General Discussion

kentuck

(115,552 posts) Mon Jul 8, 2013, 11:26 PM Jul 2013

Can you remember when you were allowed to smoke on planes? [View all]

Then I think they changed it so that if the flight was less than two hours, there was no smoking.

Workplaces that had cafeterias had a smoking area and a non-smoking area. Finally, that disappeared and no one was permitted to smoke inside. There was a small space outside reserved for smokers.

I never smoked but I was never bothered that much by those that did. I would simply move or ask them to move the smoke over. I know there were a lot of health issues with second-hand smoke but somehow, I feel like this was the beginning of the diminishing of our rights.

Soon after, companies started giving piss tests to potential employees. That evolved to a policy where the company could test you for drugs at any time.

Little things like that never seemed to bother people very much. But gradually, I thought we were giving away our freedoms.

190 replies

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Highlight:

Can you remember when you were allowed to smoke on planes? [View all] kentuck Jul 2013 OP

The smoking is a question of balancing rights Recursion Jul 2013 #1

I was very ill from cigar smoke on a Chicago-Miami flight the night before Super Bowl. Coyotl Jul 2013 #2

I'm horribly allergic to it Warpy Jul 2013 #3

No, you aren't Spider Jerusalem Jul 2013 #58

It triggers bronchospasm. Warpy Jul 2013 #66

That doesn't make it an allergy. Spider Jerusalem Jul 2013 #74

Yes, but when you call it an intolerance MurrayDelph Jul 2013 #85

+1 nt Javaman Jul 2013 #103

Read up on it, cowboy Warpy Jul 2013 #88

I have Spider Jerusalem Jul 2013 #89

Wow KentuckyWoman Jul 2013 #92

I'm saying there's no such thing as an allergy to tobacco smoke. Spider Jerusalem Jul 2013 #94

I used to be a practicing respiratory therapist. We even called it an allergy Katashi_itto Jul 2013 #96

+1 nt Javaman Jul 2013 #102

The Mayo Clinic seems to think that "nickel allergy" is a reall allergy FarCenter Jul 2013 #111

I'm so tired of that tobacco industry bullshit. hunter Jul 2013 #131

It was disgusting on a plane. Sick. n-t Logical Jul 2013 #4

I remember a flight from Hawaii to Denver in 1977. You could smoke in the rear of the plane. likesmountains 52 Jul 2013 #5

Questioned homegirl Jul 2013 #68

Even when I used to smoke I couldn't stand it and always asked for the no smoking section. Luminous Animal Jul 2013 #6

Yes. Planes, hospitals (in rooms w/o oxygen), offices, grocery stores, etc. Tx4obama Jul 2013 #7

Nobody should be forced to inhale secondhand smoke as a condition of employment. Nye Bevan Jul 2013 #19

let the record show CreekDog Jul 2013 #79

wow frylock Jul 2013 #51

why should anybody stand up for you? CreekDog Jul 2013 #78

Oh for pete's sake back at cha... Tx4obama Jul 2013 #83

What you "actually typed" was LondonReign2 Jul 2013 #101

One place you could never smoke SCantiGOP Jul 2013 #119

We coughed a lot! hedgehog Jul 2013 #126

You could smoke in a movie theater. I did in the '70s. n/t RebelOne Jul 2013 #134

I'd end up spending the night in the hospital. hunter Jul 2013 #140

I won't stand up for you. Apophis Jul 2013 #157

You're honestly mad that you have to walk outside the HOSPITAL to smoke??? Warren DeMontague Jul 2013 #170

I did not say that. I wish folks would pay attention to the actual words typed and not make up stuff Tx4obama Jul 2013 #174

"They came after our smoking rights and not enough people stood up", frowny frown. Warren DeMontague Jul 2013 #175

What was in my comment subject line was an extended list... Tx4obama Jul 2013 #177

there is no right to poison other people with toxic fumes. one is perfectly free to posion msongs Jul 2013 #8

Although I agree with your opinion... kentuck Jul 2013 #14

Perhaps curlyred Jul 2013 #17

Also inurement Bibliovore Jul 2013 #84

Tell that to trucks. robinlynne Jul 2013 #49

in my state they have been trying to clean up truck pollution CreekDog Jul 2013 #80

