Does Washington State's Smoking Ban Promote Teen Smoking?
In November of 2005, Washington State residents approved a smoking ban initiative which went into effect on December 8th. This law is similar to one passed in California that prohibits smoking in restaurants and bars. Where it differs is that Washington's law prohibits smoking within 25 feet of the establishment's entrances and air intakes. Twenty-five feet.
There is a part of the law that I like. I do prefer to go to non-smoking restaurants to eat. For me, it's just a more pleasurable experience not having the smoke waft over from the smoking section. But I don't think the state should tell business owners to put out the smoking section. That should be up to the establishment's owner. If they want non-smoking, make it a non-smoking restaurant. If they want smoking, do that. And customers would have a choice, too. (I do feel for restaurant workers, but not as much as the customers.)
I completely disagree with the ban on smoking in bars. When I go into a bar, there's a few things I expect: 1. Everyone is an adult. 2. People are drinking (or as Toby Keith sings, "Let's Get Drunk and Be Somebody." 3. I'm going to leave reeking of smoke and will have to wash every article of clothing I wore in there, and possibly have to clean my car seats to get rid of the smell. It is, after all, a bar. (And I wouldn't be surprised if someone in Washington comes up with an initiative that bans drinking alcohol in bars. Yes, Washington may just be that anal.)
So now in Washington, people can't smoke in bars, and they can't smoke outside within 25 feet. (The 25 foot rule, however, doesn't seem to be enforced all that often.) So what do they do? They, of course, smoke outside and usually on the sidewalks. What was done before inside is now done in the open. For everyone to see. Including kids.
Washington state spends a lot of it's Tobacco settlement money on an anti-smoking campaign. But are the kids that the campaign is targeting getting a mixed message? By seeing people smoking outside, I think they can draw a few conclusions: 1. It's okay. 2. It's a group activity. 3. Cool people do it. So why not light up?
I have no data for this; it's purely conjecture and observation. But more people are smoking outside than before. The law made that happen.
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Oct 5, 2006
9:09pm
Business owners should decide how to operate their own business. If you don't like a restaurant with smokers, go to a non-smoking establishment, or, stay home. And anyone who buys the second home smoke research, don't see the agenda paid for by the control freaks. We are well on our way to becoming a socialist-quasi communist country, due to the government babysitter mentality, and way too many people afraid to live and enjoy their life (and let others). If you anal socialists were so concerned about life and death issues, you would abolish driving altogether.
Not likely to happen, you haven't been brainwashed on a continuous basis that driving around in metal tonnage is dangerous to all.
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Nov 14, 2006
4:33am
Washington is that anal.
nice point of view.
I agree with the no smoking in bars is gay. I live next to a bar in bellingham that is about to be shut down because he does not obey the law about no smoking in the bar. He allows it for his customers and the police office is having a cow.
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Feb 25, 2007
11:02pm
Smoking bans and bans in general are giving a much stronger message than just smoking to our teens. They are giving the message that you know longer live in a free society.
They are giving them the message to start rebelling at an earlier age so their freedom to partake in legal behaviors are not infringed upon.
By alcohol not being banned and bars allowed to sell a mind altering substance it is also giving the message drinking is ok.
Hence we have had many experiences with college students dying from 21 shots and your dead.
These bans and the people backing them are mindless, they must of partaken too much LSD in their lives because they are ruining our country in the name of saving it.
#6tyler |
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Since the ban on smoking in public places began in the UK it is refreshing as a non-smoker to come home after an evening out not stinking of smoke, not feeling like you have been sucking on a car's exhaust, not having eyes which feel sticky, and having been able to enjoy your food without getting the flavour of second hand smoke mixed with it. So I have felt the benefit...
But the point I wanted to make is that when you see the people huddled outside in the rain smoking you have to wonder if so many people will continue to smoke. I think making it more difficult for people will reduce the number of smokers over time.
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I have to agree the smoking ban is a good thing, it means coming home without smelling like an old ashtray. I have noticed that the ban has drastically reduced the amount of people in the local pubs, we went to what was once a busy pub on a Friday evening and found 2 people at the bar and this was during a karaoke night, so for sure even though the ban is great for us non smokers, its killing the pub trade in the UK
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Though it's is forbidden to smoke in public here (Serbia), people are still doing it regardless of where they are, and I guess until someone gets arrested or has to pay for it, people will still be doing it 
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Smoking bans may be active in many Countries, but this will not stop heavy smokers from ignoring it, untill governments enforce these banns they woont work. To date i know of no smoking ban in the USA or UK that has been enforced your the power of the law.
