People have been concerned about the health effects of smoking for years, but recent social and governmental influences have lead to a number of federal and state-wide smoking bans. In fact, it is now illegal to smoke in most public places, including office buildings, restaurants, public parks, etc. Today, finding a place where smoking is permitted can be a little bit of a challenge. While it was largely a response to medical studies about the dangers of second hand smoke, the smoking ban has had a lot of effects that are not related to health and are not entirely positive. Though the federal smoking ban only applies to the workplace and government buildings, most states have some kind of additional anti-tobacco legislation in place. Buildings are federally required to provide smoke-free areas for employees, and that often requires a ventilation system that is rated for cigarette smoke. Most of the cigarette policies that affect you on a daily basis are actually state mandates. State laws about smoking designate everything from where people are allowed to smoke to the kind of air system required to even who you can smoke around. Some states have outlawed smoking altogether in any place that food is served, including bars, while others have passed legislation making it illegal to smoke in the car when children are present. Today, it is very difficult to get a legal license to allow smoking indoors, which, as you can imagine, has affected some places far more drastically than others.

Naturally, the first businesses hurt by the ban have been small, locally owned ones. These companies do not have outside support to help them through the rough times that often follow a major change of policy. This includes small bars and restaurants, as well as private business owners such as mechanics, welders, and other blue collar workers. Many small business owners have been forced to choose between doing extensive, expensive renovations or disallowing smoking altogether. The self-employed have also been affected. Though they have the advantage of not having to ask the boss if they can take a smoke break, business owners accustomed to being able to smoke while working suffer a decrease in efficiency immediately following a smoking ban. They also have to worry about the health and legal rights of employees and other workers. Perhaps the types of businesses that have been most impacted by the smoking ban, however, are bars and restaurants.

 

While just about every establishment that used to allow smoking suffers some temporary loss of revenue, certain types of businesses have been permanently affected --specifically, bar-grilles or restaurants that serve alcohol and often have later hours. Hooters' waitresses in some states have reported up to a forty percent tip decrease, and the Bennigan's Restaurant chain recently announced that it was closing its doors permanently for economic reasons. Previous to the smoking ban, one of the major advantages of these establishments was the fact that you could enjoy a cigarette, a beer, and meal in the same place, and often later than at traditional restaurants. The trend seems to be that the more bar-friendly a restaurant's clientele, the greater the chance of it being disturbed by a smoking ban. Any time a company is affected by a smoking ban, one of the inevitable consequences is a need to cut costs, which often leads to downsizing. Some restaurants have adjusted to their new income base by keeping fewer employees and giving them larger sections, which can lead to job burn out. Others, however, have simply outlawed smoking on company property, forcing employees that smoke to fend for themselves. Studies have demonstrated with every missed nicotine fix, a smoker's productivity decreases. As a result, those who are forced to leave work to smoke can have serious productivity problems. Depending on an employer's tobacco policy, finding a place to smoke can be a real challenge. Lighting up in the wrong place can have major effects on your job, up to and including termination. Smoking bans often put smokers in the uncomfortable position of having to choose between having a cigarette and keeping their jobs.

No one wants to sacrifice their career to avoid an anti-tobacco policy, but quitting is difficult for some and almost impossible for others. Fortunately, Fifty-One™ electronic cigarettes are a new alternative smoking device that provides you with the opportunity to enjoy a cigarette without having to worry about being caught by an employer. Because they have no flame and produce no first or second hand smoke, you can enjoy Fifty-One™ just about anywhere, including places you have not been able to smoke since the ban. Imagine being able to go out with your friends for dinner and a beer without having to go outside after every round.

 

There are many reasons to switch to Fifty-One™ electronic cigarettes and many people that will want to thank you when you do. Not only will your friends and family be happy to see you switch to a safer alternative to tobacco, but so will everyone else around you. Fifty-One™ e-cig is odorless and completely harmless to others, which means you can enjoy one at work, at a bar or even on public transportation. Any restaurant owner will be glad to see that there is now a way to bring smokers back to the table. Plus, chances are that you will enjoy evenings out more when you do not have to interrupt your life just to have a cigarette, leading to better tips and higher productivity at work the next day. Electronic cigarettes allow you to enjoy all the things you love about smoking while feeling confident that you are doing your part to make the world a better and healthier place. Imagine having the security of knowing that your nicotine cravings will never put you or your job at risk.