Smoking • U.S. Open 9 Ball Champion

[genomachino]

Sad statistics but reality. How can it go on?

It only takes 20 minutes of secondhand smoke exposure before breathing is impaired, a new study shows.

Researchers from the University of Athens, the Hellenic Cancer Society and the Harvard School of Public Health had 15 healthy study participants go inside a chamber meant to simulate a bar or car filled with secondhand smoke particulates for 20 minutes to see how their breathing was impaired.

In just that short amount of time, air flow through the participants' airways was impeded.

"The observed short-term effects of secondhand smoke tell us that even a short exposure is indeed harmful for normal airways," study researcher Dr. Panagiotis Behrakis, M.D., FCCP, of the University of Athens, said in a statement.

The new findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians; because the study has yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, findings should be regarded as preliminary.

Similarly, a study published in 2007 in the American Journal of Public Health showed that cancer-causing NNK -- a compound that comes from the smoke of cigarettes -- builds up by 6 percent every hour in bar- and restaurant-workers who are exposed to secondhand smoke during their night shifts, TIME reported.

"We were somewhat surprised by the immediacy of the effect and the fact that we could measure the average hourly increase," study researcher Michael Stark, principal investigator at the Mulmomah County Health Department in Oregon, told TIME.


Earlier this year, a study in the American Journal of Public Health showed just how many lives secondhand smoke claims in the U.S. each year: 42,000, Livescience reported.

I couldn't believe it when I read this. When your body is telling you to get out of the fire you should listen.

Kind of makes you wonder what is wrong with this picture. 42,000 deaths from second hand smoke that are documented. How many go undocumented.

It's one thing to smoke and wreck your own health. It's pretty sad to want to play pool and have to play in the smoke. Just trying to have some fun and enjoy the game we love and you might just end up dead because of it.

No wonder so many people won't even step in a smoking poolhall?

 

[genomachino]

Used for sharking.........

Knowing that I hate the cigs I had 2 of my last 3 matches with smokers. Unfortunately I played both matches on the same table in the corner of the room.

There is one little table to sit at. I asked first player to please move the cigerette over to another table shared with another pool table at the footrail of ours. @ times I got bombbarded with smoke as I was shooting crucial shots. It just ain't right . He appoligized when I turned are and said what the ----. He claimed the smoke eater made the smoke go all around me. The other player at table had a cig going also. What a sad situation.

I played the next guy at that table and didn't even ask him to move the cig. He had a cig going all the time non stop during our match. He knew how much I hated it.

There should be some rule on this. It just ain't right that they can use their habit to shark the opponent.

And then there is the lighting it up at some of the most opportune times. They are constantly moving and never sitting still.

It's just so rude and crude.

great thread Joey A.

 

[sfleinen]

I think it would be nice if a tournament banned smoking...
...instead of waiting for legislation.

pt..<...smokes

The problem with that approach is that you will then *guarantee* that there will be cities, businesses, and tournaments that will specifically be "hold outs" to cater to the smokers.

Notice also, that most of the cities that JoeyA lists are in the southern part of the country, where the tobacco industry is in large part based. This, paired with that "the South will rise again!" rebel thing, and it guarantees that this problem won't get fixed any time soon.

-Sean <-- usually can bear it smoking establishments, but chalks it up to a very expensive night -- has to donate his clothes to GoodWill afterwards due to the irremovable smell

 

[acousticsguru]

I can relate because it's the reason I'm not going to one particular pool hall turned into "private club" for precisely this reason (smoking is banned in public space) that is one of the handful places where there would be a Straight Pool tournament regularly. Makes me sad because one doesn't get to play much Straight Pool around here, but the one time I participated, by the end of the tournament, my eyes were are red and itchy, and I had to drive home a hundred miles late at night.

Greetings from Switzerland, David.
_________________

„J'ai gâché vingt ans de mes plus belles années au billard. Si c'était à refaire, je recommencerais.“ – Roger Conti

 

[Chopdoc]

It's a simple matter and does not require a long explanation as the OP provided. I am very surprised that the topic can continue to create so much discussion.



The champ spent time and money going to a tournament where he didn't know there would be smoking. He apparently has a personal policy against that yet is is not secret information. It seems that the gentleman demonstrates very poor planning skill, very poor awareness, and very poor decision making skills. Obviously if this were not true he would have never been at that tournament.


.

 

[tobybutton]

wow, was very shocked to read this thread as i just assumed smoking inside public venues wasnt allowed in the u.s. smoking was completely banned in australia inside public venues about 5yrs ago now. must be outside in a designated smoking area to smoke. pool hall owners i know took about a %20-30 drop in revenue when these laws came in. took about 1-2yrs to recover.

 

[C.Milian]

Excellent thread Joey. When you idolize someone, their actions have a strong influence on you.

