Eateries resist telling smokers to snuff it
Posted on 03/02/2003 5:11:15 AM PST by MeekOneGOP
Eateries resist telling smokers to snuff it
Owners say they aren't obliged to enforce ban; Poss endorsed
03/02/2003
If Dallas Mayor Laura Miller expects restaurateurs to become her anti-smoking patrol, she's mistaken, industry leaders said Saturday on the first day of Dallas' restaurant and bar smoking ban.
The Greater Dallas Restaurant Association is instructing owners to abide by the new city ordinance, such as by posting "no smoking" signs. But it is telling them not to feel compelled to enforce it.
"We are not going to get into a confrontational situation if someone is smoking," said Mark Maguire, president-elect of the Greater Dallas Restaurant Association and owner of Maguire's Regional Cuisine and the M Grill & Tap in Dallas. "We're going to choose not to confront it."
At a smoke-free happy hour at Maggiano's Little Italy restaurant, Mayor Laura Miller praised the ban as a victory against illness.
"It's a public health issue, first and foremost," she said. "You have to stay strong and believe in that."
RICHARD MICHAEL PRUITT / DMN Jeramy Tuggle, a waiter at Dick's Last Resort in the West End, had to go outside for his smoke break Saturday. |
But count restaurant association leaders among the nonbelievers.
Ms. Miller angered them enough that the association on Saturday made its first mayoral endorsement ever - recommending City Council member Mary Poss, who is challenging Ms. Miller in the May 3 election.
Ms. Poss vowed Saturday that, if elected, she would attempt to overturn the ban.
"Some of these businesses will not be in business," she said. "Others will move to the suburbs."
Ms. Miller played down the endorsement.
"It doesn't surprise me. The restaurants are nervous because this is a big change," she said. "They'll come around quickly."
The mayor cited studies indicating that smoking bans increase restaurant patronage rather than drive it to other cities, as some restaurateurs fear.
At the Cadillac Bar in Dallas' West End, general manager Mark O'Brien said he opposed the ban, although he reported normal business Sunday and no problems among nicotine-starved patrons.
In keeping with the restaurant association's guidance, he said he would not harass customers who decide to light up at the risk of being fined as much as $200.
Among the smokers who were grumbling but not puffing at the Cadillac was Jared Davidson.
He said he would consider taking his cigarettes - and money - to restaurants in Addison, Arlington or Fort Worth.
But he remained at the Cadillac on Saturday.
Mr. Davidson sat quietly, his food before him and a half-empty glass of suds inches from his left hand. But at his right, the ashtray was gone.
"It's really weird - really weird - going into a bar, having a beer and not being able to have a cigarette," said Mr. Davidson, gesturing as if holding an invisible cigarette between his index and middle fingers. "It's going to take some getting used to."
MONA REEDER / DMN Mayor Laura Miller says restaurant owners eventually will see the wisdom of the city's smoking ban, which went into effect Saturday.
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At Dick's Last Resort, a West End bar and restaurant, Douglas and Karen Lambert sat at the bar drinking beer. Mr. Lambert smokes; his wife doesn't.
He said he would abide by the ban; he doesn't even smoke in his own house. But that doesn't mean he likes the new city restrictions.
"It should be up to the establishments, the owners, to decide where customers can and can't smoke," he said.
Likewise, it's up to customers to take their business to restaurants that appeal to them, Mr. Lambert said. "If you don't want to smell smoke, don't come in."
Jason Buckner of Dallas said he agreed with the ban.
Dining in a Dallas restaurant without the smell of burning tobacco wafting his way, and coming home without smelling of smoke, will be a welcome change, he said.
"I can't really stand smoke," he said. "The ban is a real benefit to people who want to be healthy."
Same here. But it really irks me when people like this try and force their opinions on others.
I used to be a courteous smoker, and still am to a point, until people like this get in my face.
I'm not saying I don't use soap and hot water. I do. Honest. Why just last year......."
I don't mind soap and water, but get rid of those PRETTY FLOWER smelling ones. I like Boraxo (John Wayne Soap) :)
The governor and the sponsors of this idiotic thing are all fighting any and all efforts to make changes to the ban - but are all proposing increased cigarette taxes - to help balance the budget of course..........
Hey, they moved this thread to the Smokey Back Room? Wha hoppened I wonder ? ...
I haven't read any further than here - but I can imagine some of the 'debate" must have gotten a bit heated!!!!!!
What I find amazing is that there are people that were actually born and raised here that believe that kind of paplum..........and then post it here.
Sorry, but I'm not buying into it - my parents raised me and educated me properly - I will do the same with my child without the government's help.
So you are in favor of anarchy then?
You're such a frickin' dweeb, SickBay! You really believe that anyone who is against your ideas is an anarchist? What a clown!
I bet you've never been in a barroom in your life, have ya, boy?
That's right, your kind doesn't drink, but you're perfectly at ease setting the rules for places where dweeby SickBoys don't go. What a hoot!
The sacred undies, ya know.
A girl thing alright :)
Guys like the smell of stale beer and day old pizza LOL!!
The sacred undies, ya know
Got to be coming up with them from somewhere, because they sure ain't coming from his brain.
Good, does that mean you will quit talking your nonsense?
Not necessarily, but when you react with such vehemence to a perfectly reasonable ordinance, I have to wonder.
It's neither anymore, you and your ilk have turned it into a Dictatorship.
What makes you think you have more rights than a smoker, If you don't like it go somewhere else.
You really believe you votes count anymore? I can name 5 times in the last 10 years we voted against something and they still did it any ways.
They allow you to vote, but they don't follow you wishes.
Did they allow you to vote on this smoking issue, or just do it? Just like the Governor of Georgia just thought about changing their flag and did it. Didn't even ask the Representatives about it, did it all on his own.
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