Eateries resist telling smokers to snuff it - owners say they aren't obliged to enforce ban

The Dallas Morning News ^ | March 2, 2003 | By DAVE LEVINTHAL / The Dallas Morning News

[MeekOneGOP]

Eateries resist telling smokers to snuff it

Owners say they aren't obliged to enforce ban; Poss endorsed

03/02/2003

By DAVE LEVINTHAL / The Dallas Morning News

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."

E-mail

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Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/latestnews/stories/030203dnmetsmoking.b2756.html

[Leisler]

I can’t decide if Illbay is more like Scarlet O’Hara, or Alice in Wonderland, or maybe, just a Red Queen.

[CARepubGal]

naah! I think it is the idea of two women they were hot for.......

I still do not get that, Most lesbians are really ugly women. :-)

[CARepubGal]

FMCDH! Now that is getting personal! My coffee is a lifeline in the AM.

[CARepubGal]

He is a lot like a toddler in the mall having a screaming tantrum.

[CARepubGal]

Funny, I reserve that title for Mormons.

[Gabz]

or maybe, just a Red Queen.

BINGO - you win the prize.

He/she never did respond to my query regarding one of the queens of the anti-smokers.

Illbay seems to be so disposed to practically quote verbatim anything and everthing that comes from the anti-smoker groups and totally espouses everything they have to say - it is just a logical conclusion that he believes in gay adoption and that 2 non-smoking daddies are better role models for little girls than a married mother and father who happen to smoke.

[CARepubGal]

HORSE HILLARY! My dad and grandfathers smoked. None of the grandkids CHOOSE to. Yes Billy, grownups (translated as non Mormons) make things called decisions: do I drink coffee (hell yes!), do I smoke (nopers) do i have a beer (yup)... Mormons are told what to drink, what underwear to wear and many other decisions adults can make all by themselves.

[Gabz]

Believe me - I know what you mean!!!! I have a 4 year old - there's been many a place I have left because I will not subject anyone else to those episodes.

[CARepubGal]

Sad but true! Those candle parties (Party Lite) are addictive. Buy candles of all sizes and smells. Holders for candles. It is an insidious addiction....

[CARepubGal]

Yup! My cousins have 3 young'uns (the youngest is 2 and is terrible), that would never ever be allowed to have the sheer volume of tantrums Illboy does.

[A CA Guy]

Most people are thinking healthy and aren't smoking as much, so that would also be one of the reasons SF has indoors vacant.
Also consider most of the people who were operating Dot.coms were based out of SF. There all empty buildings and offices everywhere now and that hurts patronage in a big way.

I live in the LA/Orange County border and it has not been an issue. Restraunts are doing well under the circumstances and smoking in general is in decline.

We needed it because of the population density indoors. It was at a point where it always smelled smoke indoors.
That made it an issue and things changed.
Smokers think it's not that good and the rest are thanking God for the fresh air.

In gaming casinos they can smoke while eating without problems. Of course that empties the restraunts.

[Gabz]

Oh good grief, you are (almost) as bad as me - I drink coffee, crave chocolate, drink massive quantities of beer and smoke.

OOOO that's right I'm a smoker - I'm not supposed to be able to do anything physical. I wish someone had told me that before I shovelled more than 2 feet of snow out of my driveway while my husband was away.

[CARepubGal]

Oopsie! But in SickBoy's world, women are only fit to breed and cook. I am a non smoker but have manners. Most of us do (even with asthma).

[Gabz]

For more than 2 years I have been an angel in avoiding my addiction - glassware. Mostly cordial glasses. I probably should take up candles, they would be less expensive!! - When I find glasses, it is a minimum of 4 that I purchase at a time.

[Gabz]

I know what I know from when I was in CA. I know what I know about Delaware because I live here and have for 20 years.

People like you are just loving smoking bans because you don't give a darn about the people the bans are hurting.

Small minded tyrannical type people give me hives and I can't stand the itch.

[CCWoody]

Wait, you girls started flaming Illboy and I haven't even got mu beer yet. Please stop for 10 minutes, then continue. I need a few good laughs tonight.

[CARepubGal]

Well, ya know there is only one thing to do: Mike: start your engines folks it is a Hold Muh Beer moment for Illbay (or in his case a "beeeerrr is evvvvillllllll! said in a whine)

[bonfire]

They can't handle "freedom".

[CARepubGal]

That is dangerous. I like candles but it is the accessories that get me in trouble. :-)

[Gabz]

You're right about those small minded types.

Personally, I do love to cook, and cook, and cook.

As far as I am concerned all non-smokers have manners, as do most smokers - anti-smokers they are a different story, none of them have any manners.

When we run into one another, I guarantee I won't light up around you.