Contributing Author Suzanne Kreuziger: Cigarant

I am not a smoker, but I love someone who is, and - this may seem like a double standard - although I do not allow him to smoke in our home, we like to patronize restaurants and cafes that will allow him the enjoyment of a leisurely cigarette or two.

Fuel Café in Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood officially declared itself smoke-free on October 1st, 2007.  This came after reducing their late-night hours.  Fuel was our longtime regular haunt.  We courted there.  The new non-smoking rule was a surprise and felt like a slap in the face.  It felt strange to breathe smoke-free air there, particularly with the too-bright fluorescent lights on- it felt like an hour-long “hurry up and leave so I can clean up and lock the door.”

Node, the 24-hour coffee/wi-fi/all ages/smoke friendly joint, closed last summer.  I confess, I hadn’t gone there often enough.

The new Alterra on Humboldt is non-smoking, which feels appropriate to its atmosphere, yet- where is the place that allows smoke?  Nowhere, apparently.

Where can one go to enjoy a cup of delicious, locally roasted or fair-trade coffee and a cigarette?  Coffee and cigarettes go together.  They belong together. (There is even a movie called “Coffee and Cigarettes” that prominently features both, throughout.)  On a recent Friday night, Comet on Farwell’s smoking section was packed full with no sign of a seat opening up, while the non-smoking section was nearly empty. Clearly, there are people out there, spending money, who would like to smoke.  I strongly believe that as adults we should be able to decide to smoke, to drink a cup of coffee with a smoker, to work in a place that allows smokers to smoke; just as we can choose to work in a place that remains smoke-free, and just as we can choose to have a beer or not.

Comments

[A different Kreuziger perspective]

As you know from previous family gatherings, I totally totally disagree with you and non-smoking versus smoking. Much of Minnesota, if not all, has gone smoke-free for some time. I never thought it would be accepted, but now you see people of all types smoking outside every bar in town. I love it.

I get physically ill around smoke. I would never go to Fuel when we lived 3 blocks from it because I couldn't even run in to get a sandwich and leave without smelling like smoke. Now that I know they went smoke-free, I'll send them a thank you note and start going there again.

Honestly, I think that people who don't want the harmful effects of secondhand smoke should have more rights than those who chose to support the cigarette industry. Furthermore, smokers shouldn't get health insurance coverage at the same rates that the rest of "us" pay. They should have to pay a premium.

[A different Kreuziger perspective]

By the way. I also love a smoker. Tons of them - my sisters, brother, and even my aunt who died from lung cancer at the ripe old age of 49. My mom smoked during my childhood and quit over 20 years ago. Just because I love a smoker, doesn't mean I want to smoke with them.

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