Starbucks Bans Smoking Within 25 Feet of Stores

This story was written by Carisa Giardino and Rich Jacques.

Smokers are now prohibited from lighting up within 25 feet of a large number of Starbucks stores, according to a company ban that began last weekend.

Hoping to promote a sense of responsibility to provide all customers with a safe and healthy environment, the Starbucks policy change applies to all Canadian and U.S. stores, according to company spokesperson Jamie Riley.

The coffee giant's former smoking policy allowed customers to light up outside as long as they were not on the store’s patio, but that all changed this past weekend.

The intent of the new ban is to restrict smoking within 25 feet of Starbucks' property, if local law allows, according to Riley. 

Forest Hills' Starbucks is located at 107-12 71st Ave. There is another store at 101-02 Queens Blvd. and yet another at 118-24 Queens Blvd.

Also included in the Starbucks ban is electronic cigarettes, which use water vapor.

Tell us: What do you think of the new Starbucks smoking policy?