Reply #6: The smoking ban. [View All]

[BeachBaby]

In NJ, they ordered a smoking ban in all public places, EXCEPT the Atlantic City casinos. I guess The Donald, et al coughed up some moolah to keep the smokers happy (although that, too, will be banned on October 15th).

I understand that people who don't smoke, don't want to have to smell it - so I understand the issue of restaurants and malls. But this has gotten ridiculous.

Bars and pool halls have been NOTORIOUS for being places where people kick back and relax with their drinks and smokes; but not anymore. The owner of one of these establishments doesn't even have the choice to make it a smoking bar, or a non-smoking bar. Even worse is the sports/concert stadiums. Our stadiums aren't domes - there is plenty of ventilation - and yet we can't smoke. Brilliant.

Every other weekend, my boyfriend and I have two days to ourselves while my kids are with their dad. We like to go to a nice restaurant and enjoy the food and ambience. Enter the family of five - which includes a child who decides to run around the dining area, and an infant who screams bloody murder the entire time. Who the hell wants to listen and deal with THAT shit? As a mother, I understand that you can't predict when a baby is going to decide to throw a hissy fit, but at the same time, many couples like to go out on dates and spend time together away from their kids. The high-pitched scream of one little baby can completely destroy an otherwise enjoyable evening of an entire restaurant full of people.

This is where legislators have taken it too far. What they SHOULD have done to keep everyone happy, is given the go-ahead to give any and all business owners the right to place restrictions on their establishments. If they had done THAT, there would be a place for EVERYBODY to go that would suit their needs.