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."
I refer to myself as a reformed smoker. I'm not anti-smoking. I make that distinction because there is a difference. I quit 20 years ago ...
You know, I'm not asthmatic. But I do have allergies. One of them, I was surprised to find out years ago, was to tobacco leaf. That explained why I was so sensitive to tobacco smoke, making my eyes and nostrils burn like they were on fire.
The folks that have such problems as asthma and allergies do whine, I agree. When I quit, I told myself I wouldn't be like that, and overall have done quite well, I believe. But it seems to me quite often, that those that do suffer from such ailments are made out to be sissies (some deserve that I suppose), and their suffering is minimized by those that don't suffer from it. If someone doesn't suffer with tobacco related problems (asthma, allergies), he/she just don't know what it's like ...
My solution for avoidance was to choose the non-smoking section when at all possible.
By the way, I agree that the free market should make these decisions. The free market is most efficient, imho ...
Does that hairshirt irritate you so much that you feel the need to threaten people who don't abide by Illbay's Rules for Better Living.
You're a cheapjack coward who would only fight if you had your little "committee" with you. I can't begin to tell you how many barroom floors have been littered with the wasted remains of big talking morons like you, SickBay.
I don't know. Dallas used to be more conservative it seems to me. I actually thought she was a RINO, but find out she is a 'RAT. Since I don't live in Dallas, I don't get the pleasure of voting against her with my straight ticket GOP votes ...
My take is that banning smoking in bars and restaurants is a very selfish, malicious, feel good pandering by the politicians. Mostly phony do-gooder liberals.
I think you are to something there. The free market is very efficient, I agree.
Thanks ! ...
True!
But as a non-smaker I see it as just more government "Nannyhood" by do-gooders. If those owning these properties want to ban or not ban smoking...Good.....Otherwise can enforced vegetarianism by government intrusion be far behind?
You are mixing apples and oranges here, as usual.
Refrigeration and other such sanitary laws are to protect from UNSEEN dangers such as bacteria. Totally difference from the obvious signs of smoking being permitted.
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