Speak Out: Smoking Bans Outside Restaurants — Yes or No?

This week, Starbucks announced it would ban smoking in its coffee shops, the outdoor patios and within 25 feet of the doors.

According to The Huffington Post, the ban will affect about 7,000 stores across the country — both those that have outdoor seating and those that do not.

In 2009, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine signed a law banning smoking in restaurants that are open to the public. Outdoor seating areas of restaurants, with or without a roof covering, are exempt from the law, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

Patch asked Facebook fans what they thought of the Starbucks smoking ban. Many readers were supportive of the ban.

"They'll change it back if it hurts their profits but it won't," Frank Harding said. "People were crying that a smoking ban would close down bars in New York and it never happened."

Reader Angela Sorrell voiced her support of the ban. "[The ban is] awesome. I've been irritated when sitting out there with smokers."

However, some readers felt that Starbucks should take more initiative in being health conscious.

"I think if an establishment like Starbucks is going to be so health conscious, they should stop selling addictive caffeine fattening drinks at ridiculous prices," Molly McDonald Smith said.

What do you think — should more restaurants should ban outdoor smoking? Tell us in the comments below.