What are the laws re smoking in public spaces, particularly in restaurants?

When we were in Seattle last New Year's, we were in several restaurants that allowed smoking, eww. But we were in others that did not, and it seemed like most of the nicer places didn't allow it.

love
roxy

I thought smoking was banned in all Seattle restaurants.

Are you confused about the difference between Seattle Washington and Washington DC?

"what are the smoking regulations in DC?" two minutes after this question!!!

I wouldn't recommend a two thousand mile ride between restaurants especially if you're a smoker. Hope cigarettes aren't running your life?

I am planning to visit both places. Smoking limits my enjoyment of a restaurant.

There is no problem avoiding smokers in Seattle's good restaurants. I don't know if smoking is permitted but, when you make a reservation nobody will say, as they used to, "smoking or non?".

Hi there,

Most restaurants here in Seattle have a bar area for smoking, that is the only place that you can smoke. There is no law about non smoking restaurants but there are a few whose bar area smoke is known to get into the main dining space. Earth and Ocean at the W immediately comes to mind.

Most restuarants don't have smoking, or most of the nicer ones I should say.

There is no smoking allowed in public spaces in Seattle, you will see people outside in front of buildings.

Even the nicest places often allow smoking in the bar areas. Still, it's pretty easy to get away from it except for the very smallest restaurants.

Frankly, I think it's embarrassing that California, Vancouver and even Dublin for gods sake don't allow smoking, but our state legislature is too weeny to deal with it.

Some nice restaurants still allow smoking in the bar only. More though are fully non-smoking. Easy enough to find out with a phone call.

When I was last in Seattle it was, however, not allowed to bring your handgun into the bar or restaurant.

There were notices at the entrance.

That could have solved the annoying smoker probem but no...

BAK

As new transplants from (we try to hide this in Seattle) CALIFORNIA (gasp!), I am bummed that I have to air out my clothes after a night out.

Most good restaurants do not allow smoking, but it is up to the restaurant. This is not an overwhelmingly "smoky" populace up here, so even when smoking is allowed, not many partake....except in bars.

A lawsuit is in front of a high state court right now brought by Pierce County (Tacoma), insisting that the county has the right to regulate smoking (Pierce wants to ban it in ALL public spaces). If this lawsuit succeeds, King County (Seattle) has already made it clear that it will ban smoking almost immediately....look for smoking in bars.restaurants to be illegal in Seattle by end 2005.

Have to disagree with the person who thought it "embarrassing that California, Vancouver and even Dublin for gods sake don't allow smoking". I think it's something to take pride in -- since when was promoting a healthful lifestyle (or protecting public health of children, etc.) a point of embarassment? After the law was passed in Vancouver many years ago, I can't imagine having it any other way. Food and smoke do not mix.

After going back to England for a month recently, I was quite disgusted having to take in someone else's smoke while trying to enjoy my meal. Also, being pregnant -- there's not exactly a 'section' that I can go to to get away from the second-hand smoke.

I love Seattle as it is -- I can always find a wonderful meal in a smoke-free environment.

epicurangirl- I took pshamrocks' comment to mean she was embarrased the state of Washington hadn't dealt with non-smoking (when even all those other examples had).

Then it was me who was confused, since I thought your (her?) State Legislature WAS dealing with it...

I hate hearing my city (Vancouver) bashed by travellers for NOT allowing smoking in restaurants. I think it's definitely been a change for the better.

When I have smoking friends that wish a no smoking law would be passed so that they would be forced to smoke less? 'Nough said....PASS THE LAW.

If freakin' ITALY can do it, so should all 50 states.

Yes Epicuriangirl, I'm with you. Just read that SF is even going to ban smoking in public parks. That seems like a bit much to me, but just drives home the point about WA legislature not having the guts.

Now there's going to be a state initiative launched to ban smoking in bars and restaurants. We'll see if enough signatures can be gathered.