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Business & Tech

No Camel Joe with Your Joe: Starbucks Bans Outdoor Smoking

Smoking at outdoor cafe tables or within 25 feet of the coffee house doors is now banned.


Starbucks across the nation are now smoke-free inside and out. 

The company has banned smoking in Starbucks coffee shops, the outdoor patios and within 25 feet of the doors, according to a company statement.

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According to The Huffington Post, the ban will affect about 7,000 stores across the U.S. — both those that have outdoor seating and those that do not.

"We apologize for any inconvenience but we are complying with many current and future regulations," was the explanation that is printed on cards at Starbucks stores.

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The company's transition to a completely smoke-free environment could be a radical change for some regulars used to sitting at the outdoor cafe tables to smoke, drink coffee, work on laptops and socialize.

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