Starbucks to Ban Smoking June 1

Joe Camel is not welcome at Starbucks starting Saturday.

On June 1, 2013, Starbucks in Florida's Tampa Bay area and across the nation will turn  smoke-free, joining a growing number of restaurants and bars that prohibit smoking.

What do you think of the smoking ban at Starbucks? Let us know in the Comments section below.

Across the U.S., smoking will be banned in Starbucks coffee shops, the outdoor patios and within 25 feet of the doors, according to a company statement.

"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.

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

The company has not tried to highly publicize the ban at its neighborhood shops, where the wifi connections are free and customers are welcome to spend an hour or the entire day.

Here are some Starbucks shops near Dunedin:

Clearwater

• 433 Cleveland St 
• 2539 Countryside Blvd Suite 5
• Inside Westfield Countryside Mall

Palm Harbor

• 30503 U.S. Highway 19 N #B

Get the Dunedin Patch delivered to your email. It's free. No recycling! Sign up here.