"Smoking areas in restaurants are like peeing areas in swimming pools."

Yea! That will make it much more pleasant to walk down Castro. The out door eating areas will then be available to those of us who do not smoke. I will love it!

now if only we could ban screaming and crying and running all over the place children outside AND inside.
Anyplace that allows children should allow dogs

I wonder if the smoker witch hunt has any end...

It is about time! Our lungs are being exposed to toxins against our will. Smokers poor health choices are hurting our bodies!

Yeah!! A long time coming and not a moment too soon. Have another hit . . . of fresh air.

It's a shame - cigarettes are legally sold and this anti-smoking campaign is a joke. People that sit at an outdoor table get more toxins from passing cars and trucks than they do from someone smoking 10' away.

Maybe now the city of Mountain View will provide smokers with free stop smoking medications, etc...or just keep punishing them like you are.

AC -

It is not a "smoker witch hunt". It's allowing those of us who have trouble breathing when you are sending your noxious fume into the air, to have the right to breathe fresh air. I'm sure that you appreciate not having dogs running around in restaurants while you are enjoying your meal, yelping and jumping all over you - ditto for when you are dining outside (if the restaurant has any sense). Hence, the rules that are put in place to allow you to enjoy your meal without animals interrupting you. Well, I personally enjoy eating my meal without the smell of your disgusting cancer stick ruining the flavor of it. Does this make any sense at all to you? Or are you so addicted to your smoking habit that you can't see how the rest of the world views it. Non-smokers should not be subjected to your smoke-filled air any more than non pet owners should be subjected to animals jumping all over them. And no, that's not comparing apples to oranges. It's comparing one way of ruining a meal to another. Please, don't subject us to your cancerous fumes. It's not a witch hunt. We choose to live our lives without cancer causing chemicals entering our lungs through no choice of ours. And this "witch hunt" will have no end as long as there are people who choose to breathe fresh air.

I am all in favor of no smoking anywhere where food is being served, and I am a smoker. I am happy to walk to another area away from people and have a quick smoke. Remember when people used to smoke in the grocery store? Yuck!!!

It is about time to close off smoking on the sidewalks of the downtown area. Who wants to smell 2nd hand smoke when they are eating??? Not me.

To Blossom Valley Neighborhood

Do you drive a car? If so you have nothing to say.

Wow, I would feel so much better if the leaders of Mountain View cared as much about getting rid of the gangs in our neighborhoods as they care about someone having a smoke. And, I don't even smoke. Makes you wonder....

Hello Really of Mtn. View Neighborhood,
Yes, I drive a car. But as a frequent diner in Downtown who often eats outside, I find that I notice smokers much more than cars. I don't even have to see them to know that they are there. I just smell the smoke then locate them. I rarely notice cars. So your childish comment that I have nothing to say doesn't hold water with me. Sorry. And how often do you hear about people dying of lung cancer from second hand car exhaust? Just sayin'.
Look, we all know that car exhaust is bad for us. If we choose to sit where cars are driving by, that's our choice. However, we do not choose to sit near people who are smoking. Most of us do not notice the exhaust of cars, however, smokers ruin the taste of my meal, and I choose not to be near them. Maybe if smokers sat next to a car with bad exhaust for their entire meal, they'd get what we're talking about. So, yes, Mr./Ms. Really, I do have something to say.

Thom, the legality of cigarette sales is irrelevant, since there are other legally sold items that also have limitations on use, based on the potential impact to others.

What it comes down to is smokers' lack of respect for boundaries and personal space. If smokers think I should put up with their noxious fumes, then they should have no problem if I decide to spray some Liquid Ass (another legally sold product) in their direction as well.

I object to being bombarded with microwaves so that you can text your idiot friends about your wonderful meal in the nonsmoking town.

Wiil the business owners that spent thousands to build patios to accommodate their smoking customers be reimbursed for the money they wasted?

Smokers = Litterbugs, especially when they are driving. I guess that disgusting thing they put in their mouths/lungs is just too disgusting top [put in their car ashtray.
Stop dropping your cigs wherever you please you lazy, lazy, litterbugs.

Cigarette smoking is gross and toxic, I look forward to the day when I'm not bombarded with cancer sticks while trying to walk down Castro. Everyone enjoys the patio dining, not just smokers, I doubt restaurants will get less business because of this ban.