 |
Welcome to Salsa
and the City! This is a monthly column
by Erin about
Salsa in the Circle City. Salsa has become a lifestyle for some of us:
music, dance, parties, fashion, travel, friends, relationships, and,
did I say dance? For those who are addicted to Salsa, this is a place
where you can read about what's going on in the city, and share your
ideas, comments, and gossip. Erin has been a regular of Indy's Salsa
scene since 1999.
Smoking or Non-smoking?
by Erin
Lamb
posted February 15, 2005
On February 24th, the city-county council will discuss whether or not
to ban smoking in all public places in the city of Indianapolis. This
proposal has a lot of smokers up in arms. The smokers' protests can
be condensed into two main arguments. They are the following: (1)Banning
smoking will hurt business in bars, clubs, and restaurants. (2)Banning
smoking is "un-American" and infringes on people's right to
smoke.
First of all, I consider myself a red-blooded American woman, and I
do not wish to infringe on anyone else's rights. I took much time and
reflection before making any decision that would just be convenient
for me. However, even after giving it much thought, I have decided that
these smokers have had one too many cigarettes, and they have absolutely
no ground to stand on. Read on and I will explain why . . .
 There
is no question that smokers spend good money in bars, clubs, and restaurants.
I bartended for several years and my best sales came from smokers. However,
this does not conclude that bars, clubs, and other such businesses will
suffer financially if a ban on smoking gets passed. It just means that
the smoking customers will be making as many trips out to the front
step to smoke as they do to the restroom during a normal evening at
their favorite pub. If the ban is across the board, and all establishments
are non-smoking, then do you really believe that every smoker is going
to stay home, never to go out again? I have good friends that are smokers,
and nothing short of hell freezing over would keep them home on a Saturday
night.
In addition, I am a non-smoker. I find cigarette smoke to be the worst
form of torture - a slow death. I bartended for 4 years. It was within
my third year of bartending that I developed a smoker's cough. I wake
up every morning, cough for 5 minutes like I have TB, then spend the
remainder of the morning speaking with a voice that sounds as if it
belongs to a 50 year old man. Oh, and yes, I now have severe sinus headaches
on days after we have hosted Salsa parties. Do you think I have stopped
going out to the bars, or quit my job because smoking is allowed? No.
Second, it is impossible for a ban on smoking be "un-American."
The first reason is because there are Americans who do not smoke. The
second, and less obvious conclusion is because this ban does not infringe
on smokers' rights. In the history of this country a person has the
freedom to do as they please as long as it does not infringe on the
rights of other people. We are not asking smokers to stop smoking. In
the privacy of their own homes, they can do as they please. However,
if people like myself wish to breathe clean air and avoid health problems,
then we should not be subjected to the smokers' unhealthy habits? Unfortunately,
there is no way to keep smoke where the smokers are in a restaurant.
The smoke will travel, and the non-smokers will be subjected to it unless
the smokers go outside!
I know this is a sensitive issue for both smokers and non-smokers. I
welcome your opinions. Send us your comments, and we'll post it on the
website.
Reader's comments
I am just learning to Salsa--and I just
found out I am allergic to everything (pollen, dust, cats... I have enough
problems with my breathing dealing with this). I don't smoke, but when
I go out to bars where there is smoke, I feel overcomed. With the smoky
air, it makes my experience of Salsa dancing very short, because I can
only take a few hours of the smoke before I feel just plain lousy! I would
enjoy Salsa so much better without the smoke! I suggest smoking be done
outside (smokers can always come back in when they are done smoking)!
It just makes alot of sense.
- Patricia
Good point Erin. Smoking has been banned in the clubs of Vancouver. It
feels so nice to be there dancing in the smoke free atmosphere. Cheers
to a smoke free environment.
- Vino
I agree with Erin. It's not like it's just
a personal preference to dislike the smell of smoke; second hand smoke
is unhealthy for the general public. Enough said.
- Susan
I completely, absolutely AGREE with you!!! Let's just hope that c
ity-county council members will also agree and follow in the footsteps of o
ther states such as CA where bars and nightclubs are still thriving despite
the ban on smoking.
- Thavary
I think the ban is a good idea. It's about time it happened......
we know the risks of smoking these days and it is becoming less socially ac
ceptable (except in college towns and bars). No big deal, just go outside t
o smoke. I think we can have the best of both worlds here!
- Laura
This is a good idea to implant, however we have to think about smoker's
rights so if a public place want to have smoking area, this should be
allowed under law's restrictions.
- Roby
I support the ban! I am a non-smoker in
the profession of health care. My wife and I enjoy going out to clubs
and love to dance but hate breathing in all the smoke - same applies to
restaurants.
- Z
I believe that smoking should be banned
not only in the city of In dianapolis, but for the whole state. It's already
implemented in Florida, California, and Maryland to name a few and it's
proving to be a wise and be neficial choice. As a nonsmoker, I believe
we should stand firm on this is sue and vote for the ban on smoking. Thank
You.
- Sandy
I'm with you, Erin. Have you noticed that when I visit the Blue C
actus, I usually leave within an hour? Part of the reason is that the smok
e starts to get me and I have to go out to clear my lungs/sinuses Let's ba
n in-door smoking. In fact, let's ban smoking.
