Starbucks St. Pete to Go Smoke-Free June 1

Joe Camel is no longer welcome at Starbucks starting Saturday, June 1.

Starbucks in St. Petersburg and across the nation will become smoke-free, joining a growing number of restaurants and bars that prohibit smoking.

Across the U.S. smoking will be banned inside the coffee shops, at the outdoor patio areas and within 25 feet of the doors, according to a company statement.

"We apologize for any inconvenience but we are complying with many current and future regulations," was the explanation printed on a card inside the Starbucks shop on 4th Street North and 8th Avenue in St. Petersburg.

The company's transition to a completely smoke-free environment will be a radical change for the loyal customers who've made a habit of sitting at the outdoor cafe tables to smoke, drink coffee and read from laptops or socialize.

But the company has not tried to highly publicize the impending ban at its neighborhood shops, where the wifi connections are free and customers are welcome to spend an hour or the entire day.

What do you think of the smoking ban at Starbucks? Will you welcome it, or do you oppose the new restrictions? Let us know in the comments below.

Which is your favorite Starbucks location in St. Petersburg?

Here are some of the spots, listed below:

Starbucks, 8801 4th St N, Saint Petersburg; phone: 727-577-2436;

Starbucks Coffee, 199 1st Ave N, Saint Petersburg, phone: 727-822-400;

Starbucks Coffee, 900 4th St N, Saint Petersburg, phone: 727-551-0339;

Starbucks Coffee, 199 1st Ave N, Saint Petersburg, phone: 727-822-4000;

Starbucks Coffee, 4949 4th St N, Saint Petersburg, 727-528-7561.

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