Over at Grammar.police, a smart consideration of why a smoking ban in Austin bars is a necessary and good thing. And why it totally and completely sucks. From waaay over in DC, Kriston does a perfect job of capturing the conflicted-smoker viewpoint on this issue, and I totally agree with him on all points. Plus he's got the science.
There's one thing that sets the Austin situation apart from similar efforts to ban smoking, even in a place like DC: the weather. Lots of bars here have outdoor seating which is accessible most of the year, and which slightly (slightly!) mitigates the loss of atmosphere or comfort or coolness that results from prohibiting smoking inside. So far, Billy's on Burnet is the only place we go regularly that doesn't allow smoking inside, but this is because it has a full menu and is thus technically a restaurant. I have to admit that I like having my Shiner and fries with no smoke. Unfortunately, the outside seating at Billy's is sort of in the middle of the parking lot...not so pleasant for the smoking crowd. Much like at the Draft House, but even that is a little nicer.
It occurs to me now that what would take place in a smoking ban would be a reversal of my own bargoing habits since college (for most of that time), that is, as a very occasional pseudo "social smoker" I'd just automatically stay outside whenever possible to avoid the smoke and stink of the inside. The Showdown is my current case in point, because dude, you don't want to be in that air for more than the time it takes to get your beer.
p.s.: While I'm on the subject, I so can't stand that "don't like smoke? get a different job" argument that gets hauled out by smoking ban opponents and used on bar employees who'd rather not inhale second-hand smoke all night.
Posted by Heather at March 30, 2005 01:07 PM
Comments
Thats a good summary of the problem. As a smoker and an ex bar worker in the UK I have mixed opinions. I dont mind people smoking in bars but Berlin is extreme. So many small tiny bars with little if any air coming in, especially in the winter. In the UK there are at least no smoking at the bar rules and no smoking areas which arent 100% great but are a good compromise. In most UK cities there are no smoking bars full stop now and i like them too, having nothing against popping outside for a smoke. In Germany this just isnt an option and you notice that a night out means stinking when you leave of smoke whether you smoke or not. I cant think of a single no smoking bar here, not one or even one with areas for smoking or non smoking. At least in the UK when i was working in the bar it was 7-11 and not 7 til 7 am and there was no smoking at the bar and air filters giving some protection. Berlin needs some form of regulation i think but i cant see it happening on a self regulatory basis. I tend to avoid the small and very smoke filled bars even as a smoker and when non smokers visit then its a problem for them sometimes even in them. I presume is that non smokers will get together and have to only visit no smoking bars to make them viable... otherwise it looks bleak.
Posted by: Doughnut Boy Andy at April 1, 2005 05:25 AM
Yep, what a different animal entirely this kind of discussion is in Berlin. Or anywhere in Germany. Although, I think I argued elswhere that it seemed to me that in the last few years it has become slightly more common to not find a bunch of smokers in restaurants...even if there's not no-smoking sections per se, I have felt that the smoke was less thick than it used to be. Which is not to say that restaurants in Germany will ever be non-smoking or that bars will ever get cleaned up. Better ventilation would be a start, though.
Posted by: Heather![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.hemmungen.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at April 1, 2005 07:54 AM