Nevada voters approved the more restrictive of two smoking initiatives Tuesday, rejecting the business-backed Question 4 and paving the way for Nevada's restaurants and bars to go smoke-free starting sometime after Nov. 28. This does not include casinos.

The biggest impact it will have is on the local pubs that have bar-top machines and serve food, as well. These places have said they will shut down their kitchens (causing losses of jobs) if this passes, so we'll see what happens here. It will also outlaw smoking in the gaming areas of grocery and convenience stores.

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"You gonna bark all day, little doggie, or are you gonna bite?" - Mr. Blonde from Reservoir Dogs

There is quite a bit of stir over this even where I live down in Laughlin. Addictions are a bitch, and nicotine is one of the worst. But I quit after 35 years of a pack and a half a day habit without a patch, hypnotism, etc. Just minted toothpicks. LOL

I imagine a lot of people are pissed about this one.

Vegas fosters this image of anything goes, but then they go and ban smoking. Boy.

Mike, congratulations on kicking the habit. I never smoked, but I've heard it's the hardest habit to kick. You should be proud.

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"If you aren't going all the way, why go at all?" Joe Namath

Dallas has a smoking ban too. I'm all for being polite and not forcing non-smokers to breathe your smoke, but what concerns me is that the government at any level in this country feels like it's okay to tell business owners what they can and cannot allow in their establishments. Since smoking is a legal activity, if I own a restaurant, I should be able to decide whether or not my patrons are allowed to smoke. And if I have patrons who are offended by any of the smoking that's going on, then they're welcome to patronize another business.

Another example of the bizarre paternalistic theocracy that's now running this country.

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Randy

Yep. That about sums it up.

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"You gonna bark all day, little doggie, or are you gonna bite?" - Mr. Blonde from Reservoir Dogs

I read where national and international executives just attended a conference in Vegas aimed at dealing with the changes brought about by such smoking bans.

Australian casinos have a similar ban and one of their representatives said Australian casinos had to build smoking balconies, use advertisements to alert its smoking customers of the law and install directional signs identifying smoking and nonsmoking areas.

And Ontario is facing a more serious issue. Under the Smoke-Free Act of Ontario, smoking is banned in all entertainment venues, including casinos and bingo halls. Much like the refurbishing occurring in Australian casinos to accommodate smoking patrons, Ontario casinos are adding balconies and outdoor patio areas for smokers, said Karl Gagesch, vice president of development for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.

Ontario's law, enacted in May, allows smoking in outdoor shelters or patios with a roof but with no more than two walls.

To stay within the law, Ontario casinos are fencing in the patio areas and installing heating lamps to keep customers comfortable.

It was also learned that there's a bill in New Jersey that proposes an outright ban of smoking on the casino floors. Look out, Atlantic City!

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"You gonna bark all day, little doggie, or are you gonna bite?" - Mr. Blonde from Reservoir Dogs