Cigar Smoke
 

I would like to remind the cigar smokers that when you smoke them, there stench has a way of drifting for even hundreds of feet. I had a meal ruined at the lighthouse recently as did several other tables on the deck. A cigarette is bad, but a cigar is a nasty disgusting instrument for those of us that care about our lungs. If you don't care at all about the feelings of others, then I guess there is nothing anyone can say to you, but just in case you don't realize how disgusting cigar smoke is to others, I would say please smoke in private where the rest of us can enjoy the out door dining.

:mad:

i say to each his own. i personally love the smell of cigar smoke.

You can add pipes to that also.

I would have said something to the manager on the way out.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/f...Tobacco/cigars

I know this is a "free country" and that "to each his own" is something to consider. However that being said, in a community of retired folks there are perhaps many who have breathing issues (asthma, copd etc) I too find it offensive to be in a public gathering and have to experience that type of situation as you describe here. It's been recorded that 2nd hand smoke is an issue for cancer. I guess we'll always have people on both sides of this issue but truly it's not just a matter of "smell" but of good health for ALL. The reason that so many states in the U.S. have outlawed smoking in offices, restaurants and other public venues.
JMHO!!

Curiosity got the better of me so I'll ask.

Where was the offensive cigar smoker? The original post stated cigar smoke carries 100's of feet so that would seem that the offending party was not that close by. There are homes very close to the restaurant and if the cigar smoker was sitting in his back yard enjoying a cigar what was he/she doing wrong? or walking along the lake away from diners? doesn't sound like they were sitting on the deck trying to impose their smoke on anyone

Recently, I've noticed folks using the new electronic cigarettes or e-cigs, as they're called. It looks like they are smoking, but the e-cig produces a water vapor that evaporates in the air and they have no smell.

Anyone had experience with these e-cigs ???

On the deck at the Light house, the breeze was from south to north and he was in the southern most side of the deck. So everyone up the line was getting it. The crazy thing is that he lit it up after he was done eating and just sat there smoking for about 15 minutes. He sat back crossed his legs and puffed away gagging about 15 to 20 patrons. He was a big fellow and that may be why no one said anything directly to him. Several comments were made loud enough for our table to hear it, but no reaction from the smoker. Who knows, STUPID OR INCONSIDERATE. I would like to believe that he just did not know he was being so offensive to others. Maybe a please could you smoke somewhere else might have got a quick, I'm Sorry and he would leave or the way things are today, it might have got you put in the hospital.

is the deck a non smoking area? if so then he should have been chastised, if not then whats the beef ? you should go to non smoking areas.

OK

Thanks for the clarification.
In this case yes he was being inconsiderate and giving us smokers a bad name :mad: I smoke but when in public wait till I'm in a area that won't bother anyone.

If you smoke, I have reminded you how offensive it is to most people; however, If you do not smoke, then disregard this reminder.

I'm not a smoker but...
 

I can't help but to find it interesting how people, who won't even stand up for their rights, will mount such vicious attacks on smokers....just saying....
did anyone offer the guy a drink and ask him if he would mind moving to the downwind side? or did they just make loud comments and not address the problem directly?
:shrug:

And that is all I was saying. I cuss like a sailer on furlow, but when around other people and especially children, I clean it up. When I did smoke, I would ask others around me if they minded. Ya don't even have that anymore. General lack of courteously now days. Like another person said, if ya don't like it leave, which I would have done if I would have seen the cigar before I started eating my meal. When I spoke to management about it, I was told that they did not like it either, but Florida Law allows smoking outside even in restaurants.

i dont smoke but i like the aroma of cigars.

Back home we were allowed to smoke outside also. The difference is that we had to be at least 50 feet from the building entrance. This modification to the law would take care of this problem area and the problem in front of Starbucks.

Well...I must admit...
 

I enjoy a fine cigar on occasion. That and about 3 fingers of Crown Royal on the rocks is a real treat for me.

I agree however cigar and cigarette smoke can drift considerable distances. I never would have believed it until I stopped smoking cigarettes 18 years ago but it can.

Only once have I ever been approached by anyone complaining about my cigar smoke. This guy walked up with a phoney hacking and coughing routine and asked "Would you mind ditching that cigar?...it really stinks"!
Now I was setting outside on a park bench where alcohol and smoking were allowed. There were very few people around and this guy seem to come out of nowhere.

My reply was "No...I dont mind "Ditching" it at all if your uncomfortable with it but this cigar cost me 12.00 dollars and this glass of Crown was 9.95 and the two just go together. If you want to "Cough up" 21.95...in cash, PLUS TAX, I'll be glad to "ditch" it"!

He didnt...and neither did I.

Had he been more "civil" regarding his request I most likely would have been glad to relocate if possible. If I couldnt do that I would have put it out.

