Smokers can't smell much of anything (even though they don't believe it). Remember that kissing a smoker is like licking a dirty ashtray!

Smoking sections don't work in bars and restaurants for the same reason they don't work in airplanes. YOU CAN STILL SMELL THE SMOKE!

That is, people who are non-smokers, sensitive to smoke, or allergic to smoke CAN STILL SMELL THE SMOKE.

In the end, I would rather the majority, not the minority, have to make some expections instead of simply inflicting their way of life onto others, even if that means having to deal with smoke-filled clubs and bars. Because, it's still someone's choice to go to a bar or not go to a bar, regardless of it's smoky content.

"But today, as Iraqis vote in their first modern election, the war in Iraq is also transforming the Middle East and its relations with the United States in directions the Bush administration might not have expected.

Even many of the region's skeptics about the war say Iraq might, in the end, build a relatively stable democracy. But some of America's most steadfast allies, knowing how shaky their own hold on power is, fear that the Iraqi insurgency may encourage violent anti-government dissidents or Islamic militants in their own countries....

Two questions are on their [many ordinary Arabs'] minds: Even if democracy takes root and grows in Iraq, will a more stable Middle East follow? And if civil war consumes Iraq, how quickly will instability engulf its neighbors? [emphasis mine]

"We had the power to reshuffle the deck of cards in the Middle East," said Shibley Telhami, the Anwar Sadat professor for peace and development at the University of Maryland. "But we never had the power to make sure how they would fall."

Beyond the general concern about instability is a shared concern in Sunni-ruled countries - Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the smaller oil-rich states of the Persian Gulf - that the greatest beneficiary of the war so far has been not Iraq, but Shiite-dominated Iran. Empowering Iraq's Shiite majority, they fear, will embolden Shiites elsewhere to challenge their own ruling Sunni Muslim classes. This, in turn, could encourage a spread of Iranian influence that was held in check by Iraq when it was ruled by Sunni kings and dictators."

"But today, as Iraqis vote in their first modern election, the war in Iraq is also transforming the Middle East and its relations with the United States in directions the Bush administration might not have expected.

Even many of the region's skeptics about the war say Iraq might, in the end, build a relatively stable democracy. But some of America's most steadfast allies, knowing how shaky their own hold on power is, fear that the Iraqi insurgency may encourage violent anti-government dissidents or Islamic militants in their own countries....

Two questions are on their [many ordinary Arabs'] minds: Even if democracy takes root and grows in Iraq, will a more stable Middle East follow? And if civil war consumes Iraq, how quickly will instability engulf its neighbors? [emphasis mine]

"We had the power to reshuffle the deck of cards in the Middle East," said Shibley Telhami, the Anwar Sadat professor for peace and development at the University of Maryland. "But we never had the power to make sure how they would fall."

Beyond the general concern about instability is a shared concern in Sunni-ruled countries - Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the smaller oil-rich states of the Persian Gulf - that the greatest beneficiary of the war so far has been not Iraq, but Shiite-dominated Iran. Empowering Iraq's Shiite majority, they fear, will embolden Shiites elsewhere to challenge their own ruling Sunni Muslim classes. This, in turn, could encourage a spread of Iranian influence that was held in check by Iraq when it was ruled by Sunni kings and dictators."

"But today, as Iraqis vote in their first modern election, the war in Iraq is also transforming the Middle East and its relations with the United States in directions the Bush administration might not have expected.

Even many of the region's skeptics about the war say Iraq might, in the end, build a relatively stable democracy. But some of America's most steadfast allies, knowing how shaky their own hold on power is, fear that the Iraqi insurgency may encourage violent anti-government dissidents or Islamic militants in their own countries....

Two questions are on their [many ordinary Arabs'] minds: Even if democracy takes root and grows in Iraq, will a more stable Middle East follow? And if civil war consumes Iraq, how quickly will instability engulf its neighbors? [emphasis mine]

"We had the power to reshuffle the deck of cards in the Middle East," said Shibley Telhami, the Anwar Sadat professor for peace and development at the University of Maryland. "But we never had the power to make sure how they would fall."

Beyond the general concern about instability is a shared concern in Sunni-ruled countries - Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the smaller oil-rich states of the Persian Gulf - that the greatest beneficiary of the war so far has been not Iraq, but Shiite-dominated Iran. Empowering Iraq's Shiite majority, they fear, will embolden Shiites elsewhere to challenge their own ruling Sunni Muslim classes. This, in turn, could encourage a spread of Iranian influence that was held in check by Iraq when it was ruled by Sunni kings and dictators."

While I understand your sentiment, chilly, I would rather the minority not inflict their unhealthy habit on the majority. It's still someone's choice to pick up that first cigarette. They made the mistake in becoming an addict; why the hell should I pay for it by having to breathe it, and why should I be inconvenienced by it by having to avoid a public place I want to go?

so, we have something in common, asshole.

Sorry Gary, but no smoking in public places like a restaurant or bar is a no brainer and obviously in the public interest. It's a workers compensation issue if nothing else. Private smoke clubs can do what they want, but otherwise smoking really should be prohibited in most every public establishment. Smoking shouldn't be illegal, but its gotta be carefully regulated.