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[New York]City Hall Plays Host To Pro And Anti-Smoking Rallies
NY1 News ^
| July 24, 2003
| NY1 News
Posted on 07/25/2003 8:30:15 AM PDT by d-back
JULY 24TH, 2003
Despite Wednesday's deadly shooting in the City Council chambers, there were two events planned at City Hall Thursday, one to celebrate the new statewide smoking laws that went into effect today, and the other to criticize the regulations.
Restaurant and bar owners who support the city's smoking ban joined the American Cancer Society to celebrate nearly four months of smoke-free workplaces. They also marked the start of the state's ban, which took effect at 12:01 this morning.
Smokers and their supporters will rally in City Hall Park to roll back the ban. Organizers estimated more than 500 people to show up.
Meanwhile, restaurant and bar owners and smokers are suing to overturn the statewide ban on smoking. The Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association filed a lawsuit on Tuesday, arguing the ban violates a 1970 federal law called the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The suit says federal regulators must approve the state law, which is aimed at protecting employees from the dangers of secondhand smoke.
A group of smokers called NYC CLASH, for Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment, filed its own lawsuit on Wednesday, claiming the law discriminates against smokers.
In addition, a handful of bars with exemptions from the city’s smoking ban, which took effect in March, reportedly plan a lawsuit challenging the stricter state law.
The city’s Health Department has allowed smoking in seven bars and restaurants, but four of them will lose the privilege when the state ban takes effect. The other three – two cigar bars and a membership association – will retain their exemptions.
If the lawsuit is successful, it would set a precedent to overturn the city's smoking ban at bars and restaurants.
TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Culture/Society; US: New York
KEYWORDS: pufflist; smoking; smokingban
We've been talking about this rally on the Puff List, and I was there yesterday, but I've seen absolutely NO coverage of the event. The best I could find was this NY1 article the day before the event. The news coverage I watched last night made no mention at all.
By the way, I saw four people with posters in favor of the ban. Four. Meanwhile, the protest area was filled with people against the ban--hard to estimate, but seemed like well over a thousand.
Bump to Puff List for comments.
1
posted on
07/25/2003 8:30:15 AM PDT
by
d-back
To: *puff_list; Gabz
Bump
2
posted on
07/25/2003 8:31:46 AM PDT
by
d-back
To: d-back
As a smoker I cancelled all my shopping trips to NYC when the ban went into effect. I miss going, NYC and the places I frequented. However, it is important that my dollars now be spent in cities that do not demoralize smokers. It's the only way I could SHOW my opposition.
To: d-back; Flurry; Gabz; SheLion; ImphClinton
"Restaurant and bar owners who support the city's smoking ban joined the American Cancer Society to celebrate nearly four months of smoke-free workplaces."
The key here is that these business owners gladly handed over their freedom to make this choice to the government. They were to lazy to voluntarily enact the ban and deal with the market repercussions, or maybe they realized that they would not have been able to compete in a true free market. Therefore, they support a step toward socialism!
SAD, SAD, SAD, that they are willing to do this!
4
posted on
07/25/2003 9:08:07 AM PDT
by
CSM
(To be anti smoking is to be anti life! Ayn Rand, provided to me by Beckett)
To: CSM
Very sad indeed.
5
posted on
07/25/2003 9:14:35 AM PDT
by
Conspiracy Guy
(!!!!!!! sdrawkcab si enilgat ym ,em pleh esaelP)
To: d-back
Somewhat off topic, but did anyone hear that scumbag Bloomberg on WABC this morning talking about how there are "way too many guns"? He even went as far as to suggest gun-grabbing states sue pro-RKBA states for gun violence. I swear, I will support Bill friggin Clinton over this guy next election if need be.
6
posted on
07/25/2003 9:45:45 AM PDT
by
jmc813
(Check out the FR Big Brother 4 thread! http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/943368/posts)
To: d-back
I've gotten numerous e-mail reports from all over New York this morning that there were about 1000 people protesting the ban at city hall yesterday - but I am still looking for linkable news copy.
Apparently it was a rousing success, including the appearance and speaking by a City Council member who has changed his position in regard to the smoking ban.
7
posted on
07/25/2003 9:50:32 AM PDT
by
Gabz
(anti-smokers - personification of everything wrong in this country.)
To: Gabz
I heard the Council Member, and it was inspiring. To a degree.
Now you know I'm firmly on your side, Gabz, but I think to call it a "rousing success" is overstating the case. Without media coverage, it's like it didn't happen.
Sad but true: Al Sharpton and ten malcontents chanting outside City Hall will be spread all over tv, radio and papers, but a thousand smokers don't rate a mention.
I'm afraid the peasants are going to have to do much better than yesterday if they expect to succeed.
8
posted on
07/25/2003 10:15:24 AM PDT
by
d-back
To: d-back
Sad but true sums it up rather well.
I was just quoting the words of some of the business owners I have read email from this morning. They were all extremely pleased with the turnout.
However you are correct in regards to the media coverage. Heck I had better media coverage in Delaware the night before that ban went into effect.
9
posted on
07/25/2003 10:35:17 AM PDT
by
Gabz
(anti-smokers - personification of everything wrong in this country.)
To: d-back
Pro And Anti-Smoking Rallies A more accurate description would be "pro and anti-property rights". I don't smoke, but I know which side I'm on.
To: d-back
If you're a gay, HIV-positive, African American NYC Democrat, that smoking object in your hand had darned sure better be full of bullets and not tobacco, or Bloomie will be all over your behind 'cause Bloomie's laws are blind, blind, blind....
Good luck at the ralley. I get NY1. Hopefully, they'll be covering it.
11
posted on
07/26/2003 9:24:37 AM PDT
by
cake_crumb
(UN Resolutions = Very Expensive, Very SCRATCHY Toilet Paper)
To: d-back
While not a New York State resident, I spend enough time there that the smoking ban affects me. Listening (GACK) $harpton at Davis' memorial service and smoking a cigar in solidarity.
12
posted on
07/26/2003 9:33:42 AM PDT
by
cake_crumb
(UN Resolutions = Very Expensive, Very SCRATCHY Toilet Paper)
To: jmc813
"...but did anyone hear that scumbag Bloomberg on WABC this morning talking about how there are "way too many guns"?"
When I read this I just chuckled and shook my head. I should have realized that this City Hall shooting would breathe new life into the anti 2nd Ammendment crowd. Not the least of which is Aldoph Bloomie.
13
posted on
07/26/2003 9:52:08 AM PDT
by
Paulie
To: ThinkDifferent
Good for you!
14
posted on
07/26/2003 4:04:32 PM PDT
by
Mears
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