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I have to fess up on my non smoking venue I listed above. It was not just a show on Weds night but also a Karaoke store. They were in business for 14 years and did very well.. They just shut their doors at the beginning of this month...However, they did do it for 14 years so that has to say something.....

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Will sing or fish for food!!I'm not quite right!!

alot of my regulars started coming out because you CAN smoke at my bar.  personally i light up a big fat "canadian" cigar at least once during my show.  i get more comments from folks who actually like the smell than from folks who don't.  odd?

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All work and no play make Homer something something

MAN OH MAN!! Talk about stink!!

Oops, Sorry, I was discussing my underarms, Lost my focus. I hate cigarette smoke and driving behind a bus(similar experiences).

One of the hospitals up here have started (and 3 others are planning on following suit) if you plan on smoking while in their care, you will be discharged & denied care so either quit during that time or don't plan on getting better.

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When re-election came around for the suburb my bar is in some of the people running actually had it on there signs and in their advertisements. It read "Protect your right to smoke". I never dreamed the issue would be something to run on, but people are very serious about keeping their rights ungoverned even if they don't smoke. The odd part is the smokers are losing.

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[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

That seems a rather strange slogan considering that the smoker still has the right to smoke... just not in places where other people may unwillingly have to endure their pollution of the air!  Are the non-smokers' rights being considered by these campaigners?  It seems not, and has been stated earlier in this thread, there appears to be a lot more non-smokers than smokers!  Perhaps the other candidates should post their advertisements with "Protect your right to breathe clean air".

Sorry Tim,  I just realized that I reversed the intent of your post

You stated anyone can start a non-smoking venue,  however I read that in reverse !
Sorry !  Seems the few inhabitants remaining are leaving my Belfry tower

When I saw "free country" I automatically assumed that in this context, it appears that the smokers, and owners of nightclubs that do wish to remain smoking venues have lost some "freedoms" due to the amended Indoor Clean-air acts. It's just not an option for many forced to comply around where I live. Private club status however is an option I suppose.  But you are correct in the sense that WITHOUT such laws, there was always the option assuming owners wished to have smoke-free venues.  Thing is,  this law was created because of a Waitress (employee) at a bar that got cancer.  What I find problematic here is she smoked and finally quit, but there's as much evidence that smoking firsthand created her condition, as waitressing and being around 2nd hand smoke.  This law favors those subjected to the smoking enviroment being "victims",  it is in no way representative of what those that attend bars may wish as personal options.  It's a victims rights thing.. I just find it ironic that bars are forced in all cases barring private club status to adhere to this.  Obviously smokers don't have the clout the NRA has

I don't smoke, but this seems extreme IMHO.  I don't believe after 10 or 11 PM in an adult type venue that sells alcohol  the same government that loves getting fat and happy on ciggy tax money has a right to play the other side of the coin too.  Excessive and clear hypocracy IMHO only !  I don't like to see too much government intervention when adults have the right to make their own choice !

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

I found it odd too. Someone told me about it and I didn't believe them until I saw it myself.
It makes more sense to me to say something like " protect your personal freedoms " that at least includes the nonsmokers too.

To me there are other ways to approach the smoking / nonsmoking issue without intruding on personal freedoms. If they would have just passed laws for public places like bars to have a certain standard of clean air by using special ventilation and smoke eaters or highly regulated seperate rooms for smoking I would be okay with it. I'm more worried about our freedoms taken away then anything.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

they passed a city ordinance here requiring all public buildings to maintain a certain air quality.  the city then supplied bars/restaurants and others with "special air cleaners" for a price in the neighborhood of $100,000.00 (yes that's one hundred thousand dollars) apiece (yes that's each one cost one hundred thousand dollars).  the city gave "special financing" to the restaurants and bars that could not afford these air cleaing units.  That was about 7 years ago.  three years ago the city passed another ordinance eliminating smoking from any public building including parking garages and open air venues.  some bar/restaurant owners have not even finished paying off the "special air cleaners" the city sold them.  

Smoking Bans Are Not About Better Health.  They Are About Controlling The Public  And Money, Period!

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All work and no play make Homer something something

I perform at a small club where smoking is permitted, but it is a real problem. We have 4 brand new smoke eaters, and they have installed new fans. All it seems to do is make matters worse not better. It blows the smoke around, and guess in which direction? yep right over to me. So what did i do? i brought a small fan and i blow it right back at'em. Fight fire with fire i always say. Now with the windows closed and the air conditioning on it's dreadful. I go home at the end of the evening, my clothes stink, my hair stinks, my gear stinks, the dog even runs and hides. Now i am not anti smoking, everyone in my family and their wifes smoke, i use to smoke between 3 and 4 packs aday average about 70 cigarettes a day. I smoked when i ate, when i drove, when i worked, when i went shopping {back then you could}, played in the band, cutting the grass, you name it. I quit cold turkey, then about 5 years later came down with cancer. And still i am not anti smoking, to each their own. But personal rights are for everyone i suppose, and lets face it, the smokers are out numbered. I can see those who want to cash in on this situation, and i think it's awful that they would, some folks will do anything for a buck. But if we could come to an agreement where everyone is going to be happy it would be best for everyone. But i just don't think it can be done. And i see this whole country going public smokeless. The tobacco companies are just fooling themselfs if they think their anti smoking campaign is helping, smoking is definitely aimed toward the younger people. But over seas nations like india, pakistan, and several 3rd world nations as well as mexico and other south american countries still get cigarettes cheap, and many higher percentage of people smoke in comparision to the united states per population. And of course the tabacco companies know this, so they don't sweat their lower sales here. But a happy medium would be nice. Yes smokers have rights, but so do non smokers, and i can't find what non smokers do to smokers to endanger their health. But i'm all for a happy solution.

