Salsa City Forum » News and Chat » Ban on Smoking in Public Places

Wizzy, I dance LA-style, so does that excuse me from having to put up with cigarette smoke?

Also, Cuba now has a ban on smoking in most public places.

LA style - LA STYLE. You salsa luvvie you. Just dance salsa for goodness sake. But to the point of your question - I see I am out numbered so I suppoe smoking will have to be banned.

For the record

A nightclub is not a public place, it is a place where members of the public meet but it is usually privately owned and run. Many clubs have rules like dress code rules and therefore you could easily have rules for smoking and non-smoking.

If you want to live in a free country where people have freedom of choice then you have to accept that there are choices that may be unpalatable to you and you do not have to frequent such places. To ban someone's pleasures, choices and freedoms outright, even ones that are as disgusting as smoking would once have been called anti democratic. In a free country with a market economy nightclubs should be left to decide their policy as far as smokers and non-smokers are concerned and non-smokers should lobby promoters in their area to create more non-smoking salsa clubs. If the demand is as great as you imply then both parties would be catered for and everyone would be happy.

There's nothing 'democratic' about a minority - a significant proportion of whom are non-dancing spectators – selfishly polluting the air for everyone else in the club. Even, as in the Wharf a week ago, ignoring the clearly stated non-smoking rule.

The Claverton Rooms in Bath is non-smoking (even though it's run by a smoker) and the ban has been well-received by non-smokers and smokers. Which suggests that there is a latent demand for non-smoking venues. But it's hard enough for promoters in Cardiff to find venues that will tolerate salsa, without trying to get them to impose a smoking ban as well.

Personally I'd like it if smokers exercised a bit of self-restraint: if you can see that the vast majority aren't smoking (eg in O'Neills) why on earth can't you just stand outside the door if you need a fag?

Personally, as a smoker, I do try to exercise a bit of restraint and smoke away from other people. I don't mind going outdoors for a smoke -- it's what I do at home because the husband's a non-smoker. But if what I'm doing is a problem for someone I appreciate it if they tell me politely, then I am always happy to move or to stub out the fag. I don't appreciate people "going off on one" and being aggressive especially people I don't know. Smokers do need to be considerate, but non-smokers need to remember that we are also human beings and you are more likely to get courtesy in return for courtesy.

I appreciate people feel strongly about this but sadly in my experience people who are anti-smoking sometimes do more harm than good with their attitude. Hate the habit, not the person.

Here we go again - I thought this one had been laid to rest and just to remind you... I'm not a smoker.

But since it's been resurrected - here's a little fact for you. A single plane flight in a Boeing 747 causes as much pollution taking off and landing as 3.25 MILLION fags... now double that for your return trip and chuck in another million fags or so for cruising giving us a "conservative" 7 million fags to ONE complete round trip in an aircraft.

Now think of all the planes in the sky, taking off / landing everyday OK? Have you done that? Right, here we go with my point...

All of you "Jesus Sandal, Tree huggin, soya-milk people are moaning about your prescious lungs when somebody lights up a Rothmans but I bet everyone of ya flies abroad every year for holiday without thinking twice!!! Fine - let the WHOLE country stop smoking outright but in return we should also ban air travel as EVERY holidaymaker / business man contributes to more air pollution created in one flight than what a smoker creates in a LIFETIME!!!

Ultimately, just put smoking in perspective and get off the "Lefty Labour bandwagon" or we'll all end up spending our holidays in Tenby for the rest of our lives.

Have you actually thought as annoying as 'smoking in a dancing environment' is to some; that 'dancing in a sit down socialising environment' is to others?

I personally get a bit (okay, greatly!) annoyed when I get trodden on and elbowed by dancers when I'm trying to grab a drink from the bar.

Why can't we all just learn to accept each other's habits and personal choices?

If anyone was that concerned about his or her health, they would be down the gym in a stress free and smoke free environment.

These places that you dance in are bars and clubs first and foremost and have been that way for a long time before the Salsa crowd entered them. Respect that fact! Plus, as Management will tell you it's about 'the profits'. So they couldn't care less about the smoking, as many smokers are heavy drinkers and therefore create 'big revenues'.

If Salsa venues are not smoke free, or are over crowded or any other moan... why not attend one of the Salsa classes held in the gyms or leisure centres. Then, speaking as a lady, you would be a lot safer too!

What on earth has wanting to breathe clean air when you're out dancing got to do with party politics?

Hey - TB - I'd conceeded defeat but someone else just had to "start up again" and the "party politics" was just said 'cause it sounded funny and I'm a "righty"

PS notice you could only comment on the "political" aspect of my point... Does that mean you won't be taking anymore airoplane flights? I hope not because I don't want you poisioning my lungs but contributing to the aircraft emmissions ;-) Ha ha ha

Hey! What's wrong with spending your holidays in TENBY?