Spanish smokers rebel against new year ban

[MicroBalrog]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12118330

A large printed sign in the window informs customers that Asador Guadalmina, in Marbella, is deliberately flouting the ban - making it a last refuge for smokers.

"We inform you that as a private business we are making use of our rights and that law will not be applied in our establishment," the poster reads.

It goes on to accuse the Socialist government of introducing the ban as a "smoke screen to cover seven years of massive destruction in Spain".

Micro Sez: Awesome. Furthermore: How many smokers are out there? What would happen if they formed a political group?

[French G.]

Having smoked a cigar or two in fine spanish bars I'd gladly participate in a smoke-in, smoke-out, whatever. Maybe all the smokers should just claim to be gay religious minorities who suffer from chronic terminal diseases and why yes they do need to smoke this marijuana in public to ease their horrible pain.

I have never had more than a pack a year cigarette habit, just smoke a little in social settings and/or smoke an entire pack of marlboro reds with but one match in a successful attempt to stay wide awake for an all night drive.  Regardless, I want to smoke more every time I see more of this crap. Step one, smoking is evil. Step 2, drive all the companies in my home state's substantial tobacco industry out of business. Step 3, all those unemployed RJR workers? Let's double the costs of their smokes with an excise tax. Oh wow, look, more people on public assistance!!! 

[tyme]

"We inform you that as a private business we are making use of our rights and that law will not be applied in our establishment," the poster reads.

Cool.  Can I lure someone there and kill them, then, since law is suspended inside?

Any establishment that allows customers to smoke but doesn't allow them to light incense does not have an environmental air quality policy, but is instead enforcing rules based on what generates profits without regard to people's health or the comfort of non-smokers (or non-incense-burners).

(Yes, I'm also against incense burning in public establishments.)

[MicroBalrog]

Any establishment that allows customers to smoke but doesn't allow them to light incense does not have an environmental air quality policy, but is instead enforcing rules based on what generates profits without regard to people's health or the comfort of non-smokers (or non-incense-burners).

Amazing, private establishments looking for the comfort of their clients!

[Monkeyleg]

I tried for years to understand why smokers didn't organize. It may have to do with the demographics (more low-income, less educated smokers than the general population), or that the move to ban smoking started later than other movements, like gun control.

About 24% of the adult population smokes. That's a lot of people, probably close to the number that own guns. The public doesn't usually see guns being used, though, so they may not be so readily inclined to ban them. Most understand that there's a right to own them, even if they don't.

With smoking, while most people will agree in principle that people have a right to smoke, when it's in their faces it's a different matter. So the social disapproval may discourage smokers from organizing. I don't know.

It's refreshing to see establishments stand up to governments, although it never lasts.

[makattak]

Cool.  Can I lure someone there and kill them, then, since law is suspended inside?

Any establishment that allows customers to smoke but doesn't allow them to light incense does not have an environmental air quality policy, but is instead enforcing rules based on what generates profits without regard to people's health or the comfort of non-smokers (or non-incense-burners).

(Yes, I'm also against incense burning in public establishments.)

No, they don't. They have a profit-making policy.

It may even be that they have a liberty policy as this seems an act of defiance as well. Bravo.

You know how non-smokers comfort is regarded by this establishment? They don't have to go into the establishment.

It's amazing how the only choice that seems important to lefties is sex.

[roo_ster]

Amazing, private establishments looking for the comfort of their clients!

What is this crazy talk?!

It's amazing how the only choice that seems important to lefties is sex.

QFT.

[MicroBalrog]

Any sexual 'tolerance' promoted by the mainstream left is at best a fig leaf.

[tyme]

About 24% of the adult population smokes. That's a lot of people, probably close to the number that own guns. The public doesn't usually see guns being used, though, so they may not be so readily inclined to ban them. Most understand that there's a right to own them, even if they don't.

The public isn't as inclined to ban guns because guns don't irritate (when concealed) or inflict minor injury on people nearby.  And when someone with a gun does inflict any injury on someone else, or irritates them by waving a gun around, those are CRIMES.

You know how non-smokers comfort is regarded by this establishment? They don't have to go into the establishment.

So if an establishment allows people to hit each other or rape each other, that's fine because people who don't want to be beaten or raped can eat or drink elsewhere?

[makattak]

So if an establishment allows people to hit each other or rape each other, that's fine because people who don't want to be beaten or raped can eat or drink elsewhere?

Yes to the first. We even have those already- boxing matches, MMA matches, martial arts schools, etc... No to the second as that is impossible.

[Strings]

>So if an establishment allows people to hit each other or rape each other, that's fine because people who don't want to be beaten or raped can eat or drink elsewhere?<

Sounds correct to me.

I don't like getting hit, so I don't go into boxing rings or dojos.

Not all that difficult for folks who don't want to breathe smoke to stay out of smoking establishments...

[MicroBalrog]

So if an establishment allows people to hit each other or rape each other, that's fine because people who don't want to be beaten or raped can eat or drink elsewhere?

Ever hear of a foga?

[Seenterman]

So if an establishment allows people to hit each other or rape each other, that's fine because people who don't want to be beaten or raped can eat or drink elsewhere?

Seriously? Your trying to compare rape and assault to smoking? 

Nice strawman you got there.

[Tallpine]

So if an establishment allows people to hit each other or rape each other, that's fine because people who don't want to be beaten or raped can eat or drink elsewhere?

Actually, there are places like that - or so I've heard 

I dunno if they allow eating and drinking, though ...