The "Ban-Smoking" train is going full speed in Austin.
Last year, the City Council passed a ban on smoking in restaurants...but bars could still have it...under very limited circumstances..AND the bar owner had to pay for special "smoking permit."
All this was worked out by lengthy negotiations between the City, anti-smoking groups, and the restaurant & bar owners. Everybody happy, including some (a few) establishments that decided to go non-smoking.
Then, just a few weeks ago, here come the anti-smokers with a petition drive to force a complete citywide ban. The bar owners are furious that the negotiated agreement was tossed aside after only months of operation.
After various legal challenges & maneuvers, we're going to have an election on this.
I constantly hear people calling the local talk shows saying "Well, I never go out to clubs...but if there's a smoking ban, I might start." HUH? I'm sure that's great comfort to the pub owners who are looking at the loss of existing business...but they MIGHT get some new customers as replacements.
Austin agressively markets its bar/music scene...it's a BIG part of the tourism $$$. I so wish there were some hard numbers on business loss from some of these cities who already have a ban, since I doubt most non-smokers would vote for this ban if they knew it would be seriously hurting (if not killing) the golden goose.
My favorite place to eat almost closed their doors after the first smoking ban in Maine in 2000.
The owner then invested in a very expensive liquor license and business started to boom again.
They then remodeled. The place is beautiful. 4 big ceiling air purifiers. Full menu. A beautiful glass enclosed non-smoking section. Sign on the entrance door "This is a smoking establishment. No one under 18 admitted without guardian."
It is a Sports Bar with the full computer golf game across the back wall; bunch of big TV's. Just beautiful.
But that still wasn't good enough for the state. A full no smoking ban went into effect a year ago January. I went once after the ban, was so miserable that I couldn't sit there like old times and enjoy the evening that I haven't put myself through that again.
And do you think the state will reimburse this business owner for spending his own money to be able to accommodate everyone? You can bet they will not.
(excerpt) Even if the EPA is right and ETS is harmful, does this justify government’s telling property owners they can’t allow smoking on their premises? According to smoke-free advocates, the answer is an unadulterated yes. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who favors banning smoking in New York City bars, restaurants, and even outdoor cafes, puts the case this way: “Common sense and common decency demand . . . the need to breathe clean air is more important than the license to pollute it.” (Does this mean we should also ban all other “non-essential” activities that pollute, such as pleasure boating, family vacations, and motorcycle rides?)
THE REAL FACTS OF THE SMOKING BANS IMPACT ON BUSINESS'S
The Facts
The Facts About The Smoking Ban. If you're a business owner or not, this is a must read!
A few years ago in Denver all the bar owners were forced to pay out of pocket to install "smoke-eater" ventilation systems which ran upwards of $10,000. Most of them were still paying them off when Denver tried to force a comprehensive smoking bad through the city council. It was barely shot down but as soon as they can put it to a vote it will pass.
Voters always vote for smoking bans because the majority of voters do not smoke.
I can't decide whether the smoking ban or the tolls roads will hurt Austin more...either way, I'm looking for a way outta here.