Smoking in bowling alleys

[NewToBowling]

I'm drove from Colorado to North Carolina (in NC as I post this). While in St Louis we visited a local bowling place. Call me naive but I was shocked to see that they allowed smoking indoors (CO abolished indoor smoking over 10 years ago). It was a very unpleasant experience as I had my 3 year old with us. Barely played one game and left. There were a few other children around. People weren't smoking directly by the lanes but rather in the lounge/bar in the back. But there were ash trays setup everywhere.

Don't want to get into a rant as I was a smoker over 10 years ago but let's just say it wasn't very pleasant. I hate to be the "get off my lawn guy" but with what we know now about second hand smoke I don't think they should allow smoking in any indoors establishment.

[classygranny]

I'm in total agreement with you.

In 2004 when a friend of mine wanted me to get back into bowling, I told her I would only do it if she found a non-smoking league, as Arizona still allowed indoor smoking at that time. We drove about 10 miles farther to an alley with a non-smoking league just because of that. Now, Arizona does not allow indoor smoking and it is so nice to be able to bowl anywhere.

In fact, I'm kind of dreading our bowling trip to Nevada because of being around all the smoke in the casinos and everywhere. BUT, the fun and all will over compensate for that little inconvenience a few days. I wouldn't want to be around it a lot though.

I try and not rant either, as I am an x-smoker as well. But when you haven't been around it for 33 years it's more like being a life-long non-smoker.

[epiepenburg]

I remember bowling every Sunday as a youth bowler and coming home smelling like smoke, always was annoying.

Here in WI we have a statewide smoking ban as well for inside of businesses. It's really made going bowling a lot more enjoyable, except for having to wait for teammates when they are out smoking between games and and I am ready to get the next game started.

[John Anderson]

NewToBowling, I completely agree. Being around smokers is bad enough when you have to walk through an outdoor smoking area, let alone be contained inside a building with the horrible smell of cigarettes. I think the ban on indoor smoking is one of the best improvements that has been made in somewhat modern law.

Instead of smoking, alleys would rather people be buying drinks and food, which I really don't care how much people have to eat and drink so long as they don't become a hazard to themselves and others because of how drunk they are.

[dnhoffman]

So as a saint Louisan... That's illegal in both St. Louis city and county and that business should be fined. I wouldn't patronize anywhere at allowed smoking either.

[NewToBowling]

I should have been more clear. Place was in St Charles MO

[John Anderson]

I should have been more clear. Place was in St Charles MO

Thanks for clarifying. Regardless, smoking in bowling alleys is a definite no. I would not go to one that allows smoking.

[J Anderson]

40 years ago when it was still legal in CT and you were as likely to bowl against a team with at least one smoker as not, it didn't bother me even though I was a non-smoker myself. As smoking became less popular, at least amongst bowlers in my league, it became more and more irritating to bowl against a team with a smoker. Banning smoking inside the alleys made the smokers even more annoying as they would disappear for ten minutes between games.

[mc_runner]

I smoked for years and truthfully don't mind the smell of smoke at all. With that said, as a (now) non-smoker, if there is any place where kids might be... there should be no smoking anywhere nearby allowed. I started bowling (for fun) in college about the same time smoking indoors became illegal in CT, about 12ish years ago so I don't really have any experience in a league setting when smoking was allowed. All I can say now is that it's really annoying when people leave between frames/games to smoke since it delays everything. I have nothing at all against e-cigs.

[got_a_300]

I agree with everyone no place should allow smoking inside the
building. I too am an ex-smoker for the last 7 1/2 years and I do
enjoy bowling in the smoke free atmosphere now days. The owner
of our center does allow anyone that wants to smoke the e-cigs on
the inside to do so which I do not mind at all.

[GeoLes]

I bowl in New Jersey and smoking is NOT alllowed INSIDE the bowling facility. Howerver, they place the ash tray just outside the front door, so in order to get into the facility, you have to wade through a cloud of second-hand smoke. By the time a non-smoker gets into the smoke-fee area, his lungs are filled with smoke anyway.


why not have a desginated smoking area away from the front door?

Sorry, this is one of my pet peeves.

[rv driver]

Where I live in Missouri, there's a municipal smoking ban in public places. I've never noticed any smokers congregating outside the doors of any bowling establishment here. The smoke doesn't bother me that much -- and I used to smoke in the alley when it was allowed, until I quit years ago. But I can see how it would bother some -- and definitely where kids are involved.

[Amyers]

I know of a few alleys that smoking is till allowed in in Missouri. I'm a smoker still here in WV I don't know of any that allow you to smoke inside anymore. I do remember smoking being allowed in the alleys as a kid but I don't remember them being smoke filled and nasty, now the local bingo hall my god. Most of the alleys do have people smoking right outside the doors here. I really don't think the 5 seconds of exposure to second hand smoke as you go in is going to kill most people but I can see where it would annoy some people and I try to move away if anyone is coming by.

