Separate smoking rooms could snuff out state ban

Republican-American (CT) ^ | Thursday, March 04, 2004 | Trip Jennings

[kahoutek]

Hearing today will lure 2 sides of issue Thursday, March 04, 2004

HARTFORD — Restaurant owners and local health directors will square off at the state Capitol today over proposed legislation that would allow restaurants and bars to create separate smoking rooms as an exemption in Connecticut's new smoking ban.

The bill has appeared less than a year after the General Assembly passed one of the nation's first statewide smoking bans and represents one of the first tests many predicted would pop up this year as opponents probed for weaknesses in the new law.

"I think that the law that passed last year went through without consideration of all the implications, or ways to accommodate ... people whose rights were" ignored, said Rep. Kevin DelGobbo, R-Naugatuck.

The bill, drafted by Rep. Leonard Greene, R-Beacon Falls, would allow for the separate smoking areas in restaurants and bars provided they have installed state-of-the-art ventilation systems, he said.

"If you have a smoking area, there has to be a system that prevents smoke from entering an eating area," Greene said, adding he wanted public input on the best way to tweak the existing ban to carve out exemptions. Restaurant owners from Waterbury likely will show up to a 2 p.m. public hearing, Greene said.

So will local health directors, who are expected to ask the legislature to remain committed to the comprehensive smoking ban.

Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Southington, one of the architects of last year's smoking ban, called Greene's bill "silly" and predicted a short shelf life for it.

"I think they want to unravel a law that has not gone into effect," Murphy said. If the bill passes, the Connecticut Restaurant Association "will push for the repeal if there are exemptions built into the law."

But Murphy said he was confident the bill wouldn't make it that far, citing powerful lawmakers who support the smoking ban, including House Speaker Moira Lyons, D-Stamford, and Senate President Pro Tem Kevin Sullivan, D-West Hartford.

Connecticut's smoking ban ordered restaurants and workplaces with five or more employees to go smokeless Oct. 1, followed by bars April 1.

Lawmakers have exempted private clubs, such as American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars locals; 25 percent of a hotel's rooms; restaurants' outdoor seating areas; and "cigar bars."

Opponents of the ban have cited lost revenue for restaurants while supporters have emphasized how the law might profit Connecticut — through cleaner air, better quality of life and a predicted increased in restaurant business. Non-smokers make up a majority of the general population, they say, a fact borne out in polls.

Rep. Tony D'Amelio, R-71st District, said he was supportive of any relief the legislature could give to restaurants and bars.

A restaurant owner himself, D'Amelio said he has noticed a decline in business since the ban took effect.

"The bar is not even utilized," he said, adding his business has lost a steady base of clients who frequented his bar.

[kahoutek]

"Non-smokers make up a majority of the general population, they say, a fact borne out in polls."

But they are by far a minority in bars....

[Gabz]

But they are by far a minority in bars....

You are correct.

[SheLion]

Non-smokers make up a majority of the general population, they say, a fact borne out in polls."

There are 55 million plus smokers today. Smokers out number the NRA and the AARP.

[SheLion]

A restaurant owner himself, D'Amelio said he has noticed a decline in business since the ban took effect.

Oh! No kidding!

Smoking Bans Choking The Economy

[Conspiracy Guy]

But we are not well organized. There are pockets of warriors like here on FR. But that is an exception.

CG

[nina0113]

How many bar owners in Maryland got burned thinking that by putting in expensive ventilation systems, they'd be allowed to continue to permit smoking on their private property?

I think private clubs are going to turn out to be the only answer.

Virginia should be safe for a while, but I'm going to start growing my own this year - I bought seeds on the Internet.

[Gabz]

But the situation in Maryland is different - they do it by county......the bars and restaurants I frequent all permit smoking......and those along the Delaware line are doing a booming business since Delaware went smoker-free.

But I do agree with you that Virginia is fairly safe.

I too am going to grow my own this year.......BTW, where did you order your seeds from?

[kahoutek]

"I think private clubs are going to turn out to be the only answer."

The socialists in Hartford shunted any effort in that vein by adding a provision to ban smoking in any clubs established after the enactment of the ban.

