Pittsburgh, PA: Restaurants fuming over smoking ban

United Pro Smoker's Newsletter ^ | July 14, 2006

[SnarlinCubBear]

If they ALL have no smoking regulations, it won't hurt business. I'm in CA and felt that same way when our bans went into effect (I'd be a customer, not a business-owner), but it has been wonderful. Now, a few years later, I wonder how we ever put up with smoking in an eating establishment. Everyone is the better for it IMO.

[tflabo]

"The proposal to ban smoking in public places was introduced by Sen. Stewart Greenleaf"

Cant trust a Greenleaf to do the bidding of the tobacco 'Brownleaf' brigades. eheheheheh!

The Gestapo tactics against smokers is reprehensible and un-American. Let each restaurant and customer patrons decide the issue without government interference.

[Graymatter]

I'm now living in PA but native to the NY/NJ area. You can't buy firecrackers over there, and here they set up vegetable stands all along the highway, selling firecrackers and stuff, as soon as July comes near.
Moreover, back in NY/NJ, it's mighty hard to buy legal firearms. Here in PA, no problem!
It is odd about the liquor stores. There is no entry for "Liquor" in the Yellow Pages. You have to go to the Blue Pages for State Govt and find "Liquor Control Board, State Liquor Stores."
I buy more guns than whiskey and more whiskey than fireworks, so I'm happy.
Plus the taxes here are under $500 for the house, and over in NY/NJ I fled when it topped $10,000 a year for a similar house.
I miss Broadway and the beaches. Oh well!

[TheSpottedOwl]

"The sun does more damage to peoples' bodies than second-hand cigarette smoke," said Monessen Elks Club trustee Brian Mears. "What is the government going to do next, shut down the sun?

Yep. My dad's occasional cigars didn't cause the melanoma that eventually marched through his body.

I don't blame restaurants for being angry. A lot of smokers boycotted eateries here, years ago.

[Graymatter]

Maybe they should start calling their establishments "smoking lounges" and serve food incidentally. Food is actually good for smokers!

[Dan Nunn]

That sounds fair. IF the government has to be involved at all.

Agreed. I think we've all gotten past the Government being only for roads, public education, and a military. Governments are going to be making more and more of these laws in the future. The best way they could do it is to offer waivers.

As for the list, I saw several in my hometown. One marked "closed" was shut down because of an underage drinking sting! Another line from a hometown business:

"After proving they had lost significant business, Mel's place was granted of the NY's few wavers. Their business immediately returned to the pre ban level, but the owners are worried about what will happen when the waver runs out in a year."

Of course, there's a little anti-ban spin on it, since there's little doubt it'll be renewed. My friend owns a bar with a waiver and his business is much higher than pre-ban levels.

[VermiciousKnid]

Some of us fought the ADA, too. I know I did, and LOUDLY.

Back then I said, "This is going to open a WHOLE new can o'worms."

And sure enough....just look where we are now. Government in literally every aspect of our lives.

Want a new roof on your house? Get a permit.
Want a deck in your backyard? Get a permit AND pay more taxes.
Want a pool (above-ground)? Get a permit.
Want a pool (in-ground)? Get a permit AND pay more taxes.
Want to turn the airbag off in your car? Get a permit.
Want to cut down a tree in your yard? Get a permit.
Want to remodel your bathroom? Get several permits, and YOU CAN'T EVEN BUY THE TOILET YOU WANT!
Want to add a bathroom to your home? Get several permits, possibly have to get a whole new septic system, AND pay more taxes.
Want a new water heater? Get a permit and submit to "inspection" by the town/county.
Helmet laws
Seatbelt laws
Lifejacket laws
Laws, laws, laws, everywhere you turn. I probably break half a dozen laws every single day and don't even know it.

Good Lord, I could go on forever.

They are drunk with power, and WE let them get away with it.

Regards,

[Ditter]

You are absolutely correct, smoke does interfere with the taste of food in the mouth of a non smoker. That is the reason so many of us are adamant about non smoking restaurants. Maybe it makes the smokers food taste better or maybe they don't notice it, I couldn't say which.

[Hazcat]

"Governments are going to be making more and more of these laws in the future."

Only if we let them. The "government" needs to tend to its own business and stay out of mine!

[AGreatPer]

I would love to know what kind of feedback the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association is getting from their members.

[Dan Nunn]

They're not waivers in the traditional sense. They're all basically requests to the government to operate your business in a certain way. I understand your argument about the safety and health permits, but beyond that, they also have to have permits for food and liquor, which are also readily apparent when one walks through the door of a bar. Basically, it's government forcing the tide of clean air in restaurants to be opt-out rather than opt-in. Being that I value clean air when eating and going out, I prefer it this way. But in a society like this, we're welcome to disagree and put it to a vote.

