poolhall smoking

The poolhall is open to the public.

I just got done getting my second to last weeks in pool league to qualify for the BCA,VNEA,ACS and a couple of more. My eyes are so foggy today I can't see the keyboard today. The smoke didn't seem that bad until I got out of it. My nose burns today and my eyes hurt.

I can't even believe that anyone on this site is argueing about rights of a smoker. It seems pretty senseless. I don't get it.

Basicly the public has screwed up by not stopping this rediculous making people sick habit from being forced on everyone else just by being there to try to enjoy something else. We're just getting it right finally.

I remember when they first started the non smoking section in the restuarants. How foolish was that. All it did was stop someone from blowing it in your face directly.

I'm like a prisoner here in wis if I want to practice or play in any tournys here. I'm sick for about 5 days after being in the smoke. Many people get sick from it in many different degrees. But they get sick.

I personally think the smoking bans are a no brainer.

Plus it might help clean up this dungy dirty image that smoking poolhalls portray. Once a person gets used to playing in smoke free poolhalls and they go to another state they all respond to it by saying , you got to be kidding, I didn't think it was that bad when you could smoke in our state. But it's horrible.

The people sticking up for the rightds of smokers in public places and business don't have a lung to stand on anymore .

Need I say more........................:bash::yeah::clapping:





I drive 2 hours to Minneapolis to give lessons and practice.

Then don't go there.... Nothing is forcing you to go to a place that has smoke that thick. Tell the room owner. Inform them that you will not play in their establishment due to the amount of smoke in it. If it start affecting his income, he'll do something about it.

BTW.. I don't smoke anymore. Have not smoked for 12+ years. I don't like smoking, but I don't think the answer is in regulation. The answer is in letting business owners know where their money comes from, and will be going if they don't do something about the problems.

They make 'Smoke Eaters' for businesses. These work very well, and would help the issue a whole lot. The problem is they're expensive. So... make it more expensive NOT to have the smoke eaters installed by taking your money someplace else. (let the room owners know why)

It seems funny to me, that everyone runs to the government to solve their problems, when they could do so much more by themselves by spending their money in ways that influenced businesses to do things that they would like.

Talk with room owners, and see if you were to get a list of names of clients that would prefer a smoke free / less smoky atmosphere. Heck.. even some of the smokers would probably sign a 'less smoky' request.

It's all in how you handle it. The room owners are going to do what will benefit them the most as far as their bottom line. That's the reason they're there. To make a living/profit. Made your voice heard by effecting that profit.
 
I can't even believe that anyone on this site is argueing about rights of a smoker. It seems pretty senseless. I don't get it.

.

For the umpteen millionth time, it's not about smokers rights. It's about the rights of a business owner to make the business decisions that directly affect his income!

Steve
 
For the umpteen millionth time, it's not about smokers rights. It's about the rights of a business owner to make the business decisions that directly affect his income!

Steve

If every place around went non smoking, and everyone was forced to smoke at home or in the street, there would be no difference in income.
 
The most important word in your post was the first one.


If


Steve

OK, simple fix. Change the word "if" to "when". Because it is happening. And it will continue to happen. Because it is the right thing to do.

And as has been pointed out many times by many people, people do get over it and adapt. It does work. By and large businesses don't close, because everyone has to play by the same rules. I promise you I;m not telling stories here, the bar scene hasn't changed significantly here since the law went into effect. The bars made accomodations for smokers, and everyone gets along very nicely.

Sorry you folks feel so bad about all this. And I'm sorry you have to fight the nicotine addiction. But I'm not sorry that I no longer have to smell like you and your ashtray, and I'm not sorry that I don't have to worry about my health being adversly affected by your bad habit.
 
The people arguing that it is about business owner's rights to conduct business as they see fit need to watch the movie Erin Brocovich.

This is a perfect example of a business that was operating in direct opposition to public health, and had to be forced to do what it should have been doing all along.

The only "right" a business has is the right to "Operate a business that meets the standards of public health and safety."

There are many workers in all these smoky businesses that will have health problems in the years to come, and since they don't make all that much to begin with, they will most likely be taken care of by tax dollars, which makes it a public health issue.

Russ
 
The people arguing that it is about business owner's rights to conduct business as they see fit need to watch the movie Erin Brocovich.

This is a perfect example of a business that was operating in direct opposition to public health, and had to be forced to do what it should have been doing all along.

The only "right" a business has is the right to "Operate a business that meets the standards of public health and safety."

There are many workers in all these smoky businesses that will have health problems in the years to come, and since they don't make all that much to begin with, they will most likely be taken care of by tax dollars, which makes it a public health issue.

Russ

That was very Large Bus of you.
 
I'm a smoker. I often wish I was'nt but have not yet put in the effort to change. I live in Canada and as others have said, there has been a ban in effect for years. At first I was opposed and thought it was stupid, and worried that it would have a huge impact on the pool halls etc.

