Posted on 03/06/2005 7:57:33 AM PST by SheLion
In reference to the story "Smoking ban for bars on Legislative agenda" on Feb. 14 by John Zicconi, all I can say is "Hogwash."
I own a successful bar in Greenwich Village. In 2004, we were voted the Best Lounge in New York by CitySearch. My business is down 30 percent since 2002. Since nothing has changed but the smoking ban, I can attribute this precipitous drop to nothing else.
It's remarkable to read that "A New York City official on Thursday will travel to Vermont to testify that Big Apple pub receipts have increased 12 percent since the city's ban went into affect in 2003" since not even Mayor Bloomberg has been able to wrestle the actual statistic for bars ONLY out of the state's finance department. The information they're peddling combines tax receipts for bars and restaurants — including places like McDonalds and Starbucks. This is like comparing a wolf to a Shih Tzu; anyone with any sense knows they're completely different beasts.
New York officials are doing their level best to cover up the fact that for many small businesses the smoking ban is an unmitigated disaster. They say that compliance is at 98 percent. That's such utter nonsense I don't even know where to begin. They say that no one is hurting, using tax information that cannot possibly represent the truth, while fines for noise complaints and capricious health code violations slowly pick away at our sanity.
All I can say is this: I'm a life-long non-smoker and I hated the way my bar smelled. I, too, figured that I'd wait and see. That it couldn't be THAT bad. I've had to cut eight staff, the ones left work fewer hours, and I haven't taken a paycheck since August. It's that bad.
The pub owners in Vermont need to pull their heads out of the sand in time to save themselves. Or, like us, they'll be fighting for their livelihoods while their plight is actively ignored by those who might help.
This includes, by the way, the media, which seems to have jumped onto the no-smoking bandwagon with both feet and no regard for journalistic integrity. Frankly, I'd be surprised if an opposing viewpoint ever sees the light of day.
Amy McCloskey New York, N.Y.
bump
That's a joke, right?
=== Insulting those who fail to get your point,
It's true ... I failed miserably to keep to the civil and courteous tone established in SheLion's discourse with me.
Forgive me? I so want "these people" who have no clue what Askel5 is to like me.
You don't like Sam?
Bud?
Michelob?
Which makes her posts not worth a damn in so many ways. :-)
Grrrrr.
As I walked into the hospital (to go to work) I actually stopped and read the sign regarding their "smoking" policy. The sign reads: "The hospital does not permit the use of tobacco PRODUCTS on these premises".
I thought it was all about the harmful effects of second hand smoke. If I'm dipping or chewing I sure as he!! am not emitting second hand smoke. It's all about controlling your behavior, hence your freedom to do said behavior.
I'm a doctor, and yes I do smoke. My cigars, and an occasional cigarette (well, more than occasionally...a pack every two weeks or more). My pipe is always at my side in the boat fishing. So, yes I smoke and I know the risks.
This is getting out of hand. If I wanted to dip, no body would know it. What are they going to do slap it out of my mouth...they would TRY that once, just once.
Well DUH!!!
I didn't even relate the two.
Sheesh, should I swear off the whole line or just the Spring and Summer blends?
Damn, guess I'll stick to Gin.
That's the prob with you upstate hillbillies...
Nah!
I kinda like joshing with her and pulling her chain and she knows I don't mean any harm towards her.
I got yer "upstate hillbillies" raht here.
Don't forget you aren't exactly city folk yerself.
I should really end this because I have to be to work early, REMEMBER?
LOL.
Oh yeah - where?
New Paltz?
Reckon so. ;)
LOL no, not quite.
I wouldn't go near there even if you were to show up.
Even if I asked you to be the Maid Of Honor?!
Okay....whatever works for you! :-)
Is what new? KY is taxing smokers to balance the state budget, but smoking sections are still available throughout the state.
Minnesota has the worst anti's in the Union. I don't know how people can stand listening to the Partnership for a Tobacco Free Minnesota. And they are using smoker's tax dollars to ban, control and restrict people who smoke in that state.
As I walked into the hospital (to go to work) I actually stopped and read the sign regarding their "smoking" policy. The sign reads: "The hospital does not permit the use of tobacco PRODUCTS on these premises".
I thought it was all about the harmful effects of second hand smoke. If I'm dipping or chewing I sure as he!! am not emitting second hand smoke. It's all about controlling your behavior, hence your freedom to do said behavior.
This is getting out of hand. If I wanted to dip, no body would know it. What are they going to do slap it out of my mouth...they would TRY that once, just once.
Maine forced a smoking ban in the hospitals as well. But I had to go this past October to visit a patient, and the people are once again smoking outside. The Paramedics were standing outside their bus smoking. And visitors were standing outside the hospital entrance having a cigarette. I went to my vehicle and sat there to have a cigarette. But there are no security guards and who is to enforce it?
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