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.