Cigarettes vs. Cell Phones
 

What do you reckon?

A restaurant can say no smoking allowed, and some have a smoking and non-smoking section. I have yet to see a restaurant that does not allow cell phone usage. Albeit cigarettes are bad for your health and others who breathe the secondhand smoke, cell phones are annoying and a form of noise pollution. Hearing half of a conversation against your will, not being allowed to smoke after your meal...

What's your take?

If I had my way smoking would be banned on earth, its far more of a problem, annoyance, and risk to everyone.

Cellphones in a resturant is thier problem, people allready talk. What difference would it make.

A few rings here and there, no biggie.

Smoke that can cause cancer, big problem.

Both are a big nuisance, so I think you should not be allowed to do either in a restaurant. But it really comes down to common courtesy, which people in this country (USA) really lack.

I've never been sure why other people's 'right' not to be annoyed by my smoking takes precedence over my 'right' to enjoy a cigarette. But hey...

And in fact, I have seen restaurants where cell phones are banned. "The Cottage" in Grand Rapids, MI, for one.

they should install the dampening fields so cell phones won't work :)

I heard they've started using those in theatres.,

Maybe they should make the smoking section into a new cell phone/smoking section. Smokers and cell phone users can smoke to their heart's content, or chat up a storm in the designated area. And anyone who didn't want to be around all that would sit in the non-smoking/no cell phones section.

In some restaurants in Lost Angeles they do have NO CELL PHONES signs posted..........it still does no good.

The last thing I want to hear is a phone ringing when I'm trying to enjoy a nice meal.

What I get a kick out of is when you see two people in a car (like the other day) and they are both talking on a cell phone. Man I would love to see the cell phones all go DEAD for 1 week:D

Because your cigarette smoke is physically damaging to me.

But to the question at hand; I don't see cell phones as much of an annoyance outside of in theatres and other events that require people to be rather silent, but any building that wants to ban their use is fine by me. If I really had to call someone that bad I'd just go outside. . .

Talk in your phone all you want, but please do not blow your smoke in my direction. That is rude.

I'd rather Cell Phones be banded then Cigarettes. I've been around smokers most of my life, and have smoked on and off for the past 5 years or so. I never lit up in a public area though. I can't stand a Cigar Smoker two tables away, and I imagine alot of people feel the same way just about simply Cigarette smoke.

Because smokers don't have any "rights". There isn't a law on the books in the US that protect someone's right to smoke.

Because you're disturbing them.

Duh.

pursuit of happiness...

why does your right to enjoy a party at 3am not take precedence over your neighbours' right to sleep?

some things are kind of common sense.

while first-hand cigarette and cellphone use can cause cancer, only second-hand cigarette use can.

Way to go California, Delaware, Montgomery Co. Maryland!!

I see no problem with a cell phone in a restaurant unless:

1) they have a loud ring - use vibrate or turn it down for God sakes
2) they insist on talking loudly (I have a problem with this cell phone or not).

Second-hand smoke is harmful to your health or at the very least physically annoying (makes me cough, makes my eyes hurt, etc.), and people who want to avoid it should not be subjected to it. Your rights end where my nose begins. If you can invent a smokeless cigarette, god bless.

I've never really been sure why cell phones in restaurants, or on the street or wherever, bother people. In theaters or other places where it's supposed to be quiet it's a no brainer. But if someone's talking in a waiting room, or in a restaurant, or just standing on the street, why does that bug people so much? Sometimes it bugs me, sometimes it doesn't. Like Charlatan says, if they're talking loudly or have an obnoxious ring tone, that's annoying. But how is talking loudly on the phone any different than talking loudly to someone else who's present? If someone was with me and got a cell phone call I'd be annoyed if they took it, unless they told me up front they were expecting a call, or asked if I minded if they took the call. Otherwise I would feel like they were ignoring me in favor of someone who's not there and can just barge in any time.

Oh, these modern etiquette dilemmas!

Heard many cell phones that don't have a loud ring? Or many people that don't talk louder when on their mobiles?

Sometimes that stuff gets on my nerves too, but I generally don't like people who get into other peoples business or bitch their heads off. So I just stay the hell out of it.

*raises hand*

I am one of the few people courteous enough to turn on vibrate before I enter a building, and to take my conversation outside or near the men's room. Not only do I not want to disturb anyone with my phone, I also don't really want them listening to my conversations.

