Local brewery allows employees to smoke while brewing...

[dyqik]

Not reading the full 6 pages.........but........imo....no one said anything about this stuff before there was political regulations, and were all here, so it never hurt our ancestors, so why be so upset about it?

It did hurt our ancestors, quite severely. We know that now. The average life expectancy at birth was once about 40 (in and after 1850 in the US), and people struggled with debilitating illnesses far more than today. Admittedly, infant and childbirth deaths lowered the life expectancy a lot, but this was before cancer was understood, before the germ theory of disease was understood sufficiently to allow protection, and before the impact of environmental hazards like tobacco smoke, coal smoke, etc. was understood.

It wasn't that long ago that people used to retire at 65 or earlier due to illness, and be dead on average a year or two later (the Social Security model was built on this, and needs updating in one way or another). Smoking wasn't all or even much of that - other disease, environmental exposures and workplace hazards killed people before smoking could. But then we got better at dealing with those other hazards, so smoking rose up the actuarial tables.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

The ancestors that died young? The ones that died from infections because doctors didn't wash their hands? Pre-Louis Pasteur, you're right, there were no government regulations. It was awesome.

"Survival of the fittest", I think it's known as......

 

[Jhu1321]

Wouldn't think twice about drinking their beer.

 

[Gonefishing]

would anyone eat at a restaurant if they saw the chef's smoking in the back while cooking the food?

In years gone by, I'm sure I have and never knew the difference.

 

[ericbw]

"Survival of the fittest", I think it's known as......

I would prefer to be on the winning end of that!

 

[ericbw]

it did hurt our ancestors, quite severely. We know that now. The average life expectancy at birth was once about 40 (in and after 1850 in the us), and people struggled with debilitating illnesses far more than today. Admittedly, infant and childbirth deaths lowered the life expectancy a lot, but this was before cancer was understood, before the germ theory of disease was understood sufficiently to allow protection, and before the impact of environmental hazards like tobacco smoke, coal smoke, etc. Was understood.

It wasn't that long ago that people used to retire at 65 or earlier due to illness, and be dead on average a year or two later (the social security model was built on this, and needs updating in one way or another). Smoking wasn't all or even much of that - other disease, environmental exposures and workplace hazards killed people before smoking could. But then we got better at dealing with those other hazards, so smoking rose up the actuarial tables.

+10000000000

 

[ZmannR2]

First of all....this isn't a restaurant....it's a place folks go to get drunk. If it's not illegal, I don't see what else there is to say other than don't go there then?

 

[Brownalemikie]

What if he eats while brewing? Licks his fingers?

This isn't about smoking as much as it's about touching your mouth.

Eric, me thinks if you ever watched how Oscar Meyer made hotdogs, you'd never eat another hotdog. Just sayin.....

 

[kh54s10]

I guess it is up to the individual. I think cigarette smoking in and of itself is disgusting. I really don't care that others do smoke other than the fact it makes my health insurance more expensive.

I would imagine that it is a violation of health rules to smoke in the brewery. See if they are closed down the next time a health inspector comes around.

I would not be worried about the safety of drinking the brewery's beer, but would probably patronize other breweries instead.

I am surprised the brewery allows it just because of the image.

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

First of all....this isn't a restaurant....it's a place folks go to get drunk. If it's not illegal, I don't see what else there is to say other than don't go there then?

That's pretty much the point. It probably is illegal (I say probably because I'm not going to waste my time searching laws of other states) but food manufacturing is regulated, that is why there is an FDA allowance for bug parts and rodent crap in prepared foods. But, that doesn't mean allowing contamination, is a defensible practice.

 

[mullet6577]

Without getting into the argument for or against a brewer smoking while brewing, this is what TN state law says about it since the non-smoker act passed in 2007

Question: Where is smoking prohibited under the new law?
Answer: Under this new law, smoking is prohibited in all enclosed public places within the State of Tennessee with a few exceptions

Of the exceptions, the only one I think this could fall under would be:

Venues that restrict access to persons who are 21 years of age or older at all times

I don't think it was ever mentioned which Memphis brewery this was but I can't think of any that I've visited that check ID before ordering anything.

 

[CGVT]

Without getting into the argument for or against a brewer smoking while brewing, this is what TN state law says about it since the non-smoker act passed in 2007

Question: Where is smoking prohibited under the new law?
Answer: Under this new law, smoking is prohibited in all enclosed public places within the State of Tennessee with a few exceptions

Of the exceptions, the only one I think this could fall under would be:

Venues that restrict access to persons who are 21 years of age or older at all times

I don't think it was ever mentioned which Memphis brewery this was but I can't think of any that I've visited that check ID before ordering anything.