You btter invest in a good gas mask then. There are such things as cars, buses, napi21 Jul 2013 #59

And they are all outside, which is exactly where smokers belong too. Warren DeMontague Jul 2013 #172

Our air, food & water are poisoned by corporations every single day. bunnies Jul 2013 #120

1999....flight to Cairo...I flew on Egypt Air ...you could smoke in the back of the plane. HipChick Jul 2013 #9

I'm so glad they stopped indoor smoking here. JaneyVee Jul 2013 #10

Smoking on planes was causing health problems for the flight attendants The Velveteen Ocelot Jul 2013 #11

Do they have rights if they choose a job that allows it? Ter Jul 2013 #128

Yes, they do. The Velveteen Ocelot Jul 2013 #163

Smoking presents a serious flight hazard. Mister Ed Jul 2013 #12

You're absolutely correct. NOTHING is wowrse than an onboard fire, but.... napi21 Jul 2013 #61

Rare, but not unheard of, to lose a plane to fire caused by cigarette. Mister Ed Jul 2013 #91

That's like saying you should never permit natural gas to heat homes or napi21 Jul 2013 #190

Incrementalism. Egalitarian Thug Jul 2013 #13

When I'm choking on the smoke from some hammerhead's cigarette, Aristus Jul 2013 #15

I am very glad the freedom to breath non-smoky air has been given to me in so many places. Seatbelts uppityperson Jul 2013 #16

Yes, and it was horrible. (nt) Nye Bevan Jul 2013 #18

Yes, I flew to Portugal Mojorabbit Jul 2013 #20

:) nilram Jul 2013 #45

I flew to Europe twice in the '80s and you could smoke. RebelOne Jul 2013 #135

even though I smoked back then I never smoked on plane Skittles Jul 2013 #21

I think I was still at the candy cigarette stage of my addiction back then. bluedigger Jul 2013 #22

yup, I remember my first business trip, in 1987 markiv Jul 2013 #23

Yes, I do remember the days. janlyn Jul 2013 #24

Yes! Just Saying Jul 2013 #25

Separate smoking areas did not even come in until the late 70's - even in hospital cafeterias Douglas Carpenter Jul 2013 #26

I once had a couple sitting in the smoking section complain about my smoking. sweetloukillbot Jul 2013 #73

But you gotta admit that post-mile-high club cigarette was extra satisfying Blue Owl Jul 2013 #27

Gross! n-t Logical Jul 2013 #28

I won't mention his name - since that might be interpreted as unfairly calling someone out Douglas Carpenter Jul 2013 #29

What a crock. Smoking indoors is an assault on other people's lungs. pnwmom Jul 2013 #30

What is my "argument"? kentuck Jul 2013 #33

That banning the release of toxic particulates into the air diminishes people's "rights." pnwmom Jul 2013 #34

No. kentuck Jul 2013 #39

It wasn't the beginning. The first law that said you can't punch someone in the face pnwmom Jul 2013 #43

+1 nt Javaman Jul 2013 #106

Here's an argument: Hissyspit Jul 2013 #38

Agreed. I am GRATEFUL that those particular "rights" were curtailed! calimary Jul 2013 #48

Second hand smoke is disgusting. RedCappedBandit Jul 2013 #31

yes. and in stores and business offices and lots of places. i actually find the crowded HiPointDem Jul 2013 #32

This ole man donco Jul 2013 #35

OMG, that was awful. noamnety Jul 2013 #36

OMG - ohheckyeah Jul 2013 #37

Wrong. Ms. Toad Jul 2013 #86

Spoken like a true Ron Paul supporter. Forget those environmental regulations geek tragedy Jul 2013 #139

Pathetic attempt ohheckyeah Jul 2013 #142

You just said that laws that save lives and protect the health of workers geek tragedy Jul 2013 #143