Looking back I am so glad for the ban and the occasional time that I have been in smoke filled bars since, remind me of how disgusting it used to be. I guarantee that 95% or more of smokers around here feel the same way and 100% of non-smokers are glad as well.

The negative impact here was short lived and minimal, however I attribute that to the fact that the ban was pretty much all inclusive. If there would have been bans only in certain places or businesses I think it would have taken longer to accept.

The only thing I regret is that the ban was not far reaching enough, and they forgot to ban the most lethal and toxic form of pollution. Which is, of course, country music.
 
I dont smoke, never have, never will...When I go into a pool hall now like Magoos in Tulsa..I am fine for an hr or so....if I am playing in a tourney that is half the day in length, it affects my play, I get headaches, head is stopped up, and I just plain feel like donky crap....

I wish every public accessable building was absolutely smoke free....with the exception of having a "Smoking Room" I have been in a cpl pool halls that had this, and everyone was happy. If you needed a cig, just got to the room and slowly kill yourself....come back and play pool...all is well...that way they dont have to be punished by making them go outside.

I just feel smoking should be banned in places like this, and it would actually help everyone out in the long run.
 
The only thing I regret is that the ban was not far reaching enough, and they forgot to ban the most lethal and toxic form of pollution. Which is, of course, country music.

This is what it is all about. Damn country music!
 
For the umpteen millionth time, it's not about smokers rights. It's about the rights of a business owner to make the business decisions that directly affect his income!

Steve

His rights to make a living don't include harming the health of others.
Why this thread is continuing on so long I don't know. The health risks of prolonged exposure to 2nd hand smoke are well documented. People are still able to smoke outside, so noone is telling them they can't smoke, they just to have to go outside so there habit won't harm others. It is an easy and obvious compromise. I believe that people still arguing it are looking at it from a strong bias.
 
If smokers feel they have the right to kill me with second hand smoke, then the right to bare arms in the U.S. should allow me to defend myself and shoot smokers getting too close..... only fair!

Well, I suppose to be fair you should be allowed to shoot them with a dart that releases a toxin that slowly kills them over the next 20 years :wink:

KMRUNOUT
 
I think beer stinks and its a proven fact that it causes brain damage and liver disease maybe it should also be ban..I smoke and I wish they would outlaw smoking and alcohol tomorrow that way everyone could witness the government colapse without the taxes. If you think the economy is broke now, take away the taxes from alcohol and tobacco and see what happens. I do not like the fact that Ohio is non smoking in the pool hall so I dont go. The government doesnt care if your buisness goes down its a numbers game for them. They believe what they lose in taxes in these places they can make up plus more in the fines. If the government finds that they were making more money from the taxes they will lift the ban....

your analogy breaks down when you remember that one person *responsibly* drinking beer does not have to affect another person's health. Also, you might want to check your "proven facts". I think what you are talking about is long term heavy abuse of beer. You're not seriously suggesting that the health risks are even remotely similar for having a couple of beers vs. having a couple of cigarettes, are you?
 
The people arguing that it is about business owner's rights to conduct business as they see fit need to watch the movie Erin Brocovich.

This is a perfect example of a business that was operating in direct opposition to public health, and had to be forced to do what it should have been doing all along.

Russ

Apples and oranges, Russ. Nobody knew, and they weren't making it public knowledge about the toxic dumping, and when comfronted with it, continued to try and hide what they were doing.

I never went into a bar or pool room where people were smoking that it wasn't obvious. Entering a pool room with smokers is done with the knowledge of what you are doing.

Look, I don't really care whether or not my pool room allows smoking. And nobody is trying to say that cigarette smoke is a good thing.

Smoking is just the avenue the government is using right now to gain more control over our lives. The bans are spreading, and nobody is going to try and stop it. And when it's complete, they will move on to something else, and they will do it a little bit at a time, and nobody will try to stop it.

More government intervention into the private activities of individuals is not a good thing, ever. Whether you smoke or not, whether you like the fact that there is no smoking in pool rooms, everyone should be looking very closely, not so much at what is being done, but how it is being done!

After tobacco, what is next?
How long before it is something that infringes on your own personal life?

Just saying....

Steve
 
Now wanting to shoot smokers with guns? I might have been right on the emotional issue part...
I know 80+ year old non smokers that have been in pool rooms all there life. Why aint they dead from second hand smoke? Also i dont personally know of a single person that died of lung cancer from second hand smoke.

All that said is it a nasty filthy habit? yes. Is it really more dangerous to non smokers than drunk drivers or the food we eat? No.

And no it isnt a false choice...it is a simple choice to either subject yourself to environment you dislike or not to.