 

[iba7467]

I'd lay a biscuit to SEVERAL THOUSAND... SVB will play pool if he thinks he can win big money no matter the environment! He LOVES da dough BRO!!

But, kudos to him for bringing it to light. I personally hate being around smoke. But I have played countless hours of pool and poker for one reason, the thrill of the steal!! Same reason SVB will be glad to do it if he could snap those events off every week or month. Hell he made more than US OPEN!! Our health is worth something though. So, all the smokers take it outdoors!!

And I bet he got paid for this one.

 

[JoeyA]

The problem with that approach is that you will then *guarantee* that there will be cities, businesses, and tournaments that will specifically be "hold outs" to cater to the smokers.

Notice also, that most of the cities that JoeyA lists are in the southern part of the country, where the tobacco industry is in large part based. This, paired with that "the South will rise again!" rebel thing, and it guarantees that this problem won't get fixed any time soon.

-Sean <-- usually can bear it smoking establishments, but chalks it up to a very expensive night -- has to donate his clothes to GoodWill afterwards due to the irremovable smell

I have never seen a tobacco farm in Louisiana. I doubt that there are any tobacco farms in Louisiana. Sugarcane farms sure, but tobacco... I doubt it.

 

[JoeyA]

Smoking or not smoking; it's really about respect for one another. I think that those who smoke should respect the rights of those who choose not to smoke.

And non-smokers should respect the right of those who choose to smoke.

There should be compromises made for both groups but that's just my own opinion.

 

[spktur]

Shane Van Boening came to Louisiana to play in the fabled White Diamonds, "BIG CALCUTTA" weekend bar table tournament and in spite of getting knocked to the one loss side, managed to come back strong through the one loss side, to win by double-dipping the same guy who knocked Shane to the other side. James Davis, Jr. had a GREAT TOURNAMENT playing some of the best pool I have ever seen him play.

Shane did not know about the smoking at this tournament event and it was quite apparent that he didn't enjoy the smoke.

While doing some commentary with me, the subject of smoking at the tournament somehow came up. As I recall, Shane just mentioned it without any prompting by me. I'm glad to see Shane setting an example for other pool players by great work ethic, attitude etc. His stand on no drugs and no smoking, coupled with a healthy lifestyle which includes hitting the gym on a regular basis allows for him to be a great role model for all pool players and other athletes.

Shane said that he would not be returning to this event if smoking is allowed inside of the building. He also does not attend other tournaments where smoking is allowed in the event area.

I hope that tournament promoters and pool room owners will take notice of Shane's stand and I thank him for standing up for what's right and intelligent.

Since this event I have talked to MANY SMOKERS (who play pool locally as well as nationally) who agree that if smoking were not allowed inside of the building where the tournament is held, it would be better for all concerned.

People with contacts suffer from the smoke in the air as well as those who are sensitive to the smoke, like Gene Albrecht. Hell, I've got COPD from smoking and I don't like the smoke one bit but I've kind of been silent for the most part because I did that to myself with years of heavy smoking and I didn't feel like I had the right to tell others to do what I had been unable to do for so many years. I'm lucky that I quit smoking so long ago as I am not in as bad a shape as some with COPD.

I'm wondering if the following information is correct and if it is correct then what in the hell are these few states waiting for?

A smoking ban (either state or local) has been enacted covering all bars and restaurants in each of the 60 most populated cities in the United States except these 16: Arlington, Texas, Atlanta, Fort Worth, Jacksonville, Memphis, Miami, Las Vegas, Nashville, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Tampa, Tulsa, and Virginia Beach.

These cities and states have been holding out for too long. The majority of the cities and states have taken a stand against smoking in public places and I think it is time for these holdouts to do the same.

It's really sad if you think about it. Forget about the health risks that smoking promotes. Recently a poster posted a link about the IMMEDIATE REDUCTION IN LUNG PERFORMANCE from SECOND HAND SMOKE by the University of Athens if I am not mistaken. The evidence is here and there's no arguing about it. But forget all of that. If you're not going to think about the health problems from smoking or being around second hand smoke, at least think about the stink and irritation that smoking causes.

I have to use eye drops in my eyes at every tournament in Louisiana and sometimes multiple times per night just to keep my eyes from being irritated.

Anyway, this isn't a personal whine but the fact that a WORLD CHAMPION like Shane stepping up and taking a stand makes me feel a lot better about the future of pool and the people playing the game.

Hopefully, other important public pool figures, including the pool room owners, promoters etc will take a stand like Shane and maybe in the future we will have smoke free pool tournaments.

I hope this day of smoking abstinence in public places comes real soon. I see a lot of people who don't want to come into pool rooms because of the smoke.

This not smoking issue isn't about power or taking away someone's right to smoke. It's about giving all of us a break from the smoke, especially in the public places, like bars, restaurants and other public buildings.

I mean, how hard is it to take yourself outside between matches and light them up outside? Actually, I see MANY PLAYERS who smoke going outside to smoke. Apparently even they don't like the smoke inside of the tournament area.

