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."
Come now, Delaware is bigger the Road Island, and RI has 45 people.
I can drive my truck through RI and my cab will be leaving the state before my trailer even enters it :)
Compare a volume of air with and without the amount of cigarette smoke generated in a confined space.
The particulate count of solid contaminants in the first instance is in the single and double digits of ppb (parts per billion). In the second instance, it is in the thousands and tens of thousands of ppb.
Yes, relatively speaking there is "contaminated" and "uncontaminated" air.
Add to that, the fact that in the first instance the amount of LETHAL contaminants is near zero, while in the second, almost 100% of the particulate matter is lethal.
Your argument is just as silly as all the other arguments bandied about to make second-hand smoke "not a big deal."
For me, the subjective reality is this: When I breathe the outside air, even in the middle of the city, I am fine. If I am in an enclosed space with a cigarette burning nearby, I get sick in short order.
Don't tell me nothing's wrong.
No, it doesn't - it just shows you to be a sane, normal human being.
And if and when we encounter each other in person - I won't light up around you.
Thanks, but it ain't worth the hassle :)
Is there some missing? I see that 1-3 are there, but I haven't checked the others.
Well some more intelligent then others :)
Well, I'm outta here for the night. See Ya :)
I honestly can't believe your little diatribe.
I live within 2 miles of the runway of the east coast station of C-5s. A single 747 idling at an airport gate emits the equivalent "stuff" of 3 million cigarettes. Can you imagine what a C-5 emits???
And you're worried about someone smoking in a bar or restaurant?
And before you even think about saying it - I have a problem with forced air heat or a/c so there is always a window open in my house. So that "stuff" comes in my house every day.
In fact, that is SO true, that the majority are in favor of curtailing smoking in public places
And your proof is................................???????
You are making a statement as fact, it is your responsibility to prove your case.
I know it makes you angry--
You have made a declarative statement about me - please back it up with proof positive facts.
Only trouble is they don't care who they hurt in the process. It is really quite sad
You seem to think you have some link to the minds of smokers - how is that, since you apparently despise us so much???
The only thing sad here is that you consider yourself to be a conservative.
Not at all, since these ordinances are passing with great frequency now.
However, the attitudes of SOME of them, that all of us have to share in the consequences of THEIR choice, is bizarre, I admit.
I find those types to be among the most self-absorbed people imaginable.
And to top it off, attempting to elevate their poor choice to the level of a "sacred right"?
How preposterous.
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