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Numerous research studies have shown that sociocultural factors influence the initiation and continued use of alcohol and tobacco among adolescents and adults. Few studies have examined the effects of sociocultural factors on the tendency of smokers to drink and drinkers to smoke. However, the limited evidence available suggests that such factors exist and that the strength of the association between alcohol and tobacco use behaviors varies with the levels of alcohol use. Public health interventions focused on concurrent tobacco and alcohol use could yield further reductions in the morbidity and mortality associated with these substances. KEY WORDS: sociocultural AODC (causes of alcohol or other drug [AOD] use, abuse, and dependence); sociocultural aspects of AOD use; smoking; AOD use initiation; adolescent; family as an AODC; peer group; adult; AOD abstinence; public health
Research indicates that sociocultural factors influence the initiation and continued use of alcohol and tobacco among adolescents and adults. Few studies have examined the effects of sociocultural factors on the tendency of smokers to drink and drinkers to smoke. However, the limited evidence available suggests that such factors exist and that the strength of the association between alcohol and tobacco use behaviors varies with the levels of alcohol use.
This article first reviews research on the sociocultural factors that influence whether adolescents begin smoking and/or drinking. The article then discusses similar mechanisms that may sustain alcohol and tobacco use among adults. Some sociocultural factors influence smoking and drinking across much of the adult population. Other factors that predict continued tobacco use among adults might differ for alcohol abstainers, moderate drinkers, heavy drinkers, and recovering alcoholics.
Although this article discusses adolescent and adult populations separately, a strong, positive relationship exists between alcohol and tobacco use in both age groups. Results from the 1997 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA] 1998) indicated that among the respondents ages 12 to 17 as...
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Until the laws actually get applied, and we see some serious ways of punishment the people will be ignoring it.
#13darn right!
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Epos is right!
#14Agreed.
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Although smoking bans do help stop public smoking it's going to be hard to
influence heavy smokers in any way...
Smokers find it very hard to quit, and I did aswell.
In my own experience of quitting (I managed to quit quite easily -- BOOYAH! after using something which I won't explain here) I think it's important to realise...
And admit to yourself that you actually DO have a fear of not smoking.
The second thing that is VERY VITAL to this is to actually put in the effort...
By this I mean make a goal and then STICK TO THE GOAL.
FORGET about patches, gum, hypnosis, therapy and all this other crap...
I think the real secret is...
Admitting you have a problem, putting in some hard work, setting a pratical goal and then working towards it is how you will quit...
It's how I quit.
Ok I think my comment is getting a little long long but one more thing...
LET'S TAKE DOWN THIS NICOTINE SON OF A GUN!
haha I'm in a weird mood aren't I...
Pete 
Oh yeah, visit my site... I have a 96% success rate in helping people quit so yeahhh...
Comment Information
May 15, 2008
6:42am
1. It's okay. 2. It's a group activity. 3. Cool people do it. So why not light up?
those conclusions that you think teens might come up with are largely unproven.
I agree there are more people smoking on the streets than before the law, and it irritates me too. But think you've got nicers dining environment and the people working inside the restaurants need not suffer from lung cancer. Also, think kids understand by imposing such law, the government is against smoking, and parents have more say to their kids 'see, there's a law' there. Now you can't see results yet. Adults are smoking on streets. DOn't know if 10years since the law will number of smokers decrease or not cos we have a law here to educate the young. But it's better than nothing.
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definitely not. You mean having people smoking on streets would let kids follow such bad example more than if the smokers smoke inside? How is that even possible? This is a legislation so obviously against smoking and discourages smoking. It sends a very clear message to kids.
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I think it's wrong for non-smokers to go in a bar or any public place for the matter, and be forced to second-hand smoke because the place is crawling with people addicted to this dirty habit.
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I do not think this kind of thing would promote teenagers to smoke cigarettes. Although some people do believe that this law can have this kind of effect.
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