Bismarck, North Dakota News

" So happy to hear of the smoke-free bar! I'll be over as soon as possible! "

" Even if the toxins of second hand smoke don't directly effect people, the smoke still makes it more difficult to breathe. Your lungs have to filter out the smoke in order to take in sufficient oxygen. I have been in bars with bad ventilation and walked out feeling like I had bronchitis. Second hand smoke is more than an annoyance. I am really glad that business owners are taking a stand and creating smoke-free bars. Smokers have the advantage: they can go to their regular smoky hangouts and go to the new smoke-free bars. Out of courtesy to those of us frequenting the smoke-free establishments, please refrain from smoking in front of the door. "

" I was just recently in a SMALL town with 2 bars, one non smoking, one smoking. The non just opened 4 years ago and are by far doing greater than the smoking bar. How hard is it to walk out the door and puff away? "

" I am very happy that there is a place willing to say yes to the non smokers. For years I was told if I didn't like the smoke, I should stay out. That was hard, considering I loved playing on a dart league, hanging out with friends, and bartending one or two nights a week. Now the bar owners are afraid they will lose too many customers if they go smoke free. Maybe they shouldn't have been so willing to isolate the large non smoking customer base. I hope Scott's new business prospers with all the customers shunned from the other places. "

" First off there is very little and in some views absolutely no medical evidence to prove second hand smoke is dangerous. All it is, is annoying and I am happy to be living in a state where we don't outlaw whatever someone feels is annoying. I personally feel it is very annoying to hear people talk about things being unhealthy when they have no proof, but I in no way want to outlaw uneducated people from speaking there mind....even though it is probably more unhealthy to get frustrated from people being misinformed by the goverment. Second, this is the bars decision and the bars decision only. Deal with it!!! "

" Let's ban it all: smoking, drinking, fast cars and wild women. Get rid of all of it. We'll all live to be 120! "

" I have a strong feeling that if you checked the ash trays in the cars of smokers who are upset with people complaining about their smoking that you would find the ash trays unused because the smokers cannot stand the stench inside of their cars. The lit cigarette butts go out the car window where the smoker does not have to smell them. "

" To all you Smokers out there. What about our rights as non smokers. I don't wanna inhale your toxic fumes out in public. And smell like crap. Maybe you wanna shorten your life and make everyone else around you ill as well. That is your choice to smoke. But as a non smoker when iam out for a walk or in a place that allows smoking. I don't have that choice to breathe your filthy toxins. Maybe I will wear a Hepa mask. Good Day! "

" we have had non smoking dining and bars in california for several years now. if you will check the records you will find there are many more non smokers than smokers in this country.i smoked for years and now at 74 i'm on oxygen with severe respiratory problems. good luck scott. "

" JUST STOP SMOKING ALL TOGETHER!!!!!!!! "

" You can't have a beer at Taco John's. You can't have a cig at Scott's new place. What's the big deal? Go where you can do what you want to do. It's that simple. "

" I haven't been in a bar in years - because of the smoke. It'll be fun to come and check yours out. Wonder if my wild and crazy side is still in here somewhere??? "

" Allen - I disagree with you about the corner if its not what the business owner wants - The business owners should decide not the government. Smokers like you are going to ruin it for the rest of the smokers (I'm not one but do have family members who smoke). Someone creates an establishment to cater to the non-smokers and now smokers like you criticize - know which fights to pick and if you continue to fight in this way (we want something too) I'm sorry to say you will lose and smoking will be banned everywhere. "

" Kyle J - you were not forced to go anywhere there was smoke - you chose to go there. No one held a gun to your head saying you must go here, you must go there. I hope legislators and the do so called do gooders in the health department (who are hypocrits because if smoking is bad for you then ban the sale of cigarettes but they won't doi that because its too easy to tax them and these groups have become addicted to the tax revenue it creates - hypocrits) can now see that the business community will take it upon themselves to open what people want without being legislated to do it. Dave you don't have to stand there you can always move down the street where you want to put the smokers but no you would rather complain and inconveninece the other guy rather than yourself. "

" Why can't the smokers find a little corner outside the bar where they can smoke. The owner wants a smoke free bar. Not a smoke free everywhere except this one corner. In order to have a smoke free establishment, you can't have smoking anywhere in the establishment. You are right when you say it is a bar not a church. But there is no law, written or unwritten, that says a bar has to allow smoking. I am looking forward to patronizing this new bar, and walking out without the stench of stale smoke on my clothes. "

" Thanks Scott from all the people who like me have an allergy to cigarette smoke. "

" I can't wait until smoking in public is banned. There is nothing more disgusting than having to sit or stand next to someone puffing on a cancer stick. "

" First thing to know in running a business is, you DO NOT offend any potential customers. I can deal with Scott's new anti-smoking Sports Bar, which would bore me to death, as I suggest ALL sports lovers stay at home to watch their games as they are too loud and boring in many cases. I know of two anti-smoking places that folded in little time: one a cutesy sandwich shop that banned smoking whereby they once had a little smokers corner. Another is a rural non-smoking bar.. she folded in a short time. Most smokers are considerate and I can deal with cafes not having smoking BUT it is time for govt to stay out of business-owners rights and let them decide if they do or do not want smoking.... North Dakota is chasing away customers and the key word should be hospitality..... Scott should really make a little corner where smokers can hang out... this is a BAR and not a church.... "

" I do agree with Brent. No form of government should be able to stop any business from allowing smoking or non-smoking. It should be up to the business owner and their patrons. The business will thrive or fail, depending on what the cutomer wants. If you don't like the smoking, go somewhere else. If you don't like the non-smoking environment, go somewhere else. It is nice to have choices. "

" It is a rotten shame that some people will never understand the simple fact that for every person who enjoys smoking while drinking or eating, there are 1 or 2 more who don't. Non-smokers shouldn't have to hide at home so smokers can have the freedom to smoke when and where they want-its a two-way street. I applaud Scott for giving nonsmokers who want to go out to a bar and enjoy themselves without choking on the smoke from the cigar you want to enjoy, a smoke-free option. Besides, if "anti-smoking nazis" don't stand up for their rights and create smoke free establishments, who is going to do it? "

" I thank Scott Jorgenson for opening a smoke free sports bar for those of us who do not smoke, but have been forced to share with the "smoking nazi's" in years past. I am glad there are businesses who now cater to both types of customers...smokers and non-smokers. I do patronize Scott's new business, and know of many others who will also. "

" I wish Scott Jorgenson all the success he dreams about. Of course, he won't get it from my money because I want to enjoy a cigar when I go to a bar. But that's okay, because Scott is risking his own capital and he has the right to do so in any legal manner of his choosing. I just wish the anti-smoking Nazis would keep that in mind; their help is not needed for there to be smoke free bars and restaurants. Rotten shame that they will never understand that simple fact. "