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."
So you are a Scarlet letters and gold stars of David fan.
Most Texans are law-abiding. And most are NON-SMOKERS.
Something you people have failed to notice, and now you're in permanent whine mode.
I want to express my appreciation for your lofty consideration of my intellect, but I must say again: I did not invent the notion that your rights end where they abrogate the rights of someone else.
You don't have a right to smoke where the consequences of your choice are forced on me. Period.
That's why these ordinances are going to continue to proliferate, and that's why in about ten years, the thought that one used to have to put up with cigarette smoke in a restaurant will be as repugnant as the thought that once you had to put up with cigarette smoke in the workplace.
You're on the wrong side of history. I would advise you to try and learn to live with it.
One way might be to stop smoking. It would be good for you, and for those who live with you. It would extend your child's life a few years, and make it more likely that SHE will not smoke.
If you really ARE the superlative parent that you insist you are, you would take all that much more seriously than you have so far.
That's an interesting take. I mean, I have come across "denial" before, but never so complete and utter as yours.
Perhaps you can start slowly. Try to get used to the idea that you ARE an oxygen-breather (It's true: you can look it up in most basic science texts).
Perhaps you can sit and ponder that idea for awhile, sort of mull it over as it were.
Then, you can begin to ponder the notion that OTHER human beings ALSO breathe oxygen. Take my word for it: It's really true.
Then, perhaps you can meditate on the notion that, the less polluted our source of oxygen, the more healthy (that's going to be a stretch for you, I know, but try to ease into it S-L-O-W-L-Y!)
Finally, realize that cigarette smoke actually HARMS YOUR BODY!
Repeat as needed, for maximum effect.
Sorry about your problem - but you are the one that asked me my position. Unlike you, I am at least consistent.
Excessive government regulation is just that - excessive. If you want it you can have it - I will continue to fight against it.
That is what differentiates conservatives from those of your kind.
Only as long as I am that 1 guy appointed to take care of it all.
Who are the law abiding citizens here - obviously not the anti-smokers.
You don't have a right to smoke where the consequences of your choice are forced on me. Period.
Get a grip on reality - if you enter my private property your rights consist of what I say they consist of - PERIOD. The same goes for me if I enter your private property.
Tell me again what I should do with my life and that of my family and I will report you for abuse - got it??? You know nothing about me - just as I know nothing about you. Until such time as you have walked in my shoes and lived my life - keep your nose out of it. Got that???
If you want a non-smoking bar or restaurant to frequent - talk the owners of the establishment or open your own - keep the government out of it.
You sound like a computer program in your response. Of course I'm consistent: Incredibly consistent. And YOU are also consistent in your stating that local government cannot dictate procedures of any kind to private businesses.
I think that is a naive opinion, and totally divorced from reality, but at least you are consistent in your absence of reality.
I agree that most smokers are law-abiding, and would obey these laws.
However, it is never the reasonable and law-abiding that cause the problems, but the minority of irrational, self-absorbed trouble-makers represented by your comments here.
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