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.
|
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."
But it follows, then, that you believe it is solely up to the owner of the establishment to permit it, correct?
It may surprise you to find that yours is the minority opinion. I am sorry to be the one to have to tell you, that you will find in your own community that public sexual displays are prohibited in a place of public accomodation.
I know that this lessening of "freedom" is saddening to you, but you're going to have to buck up, and get used to it.
If you don't like what I allow my customers to do on my property, stay the hell out.
You've apparently never seen a dirty bathroom.
I congratulate you on your fastidiousness.
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.
Well, at least you're consistent--which is more than I can say for your fellow-travelers.
However, what you are NOT is informed. No restaurant owner has the right to permit this sort of conduct. This is just a FACT, no matter how much you wish to deny it. You are simply going to have to realize that you do NOT have the right to do whatever you want to do whenever you want to do it. There are limits to your freedom, and typically those limits extend to my own.
You do not need to smoke. You need to breathe clean air. We both need that.
Our needs trump your wants, every time.
Since we're into gross generalizations: It is apparent to me that some of the most clueless humans on earth are smokers.
If you think you have unfettered and unlimited rights in this regard, you need to become informed. As it is, your ignorance on this topic is profound.
You do not NEED to eat at my resturant. My private property rights trump your DESIRES every time.
If you are true to your adolescent "libertine" leanings, you will not allow the health inspector through your door.
I have rights whether or not thugs like you violate them with guns. You have NO rights at all to enter any private business and tell them that your desires are to be enforced at gunpoint.
Stay the hell out of my resturant. Or bring your own gun to force me to keep people from smoking.
Your ignorance of private property is profound, along with every other subject I have ever seen you post on.
You would have told the jews that too.
The moment you hung that business license on the wall,
No licences should be necessary. If I give in to one thug, it doesn't mean I will give into every thug.
you admitted that your business has obligations as well as rights, as a place of public accomodation.
I have obligations to my customers, you ain't one of em. Get the hell out of my resturant before you have more acute breathing problems.
If you are true to your adolescent "libertine" leanings, you will not allow the health inspector through your door.
I never would allow those criminal bribe seekers through my doors if I had a choice.
Conservative? LOL, this guy is fascist. And at least he is consistent. He stands for violent force to achieve his personal goals by using government as his agent on every topic on all threads.
This person is Hillary in cyber drag.
Same respect for private property among your heros.
You, on the other hand, provide nothing more than your personal opinion that you attempt to make look like fact.
Large difference.
And you have the audacity to talk about childishness??? BWAAAAAAHAAAAAAHAAAAAAHAAAAA
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
