Which state has the toughest Smoking laws in the USA?

[El Presidente]

Daily I read different accounts of new smoking laws(or proposed) in US states.

I still don't know who has the toughest? Fill me in if you can.

God knows I doubt they are tougher than here

[nikesupremedunk]

I live in NYC and I would imagine it's one of the worst here. I've heard you can still smoke in parks temporarily but most people believe you can't. I've had random people come up to me to tell me I can't smoke in parks and it was at night time when nobody's there and I wasn't bothering anyone. I think Bloomberg still isn't satisfied and probably will try to make it harder for people to smoke in public especially cigars. People really look down on them when honestly the smell isn't as bad as cigarettes.

[El Presidente]

I live in NYC and I would imagine it's one of the worst here. I've heard you can still smoke in parks temporarily but most people believe you can't. I've had random people come up to me to tell me I can't smoke in parks and it was at night time when nobody's there and I wasn't bothering anyone. I think Bloomberg still isn't satisfied and probably will try to make it harder for people to smoke in public especially cigars. People really look down on them when honestly the smell isn't as bad as cigarettes.

I remember when NY was seriously the city that never slept. It was akin the "Hangover I II III and X" Long gone. Love Manhatten but it is a fragment of what it once was. Hong Kong, Barcelona, Madrid have long taken the mantle.

[fred170]

California & Massacheusetts as far as states are concerned, but for cities it has to be NYC

[sblevit]

These days, it's not really a state by state matter as much as it is city by city. Most of the more recent anti-smoking legislation has been undertaken by individual cities. The states all have their own laws for a while now and some of the cities have taken things even further. For example, California already has strict anti-smoking laws but Santa Monica has taken it to another level while neighboring Los Angeles and nearby Beverly Hills have not. But overall, smoking laws in the largest cities (LA, NY, Chicago, SF) are stricter than they are in other parts of the country.

Santa Monica recently made it illegal to smoke inside certain mufti-family residences, which is probably the strictest law out there as it means that it can be illegal to smoke in your own home.

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/07/11/new-santa-monica-ordinance-makes-it-illegal-to-light-up-inside-a-smokers-home/

[thecrowder]

You can't really smoke anywhere in Washington state except for tribal casinos and even then some of them look down on cigar smoking. There are a few places that allow for smoking on their outdoor patio where they don't serve food, or members only clubs, but, for the most part it is pretty limited.

[ZinZan]

I really thought US would have tough smoking laws but I'm quite surprised they are quite relax in comparison to Australia and Singapore.

[Deemancpa]

In Virginia, laws banning smoking was enacted in 2009. Essentially banning smoking from all places that serve food, all bars in Va must serve food. Exemptions are made for separate outdoor structures not enclosed or a separate structure will no air recirculating in the non smoking air. Morton's Steakhouse has a separate cigar lounge in most places.

In the Bahamas most natives don't smoke, most restaurants will provide an outdoor or open area seating for smoking. When I'm enjoying a cigar at a outdoor restaurant the only complaints are from tourist..lol

d

[SCgarman]

I would say New York and California are the most extremist states against smoking. I am originally from New york state. Now live in Virginia, where cigars are not yet persecuted compared to other states. There are ample B and M stores with cigar lounges here in the DC area.

[Duxnutz]

Definitely not Wisconsin. Went back for summer and was amazed that a year or so after the city passed indoor smoking bans at bars, that some places you can still smoke inside but they have a "fine jar" on the bar to donate towards paying a fine if they get busted.

Amazing stuff. Not. Big fan of indoor smoking but well it does get COLD there I guess.

[Diamondog]

Smoking banned in Ottawa anywhere indoors oh about 16 years ago....now no smoking on any patio and any city property like parks etc...

[ptrthgr8]

Smoking isn't allowed in any business here in Grand Forks, North Dakota. There's bar in Fargo that has a separate enclosed smoking room, but you can't have any drinks in there while you're smoking, so it's sorta lame.

Nearly all of my smoking is done at home now. I'm lucky to have a wife who tolerates my smoking indoors and who sometimes even joins me. During the warmer months I enjoy smoking on the patio in our backyard. If any of the nannies in govt even tried to keep me from smoking in my own home I would absolutely not conform. I don't think it would ever come to that in ND, but I wouldn't have thought they would outlaw smoking in bars here... so...

