants/bars then no, i don't think the gov't should enforce an outdoor smoking ban.  That should be up to the business.  i think starbucks, for example, has always chosen to be a non smoking environment, even on their patios.  at least the ones by me have. 
but other places allow smoking on their patios.   smoking on a sidewalk/the street.  those are things that should be legally acceptable.

[adulation]

Quoting mommytobe921:

I still cannot believe that I cannot smoke at the bar!!! It is ridiculous! Everyone at the bar is over 21 years old and most of them are getting drunk lol.  Why would people at a bar care if I am smoking.  Now, a playground I would never smoke at and should be against the law.  Not sure about parks.  I don't see myself smoking there unless I am there for over 2 hours.  Restaurants should be illegal because even though you have a smoking section, you can still smell the smoke in the non-smoking section and many families go to restaurants.

lol.  i don't know what kind of trashy bars you go to,  but here in houston people don't go out to bars just to get drunk.  they host musicians and art shows and other events that people go to.

[luckcharm]

No,  smoking outside should not be banned. 

Put up no smoking signs around playground and schools, thats fine and most of them in my area all ready have them,  but to ban smokers from going outside is really pushing it.