- Uko
Take it from an ex-smoker of ten years now:
the smoking ban should be in place. I, like Erin, worked for many years
in various restaurants and bars as a waitress and I made more money then
than I do now, but I don't think smokers won't stop drinking or dancing
just because they can't smoke indoors. From a health issue perspective,
they'll be grateful in the long run when the colds, sinus/allergy problems
disipate; when they can get upin the morning without feeling as if their
chest will cave in from lack ofoxygen; when they don't become winded from
a simple flight up stairs; whenthey no longer have to pay higher insurance
costs; when they no longer have to worry who will look after loved ones
after they're buried. My father died almost three years ago from smoking
related causes and a day doesn't go by when I don't wish he were here
to talk to, to hug and kiss, to argue with and to simply say "I love
you".
As a non-smoker, I'm sick of my clothes and hair smelling like
an ashtray each time I come out of a club or bar. I gave up smoking ten
years ago, but there are times when I feel I still smoke. I still go out
to those places, just not as often.
Smoking is choice; life is a blessing and gift from God. I like gifts
and blessings and need more of them in my life. I try not to take the
ones I have for granted. That includes my health and those around me.
- Samantha
Erin, I am one hundred percent aggree with
your thoughts. It is u nbelivable how smoking affects the non-smoking
population. I wish people who smoke can experince this for only for a
week. I bet they would quit smoking. I hope bill will pass and the Blue
Cactus and Red Room will be more fun :)
- Bensu
NON-SMOKING ALL THE WAY!!! CAN'T WAIT TO
GO OUT AND COME HOME NOT SMELLING LIKE AN ASHTRAY!!!
- Kathy
Smokers have the option to smoke or not
in bars all the time because they have the right to choose, but what about
non-smokers' right to breath clean air? I do not like smoking, however
for years I had to deal with without choosing it because I wanted to go
to dance in the clubs; for me that's an imposition. So, where is my right
to choose no to breath smoke? A good number of smokers keep doing it in
public places because it is not allowed, but I'd like to think even more
don't do so because they are concious about other dancer's lungs.
- Jesus
I'm so glad that Erin have written such
a wonderful article! Whether I'm out with my husband or girlfriends we
tend to leave a bit earlier than we'd like--the smoke is awful. I go home
with a sinus headache. So what, if the "smokers" have to get off their
comfy stool or chair to go out to smoke--Big Deal. And, let me say--I
also, have smoker friends and they are not going to stay home on a Saturday
night--that's laughable!
- Mirvia
I would frequent more dance clubs if there
wasn't smoking. It is very offensive and I hate having to leave my clothes
at the door when I come home.
- Mary
It's true that the smokers have the right
to smoke all the cigarrettes they want, as well as is true that the nonsmokers
have the right to breath fresh air, and have the rigth to live and keep
themselves healthy. Smoke from cigarrettes kills people even if you are
a second-hand smoker, and I think the smokers must go outside because
Ihave the rigth to live. IF THEY WANT TO KILL THEMSELVES, I don't have
to pay the consequences.
- Lady blue
I think is great, if the city-county council
ban in all public places. First of all, because you won't want to get
canser and it will be health place to be. Secondly, apesta y te sientes
como mierda. Finally, I wish they really do it for the people who really
like to go dancing but can't because of smoking.
- Jojo
People are citing places like California
and Vancouver--Bloomington has been smoke-free since Jan 1, 2005 and it
didn't make any difference on the businesses. Everyone is still going
out. The difference is that 75% of the people are much happier, and the
other 25% get to stand out on the sidewalk and make new friends. In reality,
it will probably help the businesses: the number of NON-smokers who don't
go out because they hate smoke is surely greater than the number of smokers
who will quit going out due to a ban. It will be a miracle though if Indiana
passes a law soon because the state is full of backwards, unhealthy people.
I think it will happen city-by-city, with Bloomington being the first
(I believe) and hopefully encouraging other places to make the change.
- Matt
Hi, Erin. I'm a non-smoker, but disagree
with you because it is the right of each owner of each establishment to
make the decision to be smoking or non-smoking. They will make their decision
based on customer input. I'm all in favor of non-smokers giving their
input to influence the decision of the bar/club owners to ban smoking.
Some places will go smoke free and others will not based on this input.
Those that go smoke free voluntarily, I say "Great!", but it
is wrong to force them- after all no one forces non-smokers to go into
those places. In the end, non-smokers that are passionate about it will
go to smoke-free places and smokers that feel stronly about it will do
business with places that allow it. Besides, if second hand smoke is as
bad as they say, then we should ban cigarettes all together so people
can't smoke in their homes and cars with their children present. It's
not that I'm against people who want smoke free places, I think this was
the wrong approach.
- Steve
I personally hate it when my clothes smell
like a big turd the next day. Especially cigars! Yetch! But as a former
smoker, I understand the urge. I would just be happy if we could get a
ban on smoking in bars.
- Annie
I am a smoker so it doesn't bother me, but I would
not go to a club that wouldn't allow smoking. I was in Miami a few yrs
ago and saw how many bars now had outside areas for the smokers, but many
bars were put out of business by the smoking ban.
- achavez
INtoSalsa, Indy's premier Salsa guide
|
|
|
