Posted by Dogcatcher on June 22, 2007 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think city officials should check the local bars and see how much their revenue has dropped. And then compute the amount of lost sales tax revenue to the city.

Posted by tgaines on July 30, 2007 at 11:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Personally, your 'butts" stink. But hey, I choose where I go and where I sit-as can the remainder of the city.

Posted by Free_Thinker on August 19, 2007 at 6:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A few questions to the citizens of "The Land Of The Free".

1) Who put up the money, and pays the bills to open a business?

2) Who is forced to go into a business that allows smoking?

3) Who has the right to open their own business that does NOT allow smoking?

4) Does a business belong to the business owner, or to it's customers?

5) Then why do you think you have a valid argument in "I have a right to go to (or work in) ANY (bar/store/bowling alley) without having to smell cigarette smoke"?

Posted by j_elam22 on September 20, 2007 at 10:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I live out in the country a little over 80 miles north of abilene. I cant believe anyone there is complaining about the smell of cigarette smoke! I dislike going to Abilene because the whole town smells like exhaust fumes!! Compared to fresh country air, it stinks there. As for me, I'll just stay here at home, where I can smoke where I want, when I want.

Posted by tiffanymcphatter on October 9, 2007 at 6:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think it is a great idea. It is not fair that I can not go in to a public restaurant or bar for a good time because of the cigarette smoke. I did not ask to be allergic to the smoke either. So because you smoke I have to not enjoy my self think not.

Posted by Allison on November 8, 2007 at 5:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Free_Thinker hit the nail on the head.

Private businesses are private property. They should be able to choose their own policies according to their own interests, so long as they are peaceful. This is an issue of essential liberty.

Additionally, private businesses know what is best for their business and have the best incentive to do what's best for their business. Many eateries will go non-smoking (or have non-smoking sections) in a city without a smoking ban or have had them long before their city passed a smoking ban.

If you don't like second-hand smoke, you don't have to patronize a given restraint. Pretty soon, that business owner or another one will get the message.

But don't use the law to forcibly apply your personal prefrences on other people.

Posted by Texasanel_1122 on November 29, 2007 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

For the record I do like to smoke maybe one or two cigarettes when I go out to have a parents night out. That being said, what gives the city the right to take that away? The people whom smoke that take the choice for others to have to breathe and smell it; that's who. I have an 18 month old that goes with me shopping etc. all around town and I can not stand it when we are not even completely out of the door somewhere when "smokers" are lighting up and blowing right in the path of others. I have to cover his nose and mouth so he doesn't inhale the second hand smoke. If and when I do choose to smoke I shower and brush my teeth before interacting with my son so I am not harming him, what happened to considerate polite smokers? If smokers dont care about what you are doing to your body and lungs then you should care about others, when you stopped caring for others we start caring for you! I support the Leaf and am glad they are still open, I think it should be the business owners perogative to decide if their customers smoke or not, in what area or not, not the city's. Freedom of choice if you want to enter an establishment that allows smoking or not. I have my son with me I won't but I can't help it when someone takes that away, and it goes from impolite smokers to impolite city officials. Where are your manners?

Posted by spellbound on February 10, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bars should be left out of the equation!!!! Many who frequent bars also smoke. Some that just visit once in awhile also smoke too. I disagree with the new smoking law! It sucks big butts!

Posted by up_in_here_2 on February 17, 2008 at 5:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Are we still taking a break from the smoking debate? That is a long smoke break.....get back to work.

Posted by mary_weeks2001 on September 14, 2008 at 7:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i say dont start its a nasty habit and if you have kids dont do it around them at all even when you take a shower and change clothes you can still smell it

Posted by Zoey on September 17, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I totally agree with Texasanel_1122. I smoke at home in my backyard, but it would be nice to go out, like to the bar or something with some friends and have a couple of drinks and enjoy a smoke. In restuarants, maybe not so much but the clubs and bars... come on. I have 2 kids that I take everywhere with me also and I would never smoke with them in the car or around them and I don't think that when you walk out of the mall or whereever you may be that you need to be doing it right in the door ways or even right when you get out of the door. That is why they made it like 20 feet from the building. Respect that and other people around you if you are going to smoke.

Posted by Abilene_Libertarian on October 11, 2008 at 8:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The issue is still not dead.

Posted by mstiah on October 14, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This issue will never be dead, If second hand smoke is a concern you might want to wear a mask, I can assure you there are far worse things in the air you breath everyday.