[nina0113]

I found them on e-bay, but the original source was Seeds of Change. I looked it up for you:

http://www.seedsofchange.com/garden_center/product_details.asp?UID=2004030405390392&item_no=S10875&q=+tobacco

[SheLion]

But we are not well organized. There are pockets of warriors like here on FR. But that is an exception.

I think it's because of the very expensive ads put out there by the paid professional anti-smokers working with "mind control" that smokers are a dirty breed.

It's becoming instilled in most smokers that we should either quit smoking that evil (legal) weed or HIDE while we DO smoke!

"They" are starting on obesity and gun control now. So keep your eyes open!

[Conspiracy Guy]

And the money they spend is coming out of our pockets.

CG

[DCPatriot]

Are there more smokers than homosexuals?< /sarcasm >

You'd think that smokers would be able to muster some grass roots power for rights like the gay segment is doing on the marriage issue.

[SheLion]

How many bar owners in Maryland got burned thinking that by putting in expensive ventilation systems, they'd be allowed to continue to permit smoking on their private property?

Here in Maine, all restaurants were forced to go smoke-free in 1999. So, my favorite place to eat in town remodeled. They bought a very expensive liquor license to allow smoking......installed 4 big smoke eaters and put in a beautiful fully glass enclosed non-smoking room.

They have a full menu and a bar and several TV's around for different sports events. Also, they invested in that complete computerized wall unit to practice golfing in the winter.

All bars/taverns and sports inn were forced to go smoke free the 1st of January this year.

Do you think that the DHS is going to reimburse this business for all the renovations to accomodate all his patrons? I think not............:(

[SheLion]

And the money they spend is coming out of our pockets.

Oh yes! The taxes smokers pay in each state is lining the pockets of the Partners for a Tobacco Free Everything! You got it!

The Tobacco Settlement money is NOT being paid for by Big Tobacco and NOT by the state. But by the SMOKERS who pay taxes on the state cigarettes.

Smokers are paying for this personal abuse, and just sitting around with their thumbs up their....ah.......you know.........and not saying one word. Burns me up!

[SheLion]

You'd think that smokers would be able to muster some grass roots power for rights like the gay segment is doing on the marriage issue.

It's funny how smokers aren't fighting against this ban, isn't it? I know many are, but we just don't have the funding for expensive TV ads and when we DO write letters to the Editor, they are hardly ever submitted. They just want to sweep US and the truth under the rug. Kinda suspicious, isn't it!

[Publius6961]

"I think that the law that passed last year went through without consideration of all the implications, or ways to accommodate ... people whose rights were" ignored, said Rep. Kevin DelGobbo, R-Naugatuck.

Doesn't seem to matter anyway.
Laws are being passed willy-nilly based on outright fabrications and neurotic assertions, determined in appeal courts to be fraudulent.

Reading threads right here on FR demonstrates without a shadow of a doubt that "accomodation" is an alien concept. The nut cases' argument goes something like this: "suppose a restaurant designated as 'smoking only' has an outstanding chef and I may want to go eat there!"

Amazingly, that argument is seen as sensible and reasonable...

[Gabz]

Thanks for going to that trouble.

Seeds of Change is one of my favorites. Another good one is SBE seeds.

[kahoutek]

"Amazingly, that argument is seen as sensible and reasonable..."

Which is exactly what my District Rep (now our designated RINO) stated to a group in my local pub when she was asked why the hell she voted in favor of the ban.....

What plays in the capitol usually doesn't play well in daylight, and she sounded downright stupid.

[templar]

But they are by far a minority in bars....

No surprise. Bars tend to be full of people who are given over to self indulgent hedonistic vices. Clean living, upstanding and moral people usually avoid them when possible.

[bondjamesbond]

There is much whining and gnashing of teeth on this tread about government intrusion into smoking-related matters, but no aknowledgement that tobacco production and distribution would have been sued out of existance long ago without government protection.

Smoking exists today at the sufferance of the government. The fact that smokers find themselves at the mercy of manifold bureaucratic whims should be a surprise to nobody.