Washington Smoking Laws: Advice for Enjoying a Smoke?

[runscott]

I'm sure if it was weed that guy wouldn't have been phased but lord forbid you light up some Captain Black

Yeah, if it had happened to anyone else there would have been a fight, but the pipe-smoker was one of the kindest, gentlest people I ever met.

 

[winterlionpassing]

Not sure this is the exact right place to put this, but I'm hoping to find some advice. I recently moved to the west side of Washington, fairly close to the Canadian border. My town has passed even more extensive "no smoking in public" laws than the normal state laws, and It has made it nearly impossible to think of places I can enjoy my pipe. I am in an apartment, and do not currently know anyone who owns a home. How do western Washingtonians enjoy a pipe? All advice is very much appreciated. Would also love to hear about any pipe clubs in this part of the state if you know of any.

move to eastern wa.

 

[DeaconPiper]

move to eastern wa.

I live in Ellensburg, and while we have the kids and their thought police at Central Washington University, everyone else is pretty rational.

 

[fishmansf]

Washington State in a nutshell:

View attachment 298965

I remember commuting on the bus to work a few years ago and this one bozo came and sat down next to me and starting smoking a rock. I told him to get the **** off the bus and he left… there’s a reason I left WA…

 

[Briarcutter]

SCOTUS ?

 

[Papamique]

Do you have a car?

 

[anotherbob]

My experience in San Francisco. I smoked everywhere with no issues. I remember relaxing on a bench at a park in North Beach, enjoying a pipe when a policeman strolled past. He glanced at me, smiled, and walked on. They have more serious problems to focus on.
Walked all around downtown Portland enjoying a pipe and nobody cared.

always a difference between laws on the book and enforcement. Sorta reminds me of how in my state public nudity isn't legal but they need an active complaint to do anything about it.

 

[jpberg]

always a difference between laws on the book and enforcement. Sorta reminds me of how in my state public nudity isn't legal but they need an active complaint to do anything about it.

How about you just try to keep your pants up next time you enter the library.

 

[zercules]

I agree with others to just do it unless someone complains. You might find some bars that have outdoor areas where you can smoke too. If my apartment had a balcony I would honestly just smoke there until I got a complaint

 

[warren]

always a difference between laws on the book and enforcement. Sorta reminds me of how in my state public nudity isn't legal but they need an active complaint to do anything about it.

Laws which are not to be enforced only teach folks that they also can pick and choose. Such reduces respect for laws, the people who enacted of such laws and law enforcement itself.

 

[anotherbob]

Laws which are not to be enforced only teach folks that they also can pick and choose. Such reduces respect for laws, the people who enacted of such laws and law enforcement itself.

I have to agree with you with a tiny caveat. Sometimes the laws are just more sensible to have a selective enforcement. Locally we're not allowed to do any fire making. If an idiot lets a fire get out of hand they don't have to prove that they did anything more then start a fire. Not perfect but at least it's got a reason.
Then since we're on the subject the one that amazes me and makes me feel less respect are the do nothing laws that only exist to look like something has been done. Like legal you can only buy so many ounces of beer per purchase, you can make as many purchases in a row as you want though.

 

[warren]

Very valid points.

 

[woodsroad]

Not sure this is the exact right place to put this, but I'm hoping to find some advice. I recently moved to the west side of Washington, fairly close to the Canadian border. My town has passed even more extensive "no smoking in public" laws than the normal state laws, and It has made it nearly impossible to think of places I can enjoy my pipe. I am in an apartment, and do not currently know anyone who owns a home. How do western Washingtonians enjoy a pipe? All advice is very much appreciated. Would also love to hear about any pipe clubs in this part of the state if you know of any.

Move out of Washington.

 

[wyfbane]

Move out of Washington.

I did. Eastern WA wasn't far enough away from the... factors around my decision. Born and raised in Vancouver, WA and I graduated from WWU in Bellingham a lifetime ago. It was a beautiful town and the proximity to Vancouver, BC was amazing. I did 22 years in the Army and didn't recognize any part of the I-5 corridor upon my return. I was living back Vancouver, WA and teaching English when antifa did an armed march through one of our suburbs. We sold and were moved to TN within 6 months. The west coast is easily the most beautiful part of the country... geographically. You couldn't pay me to live there again though.

 

[telescopes]

Rebellion begins with selective compliance. Does the Tea Party ring a bell.

 

[Sigmund]

Laws which are not to be enforced only teach folks that they also can pick and choose. Such reduces respect for laws, the people who enacted of such laws and law enforcement itself.

I agree with this. It’s the French way to add laws to the already huge collection of unenforced laws.

Im sure the big cities are different but in smaller towns there is almost no enforcement…there is just no one to do it. I remember living in a mountain village area. I think there were two officers that covered six villages. Aside from no one seeing you breaking the law the last thing they have time for is enforcing a smoking ban

Btw. France just outlawed smoking on beaches and parks.

I smoke at home but I bet I could go smoke all day in my local park and not be noticed.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

I agree with this. It’s the French way to add laws to the already huge collection of unenforced laws.

Im sure the big cities are different but in smaller towns there is almost no enforcement…there is just no one to do it. I remember living in a mountain village area. I think there were two officers that covered six villages. Aside from no one seeing you breaking the law the last thing they have time for is enforcing a smoking ban

Btw. France just outlawed smoking on beaches and parks.

I smoke at home but I bet I could go smoke all day in my local park and not be noticed.

seems, things are same way here up north

 

[greeneyes]

Just curious, but have any of you personally been confronted by an officer and fined for smoking in public?

 

[Gerald Boone]

Not sure this is the exact right place to put this, but I'm hoping to find some advice. I recently moved to the west side of Washington, fairly close to the Canadian border. My town has passed even more extensive "no smoking in public" laws than the normal state laws, and It has made it nearly impossible to think of places I can enjoy my pipe. I am in an apartment, and do not currently know anyone who owns a home. How do western Washingtonians enjoy a pipe? All advice is very much appreciated. Would also love to hear about any pipe clubs in this part of the state if you know of any.

The law states you can smoke 25 feet from your place of employment. I'm not a lawyer but that seems to be a good option. Strange that work can provide you what seems almost a universal ban on all smoking dictated by the "nanny state". I would arrive to work early, smoke in my car (be careful to park at least 25 feet away who knows they sound like they would measure it). Smoke at lunch, then smoke in the parking lot of your employment after work. So that is 3 bowls of tobacco you get and a reason to go to work. Who would think you have a reason to like Mondays.

 

[NC TX ID pipeman]

I love Washington and Oregon and California but I don’t understand what their goals are with such strict, omnipresent smoking laws.

Are they hoping cancer rates will plummet? Not likely.
Are they trying to “stick it” to a certain group?

I suspect my views and their’s are very tightly aligned in almost every other way but this “no smoking anywhere, ever” nonsense seems unnecessary and absurd to me.

Yeah but they are ok with zombie people on their streets laying in sidewalks...what a hypocricy