Starbucks Smoking Ban: Must Be 25 Feet From Building To Light Up, Loaded Guns OK

Starting June 1, Starbucks will no longer allow cigarette smoke in outdoor seating areas or within 25-feet of their establishments, reported Examiner.com.

From now on, those who want to enjoy the infamous pairing of coffee and cigarettes must stand far away from the building.

Jaime Riley, a Starbucks spokeswoman, stated the decision was made on the basis of "a sense of responsibility to provide customers with a safe and healthy environment."

The new rules will apply to 7,000 Starbucks establishments across the U.S. and Canada. Some stores, such as ones that are located within other establishments will not be following the policy.

The 25-feet rule is the companies' ideal, but if their property only extends ten or 15 feet outside of the store they will only enforce the rules within their territory.

"We're pretty optimistic that people will be supportive and at the very least cooperative," Riley said.

The company does not plan on using a heavy-handed approach to enforce smoke-free policy.

"We are confident that we can resolve any concern amicably," Riley said.

Some groups think that Starbucks should be focusing on other dangerous issues. The company does not ban guns in the 43 states where open gun carrying is lawfully acceptable, according to examiner.com.

Moms Demand Action, a gun control advocacy group, believes that the company should look at its policies on guns before they start worrying about second-hand smoke.

"In light of the epidemic of gun violence in America, as well as recent shootings at Starbucks stores, Moms Demand Action fails to see the logic in the company's determination that second-hand smoke is more dangerous to its customers than loaded guns," the group said.

A woman in a Florida Starbucks was shot in the leg recently when another customer accidentally dropped their purse containing a firearm.

Starbucks has defended their policies, stating that they comply with all state laws in regards to firearms.

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