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In Milwaukee Buzz

By OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers

Published May 24, 2009 at 8:01 a.m.

Tags: smoking, non-smoking, smoke-free, outdoor dining, patio

By now, almost everyone is aware that all bars and restaurants will have a no-smoking policy in July 2010. Many bar and restaurant owners say they will accommodate smokers with sufficient outdoor smoking environments, however, some establishments already have policies that ban smoking on their patios.

What are your thoughts on smoke-free patios? Are they taking the anti-smoking trend too far or is it a necessary step to ensure a pleasant drinking or dining experience for everyone? Sound-off, Milwaukee.

Smoking should be permitted on a patio. Patios are outdoors, so smokers should be able to light up when they're eating or drinking there. People are taking the non-smoking stance way too far. We live in a city, and like most cities, there's a lot of air pollution regardless of cigarette smoke. Lighten up, non-smokers, and let the smokers light up outdoors.

Smoking should not be permitted on patios. Even if sitting outside, cigarette smoke is still offensive. For me, the smell of it ruins my appetite and I don't want it anywhere around me -- indoors or outdoors. People can smoke on their private patios, but lighting up on a public patio is disrespectful to others.

23 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by smg521 on May 27, 2009 at 12:54 p.m. (report)

I was delighted when the smoking ban passed. For both selfish reasons and in the interest of public health, I think it was a good move. I particularly hate eating a good meal with cigarette smoke wandering in my direction. I hate sitting next to a smoker in a bar with a cigarette being propped up 2 inches from my face, and ash ready to fall in my lap. I hate that I can't dress nicely in dry-clean only type clothes without coming home smelling like I have been rollling around in an ashtray. Smokers are in the minority of the population now, and I think most people would agree that cigarette smoke is noxious to those who are non-smokers. I am not professing to be an ultra-health-concious individual who has no vices. And, yes, I will go to a bar whether or not people are smoking there or not. If I eat fried food, even if I eat it to the point of obesity, it is not bothersome to the person sitting next to me. If you want to make the argument that my consumption of fried foods affects others indirectly because it leads to obesity, and subsequently an increase in health care costs and insurance premiums, I would make the argument that smoking is probably the leading preventable cause of mortality from a variety of conditions including cancer, chronic lung disease, coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease. So, that argument goes both ways. Sure, casual second hand smoke on rare occasion is not going to give you lung cancer overnight, but the affects are cumulative and people who get repeatedly exposed to second hand smoke, do have increased risk. I do feel bad for the business owners, in a way, especially the owners of those corner type bars who have a loyal clientele of people who like to smoke. But, this change was inevitable. It has been instituted in a number of cities with success. There will definitely be an adjustment period, but I think business will rebound. If there is going to be a ban, this was the only way to do it (on a state-wide level), because it will be a level playing field. Actually, you could make the argument that the establishments who were forward thinking and have already created smoke-free environments may actually be punished more, because now people have more options. As for outdoor patios, I think that the businesses should be allowed to create patios to accomodate the smokers if they wish to do so. I understand that it will be unpleasant for the non-smokers to walk outside into a wall of smoke, but at least it is outdoors and you are not confining the smoke to a small, poorly ventilated space. I think if we ban outdoor smoking, it will be harder to enforce. Exactly how far away to people need to be in order to smoke? If you walk down a sidewalk or in a parking lot of most business establishments (including hospitals) there will be smokers everywhere puffing away. Do I like it? No... but I don't know how we can enforce it. Anyways, I think we should be happy that we at least got this far.

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Posted by Mazzers on May 26, 2009 at 6:49 p.m. (report)

I for one especially can't WAIT for smoking ban to hit the Rave: After spending the entire Killers concert a few weeks ago with my jacket over my nose and mouth, I am rejoicing that the smoking ban will end the Rave's long held Pro-Smoker's policy. Just because some of us choose not to smoke, doesn't mean we should have to have my evening ruined by the stench of migraine-inducing second hand at the Rave or anywhere for that matter. Inside OR out, enough is enough with so called "smoker's rights." I can't wait for July 2010.

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Posted by hookem on May 26, 2009 at 2:56 p.m. (report)

I'm a non-smoker living in a city with a ban on smoking and smoking is allowed on our patios. I was ecstatic to find out that MKE was going smoke free in the bars; however, I think it's a bit ludacris to potentially hinder business (that majority of which are small businesses) by revoking all smoking areas. For non-smokers-hey, you can at least go out at night now without the lingering "bar smell". And clearly, if you're out on the town giving your liver a run for its money, let's not act so pious and health-conscious regarding second-hand smoke. Maybe do a little proactive scan of a patio when you walk on to it-see if theres a group of smokers....then stay up-wind. If you're that desperate to sit outside, either deal or go somewhere else. The amount of second-hand smoke that wafts by you on an outdoor patio is considerably less than being enclosed in a bar. I'm just saying, let's not go overboard with this whole thing, a little give on both sides will always work better than forcing opinions on others.

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Posted by DZK on May 26, 2009 at 11:56 a.m. (report)

The last time I checked, smoking is still not illegal. if you don't like the smoke, stay inside.

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Posted by Hckyboy00 on May 26, 2009 at 10:21 a.m. (report)

Actually, you eating fried food makes me remember how much i love fried food, and thus i order friend food, and get fatter, in which case my insurance premiums (and yours) go up to help be combat my diabetic, blood pressure, and heart conditions. Oh and while you are sitting at the table next to me, eating your fried food and talking about how much you love Desperate Housewives, it gets me interested, and the time i formerly had set aside for outdoor exercise will now be spent watching Housewives with my leftover fried food. Which i will have no choice but to quench my thirst with a delicious sugary soda, because at this point, i'm not exercising and i'm eating fried food, why stop now? So you see, you eating fried food directly affects my heath, as well as the relationships with my family. Now, if you'd just let somebody have a cigarette with their meal in a section completely removed from your own (where they wouldn't smell your fried food, or hear about Housewives), this wouldn't be a problem. Way to not add booze to your list of things that kill, but don't really kill. You might have made it difficult for me to come up with a convincing argument.

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