I think the working side of the brewery, even if it is only separated by glass from the public area, is not a public place. Not sure if there is a smoke-free workplace law in TN, though.

 

[mullet6577]

I think the working side of the brewery, even if it is only separated by glass from the public area, is not a public place. Not sure if there is a smoke-free workplace law in TN, though.

The definition of "public place" in the law includes "places of employment."

 

[CGVT]

That clears it up

 

[bobeer]

I've been smoke free for almost 5 years now and now cigs bother the hell out of me. I used to think they just smelled like tobacco but now they smell like chemicals to me.

With that said if I really liked their beer I wouldn't let it bother be because I already would have drunk a lot of it. If their beer was just average or so-so I probably wouldn't go there again. There's too many other choices out there.

No doubt they shouldn't be smoking inside where they make things that people consume.

 

[foam_top]

... My point being, where do you draw a line then when it comes to public health and regulations to protect consumers?

We don't have to draw the line, the brewery did that for us, now it's up to the consumer to decide what fits their needs. I find it irrational to tell someone how to run their business.

 

[ericbw]

We don't have to draw the line, the brewery did that for us, now it's up to the consumer to decide what fits their needs. I find it irrational to tell someone how to run their business.

True. There should be no rules for any business.

 

[ericbw]

Eric, me thinks if you ever watched how Oscar Meyer made hotdogs, you'd never eat another hotdog. Just sayin.....

Pretty sure you can't smoke while making hot dogs either.

This about if it's gross.

 

[ericbw]

The federal code (Title 21, section 117) is pretty clear about washing hands, wearing gloves, and avoiding cross contamination. It specifically mentions the use of tobacco near food, food contact surfaces, and food packaging.

Or were you just repeating what you've hear about "how much rat feces is acceptable in your food?

The point is that every effort should be made to avoid contamination.

I'm going to quote my own post, simply because I think it's related to the topic of "if it's not illegal..." If the rules are not using tobacco where you make or package food, then it would be... um... illegal.

This isn't "smoking is bad" or "hot dogs are gross." It's about food production. Smoking in the bar would be more acceptable, but even bartenders should probably be washing their hands between touching their mouth and touching your glass.

 

[Chanoc]

Fact oids...
Smoking on the brewery.... Bad.
Letting you see.... worst...
Bad for your health.... probably...
Worst than beer... probably not...


Take your chances....
Make your chioices...

I don't think Hep A virus would survive finished beer...

 

[brandonnys]

I read 8 pages of people arguing about nothing, and still don't know which brewery this is...

 

[Yesfan]

I read 8 pages of people arguing about nothing, and still don't know which brewery this is...

LOL! I was thinking the same thing earlier today.


So who is this brewery??

 

[ericbw]

Don't confuse the issue with facts! Hahaha

 

[foam_top]

True. There should be no rules for any business.

They can mash with used syringes, soiled diapers and cigarette butts for all I care. I don't need symbolic law to convince me my money is better spent elsewhere.

 

[yourlastchance89]

People literally used to brew using pond water infested with poop and dead organisms in barns using equipment that probably had never been cleaned ever. Do I care workers are smoking while brewing? Barely. If I owned the place I'd care more so about customers not seeing it than about the smoking itself. People are so anti-smoking today they'd just hate just hate it with no legitimate logic to why other than that's what they're programmed to think. I would love to see the Brulosophy experiment where a panel picks out the difference between a beer brewed whilst smoking and another whilst non-smoking.

 

[fatherdan]

Have snowflakes infected everything?

9 pages of pussification .... Seriously. I doubt very highly this is common place at any brewery other than my garage.

Few guys have a few beers and yada yada.... probably was their own personal batch.

What's more telling is the reactions here.


Yes it's a bad look and any business owner​ that allows it has a bad business model.

Buy sheesh folks,. what's the common saying around here.

Rdwhahb.

 

[RevKev]

My quick two cents. It is disgusting, I don't care what people do when they are on their time but at work you should respect customers and the product you produce.

Hope they get fined.

 

[fatherdan]

Why?

 

[RevKev]

Why?

It's just a product of the environment I work in. I both work in the beer department giving out samples and recommendations and the pharmacy as a technician. I don't think people would appreciate me not holding myself to the upmost levels of care when dealing with medications and I expect a certain level of sanitary practices everywhere I go. I work at Wegmans and our food safety intercompany is scores more strict than NYS department of health.

If they do it at home or out and about so be it, free will man, but when they are prepping consumables I just think everyone should be held to a higher standard

 

[brandonlovesbeer]

I worked at a craft brewery for two years. EVERYONE smoked (except me). Dogs were all over the place.
Honestly it doesn't matter. Because anything post boil is in a closed system.

No biggie.