Mile
Zero

Let's take a moment to appreciate the DC smoking ban. Over the last two years, the District of Columbia put a blanket ban on smoking in bars, restaurants, and other public places. The rationale that eventually pushed it through, from what I understand, was that workers in smoke-filled rooms should be protected from lung cancer and second-hand smoke. Business still seems to be thriving, even though critics feared a total economic collapse.

The difference it has made was really driven home to me last night when I went to an open mike at Front Page Grill just down the road in Arlington. When I got home at the end of the night, my clothes smelled awful, my skin felt dusty, and my throat was starting to act up. This was directly compared to concerts that I've attended lately in DC at the 9:30 Club and the Black Cat. To be honest, I'd forgotten about the smoking ban. It took a visit back into a venue outside its effects before I realized how great those shows had felt.

There are plenty of problems with live music. Sometimes I think I actually hate everything about rock shows except for the music--I hate being jostled by a drunken crowd, loud volumes hurt my ears, and I detest encores (mental note: this kind of statement makes you sound like you're 85 years old). The smoking ban at least takes emphysema out of the equation. I can also remember, in my college band, coming home with my guitar strap and amplifier smelling like an ashtray for a week after a gig. It'll be nice, as I start playing out again, if I can pick up the instrument sans tobacco odor.

Verdict: Smoking bans are highly recommended to the rest of the country. Get started on that before my next road trip, okay?