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Refusing to play at places where smoking is allowed

#21
I tend to avoid people like you, do your thing, but stay away. If someone wants to turn down a gig because they want to stand up for what they believe in, great! However if someone wants to turn down a gig because something "tweaks" them, then they are not a team player. I understand you are concerned about your health, but there are a lot of other things in life that will slowly kill you and we are all exposed to them every day. Not being a team player is a deal breaker to me, 1st world problems IMO.
 
#23
Luckily, most of my area has gone non-smoking. There are still a few small communities in the KC area that allow smoking. The last time we played at a bar that had smoking it was so bad I told the others in the band I would not play there again. I don't miss burning eyes and my gear and clothes stinking of smoke when I get home. So I say stick with your principles and try to find others who feel the same way.
 
#26
To the OP:

Stand your ground. A good bass player who also sings will always be in demand! I can't believe there are places in this country where smoking is still allowed...so glad more and more places are putting smoking bans in place. I've ended up in the E.R. as a direct result of second hand smoke in bars- I have asthma and I'm telling you, clean, breathable air is a basic human right!
 
#27
More than a handful of local bars have gotten around the ban by establishing dedicated "no smoking" zones, e.g. small pool rooms off to one side, etc. Private clubs / fraternal organizations still allow it, though, and many use some type of smoke abatement. After 6 years of gigging, our gear has the "aroma" of experience. Any installs and/or maintenance are performed outside.

Riis
 
#28
In florida, as long as the bar has a certain ratio of liquor sales over food sales, it smoking. Almost every gig I play is a smoking gig. If you wanted to play in working cover band here, it would be a deal breaker unless you could get into a wedding/convention band and even some of those play a gig ever now and then in bar to get there name out and get more private gigs.
 
#29
In Tennessee, venues may choose if they want to allow smoking or not. Most have banned it, but some haven't. Personally, I would have no need of a musician that was so sensitive that he couldn't handle a little bit of smoke, especially without some acute medical reason to do so.
 
#30
If I look to join a band, how much of a deal breaker would it be if I tell them this?
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Depends on whether the area allows indoor smoking or not. Where are you thinking of going?

The other factor is how that steadfast statement would be interpreted by your new potential bandmates if you decided to make it part of your first impression.

It might end up that you will just need to spend a little more time looking for the right group of people and a little less time playing on the front end of your relocation.

However, if they do allow indoor smoking where you are relocating to, it would probably end up being a deal breaker if the group wants to play out.

Take Care,
Timbros.
 
#31
No smoking laws have been around here for a good 7 years or so now and, in my opinion, it's a really good thing.

I think the important thing is that you're up front with any band about it when you join. My guess is that their reaction will likely be dependant on the gigs in the area. If you want to be in a bar band and all the bars allow smoking, then you're ultimately saying that you won't gig much, if at all. I can't see that going over well with any aspiring band.

On the other hand, if you find like minded musicians, it could be a good experience.
 
#32
4OnTheFloor said:
...I understand you are concerned about your health, but there are a lot of other things in life that will slowly kill you and we are all exposed to them every day...
Click to expand...

I have never agreed with this argument. Just because there are other things we are exposed to that are harmful doesn't make it acceptable to tolerate smoking in public places. I think that public perception is slowly starting to change to recognize that it is not okay.

And plus, who wants to have their bass and cabs smell like a dirty ashtray? ;)
 
#33
Just talk about it with the bands you audition with. Maybe you'll find some that feel the same as you. What other options do you have??

But to answer your question, my band would reject you since most of them smoke and they love the bars that break our anti-smoking law, and would never avoid a smoking venue. Furthermore, even though I'm a non-smoker, I would reject you since I'm okay with playing in smoky bars and would not want to be restricted by your position. But that's just us, you may find a group that thinks just like you. Good luck.
 
#35
Smallmouth_Bass said:
I have never agreed with this argument. Just because there are other things we are exposed to that are harmful doesn't make it acceptable to tolerate smoking in public places. I think that public perception is slowly starting to change to recognize that it is not okay.

And plus, who wants to have their bass and cabs smell like a dirty ashtray? ;)
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I'm a non-smoker, and I agree with banning smoking in hospitals, malls, stores, and other such public places where you don't have a lot of choice to go there. But bars?? A smoking ban in a bar is just dumb IMO. Everyone can choose whether to go to a bar or not, and most people who go there want to smoke and it seems that most non-smokers who go into smoking bars are okay with it. I agree with the Tennessee law posted by guyncognito that allows the venue to decide...

And I don't mind my gear getting a little smoky. Makes it smell more authentic. :D
 
#37
Smoking in bars and restaurants has been gone in Australia for a few years now and everyone understands why and doesn't care. Most venues built beer gardens if they didn't already have one to accommodate smokers. Half of my band smokes, and most of the guys in bands we gig with too. Honestly, it's their choice to smoke and if it's too much for me (I'm asthmatic) I just go get some fresh air somewhere else. But that's me, the pragmatist.

If someone announced to me that they would refuse to play around smokers, I wouldn't question their reasons, but it would make me wonder about whether their unwillingness to compromise on things would make them unsuitable for playing in a band.
 
#38
ChrisB2 said:
I'm a non-smoker, and I agree with banning smoking in hospitals, malls, stores, and other such public places where you don't have a lot of choice to go there. But bars?? A smoking ban in a bar is just dumb IMO. Everyone can choose whether to go to a bar or not, and most people who go there want to smoke and it seems that most non-smokers who go into smoking bars are okay with it. I agree with the Tennessee law posted by guyncognito that allows the venue to decide...
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Maybe it's a regional thing, because I don't think most people around here go to bars to be able to smoke. In fact, I think they're in the large minority now.
 
#39
Smallmouth_Bass said:
I have never agreed with this argument. Just because there are other things we are exposed to that are harmful doesn't make it acceptable to tolerate smoking in public places. I think that public perception is slowly starting to change to recognize that it is not okay.

And plus, who wants to have their bass and cabs smell like a dirty ashtray? ;)
Click to expand...


I think the point here is the occasional exposure to second hand smoke is not the health risk that many make it out to be. You are no more likely to get cancer from the occasional visit to a smoky bar than you are from your daily commute.
 
#40
Jazz Ad said:
You have to admit, the whole anti-smoking think went a bit too far.
People aren't going to die a horrible death tomorrow because there is a bit of tobacco smoke in the air.
The aversion some developped against tobacco goes way beyond reason.

I know a lot of people who are surrounded by chemicals, hazardous materials or medical wastes all day long. They would love the luxury of refusing a job because they don't like the smell.
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Yes.

And don't go camping either, pesky neighbors are sure to have a campfire going and there's this thing called wind.
 

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