Iowa bars are now restaurants

**Landshark** · 06-26-2008, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by mwoodley13

I'm not sure I understand this argument since I can drink beer, coffee, eat McDonalds, and not exercise while standing next to someone and not adversely affect their health. The only person I'd be hurting is me. This isn't the case with smoking.

What you don't understand is the elected officials in other parts of the country are trying to stop the "eating of McDonalds food" (see New Jersey wanting a special tax on fast food places), the whole coffee is bad for you craze years back (although more and more studies show the benefits of coffee), the drinking of beer (California official wanting a 200% tax on alcohol due to it's harmful effects).

Hell there's a town in Wisconsin that wants to ban drive-throughs because of the harmful emissions you emit into the atmosphere while waiting for your food.

At what point do we grow a pair and say enough is enough in this country.

**cyco2000** · 06-26-2008, 04:57 PM

I just can't believe how many people think businesses are "public" places. They're not. Just like this website isn't public--moderators can choose whether or not someone can post--it is not public.

You can choose to live healthy. Live healthy by not going to places that allow smoking--don't prohibit something that is perfectly legal to do in your own home.

**Palmer** · 06-26-2008, 04:57 PM

I predict 10 pages...

**cyco2000** · 06-26-2008, 04:58 PM

I predict that I will say basically the same thing in each of my posts.

I could be Jim Rome.

**mwoodley13** · 06-26-2008, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by Landshark

What you don't understand is the elected officials in other parts of the country are trying to stop the "eating of McDonalds food" (see New Jersey wanting a special tax on fast food places), the whole coffee is bad for you craze years back (although more and more studies show the benefits of coffee), the drinking of beer (California official wanting a 200% tax on alcohol due to it's harmful effects).

Hell there's a town in Wisconsin that wants to ban drive-throughs because of the harmful emissions you emit into the atmosphere while waiting for your food.

At what point do we grow a pair and say enough is enough in this country.

Key wording on all 3 of those examples is "trying to stop" meaning they didn't go through because enough individuals realized it was ridiculous.

**Landshark** · 06-26-2008, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by mwoodley13

Key wording on all 3 of those examples is "trying to stop" meaning they didn't go through because enough individuals realized it was ridiculous.

I hope when I son gets to be my age this still seems ridiculous, but the way things are going these days I truly wonder.

**San Francisco Cy** · 06-26-2008, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by Landshark

That's really snobbish....yikes!!! I would like you to go into the several hundred small town bars here in Iowa and let your feelings known.

I will in a couple of weeks maybe. ;-)

But, seriously, I grew up in a small town and have visited many small town bars. And about 95% of the time, these guys hunkered up to the bar are the only ones smoking, and you end up smelling like an ashtray after just a few minutes. I would also be willing to bet that a lot of these small town bar owners are publicly saying this new ban sucks to save face with the "regulars". But, in private they are elated for this change to take place...

**dmclone** · 06-26-2008, 05:05 PM

I'm no longer a smoker but I think this law sucks. Here are just a few examples.

If this isn't going to hurt bar business than why not outlaw it at the casino?

Some of you that thinks this is a good idea would cry bloody murder if they outlawed cell phones/eating in your car. I promise you that you're a lot more likely to die from a distracted driver than 2nd hand smoke. How about outlawing GPS in cars? I constantly see people weaving in traffic and when I drive up beside them they are fooling around with their GPS.

A lot of you complain about smoking but if your taxes go up because there is less cigarette tax revenue you will be crying.

How would you feel if they outlawed alcohol from tailgates? Think this is radical? If someone had told you 20 years ago that they would outlaw smoking at bars you'd laugh.

How about telling you what you can/can't wear in a bar? Maybe someone is offended by the girl in the mini-skirt.

This is just another example of big brother sticking their nose into private business. I honestly think that the majority of bars would have become non-smoking on their own in time.

**dmclone** · 06-26-2008, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by AnkenyCy24

I will in a couple of weeks maybe. ;-)

And about 95% of the time, these guys hunkered up to the bar are the only ones smoking, and you end up smelling like an ashtray after just a few minutes.

You know what those guys hunkered up to the bar are called? "regulars". That means that the $20 you spend once a month in their bar isn't as important as the person that spends 20 nights a month there.

**superdorf** · 06-26-2008, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by cyco2000

I could be Jim Rome.

PHENOMENAL................... 20 seconds of dead air............

RIDICULOUS. This smoking ban stinks.

**Al_4_State** · 06-26-2008, 05:19 PM

[quote=superdorf;521393]On the flip side...

Let's legalize marijauna, cocaine, heroin....

We should. Seeing as that would destroy most of the crime underworld that exists in this country, save the government billions of dollars every year, and end a vast majority of the gang related violence in America, its just a terrible idea (sarcasm). Oh wait, people will have legal access to substances that when consumed in excess cause addiction and possibly death, and we certainly don't have that in this country (tobacco, alcohol, what?). Legallizing drugs might be one of the smartest things this country could do. I'm sure I'll get blasted for this opinion, but oh well. Think about it though, is anyone here going to go out and buy heroin just because its legal? I sure as hell won't. The war on drugs has resulted in possibly the biggest waste of resources this country has ever endeavored in...

As far as the smoking thing, there is no doubt this is good for public health, but I think it's ridiculous that they won't allow a smoking patio. A smoking patio would not affect anyone inside the bar. The bar's themselves would have a high air quality, and there would be a separate area for those who chose to smoke. Alot of places do this in MN and everyone seems happy.

**CYKID** · 06-26-2008, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by cys_av8r

If that is all that Heaven is I am going to be ******.

Heaven to me is Sauage Egg McMuffins and Cigarettes are good for you.

I heard that in heaven ,carrots actually worsen your eyesight

**djkent01** · 06-26-2008, 05:37 PM

Just so all of you know, eliminating smoking on the patios just means you're going to have to walk through the smoke as you enter the bar - through the front door. Smokers are simply going to go outside the front door to smoke on the public sidewalk.

**UNIClone** · 06-26-2008, 05:51 PM

"the bar in my hometown is saying screw it. the owner says he will let people smoke if they want until he gets his first fine. he said he will pay the first one, but after that will get with the regulars to figure out how they want to handle it."

He might change his mind when he loses his liquor license for violating the law....

**cycloneworld** · 06-26-2008, 05:58 PM

I hate the people that say this law is great because you won't have to deal with smoke at the bar or you will enjoy not smelling like an ashtray. While this is a plus of the ban, the fact of the matter is the government is telling businesses what they can and can't do. I suppose I can accept a ban on indoor smoking (I don't even smoke but I still think business owners should have the right to decide themselves) because its bad for the people inside...but now we are banning smoking outside??

What's next...banning cars? Grilling? Bleach? All of these have harmful odors.

And finally, if smoking is sooo terrible that you are banning smoking outdoors, why the hell don't we just ban the things altogether?!?