[SheLion]

I quit May 11th .. had a real good scare .. but I smoked for 42 years .. the comeraderie .. the atmosphere .. it was all LIFE to me .. everything else was work,eat,sleep,work,eat,sleep .. except, of course for the 21 beautiful years with my wife.

Well, good for you!  You did mean you quit smoking, right?

I say the same to someone who lost 50 pounds as well.  We all know that smoking isn't good for us and being obese is a killer.  But hey!  The responsibility needs to lie with us, and not the government.

Cigarettes are the only legal commodity today that we can buy, yet we are made to feel like criminals for smoking them.

It's all nuts.

[DogBarkTree]

I worked in NYC for years. When Bloomberg brought on the smoking ban there I knew it was only a matter of time before it was the law of the land everywhere.

[SheLion]

All they're interested in is control, and more taxes.

I've said it a million times, but I cannot stand these people anymore.

Well, that's how they 'got control.'  Started with smoking.  We all know that they are after foods next.  And the obese people.  The lawmakers have already banned soda's in schools as well as a lot of foods.

I guess it comes down to it's our fault for letting them get away with so much.  We have been so complacent, that now, there is no going back.  Short of some sort of civil war, that I am not advocating.

I wonder if the illegals in this country have any problems smoking where ever they want?  I often wondered about that.

[Ditter]

Yes you are right, it should be left up to the restaurant owner but here is the result of that. Many restaurant owners want both smoking and non smoking customers and they put us all in the same space, the people stay where they belong but the smoke doesn't.

I was with a party of 11 people last night at a local steak house. Smoking was only allowed at the bar where smokers could also eat. When they set up our table for 11 it was right beside the bar with only a low wall between. We might have well be seated at the bar because the smoke was thick at our table. All 11 people refused the table and we were ready to leave when they hastily found us another spot.

The point that I am trying to make here is that every non smoker that did sit there (beside the bar) last night (and every night), is going to be annoyed. They are going to remember that "smoking sections don't work" unless they are separate rooms. Restaurant owners who don't realize this are hurting their own cause.

[Hazcat]

So, let me see. You chose the place to begin with, then when you complained to the Establishment they accommodated you. So what is your problem?

If ya don't like it don't go there.

[SheLion]

If they ALL have no smoking regulations, it won't hurt business. I'm in CA and felt that same way when our bans went into effect (I'd be a customer, not a business-owner), but it has been wonderful. Now, a few years later, I wonder how we ever put up with smoking in an eating establishment. Everyone is the better for it IMO.

Oh dear.  How I pity you and your thought process.

California?  LOL!  Do you really and truly believe that all the businesses are not allowing smoking???

SMOKING BAN IMPACT ON CALIFORNIA RESTAURANTS

That is the real impact of the smoking ban. So if you hear of anyone saying that the smoking ban in restaurants and bars does not hurt anybody, you can quote my figures, which are based on the official reports issued by the State Board of Equalization here in California.

Otto J. Mueksch
President, Californians For Smokers Rights 

California Smokers Use Prohibition Tactics to Get Around Ban

While cops try to sniff out the worst offenders, in many cases they're butting up against organized opposition. Bartender phone trees warn each other of impending busts, powerful fans blow away tell-tale scents of "smokin' in the boys room" and tin cans double as ashtrays in case of an unexpected visit by police.

click here

THE REAL FACTS OF THE SMOKING BANS IMPACT ON BUSINESS'S
The Facts

[383rr]

Socialists don't care that you had to risk everything to start and maintain your business.

These a$$holes think it's their decision, and you will run it their way.

Hey, we took a vote, and you have to change how you run your business.
And if you go broke? Oh, well, they'll say. You should have done something different.

Nothing but a play out of uncle joe stalin's playbook, IMHO.

[seasoned traditionalist]

Lots of union, blue-collar Democrats in Pittsburgh. These are the guys who hang out at the tavern after work and enjoy a drink and a smoke. The people pushing these smoking bans are elitist snobs.

Same-o, Same-o.

The bars, restaurants, clubs and taverns belong to the Restaurant Association and probably pay some sort of fees.

Members of Unions pay dues as well.

Then, the Association and Union hierarchy (and these are the lib snobs and elites) decide on policy and agenda they want to pursue, even if it contravenes the wishes and desires of rank in file.

We have seen this over and over with regards to how unions support and donate to liberal candidates while rank and file vote the opposite.

What I can't understand (and this has happened over and over and over in all states that have foisted this smoking ban BS) is why more bar, tavern, restaurant owners have not stood up and fought this asinine legislation?

Let's face it, any place is (and has always been free) to make their business nonsmoking. If they felt that would bring in more business, they could have done so anytime.

What I think this is, is that many feel that if they all are forced to abide by the results of the anti smoking zealots and Nazis, then they won't lose quite as much business.

And that is also the reason that even those who don't support this policy, are pushing so hard to have even private clubs included in the bans.