NYC:The truth on bar smoking ban

Times Argus ^ | 3-4-05 | Amy McCloskey

[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.

[Just another Joe]

What a bunch of uptight pantywaists. I thought these folks were smokers?

You've hit a spot that is extremely sore.
Many (MANY) anti-smokers come on these threads with nothing more than hateful comments.
Smokers that defend a property owners right to allow, or disallow, smoking on their property have come to have knee jerk reactions to anything that can be construed as a personal attack.

Like I say, I know you well enough, barely, to know what you meant but many do not.

[nopardons]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaw,what's the mater Askel, your homosexual drinking buddies all turned into rabid anti-smokers and you had to come to this thread,to take it out on FR's smokers? Or,have you just come back from "HAPPY HOUR" ?

[Just another Joe]

Let me buy you a drink (will you be around in June?) for your help as Translator.

I'll take you up on that. I should be around.
Just let me know when and where.

[Judith Anne]

What a bunch of uptight pantywaists. I thought these folks were smokers?

I don't remember seeing you on the antismoking threads; did I miss you?

[hineybona]

Im a musician who has been playing NYC for years . I couldnt tell you how many club owners , bartenders and bouncers I know on a first name basis. The smoking ban has KILLED business and the scene in general.Nothing but trouble. Half the kids all take the Path train these days, hit NJ where ya can smoke (and park too if need be ) then come back to NYC for last call.blooberg thinks he BOUGHT NYC.It's his and he hates smoking. He claims that he did it to save the health of people who work the bars.Go ask any bar worker in NYC what they think of that .

[nopardons]

All of the smoking Nazis have to lie,because the fact is,that smoking bans DO decrease a bar's profits.

[SheLion]

Like I say, I know you well enough, barely, to know what you meant but many do not.

Thanks again, Joe. First time I have ever seen that screen name and I felt some salt going into a wound.

I did misunderstand her and I apologize. :)

[Neets]

Won't get any disagreement here toots.

I don't like it and have seen the financial impact of the ban in this part of NYS also.

[Askel5]

I'm just shaking my head here. It's like "What??"

It's like "what??

Hrm ... I think I understand why my first post blew right past you. Sorry about that.

For that matter, save a few scoundrels in DC and KC, been a while since I've been to a FReeper gathering. Things may have changed quite a bit.

< blinks eyes > < wipes a little tear > < shakes head >

[Madame Dufarge]

I still think even those educated in public schools ought to be able to figure out the first post ... whether they know me or not.

At times, we're all guilty of miscommunication.

Insulting those who fail to get your point, those whose side you're putatively on, and then referring to them as "these people" hardly helps.

[Senator Pardek]

You anti-smoking fascists have to go - and don't touch my monitor screen!

[SheLion]

blooberg thinks he BOUGHT NYC.It's his and he hates smoking. He claims that he did it to save the health of people who work the bars.Go ask any bar worker in NYC what they think of that .

[Askel5]

Oh my no ... MAKE THE KITTY STOP!!

Sorry to ruffle the feathers, there. Glad you understand now what I meant.

Regards.

[SheLion]

Well, nice to meet you. :)

I am going to sign off for the night. Everyone have a good one. I will cya tomorrow!!

[Neets]

Duuuuuuuuuuude.

[Just another Joe]

For that matter, save a few scoundrels in DC and KC

HEY! I resemble that remark!

[nopardons]

bttt

[Senator Pardek]

You're getting a Dell!

[Neets]

WOW you are tooo nice.

[gidget7]

KY? is this new? I was down there this past summer and was asked in every restaurant we went to "smoking or non"