Well, we've all heard the crap spewed from EPA regarding second hand smoke. Take it with a grain of salt.

I smoked for 8 years, then I quit 18 months ago.

Personally, I feel people yapping on their cell phones are far more obnoxious than those puffing a smoke. What really bugs me is pipe and cigar smoke. That shit stinks.

Besides, there are now plenty of non-smoking restaurants should one be that annoyed by it. I vote for a non-cell phone section as well.

And my church. Sad, isn't it?

personally, I find cell phones to be very annoying, and I wish they were not allowed in most buildings, however, that won't happen.

as far as smoking.. I can't stand it.. the only smoke I don't mind is pipe smoke..

cigarette and cigar smoke actually makes it physically hard for me to breath and I end up having to leave the area if it is heavy... so I am definatley one that is against it in a building where I have to go share space with someone.. in their own home, it is their choice, but in movie theatres and what not.. please dont do it..

one reason I rarely goto bars and clubs.. I can't stand the smoke. I even refuse to go into some of my friend's places because I just cannot breathe.

So what if someone is using a cell phone or there is a ring during my meal....like I give a shit. I have more important things to worry about in my life. Now second hand smoke bugs me because I'm severely alergic to it, not to mention the whole "I-don't-smoke-but-I-have-lung-cancer-thing" regarding second-hand smoke. I enjoy a good cigar now and then, but I do it alone and outside so as to not infringe on anyone else or their enclosed environment. It doesn't take much to think of the people around you and try to minimize your impact on them.

My girlfriend and her sister are both asthmatic and whenever they smell cigarrette smoke, it sets off their asthma. I've seen it happen more than a few times. Ironically, I'm more pissed off about it than they are. They've taught themselves to hold their breath whenever they pass by anyone who's smoking, and it's become second nature to them.
Personally, I've never minded people smoking around me as long as they're not blowing smoke in my direction. People who leave their cell phones on during movies should be fined, though. I paid good money to enjoy my movie, just like everyone else in that theater.

Well, of course it's basic courtesy that a smoker not blow his smoke towards non-smokers (or other smokers, for that matter) where possible -- it's not always possible. I've never been convinced that second-hand smoke is as deadly as people claim -- if someone wants to send me a link to an actual study, I'd be happy to read it. And bars can install air-purifiers. In South Bend, there's a bar downtown where they have several of these, so that, even though there's usually a ton of people smoking, the air's not very smoky (or even not smoky at all). And if it's not harmful to one's health, it comes down to whether the smokers should be allowed to annoy the non-smokers, or the non-smokers annoy the smokers. And that should be left up to the market, rather than the state. If it really annoys most people, won't someone take advantage of that by starting a non-smoking bar?

The issue with second hand smoke is the fact that it can cause physical distress to others. So can perfume (ever had someone walk past your table and it smells like they BATHED in it?).

I'm all for no cell phone, no smoking, NO CHILDREN (my personal pet peeve) and no perfume/scented lotions/etc.

There are a lot of cell-phone free restaurants around here (usually nicer places). If people wern't rude about using them in the first place it might not have come to this.
I have no time for people that think they have a "right" to pump smoke into my clean air. Give up your argument, you're a dying breed.

I guess there's a place for everything.

I've been straight edge before, so I can understand the need for non smoking sections, but now I'm a huge fan of cigars, and sometimes enjoy a nice cigar after a meal. However, I don't always want to breath smoke when I'm out.

Cell phones never bothered me, until I was on a bus to Florida, and the woman behind me insisted on calling EVERY friend and famliy member she had, and telling them all the details of her trip for SEVERAL hours at times when the entire bus was trying to sleep (I had to go back to college the next morning and wasn't getting back into town until 3am or so). Now I understand the need for more curteous cellphone use.

So I guess it all boils down to this: If you want to smoke, there should be a friendly place for it. If you're desiring pure air, you should have that priviledge as well.

If you've got a cell phone, use some respect when you're in a public place. Some calls can't be avoided: emergencies (life-threatening or not), work, etc.

The moral is, whether smoking or chatting be mindful of where you are, and who's around you. It's just the Golden Rule for the modern era.

Go outside to TALK, smoke quietly in a seperate area....

