Comments for RE: The Burning Question at http://www.theind.com , comment 1 to 8 out of 8 comments http://www.theind.com Sat, 25 May 2013 08:17:25 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.theind.com/re/10769-the-burning-question#comment-27278 Listen, if you don't like smoke in bars start going to church!! - Michael A. Moss Fri, 05 Oct 2012 11:55:04 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/10769-the-burning-question#comment-27003 @Simon Okay, so I completely understand your point about the employees. Realize first that these employees do not have a right to work at that particular establishment. But also, I will say that there is a valid case that work environments are not as safe as they should be, due to smoke. So rather than ban all people from doing what is still legal to do, and infringing on the rights of the businesses, who employ these people, why not look for some alternative compromise, that allows the businesses to keep their freedom, as well as the patrons, while protecting the health of the employees? According to the Michigan Restaurant Association in 2010, after having to comply with a smoking ban, 43% of the businesses noticed a drop in business. Now do you think that people would rather be employed, but smelling like smoke, or maybe even wear some filtering mask to prevent inhaling it(should they choose to).... or be unemployed? - Cameron Grubbs Sun, 08 Jul 2012 02:39:50 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/10769-the-burning-question#comment-26917 I certainly miss listening to live music here in Lafayette. I will not go to a bar where there are people smoking. You smell like cigarettes after 5 or 10 minutes. Your coat or sport coat have to go to the cleaners and your health has been compromised or impacted in a negative way. I have noticed the places I go in florida and California are full to the brim and not a cigarette is being smoked. In California they make you stay away from the door as well. I applaud places that put the publics health above fear words like I will close my club or move to a better place. The club will stay open as long as the owner is making money period! We should never let fear keep us at the bottom of any list especially least educated and least healthy. I miss the music here more than words can describe. Yet, CD's keep the memories alive or nights when I stumble into our bands in other parts of the world that place their customers health above fear and the unknown. Thankfully there are more and more progressive places and fewer places that fight this fight for bad health for years before finally maybe maybe giving in to common sense. - John Bernhardt Thu, 21 Jun 2012 17:22:13 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/10769-the-burning-question#comment-26916 The issue isn't the patrons, it's the employees. They have to breath in hours upon hours of second hand smoke day in and day out. Why should they be forced to work in an environment that isn't healthy or safe? Sure, some smokers may stay home, but just remember: profits don't cure cancer. - Simon Mahan Thu, 21 Jun 2012 11:27:51 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/10769-the-burning-question#comment-26913 I used to smoke but don't anymore. People who want to patronize smoke free bars can go to smoke free bars. Freedom is a precious thing. I also don't agree with Cambridge, Mass. city council who now is thinking about banning soft drinks from restaurants. I also don't agree with New York City banning big gulps. What is next...? It is a slippery slope. - Robert Ellender Wed, 20 Jun 2012 18:22:18 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/10769-the-burning-question#comment-26911 @Eric- Corner Bar is smoke free seems to do very well. - Dustin Roszell Wed, 20 Jun 2012 13:48:19 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/10769-the-burning-question#comment-26909 You may be right, Eric. And, being realistic about local culture, the last thing we need is kids driving out of parish so they can smoke in bars then trying to navigate their way back home with a buzz (or worse). - Walter Pierce Wed, 20 Jun 2012 13:02:07 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/10769-the-burning-question#comment-26908 If there was a genuine market demand for smoke-free bars, then some of the bars would already be smoke-free. The fact of the matter is that most of the sort of people who LIKE spending their nights and money in bars are also the sort of people who either smoke, or don't mind the smoke. This will not help businesses in Lafayette but the surrounding areas ought to expect an increase in bar sales if this goes through. - Eric Ortego Wed, 20 Jun 2012 12:48:00 +0100