Starbucks bans PVs

[Berylanna]

I am torn on policies like this. On the one hand I don't want some AH blowing his/her vapor around me when I am sitting down to eat and on the other hand I don't want to see every store that has nothing to do with the food and beverage industry ban vaping because the fast food joint down the street did it. Just because you can doesn't always mean you should so some common sense and consideration to the people around you needs to be given or everybody will be banned everywhere. Anyway that's my worth on this subject.

If the ban had been indoors-only, I would not be preparing to boycott Starbucks. But by putting it 20 feet from the door and on all their patios, they are essentially advertizing for the quit-or-die crowd. They could always have a quiet policy to ask anybody who is being obnoxious right by a door to cool it.

They would deserve a full-on boycott if this is really their policy and not an exaggeration.

 

[Berylanna]

I'm not seeing any specific mention of e-cigs/PVs in any reputable news source, just "smoking"... link?

NBC article:
Starbucks to smokers: Don't even take it outside! - NBC News.com

No word on whether the Starbucks ban will also apply to e-cigarettes.

From the Business Insider article, but notice they are NOT quoting Starbucks, they are quoting a reporter from Ad Week!
Starbucks Bans Smoking By Stores - Business Insider
Electronic cigarettes will also be banned at Starbucks locations, Heine reports.

Hmmmm! Looks like the jury is still out! I wonder if there's time to keep it that way?

 

[xhuffer]

Starbucks has a facebook page. Time to hop over there and let them know how you feel.

 

[CptBragg]

If a private entity wants to take a stance, on one side or another, they should have the right. In a true free market society, of which we do not have now, the market would dictate a companies decision on what it allows. When government gets involved (I believe it will) and takes the rights of all private entities to choose a stance is when we all should get involved.

 

[Berylanna]

I've got bad news for you: boycotting is a valid market response to something that is very offensive. Supporting the ANTZ is extremely offensive to me.

 

[AgentAnia]

I went to Starbucks webpage and sent them an email that if they ban vaping outside their locations, they'd lose me as a customer of both their coffeehouses and of their products I would buy from the supermarket. They have their policies, I have mine.

 

[Berylanna]

I think I'll go tomorrow and see what the stickers say.

 

[DC2]

I'm calling right now, but I'm on hold...

Mail
Starbucks Customer Relations
PO Box 3717
Seattle, WA 98124-3717

Phone
800-Starbuc (800-782-7282)
Mon – Fri 5 AM – 8 PM (PST)
Sat 6 AM – 4 PM (PST)

 

[DC2]

I'm calling right now, but I'm on hold...

A customer service representative just read me the policy word for word...
Effective June 1st electronic cigarettes are to be treated the same as real cigarettes.

 

[Berylanna]

A customer service representative just read me the policy word for word...
Effective June 1st electronic cigarettes are to be treated the same as real cigarettes.

Guess I'll be mailing in my Starbucks cup, card, and grocery-store bags with the coupon for a free cup,
along with a couple of CASAA info thingys such as the non-harm of vapor and the move to stop ecigs.

 

[Plettschner]

FWIW, I sent the following message to Starbucks through their Contact Us page:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am inquiring about the new smoking ban outside of stores that goes into effect this weekend. I am an ex-smoker and have a personal vaporizer as my replacement therapy. A PV uses a glycerin and glycol base liquid that is vaporized and inhaled. There is nothing burning, no smoke, and no "second hand" risks associated with PVs. To the uninitiated, it can be mistakenly grouped with smoking (as in cigarette smoking), when it is very different and a very successful way to get away from cigarettes. Anyway, I just want to confirm that the new Starbucks smoking policy will not affect ex-smokers, like myself.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


And now we wait...

I got a reply! Didn't really say anything useful, but at least "my concern" was acknowledged.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Otto,

I just finished reading your email and appreciate you taking the time to share your concerns with us.

Starbucks strives to provide a great environment for our partners (employees) and customers as well as contribute positively to the communities in which we do business. We are committed to ensuring that our stores comply with all applicable state and local laws. Please know that Starbucks partners do their best to politely and professionally manage and inform any customer who may be violating any law or statute pertaining to smoking restrictions. I will share your concern with the management team that oversees this location for their awareness.

We would love to hear your feedback. Click here to take a short survey.

Sincerely,

Jordan L

Customer Relations
Starbucks Coffee Company
1-800-STARBUC (782-7282)
Monday-Friday 5 A.M. to 8 P.M. (PST)
Saturday 6 A.M. to 4 P.M. (PST)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[mostlyclassics]

If a private entity wants to take a stance, on one side or another, they should have the right. In a true free market society, of which we do not have now, the market would dictate a companies decision on what it allows. When government gets involved (I believe it will) and takes the rights of all private entities to choose a stance is when we all should get involved.

CptBragg, I agree that Starbucks has the right to set whatever policy they want within their store. On the other hand, I have the equal right to set my own policy in response. And my response is no Starbucks of any sort, any time, and from anyone.

Most Starbucks are in rented storefronts. And local ordinances govern what happens beyond Starbuck's threshold. So that 20-foot prohibition is not Starbuck's policy to make -- that's up to the local government.

 

[RosaJ]

It's easy to vote with your wallet - I'll not buy their brand anymore.

Me neither, not even the drinks at the grocery store!!!

 

[RosaJ]

If a private entity wants to take a stance, on one side or another, they should have the right. In a true free market society, of which we do not have now, the market would dictate a companies decision on what it allows. When government gets involved (I believe it will) and takes the rights of all private entities to choose a stance is when we all should get involved.

I agree that a business has a right to set boundaries as to what it allows inside their place of business, but when it starts controlling something that is allowed outside its doors when it is legal in the State it is doing business in, that, in my book is overstepping the boundaries of their authority. I am a firm believer in Capitalism, but I am a citizen of the State of Texas and in the area I live in there are no such bans in public places. I choose to not spend my money purchasing any Starbucks products.

 

[AgentAnia]

I'm not on Facebook or twitter or any of the "social media," but would REALLY love it if vapers who are would start a VERY noisy "Vapers, Boycott Starbucks!" campaign on all those places.

 

[nicetucu]

Honestly what the hell can they do even if you do vape inside one of their stores. Will the starbucks police come out from the back with milk moustaches holding billy clubs with cans of mace ? lol . It's different than smoking tobacco, much different. They can ask me to leave all they want and I will tell them to go f themselves (I'm that mad). Even if they do call the police, what would happen?

Most likely you're gone before anyone with any authority shows up. And if they do? ???????? It makes me want to go in there now with all VG juice and blow clouds of vapor while ordering (I mean cloudddsssss lol). Ok enough said.

 

[jcmccord235]

I spend more money at Starbucks than I used to on analogs. A breakfast sandwich and a latte every work day. That's $10 every morning. 20-25 days a month. Occasionally on weekends too. I stand to save an awful lot of money now that I am outraged enough to quit going

 

[Natey]

I'm not on Facebook or twitter or any of the "social media," but would REALLY love it if vapers who are would start a VERY noisy "Vapers, Boycott Starbucks!" campaign on all those places.

I heard about the ban and im a everyday Starbucks kinda guy, i sit there and Vape my face off sitting outside at the tables even today, and Manager that i knew came out and said "You can't..... Oh thats an Ecig? Your ok have a great day" Maybe its in different areas that include the ecigs as part of the ban... Or maybe its just me since I'm a regular there....

 

[SteveCee]

I'm vaping away right now and the ashtrays are all out still. A couple analog smokers here too! (Nanaimo, Canada)

 

[jimbol]

I was never much on spending $5 on coffee so me boycotting won't be much of a message. I don't go there anyway.