It is Big Brother if Big Brother is the government. ohheckyeah Jul 2013 #145

You're equating laws based on medical science to protect human geek tragedy Jul 2013 #146

yes, it is fear. ohheckyeah Jul 2013 #147

Idiotic comparison. geek tragedy Jul 2013 #148

Another pathetic attempt ohheckyeah Jul 2013 #149

Your position is textbook libertarianism. geek tragedy Jul 2013 #152

Come on Kentuck rufus dog Jul 2013 #40

Did you read my post? kentuck Jul 2013 #93

Actually I can. I can also remember when the airlines gave you a little pack of six cigarettes Cleita Jul 2013 #41

I too, flew on "antique planes"..and also remember the piano bar in COACH on 747s SoCalDem Jul 2013 #110

I can remember *being forced* to smoke in planes, in bars, at work and in the restaurant. lumberjack_jeff Jul 2013 #42

I think it was 1998 when we flew to Europe and my daughter age 12 and I were seated in the smoking vanlassie Jul 2013 #44

Yes, and I absolutely HATED it. calimary Jul 2013 #46

I am sick of overlords myself, but knowing what I know now, I would not smoke on a plane, not that I lonestarnot Jul 2013 #47

I am 50 years old and can remember back in the 1980s smoking on planes DontTreadOnMe Jul 2013 #50

have you ever noticed that smoking in a gambling casino doesn't seem to bother anybody Booster Jul 2013 #52

Guess again. SheilaT Jul 2013 #69

yes. i smoked on a plane as late as 97-98 arely staircase Jul 2013 #53

Agreed. Little by little we're giving it all away. MrSlayer Jul 2013 #54

Thanks! kentuck Jul 2013 #95

You're welcome. The smoke nazis have tunnel vision. MrSlayer Jul 2013 #118

"Smoke nazis"??? And what are you? You want us to ignore medical science about smoking CreekDog Jul 2013 #166

Whatever. MrSlayer Jul 2013 #181

do you wear your seatbelt? CreekDog Jul 2013 #182

Only to stop that incessant beeping. MrSlayer Jul 2013 #185

Ah, you'd wear it sporadically, because wearing it sporadically makes you sporadically safer CreekDog Jul 2013 #186

No, I just don't always remember to put it on. MrSlayer Jul 2013 #187

driving without a seat belt is more dangerous that riding a roller coaster CreekDog Jul 2013 #188

The problem with science is that you're smarter than all that bullshit CreekDog Jul 2013 #189

Exactly my point... ohheckyeah Jul 2013 #121

So, you think it's ridiculous to protect the health of people who work in bars geek tragedy Jul 2013 #141

I think the risk is highly exaggerated. MrSlayer Jul 2013 #150

Medical science disagrees with you. geek tragedy Jul 2013 #154

Yeah, they just smoked pipes and cigars and rolled their own. MrSlayer Jul 2013 #158

asdf geek tragedy Jul 2013 #159

It's not a defense of smoker's rights. MrSlayer Jul 2013 #160

Well, some people don't believe in evolution or global warming. geek tragedy Jul 2013 #161

What percentage is that of 300 million? MrSlayer Jul 2013 #169

That's what Bush said about Iraq. nt geek tragedy Jul 2013 #173

plenty of nonsmokers breathe second hand smoke CreekDog Jul 2013 #165

Again, whatever. MrSlayer Jul 2013 #183

so you're saying why bother since they are predisposed anyway? CreekDog Jul 2013 #184

And restaurants, and offices, and parks...I hated it bhikkhu Jul 2013 #55

I can remember when they gave out sample cigarettes on the planes. Downwinder Jul 2013 #56

I sure do remember when you could smoke on airplanes. The first change was to move the smokers to napi21 Jul 2013 #57

smoke homegirl Jul 2013 #71

I think nonsmokers have every right to breath clean air struggle4progress Jul 2013 #60

i remember. i stopped smoking in DesertFlower Jul 2013 #62

Even my high school had a smoking area - LOL LeftInTX Jul 2013 #63

"Even my high school had a smoking area" KansDem Jul 2013 #105

I remember..... AnneD Jul 2013 #64

It was a Mexicana (or Aero Mexico?) flight out of JFK in about 1994. Comrade Grumpy Jul 2013 #65

NO - it was the ascendance of the rights of those not addicted - not the diminishing of the rights Mira Jul 2013 #67

Exactly, thank you. My right to breath non-smoky air has been improved. However, I think uppityperson Jul 2013 #77

