I'm glad Florida banned smoking in restaurants; all of that secondhand smoke stuff had me really concerned.

I think you missed what I was saying. I said that if smoking was banned in all of the establishments that nobody would lose money. They would have no options. The places that you mentioned lost money, because smokers opted to go where they could smoke.

I guess I am misunderstanding you, because smoking is banned inside all establishments here. The ones losing business are the ones that don't have a designated smoking area outside. Those are usually the smaller bars and restaurants. Ones without patios, or a section of their property blocked off, or a bar that severly restricts the movement of those wanting to have a smoke.

What do you all think of this?

Now Hiring NON SMOKERS ONLY

Article mentions how smokers are more costly for insurance and some companies might want to hire only non smokers in the future.

I find it hard to believe that something like this would be legal. :confused:

If they apply it to all workers (i.e. present workers have to quit or lose their job) it's perfectly legal - like Disney and other companies with really strict dress codes. However, not hiring smokers but letting those who are already employed continue to smoke could really set them up for a lawsuit.

Disney enforcing a strict dress code is not the same as discriminating against smokers; the dresscode is what you do while you are at work and bears no restraints on how you dress when you're not working - this is NOT discrimination, it's a rule at WORK. Not hiring someone because they smoke IS discrimination-it's discrimination against smokers.

Ok, I know that I'm getting flamed for this one, but...

I don't think discriminating against smokers needs to be illegal, as smoking is a choice, where being a certain gender, race, age, etc... is not. If a company is looking for a non-smoker, and you really want the job...don't smoke. (Ok, I know for some people it's very hard to quit, but not impossible.) Although to be fair, I do think that they should have to list non-smoker in the job description.