Cheers,

~ Greg ~

[canadianbeaver]

Did I not read/hear that Maryland was very strict and ground breaking on this issue? Particularly on the online and shipping side?

[Lotusguy]

Smoking isn't allowed in any business here in Grand Forks, North Dakota. There's bar in Fargo that has a separate enclosed smoking room, but you can't have any drinks in there while you're smoking, so it's sorta lame.

Nearly all of my smoking is done at home now. I'm lucky to have a wife who tolerates my smoking indoors and who sometimes even joins me. During the warmer months I enjoy smoking on the patio in our backyard. If any of the nannies in govt even tried to keep me from smoking in my own home I would absolutely not conform. I don't think it would ever come to that in ND, but I wouldn't have thought they would outlaw smoking in bars here... so...

Cheers,

~ Greg ~

Damn! I was just in Fargo recently... should have met up with you

[brazoseagle]

The laws in Texas are city by city, and outside of Communist Hippie Austin, there are a lot of cities still very much protecting my rights to enjoy tobacco and even cigars.

When I think of the way cigars were most nostalgic, it was back in a time a man could go to a classy Steakhouse, enjoy some well made cocktails, eat a fantastic steak and smoke a cigar or two.

This pleasure can still be appreciated in many parts of Texas. I can go sit in a restaurant and smoke a cigar and eat a great steak at the same time if I want to. I love it!!!!

In Texas, the top cities that still let people have fun are Addison, Waco, Garland and Richardson.

In fact, the best place to go, just happens to also be the #1 Steakhouse in all of Dallas /Ft. Worth.

Chamberlains!!!!!!

[kevinfj]

Massachusetts and California. End of story.......

[LLC]

Canada. We all know that we are the 51st state...

Our taxes may be the highest but our smoking laws aren't the toughest. Still patios to smoke on and still inside smoking in different parts of Quebec. Let's hope the stay reasonable about it.

[Charltonc]

In Florida, I am very blessed with three lounges in Sarasota for cigars and four other cigar stores to smoke in and countless bars. My favorite bar serves oysters, shrimp, and crawfish while you are having a smoke and a drink. I love it!

[Scdalak]

AS bad as NY can be, just doesnt get any more liberal or worse for smokers than Mass.. I swear they will ban smoking on my house deck soon....

[Scdalak]

Our taxes may be the highest but our smoking laws aren't the toughest. Still patios to smoke on and still inside smoking in different parts of Quebec. Let's hope the stay reasonable about it.

The outdoor smoking season is so short in Canada (Most of Canada)one would think gov't wouldnt waste the time..

[Lotusguy]

California is up there... certain counties are tougher than others but the whole state is very anti-smoking.

On the positive side, we recently defeated a 100% tobacco tax increase at the last election in my county

[ptrthgr8]

Damn! I was just in Fargo recently... should have met up with you

Next time you're around be sure to holler. We could probably get Marker to join us!

Cheers,

~ Greg ~

[Lotusguy]

True, but who knows how long Quebec will be part of Canada....

Quebec is part of Canada???

[TM-US]

Maryland banned online tobacco purchases in 2011- funny thing is, a lot of Maryland's population is close to other states, so the ban is rather stupid. If you live north of Baltimore, it's not a long drive to Delaware and Pennsylvania has no cigar tax, so a lot of people will drive up to PA to buy cigars. If you're in the Frederick area, you're very close to West Virginia and not too far from Pennsylvania. If you live near DC, it's a short trip to Virginia, where cigarette taxes are super-low (home of Phillip Morris) and I don't think cigars are heavily taxed either.

NY and California are definitely very strict on smoking- however, most states have banned smoking in public places- workplace, restaurants, bars, etc. There are always some strange loopholes, though. New Jersey does not allow smoking in public places, but every casino except one has smoking areas (the Revel). Ironically, the Revel has cigars and cigarettes in their gift shop, even though they are smoke-free throughout their whole casino?!?

[Loki]

New Jersey's laws aren't quite as bad as NY but close.

We can still smoke at outdoor seating areas at bars.

I remeber the days of sitting in my local watering hole and the cigar smokers out-numbered the cigarette smokers.

I truley miss smoking at the pub especially in the winter time.