Posted on 09/08/2003 1:01:05 PM PDT by Outraged At FLA
NEW YORKERS over whelmingly believe that Gov. Pataki and the Legislature "went too far" in passing the state's harsh new anti-smoking law, a bombshell new poll shows.
And the poll found they want the law - which took effect July 24 - changed.
The still-secret survey, a copy of which was obtained by The Post, shows that nearly 68 percent of all New York state voters - and 63 percent of city voters - say the controversial anti-smoking ban is too severe.
New Yorkers of all ethnicities agree that the ban went too far: blacks, 78 percent; Hispanics, 68.4 percent; and whites, 66.4 percent;
They also agree it went too far by sex: men, 70.7 percent, and women, 64.5 percent. They even agree it went too far by political orientation: Democrats, 63.8 percent; Republicans, 67.9 percent; independents, 75.3 percent.
And even nonsmokers agree it went too far.
A whopping 62 percent of nonsmokers said the law is too harsh.
The poll also shows a majority of New Yorkers want the law changed.
The poll, conducted by the nationally renowned firm of McLaughlin & Associates, found two out of three voters say Pataki and state lawmakers should modify the law to permit - at the very least - some smoking in bars, nightclubs and lounges.
Just 28 percent said they wanted the current law left the way it is.
The poll - the first to become public since the smoking ban took effect - was commissioned by the state Conservative Party.
It found a majority of New Yorkers believe the state should keep its hands off local smoking regulations and leave it to bar and restaurant owners alone to decide if smoking should be permitted.
Nearly 57 percent of all those surveyed - and nearly 53 percent of New York City voters - said the decision should be left to the private sector.
Just 22 percent said state government should make the decision, and another 17 percent said it should be left to local governments.
"This poll shows that the Legislature and Gov. Pataki went too far," said state Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long.
"Voters wisely know we can find a workable way to handle smoking without big government crushing everybody's freedom of choice," said Long, who is expected to make the poll public as soon as today.
The new poll surveyed 600 likely New York voters July 29-30 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
Armed resistance like Palestine? lol
This is hitting business and the government tax man in the pocket. That is one way to fix it, and I am also not going to vote for any republican again in NY until I find one who is against the smoking ban.
We have had rallies against the smoking ban and many other things. Much of the media are card carrying members of the American Cancer Society so it does not get much coverage, but believe me, things are in the works!
Would that be considered a terrorist act? lol..
Unclear on the concept; confused like the rest of the Northeast.
Eraserhead is a documentary here.
It'll be interesting to watch this play out.
Yeah, this legislation came out of right field in NY. Noone knew it was even being discussed then one day BOOM, the gods had spoken and NY'ers were told to butt out.
Hitlery is a disgrace to the Senate, and if she runs again in 2006, everything possible should be done to defeat her. I'm hoping she won't run for Prez in 2004. If she does, will she pull a Lieberman and also run for the Senate at the same time?. RATS are scum!
Once elected to office be it dog-catcher or senator; the person elected may not run for another office within the government until their term of commitment is up. That should also cover time in office is not spent campaigning, but should be spent on the job they were elected for. This legislation should be part of a national election, let the people decide, not the politicians.
If smoking is a health hazard, then to be fair, all cleansers, home pest controls, all house hold chemicals: all house hold dyes in carpets, curtains, upholstery, bed spreads and sheets, pillow covers and bath mats etc. must be included in the home hazard list of carcinogenic possibilities. To take it even further – if at the age of 65, men or women who cannot do 10 push-ups and 10 chin ups and walk a 15 minute mile, will have to walk with a crutch or a cane; must wear protective head and knee gear when not in doors. You may not eat burnt food of any sort, it could cause cancer – so no more charcoaling out of doors...ever! Anyone eating more than 20 grams of fat each day will be arrested; put in a sanatorium where they will be fed not more than 6 grams of fat a day on a diet of bread and water, if there is any. Alcohol is a problem, as no one will give up beer and wine.
Smoking is legal and the least of our problems – these nuts need to get a life and leave mine alone!
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