Friday, May 31, 2013

Eek! A Cigarette!


Starbucks extends its smoking ban. Although not a smoker, I often sit outside with that harried group. We peek in at the lap-topped wizards who hog the best seats as they write The Great American Novel and sip their lattes.

I've never once been bothered by anyone lighting up and seriously doubt if my lifespan has been reduced by a fraction of a second. It will be a positive sign when organizations begin to emphasize freedom as much as sustainability and health.

4 comments:

Dan in Philly said...

I wish we could hop in a time machine and observe what future historians say about our age.

"Will the find us wise or silly, looking backwards, willy nilly..."
Steven Vincent Benet

Kurt Harden said...

Yet another reason to avoid Starbuck's. . .in addition to the burnt coffee.

Jack L. Poller said...

Smokers, by definition pollute. The smoke and tar clings to windows, furniture, clothing, etc. and is just downright nasty. Not to mention how many smokers find it acceptable to extinguish via the shoe, and leave the litter on the ground.

It makes entering a Starbucks, or any other retail establishment, feel like walking through a gauntlet of dirty trash to get to the clean area. If it's really dirty, or smoky, I'll avoid because I assume it's just as bad inside.

I'm not alone, and I'm sure that this effects businesses all over. In California, you have a 25-foot rule - no smoking within 25 feet of the entrance to a public facility. This makes life a lot cleaner and more enjoyable.

Strange Fruit said...

I agree with Unknown. Those who say secondhand smoke has "no ill effects" on them are proved wrong by scientific fact. And the analogy given by Unknown rings true with me: "like walking through a gauntlet of dirty trash."

I have known and associated with many smokers, mostly in my youth, and I only knew 2 who were considerate of the world around them.