I've had my say and so has Shane Van Boening, WORLD CHAMPION.

Let's hear what you have to say.

Keep it civil and let us know how you feel.

The smoking ban law in Tennessee leaves a little choice to the business owner on how he/she wants to run their business in that if they choose to allow smoking it must be for 21 and older only including employees. The idea is that adults have the right to choose how to run a business and adults have a right to choose where they do business. If smoking bothers someone don't go to a smoking establishment.

 

[sfleinen]

I have never seen a tobacco farm in Louisiana. I doubt that there are any tobacco farms in Louisiana. Sugarcane farms sure, but tobacco... I doubt it.

I did say "most," JoeyA. Your list was obviously not exclusive to the south nor to tobacco-industried cities; and, I'm sure, the list was not complete, either. Just a representative sampling off the top of your head, correct?

-Sean

 

[pt109]

I'd lay a biscuit to SEVERAL THOUSAND...
So, all the smokers take it outdoors!!

Sooo...you guys must have the most expensive biscuits in history.....
...they're worth MORE than SEVERAL THOUSAND?:wink:

...but I agree with taking it outdoors.

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

The long and short of it for me is this:

Please don't place me at a disadvantage by puffing on that nasty cigarette while we play or I will kick your ass and take your money at warp-5 speed without so much as providing you the courtesy of making you feel like you ever had a chance.

Not sure I can actually do that but gawddamn it felt good typing it. :grin:

carry on.

best,
brian kc

 

[jalapus logan]

The problem with that approach is that you will then *guarantee* that there will be cities, businesses, and tournaments that will specifically be "hold outs" to cater to the smokers.

Notice also, that most of the cities that JoeyA lists are in the southern part of the country, where the tobacco industry is in large part based. This, paired with that "the South will rise again!" rebel thing, and it guarantees that this problem won't get fixed any time soon.

-Sean <-- usually can bear it smoking establishments, but chalks it up to a very expensive night -- has to donate his clothes to GoodWill afterwards due to the irremovable smell

Kentucky is essentially synonymous with tobacco, yet Lexington where I live has gone totally smoke free in all public indoor spaces including bars. There are now only two places in town where I play pool that still allow smoking. They can do so by law because they are technically "private clubs" - the VFW and the American Legion. These two places are terrible to play in. I also wear contacts and it is hell on my eyes. It is also hell on my allergies. But I have to give props to our local legislators who bucked the state trend and banned the activity indoors. We have a nice league scene here and no one complains about having to go outside to burn one. At first, bars fought it, but now they are on board. My local watering hole actually had to expand their square footage by 50% since the ban (note: not saying it is attributable to the ban - they just have a hell of a business). All told, I'll still play in a smokey environment, but only because I am a pool nut....

 

[bigshooter]

I have an idea, lets boycott tournaments that serve hotdogs, fries and pizza. We don't want the public to get fat do we? Lets help them control their weight.

Those things may not be healthy but they only affect the person eating them, not everyone around them. It's not like I eat a cheese burger, suck the fat out with a syringe and run around the room injecting everyone with saturated fat.

 

[justadub]

Those things may not be healthy but they only affect the person eating them, not everyone around them. It's not like I eat a cheese burger, suck the fat out with a syringe and run around the room injecting everyone with saturated fat.

Funny how we don't hear much about "second hand saturated fat"....

 

[sfleinen]

Funny how we don't hear much about "second hand saturated fat"....

And besides, you can have fun with that, too. Classic Rodney Dangerfield joke: "I once had a girlfriend *so* fat, I would take her to McDonalds, then go outside, look up, and watch the '[XX] Billions Served' sign change..."

 

[Tramp Steamer]

Great thread, great responses.
In order to save my life a doctor had to take a piece of a vein from my leg and a piece of an artery from my chest and graft it to my heart. All because I smoked. Don't let it happen to you. :frown:

 

[CreeDo]

Every time... when I'm sucking down the nastiness in our league hall and coughing... every single time, I think: "How is it this hasn't been banned everywhere?"

...and I have to stop the line of thought right there or I'll just get angry.

It's a real step backwards having moved from a state with sane laws, to a state that doesn't. I'm tired of my life being measurably worse just to humor someone's shitty habit.

It's like having a diesel truck pointing its exhaust right at you.

Putting health issues aside, the smell is nasty, I can't WAIT to get out of my clothes after league night. Guys who say "oh come on, it's not that bad"... they're like guys who were raised on a farm and now the smell of cowshit doesn't bother them.

Beyond that, some asshat always lets clumps of ash and even hot embers fall on the cloth and wreck the equipment.

There's a thousands cons and zero pros except accommodating a bunch of guys who have an unfortunate addiction.

Thanks joey for standing up even though you'll get some flak. And props to shane for taking a stand as well.