I never really realized just how bad second hand smoke could be.  I mean, I always knew the stuff was bad, but the fact that you can get sicker from second hand smoke quicker than a smoker just seems crazy to me.

I have a friend who has never smoked a day in her life and she just found out she has cancer with second hand smoke to blame.  She has worked in a diner for years, and that can be the only way she got it.  Thankfully our town just put in a ban on smoking inside restuarants and clubs, but it is too late for so many people.

Oh wow, that really sucks. I guess that comes with the job though sometimes.  I mean if you decide to be a bartender you know that you are going to be sucking second hand smoke everynight.

I have noticed that more and more towns are taking up no smoking laws in bars, clubs and restaurants though.

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50 miles to school each day, in the snow, up hill

I am truly very sorry to hear about your friend. It's a shame and I will absolutely say a prayer for her tonight. I don't want you to think I'm insensitive to her situation, because I am not. I think that the ban on smoking in public places is a good thing. However there is one place I'm a little confused about. 

I have to be honest; I have never really understood the ban on smoking in bars. All other public places, yes, bars no. It's a BAR. Although on a Friday and Saturday night you might have the odd DD or wife/girlfriend that will only drink a couple glasses of wine, or maybe even get wild and have a Smirnoff Ice, most of the people I see tend to be trying to wreck their livers at a pace usually only reserved for Irish dock workers. So, given the bar or club environment what are we saying when we ban smoking? Its okay to destroy your health THIS way, just don't do it that way? The only argument that comes close to working is second hand smoke. That's a good point I'll admit however if we are talking about the unintentional harming of others by someone else's bad habit let's not forget the thousands that die at the hands of drunk drivers. That is why I suggest we begin a campaign to ban the consumption of alcohol in bars and clubs as well! We've already got the ball rolling with the smokers now all we have to do is get it going with these darned drinkers. This is the dawning of a new age America! Just imagine it, bars with no smoking, no drinking, and no loud rock music! Just the latest Pop hits and cherry coke zero. Sounds like a much more healthy and wholesome atmosphere.Your thoughts?D7exf

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Don't Look Now................

I think second hand smoke sucks, but I agree that banning smoking in bars is stupid.  I don't understand why this law was ever passed for bars, restaurants and other public places fine, but bars are for this type of thing.  If you dont want to be breathing in the smoke, leave.

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Shell shocked

Geez, that is really sad.  I hope everything works out for her.  Is she sure that this was a result from working in a diner for so long, I know lots of them are super smoky.

Is there any legal recourse for her to take or is it just tough  luck since it would be hard to prove that working at the diner was the cause?

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Not as bad as you think

Yeah, second hand smoke is a nasty thing.  I remember all the cartoons in grade school about how bad smoking was for you and how even second hand smoke could do you in. 

So sorry for your friend.  We smoking bans here too.

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Finding my muse