EDIT: In a well ventilated area :)

i think a lot of this anti-smoking has gotten out of hand. Sure it's not healthy, but no one goes after the drinkers. They are prone to liver disease, but more importantly, if they get drunk, they are dangerous, especially if the drive. I think drinking is a far more dangerous vice than smoking for the people who do it, and for others around it. About cell phones, i dont' have a problem with them in resturants unless the people are loud. I DO have a problem with people who dont' know how to turn them off in theaters. People who drive with cell phones are dangerous too. I'm glad to see states are starting to outlaw that, and make it so you have to use a hands-free set.

There are several resturaunts - albeit the more expensive ones in my city that have installed cell phone frequency blockers. You walk in the door and you're at NO SIGNAL. It's a great dining experience. The technology i'm referring to is often used in hospitals for the same purpose.

i think that smoking is 1.) bad for you 2.) has absolutly no benfits at all. i don't understand why people even start smoking. sure, some drugs get you high and i can understand why people do that, but smoking doesn't make you high and doesn't make you feel good. if it were up to me, smoking would be banded and all tobacco companies would be shut down.

cell phone doesn't bother me because i don't think i ever had an incicent where a cell phone bothered me. that and i also own one. i turn it to silence mode whenever i'm in a movie and when i'm out, i only call people if i need to. i talk just as loud on the phone as i would if they were standing infront of me. however, now that everyone mentioned it, i think i probalby should be more curtious with my cell phone usage cause some of the things i've done probably did annoy some people.


edit: i think that installing cell phone damers is a horrible idea. i'm fine if everyone is required to turn their phones to vibrate or silence but blocking signals defeats the whole purpose of having cell phones in the first place (ie emergincies, convenince...)

If you set your phone to vibrate and talk in a low voice, I have no problems with cellphones in a nice restaurant.

Unfortunately, most people seem to have set the Mario theme as their ringtone at maximum volume, and also they believe that the person on the other end won't hear them unless they YELL INTO THE PHONE AT ALL TIMES. The mics on cells are exceedingly sensitive... half the time someone calls me from one I have to tell them to quit acting like a trainable and talk like a normal person.

edit:

oh, and for indignant smokers, let me explain something to you: someone using a cellphone in a normal tone of voice at the next table doesn't hurt me. Someone smoking a cig at the next table not only makes all of my food taste like tobacco, it also gives me lung cancer. THATS the difference.

As I said in my previous post, if you're going to run this line, give me evidence, not hearsay.

Re: Cigarettes vs. Cell Phones
 

In this region there are MANY restaurants that do not allow cell phones.

IMHO both tobacco and Cell Phones should be banned from restaurants. I often eat in a few restaurants which have 'salons'. You can smoke there before or after dinner, as long as you do not smoke in the restaurant.

Well, if a person has a sprint cell phone you won't have to worry about them talking in a restaurant. Chances are the phone won't work because they're indoors. Sorry, I had to let off some steam. What was the question again?

Hey, I spent 46 years in Grand Rapids Mi! Where is the cottage?

I agree that cellphones and smoking are both annoying, but I think that smoking is much more intrusive on those around you. Just like lurkette said "your rights end where my nose begins." While people on cell phones can be annoying, listening to them is usually no more annoying than listening to anyone else in a restaraunt talk, i.e., jackasses that speak loudly on a cellphone, speak loudly in normal conversation. The rings can be annoying, especially the damn songs, but how long do they last?
Meanwhile, when you smoke, I smoke. I won't make the cancer argument, but you don't have the right to make a choice for me. Smoking in a public place forces everyone around you to smoke. I liken this to a physical assault. In my eyes, there are two possible explanations as to why people smoke around non-smokers:
1. They are so completely self-centered and stupid that they are completely oblivious to the fact that someone else might not want to breathe smoke.
2. They are completely self-centered and they know that they are infringing on other peoples' rights, but they don't care. In fact, they must revel in the fact that they are bothering people. What could possibly be more rude than this?

It's just off of Fulton, on the eastern side of downtown. Great bar; at one point, it was my favorite bar in Grand Rapids.

Bah. That's prejudice for you. What rights am I infringing on by smoking near non-smokers? Am I really causing more health damage than, say, the smog in LA? When I go to the beach, I'm completely aware that people might not want to see my in my bathing suit -- does that make me a self-centered bastard for doing so? I'm sick and tired of people treating smokers like they eat babies or something.