Banged up, let me take you on a little thought experiment. You play pool, right? When you are facing a tough shot or a safe, how do you decide which is the best course of action? I assume that you try and gauge the likelihood of success at each option, and take the highest percentage shot. Now, once you have made your choice, does it *always* work out the way you wanted? Probably not, cause I haven't seen you snapping off any pro tournaments (I think :-) The thing to realize here is that if you succeed at a particular shot 75% of the time, that means obviously that you will fail 25% of the time. Now lets say your friend drops by the pool room right at the moment you are facing one of those shots. You decide to go with your 75% success shot. This happens to be one of those times where you mess up. Your friend has only seen *this* attempt though. He might come away thinking that this is a 0 percent shot for you, or a very low percent. Get the idea? The fact that you failed that particular time does not change the percentage chance of success on the shot.

So now take a look at your old non-smoker exposed to second hand smoke. For that matter, take a look at hundreds of them. You might personally know 100 people who are old, were exposed to 2nd hand smoke their whole lives, and who don't smoke. This however doesn't change the percent chances for people exposed to 2nd hand smoke to contract lung cancer. There is plenty of research (and unfortunately far too uncommon common sense) showing that second hand smoke is bad for you.

I *personally* know several people who were around pool rooms their whole lives and DIED of lung cancer. One of them quit smoking over 20 years ago. Not good enough for him though.

The point is, because you can find one (or a hundred or a thousand) people who fit a particular condition, this does not necessarily represent the entire population, and you would be unwise (and illogical) to draw conclusions based on this tiny group.
 
I am a smoker and yeah i find it annoying that i have to go outside whenever i want a smoke. I was so mad when they brought the smoking ban to town, but ya know what....i don't find it as annoying anymore. being able to see the tables and see across the room at my pool hall is so much easier...when we were able to smoke indoors, all you saw was a sea of gray, and then there were days where the smoke was even to much for me. So i am pretty ok with it now.

Much appreciated. Thanks for your consideration!!
 
The ban has been an issue for smokers here in the Uk too...

Here is my story...

I am 52 years old,
Have been playing pool since I was 16 and am a lifelong non-smoker.
Until the ban came in I had to endure a faceful of second hand smoke if I wanted to play pool.

Yes I had a choice, I could choose not to play the game we all love.
But I chose to continue playing despite the risks of second hand smoke,
After all it will never happen to me right???

Wrong!

Last October I was diagnosed with a rare and difficult form of Cancer.. at the base of my tongue.
Caused I am told almost certainly by my constant exposure to second hand smoke.

I have just completed an intense 7 week course of daily Radio AND Chemotherapy.
I am burned to hell on the inside and outside of my throat and neck.
I have been fed thru a tube in my stomach for the past 6 weeks..

Check out my blog here http://willybang.wordpress.com/

I have a 23.6% chance of being alive in five years time.

Thats the result of the choice smokers gave ME before the ban came in.
Is it really so much to ask that you smoke outside?

PS. My ambition for this year is to get well, practice my ass off and fly over for the US open in October.
Hopefully meet up with many of you there!

My God!!! I'm so sorry, and thanks so much for sharing your story. This is horrible. I think you really summed up the whole issue right there:
"Is it really so much to ask that you smoke outside?"
The funny thing is, that many smokers simply lack the common courtesy that make the answer to this question obvious. Perhaps addiction and blatant selfishness go hand in hand?

I hope you make it to the US Open!! Good luck with your game and even more luck with your health. You know people can turn around--a positive mental attitude goes a LONG way.

Take care,

KMRUNOUT
 
Apples and oranges, Russ. Nobody knew, and they weren't making it public knowledge about the toxic dumping, and when comfronted with it, continued to try and hide what they were doing.

I never went into a bar or pool room where people were smoking that it wasn't obvious. Entering a pool room with smokers is done with the knowledge of what you are doing.

Look, I don't really care whether or not my pool room allows smoking. And nobody is trying to say that cigarette smoke is a good thing.

Smoking is just the avenue the government is using right now to gain more control over our lives. The bans are spreading, and nobody is going to try and stop it. And when it's complete, they will move on to something else, and they will do it a little bit at a time, and nobody will try to stop it.

More government intervention into the private activities of individuals is not a good thing, ever. Whether you smoke or not, whether you like the fact that there is no smoking in pool rooms, everyone should be looking very closely, not so much at what is being done, but how it is being done!

After tobacco, what is next?
How long before it is something that infringes on your own personal life?

Just saying....

Steve

Tried to rep you, cannot right now, but well spoken

I don't smoke cigs
I don't like smoke
I have very few friends that smoke
Most are very considerate about asking to smoke when we are in a bar where it is allowed
My favorite place to play is a bar where you cannot smoke
I prefer to play where people don't smoke

I still don't like it being banned, and I have expressed it about 5 different ways....I have listed several other things that are bad for the individual, others around them, and society as a whole.....the "bad for you" police won't stop with smoking, and as he said, what happens when their next target is something that effects you negatively....maybe you, your family, and your business.....all of a sudden you are in the minority....
 
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