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."
It's simply that what you propose is a form of nanny-state socialism. It will be thoroughly rejected throughout these Free Republic pages.
If I as a small businessman want to open a restaurant that caters to smokers because I think there's money to be had there, then that is my business.
Growing, selling, producing, marketing, and using tobacco is a legal activity in this country.
NO COMMUNITY in America should be permitted to tell me how I can or cannot focus my business.
In a free market, some smart businessman will recognize that there's money to be made catering to non-smokers. They will build businesses accordingly. But if I have great barbecued ribs, and I have a smoking establishment, then your choice is simple: spend your money here as is, or don't spend your money here.
You do get a vote. You vote with your dollars.
You bet, it was my honor to serve :)
I think you've figured it out by now - you're not going to get an answer.
There is a credo of the anti-smokers - do not answer direct questions - this is obvious proof of that.
Yepperes, I think you have a point. Nazi's don't have brain enough to handle any questions outside their brainwashing.
You better watch yourself, because next you won't be able to do that. The smoke gets outside and could poison your nieghbor.
SickBoy has pretty much said it now, since his ilk don't want smakong anywhere in public.
If those Alamo boys would have know this, do you think they would have given their lives?
Don't need to be bringing them idiots up. If the wife and I lived closer to Maine, there would have really been hell to pay for that crap.
I know I'm not as easy going as them Maine folks. I would have kicked some serious a$$.
Look where your talking about, Mormon Land. A couple years back they were even trying to make it against the law for you to smoke while driving your own car.
There is a truck stop in SLC that has a "Drivers Only" room. Totally enclosed and a sign on the door that reads "If You Don't Like Smoking, Keep Out or Keep Your Mouth Shut".
I love that sign :)
They did in Sapp Bros. Truck Stop in SLC :)
Remember the old signs "Microwave Oven In Use"?
So why not signs "Cigarettes In Us, Enter At You Own Risk"?
Works for me :)
"Then that means that ANY air is "good enough" for you, right? And therefore, that means that you don't believe it is possible to have some air "cleaner" than other air, right? Perhaps you need to rethink your arguments. You argue like a ten year old. "
Speaking of the bottom half of the Bell Curve, you give me an objective definition of "clean" and I'll answer your questions from there. Come on Ill, lets get down to the periodic table, epdemiological studies. Not only will you have to abandon your cough-cough/hack-hack-Mommy-I-can't-Breath whimpism and your hair shirt moralizing, but you might learn something.
1. In some countries, sex clubs and prostitution are legal.
2. 2nd Hand Smoking does not immediately injure anyone, whereas "group sex" does immediately infect people.
3. 2nd Hand Smoking does not have a possible residual effect of X number of lives births.
4. There is no link between occasional 2nd hand smoke and any deleterious long term health issue.
In a more libertarian society we would accept both the presence of smoking restaurants and legal prosititution.
2. 2nd Hand Smoking does not immediately injure anyone, whereas "group sex" does immediately infect people.
3. 2nd Hand Smoking does not have a possible residual effect of X number of lives births.
4. There is no link between occasional 2nd hand smoke and any deleterious long term health issue.
In a more libertarian society we would accept both the presence of smoking restaurants and legal prosititution.
Like I've said, I'm living proof that smoking is not bad for you. I would be dead if it was :)
They already are. And they lie about it to get their points across.
Use to have some Mormons live on our street, and rather then tell their children thay can't have anything with caffine in it because of their beliefs, they chose to tell them that it would stop their lungs and hearts from working.
When all else fails, use scare tactics :)
Not that I really expected you to do so - because it is impossible to provide proof ofthe unprovable.
Typical anti-smoker.
Too funny!!!!!
I have 2 rabid antis on my case who have determined that i am an unfit parent because I smoke. Mind you, neither one has ever met me or my husband or my child - but they have still determined we are unfit parents. Go figure :)
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