News Dec 18, 2008 at 4:00 am

Everything You Need to Know About the Forthcoming Smoking Ban

Comments

1
Rotture's porch was such a great place to smoke and look out over the city, pretending to be pondering something weighty.
2
Isn't there some kind of stipulation that says smoking is allowed in "private clubs?" So the Horse Brass, for example, could change over to be a member's only establishment, apply at the door, $5 for a year's membership, smoke all you want? Sort of thing?
3
oohh, that's too bad. this is for all you inconsiderate jerk-offs who have been sticking your shit in my face all these years. hope you like it outside.
4
I'm not really sure how I feel about this ban, but I do know that it will be nice to come home after a night of drinking and not smell like eighteen different ashtrays.
5
Is there any point where the responsibility is on the individuals who insist on smoking near doorways? It seems like businesses are being held exclusively responsible.
6
Ah yes. The religious wackos passed their alcohol prohibition a century ago, and it backfired. Now, wrapped in the cloak of protecting our health and souls again, the very same church groups have formed non-profit groups to get tobacco banned everywhere. It is a scam engineered by the religious right wing who believe smoking is a sin, and most people are blind to following the money trail to the anti-smoking campaigns to discover that these religious wackos are behind it. Sad really.
7
This is lame... I can see this happening in a city like philadelphia because all the bars there were smoking... But here there are plenty of none smoking bars to balance out the smoking bars... so the consumers have plenty of options.... This law is infringing on personal freedom and our right to choose...

It should be a choice of the owner of the establishment...

We are not a free country we any more... it is a shame all those people died in the war against Britain for freedom... they died for no reason...

Oregon is weird... we all the right for choose to live (assisted suicide) and yet we out law smoking?

- Signed a non smoker!
8
oh well...looks like it'll be easier to step outside to light up a blunt. "where ya goin guys?" "out to 'SMOKE' " nice.
9
It saddens me to see Don Youngers attitude towards the ban. Bars like his and the Triple Nickel have long been on lists of non-smokers to visit once the ban is enacted.

Rather than embrace the ban as a way to attract a new clientele, Don has chosen to take an angry and combative approach, signaling a disdain for non-smokers.

As a pub loving, soccer-watching young male with disposable income to burn, I'm a prime target for bars like his. Sadly, you won't be getting any of my business, Don.

I'll be at the Triple Nickel.
10
"There aren't going to be any smoking police out patrolling the city looking for violations," says Cushing.

Meaning: it's up to us non-smokers and bar owners to assure that cancer spreading smokers abide by the law. So happy this law is finally coming home.
11
We'll miss you, Joba.
12
"The State of Oregon runs my business now."


Oh brother! Apparently Don's upset that he doesn't own his barbacks' lungs anymore. Tough shit, buddy...

This law should have happened years ago.
13
Stick it up your ass Male Receptionist. There are plenty of non-smoking places to go. Why not let the market decide?
14
Stick it up your assface Male Receptionist. There are plenty of non-smoking establishments to patronize. Why not let the market decide this issue?

Here's to fixing what ain't broke.
15
it's pretty silly that you can't even smoke in an outside patio. so a little smoke "seeps in" around the edges... big deal. why is compromise such a stranger around here?
16
"why is compromise such a stranger around here?"

I wonder that too. The comments here makes me believe its not a health issue at all. Rather more of a "why doesn't the Brass Horse owner care about me!" and "why can't I get what I want everywhere". I don't expect every business to care about me and my preferences. That's a monoculture and it's anathema to having choices. My preferences may change over time, but oops I banned everything I didnt like.

I wonder, did they even debate other options? Like high-powered air filters as an alternative to a ban? Does that reduce the health risk? What about smoke-less cigarettes? Are those allowed? Where's the science about secondhand smoke that "seeps" in through the cracks? And is that worse than car exhaust or pollution in general? Does moving smokers to a public sidewalk reduce the exposure of involuntary secondhand smoke? Or would a smoking area be more effective? Will more adults now smoke at home near children who cant choose to leave the area?

Seriously, lets not pretend it's about health if its really just a majorities preference winning over a minorities by fiat. Any maybe the majority could keep the gloating to a minimum and remember you're talking about hating your neighbors.
17
Woah! Some TRULY self rightous comments! I had to remind myself that this was not another article on our HUGE PORTLAND SEX SCANDAL!
"This bar owner still wishes he could give his smoking customers a place to go! I will boycot his now smoke free bar on the principal that he still supports those customers!" If you won't take your young male disposable ass income there anyway- why the need to type it out? What a tool.
"What about DOORS! One could open and let in smoke for a moment because someone OUTDSIDE is too close!"
Sure, let's ignore the fact that cars, buses, and industry in general FILLS the air with impurties, Let's worry about the CRIMINALITY of the insidious 'near the door smokers' and the pub owners who may or may not approve! Perhaps you should move to the wilderness far far away from such a tolerant and industrialized city.
"I went to places where smoking was common, and people SMOKED! I took it VERY personally- You all must have HATED my non-smoking ass! But now you have to go home or freeze! It's my personal pleasure to see you lose something!" Sounds like your tragic victimization is largely a result of the environments you put yourself in.
"We non-smokers and bar owners must band together and stand up to the disease spreaders!" You! YOU are my FAVORITE! Tell me where your bar is, and I and other evil, disease spreading assasins will stay away from your frightening vigilante justice! But if you DO NOT own such a bar, I invite you out to the middle of the street. It's a public space where you can be your OWN Sheriff! You can share with smokers not only your personal happiness that the places that welcomed them are no longer able to do so, you can ALSO remind them you consider them merchants of DEATH! Please post here on the website when you do so. Both my smoking and non-smoking friends will PAY to see your pristine, rightous lungs and boney finger identify the "killers" and CALL THEM OUT!
The world's a tough place, with so many serious problems. But as adult humans we must take responsiblity for where we go, and what we do. No one forces adults to drink, smoke, get pierced, get a tatoo or listen to loud music- all arguably bad for someone, or EVERYONE. But we get to choose. We can do all of it or none of it.
Maybe these super-human's comments would look less pathetic in Supior Persons Digest or the New England Journal of Medicine. This is The Mercury, and I respect it for being honest, edgey and NOT sanitized for anyones "protection". Here the sanctimonious whining just comes across as petty, wannabe victimhood- Out of touch and out of place.

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