Boston MA - Some pubs rebel at Somerville smoke ban

BostonGlobe ^ | dec20 2003 | Benjamin Gedan

[swarthyguy]

SOMERVILLE -- Pubs in this working-class city are in open rebellion against a seven-week-old smoking ban, after the Board of Aldermen passed a nonbinding resolution to postpone the policy until the statewide prohibition takes effect next summer.

So far, the city's Board of Health is ignoring the political pressure, and its inspectors have discovered violations in three bars, a towing company, and a pizza parlor. At the pubs, ashtrays lined bars, and patrons openly flouted the ban.

[swarthyguy]

The Boston (Somerville) Tobacco Party.

A towing company? Is nothing sacred?

Nice rearguard action, but this is more in terms of an orderly retreat.

I need to go check out some places -Redbone's for ribs, Toad and Johnny D's for music.

[swarthyguy]

Fascist Boards of Health.

Janice Goodman of the Marblehead MA board of health had an quote that typified the arrogance and vindictive nature of these petit people.

"Economic issues are not my concern".

Says it all.

[swarthyguy]

Boston is such a hypocritical city.

The State Legislature postponed the state wide ban til after the Democratic convention, instead of in May as originally proposed.

To hold the Dummy Convention, they had to cancel Sail2000.

Piss on Boston! It claims to be a "world class" city when it can't even handle two large events.

I'd cancel the damn convention.

[StatesEnemy]

Lotta smoke filled bars in Beantown tonight - cheering on the Pats!

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

But some bar owners, insisting they have seen up to a 50 percent drop in revenue, are ignoring the edict.

Looks like some bar owners decided that they have less to lose in court than they do at the cash register when half of their customers decide to walk. Can't say I blame them, what a stupid law.

[swarthyguy]

NO smokes in beantown bars.

[swarthyguy]

I love seeing live music and Somerville has some great places for that. Haven't been to one in 2+ months.

[Husker24]

"The Board of Health will not tolerate that kind of defiance."

Sig Heil!

[MississippiMan]

Rebellion like this on a massive scale will be the ONLY thing to stem the tide of PC insanity.

MM

[Old Professer]

The towing company caught my eye, too.

[international american]

They will bankrupt most of the local mom and pop pubs just like California. 5000 went under within 2 years of the ban.
Good job you Nazis!!

[jolie560]

Last week was the commemoration of the Boston Tea Party of Dec 16th, 1773. Time for another one.

[at bay]

There was some defiance here in CA for the first few months when the chimney people/losers took up whine. Smokes go good with whine and moan. The Nazis ashes were your remains in a little box delivered to the family. Comparisons like that are made by people taking up whine in the extreme. Have no fear though, it's just nico talking behind all the smoke. Nobody's forcing cyanide down my throat anymore here in California. The chimney people/losers can be seen standing outside in the rain for a little "fresh air" (chimney break)

I feel sorry for them as I do the nico posters that will whine about this post shortly.

[swarthyguy]

Do you feel a draft?

At least some people in Somerville are standing up.

No one forces people into a bar and yet America is filled with people with the mentality of the Taliban, enjoying and revelling in their vindictiveness and certainly silly and petite mindset.

As I've said, if Osama had declared a war against secondhandsmoke, Bloomputz would've given him the keys to the city and thrown a ticker tape parade.

On the bright side, I certainly have cut down spending money in Somerville, Boston and Cambridge. No macro effect there, but good from an individual viewpoint.
I mean, what's one guy's tips and bartab add up to anyway?

[tonyinv]

today its me..tommorrow its you..

I'll be sure to be here to listen to YOUR whine.

..then again, I might be outside smoking...

[international american]

"There was some defiance here in CA for the first few months when the chimney people/losers took up whine. Smokes go good with whine and moan. The Nazis ashes were your remains in a little box delivered to the family. Comparisons like that are made by people taking up whine in the extreme. Have no fear though, it's just nico talking behind all the smoke. Nobody's forcing cyanide down my throat anymore here in California. The chimney people/losers can be seen standing outside in the rain for a little "fresh air" (chimney break)"

Very well stated...you are brilliant! Now, if bars wanted to open for "smokers only" I'm sure you would be for that....NOT!!
Yes, you are brilliant.

[international american]

"today its me..tommorrow its you.."

People like this will never know until it is too late.

[Stars N Stripes]

"said Cesar Pungirum, the tobacco control officer"

A rather fitting name for someone in such a position.

[international american]

"A rather fitting name for someone in such a position"

Wait until we get the "fat control officer" and they put a 25 cent tax on all big macs(which are 52% fat)

Sheesh!

[swarthyguy]

Next, smaller portions of food for the same price.

For your health, of course. End of the DoggyBag.