Anti-Smoking Nazis in Amsterdam

[gofaster]

Originally posted by Holden McGroin
Coffee shop owners were aghast. "The whole point of going to a coffee shop is to smoke," said Arjan Roskam, chairman of the Union for Cannabis Retailers.

I thought the point of going to a coffee shop was getting coffee.

[gofaster]

Originally posted by banana
In the county I live in in Minnesota, they have passed a law banning smoking in all restaurants and most bars. Places that I would never patronize before because of the thick clouds of smoke, now get my business, along with plenty of other non-smokers.

It is so refreshing to be able to go to a bar and not smell like a friggin chimmney when I get home.

All the bar owners whined about losing business at first, and there were many chicken littles crying "The sky is falling!" when the law was first passed. But since the law has been in effect, none of the bars or restaurants that I'm aware of have closed.

Gee, I guess non-smokers' money was as good as smokers money afterall!

While I sympathize with folks who are addicted to tobacco, I don't feel any sympathy for smokers who think it's their "right" to pollute the air of those around them in a public place.

I agree.  They passed a similiar law here in Florida.  The only effects I've noticed are (a) food tastes better, (b) friendlier service, (c) less wait for a table, (d) people seem to be having more fun.  I think the main affect of the law was to teach smokers the value of patience - which is more important; that cigarette or spending a few more minutes with family and friends?  Either that or the smokers have learned to cook for themselves.

[Wanker]

Why would a non smoker want to go to a Dutch coffeeshop other than to socialise with a smoking friend?

Because they like coffee?

Are you saying there are separate non-smoking coffee shops in Amsterdam?

[Swoop]

Um....yes.


There's coffeeshops as you know them........and there are "coffeeshops" as in cannabis cafes.  They just happen to serve coffee as well as it's the Dutch national drink (it seems).

[Swoop]

Originally posted by gofaster
I thought the point of going to a coffee shop was getting coffee.

Wrong, wrong, wrong, absolutely brimming over with wrongabilty.

See above.

[straffo]

wtf ??? there is coffe in Dam coffeeshop ?

Sky is falling

[Arfann]

Originally posted by Swoop
Um....yes.


There's coffeeshops as you know them........and there are "coffeeshops" as in cannabis cafes.  They just happen to serve coffee as well as it's the Dutch national drink (it seems).

Ya see, there's coffee shops and coffee shops. When I visited Amsterdam a couple of years ago the ones that sold pot had a green sticker in the window saying "coffee shop".

[capt. apathy]

as it was explained to me-
if you want coffee you go to a cafe
if you want weed you go to a coffee shop


kinda like this. when in Nevada you don't buy chickens at the chicken ranch, or mustangs at the mustang ranch

[Nifty]

the amendment to the FL state constitution (yeah, not a law, but a constitutional amendment) about smoking banned it from all workplaces except standalone bars.  Basically the same thing that Apathy mentioned about Oregon.

I love the fact restaurants and other places (malls, etc) are smoke free, but I can't understand why you can't have indoor smoking areas/lounges in a place of business if the employees/management want one.

[midnight Target]

Originally posted by Sixpence
Cook it in brownies, it should go great with coffee:D

One of the best times I've ever had in Disneyland. Ate a bunch of brownies just before going in. Took about 30-45 minutes to kick in. Actually had fun in Small World.

The trick is to saute' the "greens" in butter before folding into the brownie mix.

(Drug free for 13 years now.)

[Saurdaukar]

I can almost see you jumping out of your little cars and tackling the automated charectars.

...you must have needed 3 or 4 guys to take down "Figment" the dragon.