Should smoking be banned at Atlantic Station?
Midtown mixed-use development poses the question to its facebook followers
On Saturday, the Atlantic Station facebook page posted the following statement and question?
We're considering a ban on smoking at Atlantic Station but we want your opinion first: Yes OR No?
Within the first 14 hours, more than 270 people ‘liked’ the post and more than 225 people had left a comment. Not surprisingly, the answers varied:
- Sure! Emory just launched their smoke-free campaign. Even though those who smoke may feel discriminated against, technically you're helping them kick a very expensive, bad-for-their health and others habit.
- Yes... please bannnnn smoking on the property... It hard walking behind someone and a wind of smoke hits you in the face , i dont wanna smell like SMOKE newports or cigars.
- Yes please! I'm an employee in Atlantic Station and I don't think banning smoking would hurt business at all! Let the smokers smoke in their cars to keep their hazardous habit contained.
But others were not on board with a ban:
- Ugh. Please. Whatever happened to personal freedom?
- NO! And I'm a NON-SMOKER. The anti-smoking movement is more about the need to control others than it is about health.
- Eliminate alcohol too...no more bars, and sweet tea, in fact eliminate everything containing sugar, and caffeine too...and how about telling us what to wear, and think...give me a break.
What do you think? Do you think Atlantic Station should ban smoking?
Steven Ivey
11:38 am on Sunday, June 3, 2012
It is freaking outdoors. It is a scientific fact, cars produce hundreds of times more pollution and carcinogens that a smoker. I don't see you asking for that.
rick
12:05 pm on Sunday, June 3, 2012
Absolutely! right after they ban cars,buses..... then we should start on minorities and ugly people.
Joey
2:09 pm on Sunday, June 3, 2012
Yes, please! It's a health hazard, not to mention disgusting.
Luppies
4:34 pm on Sunday, June 3, 2012
Designated areas - blanket policies are dangerous - no perfume, no alcohol, no caffeine, no summer dresses, - freedom to choose - or lets head over to the middle east?
Luppies
4:37 pm on Sunday, June 3, 2012
Designated areas and bars - what's next no perfume - no sugar - no alcohol - no caffiene - monitor and regulate but freedom to choose! Or let's head over to the middle east?
N/S
4:40 pm on Sunday, June 3, 2012
Smoking should be limited to specific outdoor area(s) only.
Jen
7:08 pm on Sunday, June 3, 2012
There is no reason to ban smoking from Atlantic Station. I don't smoke but I've also never been bothered while In Atlantic Station by anyone smoking, why bother regulating it nearly all of Atlantic Station is outside anyway.
Bruce J. Rose
11:34 pm on Sunday, June 3, 2012
Smoking, unlike alcohol, sweet tea, soda, etc., affects others around the smoker. Hello!!! I don't really care if others want to consume those items. It has no affect on me. However, I have to breathe a smoker's smoke if I'm around it. Smoking should therefore be banned in all public places, especially enclosed spaces. The state of Georgia is, of course, far behind much of the rest of the country on this. It's a public health issue and one the state needs to address through amending existing legislation.
Jeff K
10:41 am on Monday, June 4, 2012
Really Bruce? Guess you've never been around someone who has had too much to drink and suddenly they're at volume 11 and as obnoxious as they can be. And of course drunk driving doesn't affect anyone either right?
I don't smoke OR drink, but I support the right for BOTH. The thing that just kills me is how everyone will jump on board to crush smoking, but even MENTION alcohol and - "WHOA WHOA WHOA! Let's not go overboard!!!"
As a non-drinker & non-smoker, I will say that people who drink are FAR more of an annoyance than those who smoke. Just my humble opinion. Flame on...
ChadK
6:35 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
I'm personally getting sick of Atlantic Station evolving into the outdoor mall that the new owners claimed to be trying to get away from the image of. First they added kiosks, then a concierge, then "you are here" markers, now a blanket non-smoking policy. Every one of these elements is straight out of a mall.
I myself am a non-smoker so I would prefer to keep smoking to the outdoor areas, but I think the policies should be handled by the individual establishments. This whole "A.S. is private property and we can set whatever rules we like to this entire area of town blah blah blah..." has worn out it's welcome on me. Are they trying not to be part of this city?
Atlantic Station needed some help from where it was, but the changes have gone way too far in the other direction.
Bill Palmer
7:44 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
What is wrong with "evolving into an outdoor mall"? One of the most popular and delightful spots in Pasadena, CA as well as Southern California is the Paseo Colorado, an outdoor mall which the heart of Atlantic Station resembles and surpasses. I lived in the Paseo for 8 years, best time of my life, always lots of outdoor activity instead of having one of these giant boxes such as Phipps or Lenox.
ChadK
7:57 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Nothing "wrong" with it but I personally would like to see A.S. considered an area of town not an island unto itself which is the direction NAP seems to be determined to go.
If you look at A.S. from that perspective these changes and enforcements seem silly... Equate it to the 12th and Midtown project banning smoking from the corner of 11th/Peachtree to 14th/Peachtree (I know they don't go to 14th, but you see my point).
As someone who moved to the Midtown West when A.S. was being built (because I was so excited about the concept), and someone who goes there at least 3 times a week I find the transformation a little disgusting.
SIM
9:06 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Who in their right mind would go to Atlantic Station anyway?
Patch
3:34 pm on Friday, June 8, 2012
Let the dollars and people speak. Most people, including myself, support the smoking ban, which they passed. Smokers that actually visit Atlantic Station can just leave the property or don't shop at A.S. if this change upsets them. The demographic that A.S. is chasing is mostly non-smoking, now that they are chasing out the club crowd. If A.S. retail sales drops from this change, than they can revert back to allowing smoking. No need to get all worked up over this... this change is not as big of a deal as when A.S. considered charging everyone for parking unless they bought something. Glad that was overturned. Nooone walks to A.S since the north is a railroad track the south and west are sketchy and the 17th street bridge is a long walk from Midtown.