The smoking ban adopted by most states has "hurt" pool rooms around the country. In my state the "ban" went into effect 4 years ago. We were on the "cutting edge", right behind California and New York. Those "rocket scientists" in the state capitol did not give one "rats ass" how it might effect the small business guys (bars, restaurants, pool rooms etc..). Well many of those places went "out of business" (especially if you were on the border of one of the surrounding "still can smoke" states). After these few years of the smoking ban our states "casinos" revenues are down significantly, which means the states collected taxes are down too. They (state's elected morons) are in the process of of passing legislation that will now "exempt" casinos from the ban. What kind of "horse hockey" is that??? You guys made this big "ca-ca" sandwich...now take your OWN bite like we all had too. My revenues dropped 30% when the ban took effect. It's funny but I think that figure (30%) is what they are down in taxes....how do you like it now??? When I opened my place (16 years ago), I put $30,000 worth of smoke "eaters" in the ceiling. I would of had no problem "if" they passed a law that said I had to have a big "sign" out front, saying "SMOKING ALLOWED". If a non-smoker pulls up, sees the sign and decides to "drive-on" and find a "NON-SMOKING" pool room....well this is (was) America. It's his and more importantly "MY" choice. It is "my" money and life blood that went into opening my place. I got no state grants, set-aside funds or community development money from the government. I opened it with my own money. Now before I get a "rash" of comments about how bad "smoking" is for you...I know that. I wish I never started smoking...but I did, it was my "choice". I'm just curious how some of the older non-smoking players "survived" or "why" they even started to play years ago? How was it lets say in 1970 or 1980, that a person "took up" the game of pool, knowing that "if" you were going to "compete" (tournaments) or "gamble" at the game, it was going to be done in "pool rooms"??? Just about every pool room up until 5-6 years ago allowed smoking through out the country. So "WHY"? why was it you did not take up "water polo" or "cross country skiing" (very little smoking in either of those ESPECIALLY the water polo) or some other "I DON'T HAVE TO BE AROUND THOSE STINKING DISGUSTING SMELLY SMOKERS" sport or pass time? Was it you were all "psychic"? You knew in 1980 "smoking" would be banned throughout most of the United States in the early part of the 21st century? Then let me ask you this...what are tonight's "Power Ball" numbers???
I agree with your post there sir. I understand it's a filthy dirty habit, I understand it's bad for you. I understand that people that don't want to be around it, shouldn't have to be around it. I get all that. I support that concept.
But.....
I am also a firm believer that a business owner should be able to do anything he wants with his business. Especially involving something that is LEGAL. It's not like cigs are illegal. A business owner should be able to decide if he wants to have smoking allowed in his room, OR NOT. Or if he wants to have a 1/2 smoking or 1/2 non smoking. Or if he wants to install expensive machinery to try and allow both groups of people in his room.
I am also a FIRM believer in that the customer has the right to decide whether he wants to patronize a business that has smoking or NOT to. If a customer doesn't want to shoot pool in a room that has smokers, then he has every right to decide not to go in that room. I'm sure there will always be rooms that would allow smoking and there would be some rooms that would cater to non smokers.
Those are all easy answers and scenarios.
The tough part is the scenarios where there isn't any options. For example the Derby or any other major tournament. In those situations, there is no alternatives to please both crowds. There is no Smoking 2012 DCC and there is no Non Smoking 2012 DCC. Therefore, both groups of people have to play in the same environment. In those cases, I have no problem saying that it's probably best to say No Smoking on the tournament floor. That way the actual tournament is no smoking and does not punish the non smoker and the smoker will just have to wait to smoke outside the tournament floor.
Once again, I do not believe that non smokers should be FORCED to breath smoke. My only issue is state laws or federal laws that on one hand say that it's ok to sell cigarettes and make tons of money off of them with outrageous taxes BUT then say you can't smoke that product anywhere except your own home or in the desert or the frozen tundra of Alaska or the outer reaches of the solar system.
I believe in freedom of choice. I believe that Federal or State buildings have every right to ban smoking. But in any other area that involves a independent business owner, that business owner SHOULD have EVERY RIGHT to make a business decision on whether he wants to allow something that is perfectly legal, to be done in his establishment. That business owner will decide what clientele he wants to cater too. The customer will decide what business they want to give their money too.
I am a smoker. I wish I wasn't, but I am. I am also a respectful smoker. Meaning, I go out of my way to make sure I do anything that is possible to keep my filthy dirty habit away from anyone else. I feel like the scourge of society, like a outcast of society because I smoke. But if I want to smoke and play pool, I should be able to go to a business and smoke and play pool. The same goes for a non smoker, they should be able to go to a business that is smoke free.
Up until about 5 years ago, I was able to smoke anywhere I played pool. Since then, I can't smoke anywhere I play pool. I have to stand out in the rain or 20 below ZERO weather to smoke.
BUT... I just moved to Las Vegas and believe it or not... I can now smoke and play pool again.