I have to agree heartily with VillagerII on this one. I would have politely informed this cigar smoker, who was probably enjoying his stogie "after" his meal that he just enjoyed, that he was ruining mine. If he was obstinate and refused to maybe take a walk on the lovely boardwalk outside the restaurant with his cigar, or at least go downwind of me, I would have informed the management and awaited their action.

Oh man. MORE laws? :(

But what action could they take? As was stated earlier in the thread, Florida law allows smoking outside, and the management's hands are tied.

Actually, I think it is a good law (50’ from building entrance). So many people step just outside the door to have their smokes and everyone entering or leaving the building have to walk through the smoke, with no way to avoid it.

Fifty feet would outlaw smoking in all of LSL and Spanish Springs except the parking lots. If they do that, then they should definitely include gas golf carts in the obnoxious/dangerous emissions category.
Just my 2 cents.

The law does not allow smoking INSIDE. Business can do whatever they want outside, on their own property. If they wanted to make the outside eating area non-smoking, it's within their rights to do so. No different than the squares...

Bottomline: Whether we like it or not, smoking is perfectly legal. Smokers need a reasonable place to smoke. Most smokers I know are respectful of others and will at least ask if they can smoke. I would not expect them to ask everyone sitting outside at a restaurant. Just my opinion and I am a "recent" ex-smoker. I think we all need to have a little tolerance...

F*rting in your face as you're sitting is legal too, but we have the courtesy to not do it.

not to hijack the thread, uujudy - but let's not leave colognes and other fragrances off the list of obnoxious/dangerous emmissions! ;)

Exactly, jjbchbum! That's my point. Where does it end?

Reasonable people, given the same information, will come to the same conclusion.

Some people are just not reasonable...

villager II - sounds like you don't care about the feelings of folks [like that cigar smoker] when it interferes with your pleasure? what i don't understand is, if you found the cigar smoking offensive and are concerned for yourself re second-hand smoke, why did you not speak directly to the smoker and/or ask a member of the wait staff to have your table relocated as soon as an out-of-the-way table was available? do you find the making of loud comments in hopes that the smoker heard them courteous? just wondering...

each time you politely let someone know that their behavior is rather selfish makes it easier to let someone know the next time.

Actually, I agree with you that smoking is legal and everyone needs to adjust. I actually didn't mind when there was cigarette smoke in the air at bars/restaurants, with a non-smoking dining section.

The difference is in what you said about smokers needing a reasonable place to smoke:

I don't believe businesses should have to PROVIDE a place to smoke. The smoker should have to find that place on their own, AWAY from the majority that is not smoking.

If I am in a smoking area, and someone wants me to stop, I do not hesitate and put it out, but what can I do with some of the women who that seem to take a bath in perfume thats an instant headache for me, makes me wonder what they are trying to hide.

I don't think you can smoke at the Lighthouse. Where was the cigar smoke coming from?

Here is what Villager II wrote about what the manager said:

This sounds like a great idea! In many regions of the USA smoking is not allowed in outdoor venues such as stadiums, parks and beaches because environmental tobacco smoke (second hand smoke) is both toxic to all and annoying to most people. It is also refreshing to not have to wade through cigarette butts lying about on sidewalks and in the grass and sand as we all used to have to do.

Too, cannot a restaurant initiate and maintain its own outdoor smoking policy? It seems to me that if a restaurant provided nonsmoking outdoor areas its business would increase as word got around.

My mistake. I didn't post that because I thought it was a good idea; I posted it because I'm sick to death of more and more laws that take all the responsibility and choices away from people, restaurants, etc...
Just my 2 cents

Interesting statements (of fact?). I'm often amused by comments such as this where someone assumes that just because they don't like something, "most" people agree with them.

Regardless, I've never smoked and also feel that it's a disgusting habit and a crutch for weakness, however... I am smart enough to address the issue when I'm put in a situation that I don't enjoy, ie: ask to move to a different location, ask the smoker to cool it, distract the smoker by having a hot blonde walk by, so he'll leave etc.

Like many say on here -- just my opinion.

Chief X

And it's "just my opinion" from what I have seen, that "most people" do not like stinky people beside them, especially when "most people" are eating or going out and paying money to have a drink with friends (who do not stink) in a beautiful place.

Deodorant and anti-perspirant commercials have been telling us on t.v. for 50 years that stinking around others is offensive and unacceptable socially. Cigar smoking is regarded the same way by "most people".........even chain cigarette smokers.

I think there's the possibility, however remote, that if 50 people on this forum put their arms out a window on a rainy day only about 38 of them would agree their arms even got wet. Just a thought!

Hahaha! True!

ya know what, ilovetv, if i had a choice i would rather sit next to someone with an aromatic cigar instead of someone drenched in nauseating cologne/perfume/deodorant! to me, they are the stinky people! outside, at least, i can get away from them - in church, the movie theatre or entertainment venue or even the grocery store it is sometimes difficult to get far enough away from the offender. just my opinion, though!