Starbucks Smoking Policy Also Covers Outside Of Store

For some people, smoking and coffee go hand in hand. But if you’re a Starbucks lover, you will have to light up somewhere else. The new policy for the Seattle-based coffee company will require smokers to stand at least 25 feet away from the business when lighting up. The business already bans smoking indoors.

Not everyone feels this new policy makes sense. Danny Jordan, who has smoked since he was 18, asks if you can’t smoke outside, where should you smoke?

“I don’t blow smoke on people or try to get them polluted. I don’t push their rights, so, leave mine alone. Let me have this,” he said. At Avoca coffee shop in Fort Worth, a popular spot for smokers and non-smokers, the owner does not see a need for a similar policy.

“I don’t think we’ve had a continuous problem with anybody, not being considerate. I mean…people are adults. And you know, they’re smart and courteous,” said Jake Paleschic.

Smokers who patronize his shop, Paleschic says, will go the distance to keep everyone happy.

“I see a lot of our regulars will even walk to the end of the street, close to the nearest trash can, and just smoke there.”

The new Starbucks policy starts the weekend of June 1.