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Smoking is killing me

S

Steve S

Jul 26, 2000
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#1
I've been subbing for several bands who play the local Indian casinos. One place has such horrible ventilation that by 8:00, the air is thick with cigarette smoke. When we play the 5:00-8:30 shift, I can quickly leave. When we have to begin at 9:30the air is so thick with smoke that I struggle all nite..gagging.

For those of you who play these casinos, how do you handle the smoke? I've thought about getting a gas mask but don't think anyone would want me wearing it on stage.
 
#2
I've used electric fans positioned so that I can stand off to the side of them - this helped me avoid breathing with the stagnant, slow-moving smoke that usually irritates my nostrils and throat. Creating a zone where I stand near one blowing past my face and one blowing away from my face.

Unfortunately, it doesn't remove the health risks and I always feel (and smell) horrible after those kinds of gigs.

Short of the gas mask, or not playing the gig, I can't think of anything else that would help.
 
#3
Maybe they'd let you wear this:
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masks-bandit.jpg

...or a smaller close-fit mask with a regular bandanna over it, bandit-style. Just add a cowboy hat.



...and an arrow-proof vest. :p
 
#4
I ( a non-smoker ) was in a band of smokers ... for about 2 weeks.

The music was fun and they were a good group of guys, but the thought of sitting in an enclosed space filled with cigarette smoke for more than a couple minutes was more than I could handle.

Fortunately most places have banned indoor smoking ..

the fan idea is a good one .. you might be able to get away with wearing a small surgical type mask as well.
 
#5
Couldn't do it. I grew up playing in the most horribly smoky biker bars, but I couldn't do it now. I hate being forced to breathe in second hand smoke. I really think the ban on smoking in bars and restaurants is a rare case of government regulation being right on. It's a step forward for society at large.
 
#7
corinpills said:
Couldn't do it. I grew up playing in the most horribly smoky biker bars, but I couldn't do it now. I hate being forced to breathe in second hand smoke. I really think the ban on smoking in bars and restaurants is a rare case of government regulation being right on. It's a step forward for society at large.
Click to expand...

really? a ban? so no one can open a smoker-friendly business?

I've never been a smoker, but it seems to me that bars are places people go to drink and smoke. what's next, an alcohol ban in public?
 
#10
Yup, I remember the "good old days" and really enjoy not having to deal with all the smoke(and I smoked for years!!!). If they allow smoking, so be it but they should at least try to make accomodations(fans, smokeaters, etc.) for the bands. It's a casino, surely they could afford it!!!
 
#12
RCCollins said:
really? a ban? so no one can open a smoker-friendly business?

I've never been a smoker, but it seems to me that bars are places people go to drink and smoke. what's next, an alcohol ban in public?
Click to expand...

In the UK, it is illegal to smoke in any confined space which is a place of work. This means bars etc and anywhere, eg a lady workign at home cannot smoke in her own house theoretically.
And most city centres have alcohol bans in public here too...
 
#13
Steve S said:
I've been subbing for several bands who play the local Indian casinos. One place has such horrible ventilation that by 8:00, the air is thick with cigarette smoke. When we play the 5:00-8:30 shift, I can quickly leave. When we have to begin at 9:30the air is so thick with smoke that I struggle all nite..gagging.

For those of you who play these casinos, how do you handle the smoke? I've thought about getting a gas mask but don't think anyone would want me wearing it on stage.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's nasty. In San Diego, no clubs allow smoking - UNLESS they are on an "Indian" casino. What a joke. That gig would have to *pay* for me to play it. I lived through all those years gigging in smoky clubs - no mas. It's not my health that stresses me out - it's just the stink. I can't stand it.
 
#15
They banned smoking in bars and restaurants here in 2006 (and before that in many other cities and provinces) and it's been great. I now go out more often than I would have before and can catch a set without having to come home smelling horrible. The health benefit is just an additional advantage. The smokers can still smoke, they just have to go outdoors to do so.

Other than drop the gig, I am not sure there's a whole lot you can do.
 
#17
I grew up with a mother, father and sister who smoked cigarettes. I never wanted to do it. When I first started gigging, all of the bars allowed smoking. Even my college allowed smoking in the classrooms. With the ban on smoking in public places, restaurants, etc...the only place that allows it are the Indian casinos. Some of them have excellent ventilation and the smoke doesn't "hang around." It seems like the customers know that smoking is allowed in the casino bars so the smokers flock to them.

I don't like playing in them but we have more gigs in the casinos and they usually pay well. Good suggestion on the fans..
 
#18
I don't smoke but worked around heavy smokers for years, so I know what you are talking about. I don't know how well that mask would work, plus the issue of it being visible might cause problems.

How about a small hepa filter air purifier that has a directional output. It would give the same basic benefits of the fan, but it would also be directing "cleaner" air at you. There are so many to choose from there must be one that would work for you.

Just don't get one with the "ION" system as this could cause issues with electronics. I have one that if I face it towards my touch lamp (touch to turn on) the lamp will cycle from off-low-medium-high-off, annoying but funny too.
 

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