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."
YUP!!!
I moved to Delaware in 1982 figuring I would probably stay about 3 years. Well here it is nearly 21 years later and here I still am - but not for very much longer.
We have actually found a bit of reality and sanity only 100 miles away on the Eastern shore of Virginia!!!
ROFLMAO!!!!!
Everything you said is so totally correct, it needs no other comment!!!!
Of course it is - just like every other anti-smoker.
something the anti-smokers like Illbay and his/her ilk don't seem to understand is that the world does not revolve around them.
Even my 4 year old knows that everything in life is not ME ME ME ME all the time.
If an establishment wants to permit group sex - that's their perogative - I don't have to enter the place - and I won't.
Contaminated food - I already covered that subject - has nothing to do with permitting smoking.
I don't care to participate in or watch group sex - so I won't enter those establishments that permit it.
You don't like participating in or being around those that smoke - so don't enter establishments that permit it.
You have the same choices I do - use them - but keep the flipping government out of it.
What is so difficult to understand about that????
If the owner wants to permit it - go for it, I don't care - I don't have to enter the establishment.
Just like you don't have to enter an establishment that permits smoking.
This is a case of your own selfish motives. You want any and all businesses to be smokeer unfriendly just in case you decide you might someday deign to enter one of them and don't wish to be offended.
Talk about selfish motives.
I've never said anything different.
If you own a hotel, you have to keep the bathrooms clean.
Apples and oranges again.
Germs and bacteria are UNSEEN dangers to public health.
It's fairly obvious if an establishment permits smoking (see the ashtrays on the tables?) and there is no proof that occassional encounters with the smoking harms anyone.
Actually, you should be making both statements while standing in front of a mirror.
In your utopian world they might - but in reality you are WRONG.
Just as my right NOT to have to witness sexual congress on the floor of a restaurant trumps that couple's right to engage in such congress.
Not if the establishment permits such conduct. In that case you have the right to turn around and walk out, speak to the management about it, or put up with it.
In other words - the owners rights trump you. Get over it.
In Delaware you can no longer do that.
However, you can place a classified ad for employment and refuse to hire anyone that does not smoke.
So I hear, thanks :)
Anyone who has kids is an unfit parent!!
You want mine??? (PLEEEAAAASSSSEEEE!!) LOL!!!
I've got no problem with either idea. Unfortunately there are some folks around here who think the former is more detrimental to society than the later.
I just don't understand why people just can't face reality and only patronize places where they like things.
Some of the longest lived people on this planet have been smokers.
I'm not claiming smoking is good for you - I'm just saying it's not as bad as some of these namby-pambies want everyone to believe.
Thanks, but no thanks. My yung'un is quite enough!!!!!
I have long done that!!!
One of these "intellectuals" has told a friend of mine that he would like to throw her off a bridge - but he doesn't believe in violence.
This same, self claimed pro-life, anti-violence person also unequivocally states that a women who smokes should have an abortion to protect the child from her "addiction" but if the child is already born it should be shot in the head to prevent it from being further exposed to the deadly addiction of the mother. (this was said to and about me)
And this dude claims to be pro-life and non-violent. YOWCH
I went to Red Lobster the other day for the 2nd time in my life and had a thoroughly ho-hum meal at a higher than necessary price. That's exactly how I remembered my first meal there years ago.
It's real easy simply not to go back. I vote with my dollars.
Pretty amusing. I simply insist that BOTH "sides" get what they need--air.
And that YOU not force ME to receive what only YOU want: tobacco smoke.
Just like a 12-year-old, though, anyone who would DARE insist that you think of others beside yourself are just WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!
It's your childishness that insures you will ultimately be defeated, since adults run the world despite what you think.
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