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Sweet Little Me In Karaokeland........

My vote:Non-Smoking. PERIOD. No discussion. And for all the reasons above and more.

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

I'm in Cleveland, OH..  The bars are doing fine.  I was just out this past Saturday and got the same amount of songs in that I usually get,  three.  My husband and I were remarking to each other sarcastically, "wow, honey the non-smoking has really hurt the bar business", as we searched for a place to sit down.  

Problems continue though as now the smokers are sneaking their drinks outside the bar, some drinking and smoking in their cars. I saw police handing out tickets to those taking drinks out of the bar into their cars.  

Funny, whenever a not so good singer got up to sing, the smokers went outside.

Though I never smoked I kind of feel bad for the smokers, cause they are so used to having a smoke with their drink and now it's not enjoyable for them.  But at the same time, I noticed a remarkable difference in how I felt the next day, (no coughing or burning eyes) and my clothes didn't smell bad.

That is ONE problem I have heard here as well, people are taking their drinks out or going to their cars for their own stash.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I'm in a smoking bar, but they have to police the drinks from leaving the bar anyway because our beer garden is only accessible by going outside to get to it. The city ordinance says no drinks outside and that means the ten steps it takes to get from one bar door to the other. I suppose the problem would only get worse if the smokers had to go outside.

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[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Well, since the largest part of the cost of a pack of cigarettes is tax I feel like I am doing my part to give the state some extra money to squander. You think the tax and price of gasoline is high now...wait till we are all forced to quit smoking and see where it goes. Somebody's got to make up that difference. Right now I'm paying it...one day it will be coming out of your's.
Yep, it's more of a matter of jump on the band wagon and government control. What control next? With an obese epidemic running rampant maybe a fat restriction? It's a medical fact that obesity has more medical implications than smoking...everything from diebeties, high blood pressure,high cholesteral, heart desease, joint problems back problems ,just about every kind of medical treatment possible is aresult. So, should the government next set up scales in front of resturants?..... Sorry, you're too fat to eat here? Well, scuse me, my post is so long I have to take a smoke break.

I live in Ohio and smoking is banned from all businesses including private clubs such as the Fraternal Order of Eagles and Elks...etc.

I hope that it doesnt hurt those establishments however for a non-smoker I sure do enjoy not coming home from having a nice time out and not smelling like smoke.

I don't want anyone here thinking of me as a new member on some short of smoking crusade...I'm really just having a good time here and thought I'd post my opinion along with you guys. Don't take me too serious please.
I sympathize with the non smokers in bars. Even as a smoker often the smoke gets thick and you do come out wreaking of smoke. The absence of the privilege has kept me out of movie theaters for years so at least I feel your pain on the reverse side of the coin.
Yeah,  cigarette smoke stinks on saturated clothes. But fortunately the bar is one of the last stops of the night anyway since Walmart is closed by the time most people get through with karaoke. I feel the same way after coming back from camping just wreaking with the smell of campfire smoke. Actually BBQing smokes my tail pretty good too....even Burger King leaves a trace my dog can recognize....makes me feel guilty too. Being such a great clean pampered society sometimes we don't feel proper these days unless we have lillies floating in the toilet bowl and I'm just as guilty of wanting to feel fresh and as clean as the next. I'd even hate to think back in the day, down here in hot Texas, before airconditioning how everyone coped. There was probably more than cigarette oder to be most concerned about. But in any case I hear the complaint of wreaking of smoke in a confined bar.  Scuse me...I have a sudden urge to go brush my teeth and gargle.

Magic, I think you're going to fit in here JUST fine!

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All work and no play make Homer something something

Actually, I have. I stay home to karaoke most nights. I have a nice karaoke set up, a decent sized music room, clean restrooms, and the liquor is BYOB. Lots of my very good friends smoke. They know they are more than welcome to smoke at my house...... on the back patio:) I can toss them one of my sweatshirts to wear if it's too cold outside;)

It doesn't hurt my feelings any to tell people who toke not to blow their Marijuana smoke in my face either. If I wanted to get high, I'd roll my own. To me, they're the same.... and I shouldn't have to deal with the effects of either type smoke if I choose not to.  

You missed my point. I didn't say "somebody needs to open a karaoke bar especially for me"... though I have had offers:) ... I said smoking publicly indoors should be banned. It's a matter of health. I don't smoke, and I don't want smoker's lung from OTHER people.   Nor do any other non-smokers. Nothing wrong with smokers, they just need to blow their smoke in wide-open spaces. Nobody is telling them not to smoke- just to not smoke in places where others have to breath.

As to being a "free country"... since you're getting all political.  :no:  Yes, America is such a horrible place. That's why immigrants come here by the 1000's, then send home for all their relatives to come here too... terrible place to live.  :no:

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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

I agree. After all, MANY of these people do NOT smoke in their own homes or cars. They sometimes live at home with parents- or a spouse- who wont allow it. So, "going outside to smoke" is no new thing to most smokers.

If people would just GET it... it's not a slam against smokers, it's just saying... we don't want to breath it or reek of it... That's all.  I can handle the smell outdoors, ciggies don't smell all that bad in the open- I actually like some cigar and pipe tobacco smells- but I don't like coming home smelling bad and hacking the next day after a night out, because BillyBob sat beside me hot-boxing all night.



I know....  :dancin: .... But why in hades is the date so far off? Maybe they finally stood up and took notice that our state motto is "keep Oregon green"... not "keep Oregon hazy".  LOL  Sure wish it would go into effect immediately though. Hell, by 2009 I may not even live in Oregon any more. Ya never know;)

.

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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