RDevz wrote:I find somewhat annoying, as despite the fact that we are well aware of the working conditions, they're still somewhat unpleasant and it is in our employer's interest to make the work-place as comfortable as possible for the staff
But did you or did you not sign up to work there knowing the smoking policy and working conditions?
Actually, the argument isn't mine, I never really cared as I've been around smokers my entire life. I was getting annoyed because you're flaming my coworkers. Additionally, many of my coworkers are smokers - they simply hate the fact they're constantly breathing second-hand smoke.
The main reason why a bar is a no-smoking area is because the bar itself is seen as a 'food-surface'. Although there are no laws _against_ smoking in eating areas, companies like to emphasize they have a good head on hygiene practice.
Complain! Complain! It's a drink surface, and drinks are handed over in open-topped glass containers. I understand why the bar itself is often no-smoking, and I can cope with that. It's not too much effort to balance a cigarette/cigar/pipe in/on/by the ashtray and get a drink without smoking at the bar, but ashtrays are provided at tables, and they're usually a good distance from the service area.
...and food is served on a completely open plate. You're also misunderstanding me, the bar area is still open to smokers, the bar itself is non-smoking. It stops ash being dropped onto the food surface and smoke being blown into the staffs' faces.