Would be true if what you are doing to your health Mira Jul 2013 #99

What people say here seem to forget that there are other "tolerated" snappyturtle Jul 2013 #107

Valid points. Mira Jul 2013 #114

It sounds as if you have given much thought to others. Kudos! snappyturtle Jul 2013 #115

Should employers be able to dictate diet and exercise also? not uppityperson Jul 2013 #116

Lucky you if the smoke in confined spaces doesn't bother you at all. SheilaT Jul 2013 #70

As a nonsmoker with a hangover, tblue Jul 2013 #72

smoking never bothered you? CreekDog Jul 2013 #75

Last Dec. on a Costa cruise ship, with about 2/3 European passengers No Vested Interest Jul 2013 #76

Yes, I remember. Blue_In_AK Jul 2013 #81

Stuck in the back of the plane with smoking parents - thought I'd choke SaveAmerica Jul 2013 #82

My favorite encounter with a smoker on a plane Ms. Toad Jul 2013 #87

I remember being able to smoke in applegrove Jul 2013 #90

Remember when we had lead in all our paint? Because it was cheaper? FSogol Jul 2013 #97

We also used to have lead in all our gasoline. nt raccoon Jul 2013 #122

Yup, good times. Cough, cough. n/t FSogol Jul 2013 #124

What year was it when they restricted smoking on shorter flights? Major Hogwash Jul 2013 #179

1988!!! Smoking restrictions for flights of 2 hours or less became the law in 1988!! Major Hogwash Jul 2013 #180

Yes. The "No Smoking" light would come on until you hit like 20,000 or so. JM42 Jul 2013 #98

These days at restaurants I have to go inside BadgerKid Jul 2013 #100

The first time I flew I was 12 years old. Not only could you smoke, cbayer Jul 2013 #104

so you're saying that protecting the staff from smoking is not important as allowing cigarettes? CreekDog Jul 2013 #164

Huh? Where did I say that? cbayer Jul 2013 #167

My hair smelled like smoke because of my smoke-stack coworker Kolesar Jul 2013 #108

I have alway thought that individual rights - Hell Hath No Fury Jul 2013 #109

Yup, I sure do.. truebrit71 Jul 2013 #112

I can remember when there was a 4-pack of cigarettes on every dinner tray FarCenter Jul 2013 #113

A lot of you missed the point entirely SmittynMo Jul 2013 #117

Starting by bemoaning the "right" of some asshole to blow smoke all over me Dreamer Tatum Jul 2013 #123

That's libertarian horseshit. Why not let Dow chemical be "free" to dump shit in the river then? nt geek tragedy Jul 2013 #138

1978 Flight to Germany telclaven Jul 2013 #125

I remember almost choking to death on all the fumes. Smoking kills. Thank God it was banned. graham4anything Jul 2013 #127

I remember Lurker Deluxe Jul 2013 #129

Yes I do olddots Jul 2013 #130

Smoking on an airplane imposed an unhealthy situation on unwilling bystanders. kestrel91316 Jul 2013 #132

According to the smoking libertarians, nonsmokers' rights are not relevant. nt geek tragedy Jul 2013 #144

like the assult on the freedom to drive how and when anyone wants... Sheepshank Jul 2013 #133

false juxtaposition. unblock Jul 2013 #136

My right to avoid inhaling cancer fumes outweights someone else's right to emit them, geek tragedy Jul 2013 #137

Never WovenGems Jul 2013 #151

I remember airplanes having built-in ashtrays in each seat krispos42 Jul 2013 #153

Yep, I remember fidgeting with the ashtrays in the armrests when I was a kid. Butterbean Jul 2013 #155

Wanting a healthier public atmosphere = erosion of rights? Apophis Jul 2013 #156

I think the erosion of our rights began in the early 1990s with laws requiring bike helmets onenote Jul 2013 #162

You think that's surreal? felix_numinous Jul 2013 #168

No, but I remember when other people were, and the rest of us couldn't fucking escape. Warren DeMontague Jul 2013 #171

I remember smoking being allowed in the grocery store, the bank, buses... louis-t Jul 2013 #176

Yes. How stupid was that. Whisp Jul 2013 #178