[rv driver]

I know of a few alleys that smoking is till allowed in in Missouri. I'm a smoker still here in WV I don't know of any that allow you to smoke inside anymore. I do remember smoking being allowed in the alleys as a kid but I don't remember them being smoke filled and nasty, now the local bingo hall my god. Most of the alleys do have people smoking right outside the doors here. I really don't think the 5 seconds of exposure to second hand smoke as you go in is going to kill most people but I can see where it would annoy some people and I try to move away if anyone is coming by.
I'm kinda surprised that indoor smoking isn't allowed where you live. In all my trips to "tobacco country," smoking has been almost a national pastime and a requisite for being out in public.

[Amyers]

It varies by county here. Kanawha where I live you can't even smoke in bars or the casino. Putnam next door to us it is allowed in bars but nowhere else most of this state is non smoking now.

[NewToBowling]

Where I live in Missouri, there's a municipal smoking ban in public places. I've never noticed any smokers congregating outside the doors of any bowling establishment here. The smoke doesn't bother me that much -- and I used to smoke in the alley when it was allowed, until I quit years ago. But I can see how it would bother some -- and definitely where kids are involved.

That's curious because this was at St Charles Lanes in Missouri. There was a sign that said smoking was allowed evenings in the whole bowling alley and only allowed in the lounge during the day. They must be grand fathered in I guess

[rv driver]

That's curious because this was at St Charles Lanes in Missouri. There was a sign that said smoking was allowed evenings in the whole bowling alley and only allowed in the lounge during the day. They must be grand fathered in I guess
Nah. I don't live in the St. Louis area (where St. Charles is). This is merely a municipal law -- not a state law -- passed by my city. In my city, there can be no smoking in any public building (stores, bars, restaurants, hospitals, etc.). The ONLY exception to that rule I'm aware of is the pipe shops, where they have an exemption because they have to be able to "demonstrate" their wares (tobacco).

[bowl1820]

That's curious because this was at St Charles Lanes in Missouri. There was a sign that said smoking was allowed evenings in the whole bowling alley and only allowed in the lounge during the day. They must be grand fathered in I guess

Here's the FAQ's for the Missouri clean indoor air law.

http://health.mo.gov/living/wellness/tobacco/smokingandtobacco/pdf/FAQ_CIA.pdf

Basically it appears to say smoking is permitted in bars, taverns, restaurants that seat less than fifty people, bowling alleys and billiard parlors, which post signs stating that “Nonsmoking Areas are Unavailable”.

So given if their signage meets that criteria and any local laws.......

[rv driver]

Here's the FAQ's for the Missouri clean indoor air law.

http://health.mo.gov/living/wellness/tobacco/smokingandtobacco/pdf/FAQ_CIA.pdf

Basically it appears to say smoking is permitted in bars, taverns, restaurants that seat less than fifty people, bowling alleys and billiard parlors, which post signs stating that “Nonsmoking Areas are Unavailable”.

So given if their signage meets that criteria and any local laws.......
And, as I stated, our municipal law is more stringent. We can't smoke in any bars or restaurants -- or bowling alleys.

[vdubtx]

So glad the alleys I bowl in are non-smoking.

[bowl1820]

And, as I stated, our municipal law is more stringent. We can't smoke in any bars or restaurants -- or bowling alleys.

Just to be clear, I wasn't responding to your post.

[Amyers]

That's curious because this was at St Charles Lanes in Missouri. There was a sign that said smoking was allowed evenings in the whole bowling alley and only allowed in the lounge during the day. They must be grand fathered in I guess

It depends on the area in Missouri. Its different counties and municipalities all have their own rule.

[dnhoffman]

Individual counties in MO can pass superseding jurisdiction regarding smoking bans - which STL City and County have - unfortunately you weren't in Saint Louis - you were in Saint Charles :(

It's different. And I hate that bowling alley because of that - I took a lesson with a [silver] coach out there once and never went back because of it.

[rv driver]

Just to be clear, I wasn't responding to your post.
I knew that, but thanks for clarifying. I was just adding a clarification of my own.

[DukeDi]

Bowling Alleys and all other establishments going smokeless was one of the biggest helps to me quitting my 20 year smoking habit. I love not having to go outside to catch a quick smoke plus the extra 20lbs has helped me with my Carry :)

[tracy]

they don't / can't smoke in the building but they can smoke right outside the doors....now does that make any cense? it's the same with restaurants around here also....no smoking but they can smoke right outside the doors.....go figure!

[rv driver]

Here, I think designated smoking areas have to be so any feet away from any entrance.

[Bowlenheimer]

My wife has bad allergies to smoke so I'm glad there smoking is banned here otherwise we couldn't bowl together.