Posted on 05/13/2006 1:01:10 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
Twelve Madison businesses have surrendered their city liquor licenses, the same number as last year, according to the city clerk's office.
Anti-smoking advocates say this is evidence Madison's smoking ban hasn't hurt business, but the head of the Dane County Tavern League says the numbers are meaningless.
"It seems pretty typical," said Maribeth Witzel-Behl, license clerk.
Friday was the deadline for liquor-license holders to tell the city whether they want to renew their licenses.
Nine businesses notified the city they would surrender their licenses; three more failed to respond by the deadline and have disconnected telephone numbers.
Liquor-license holders have until June 12 to pay the license fee, which is $620 for the Class B combination license for liquor and beer held by taverns.
Opponents of the city's sweeping smoking ban, which took effect July 1, had predicted it would drive some taverns out of business. None of the non-renewers, however, mentioned the ban to the clerk's office, Witzel-Behl said.
Four of the non-renewals came from taverns this year; last year, three were taverns. A tavern is defined as a business that derives more than half its sales from alcohol.
Maureen Busalacchi, executive director of SmokeFree Wisconsin, said she was not surprised by the numbers.
"The bars were saying the sky is going to fall, and it didn't," she said.
Numerous economic studies after smoking bans were imposed elsewhere have shown either no economic harm or growth in the hospitality industry, she said.
"The more important point is people are healthier working in those environments," Busalacchi said.
Barb Mercer, president of the Dane County Tavern League, said Friday the adverse impact is real for tavern owners despite the license renewal numbers.
"What they're doing is they're trying to sell," she said. "They're not ready to just fold up and walk away."
Keeping their liquor licenses current "gives them time to keep pursuing other options," she said.
Bar owners are still experimenting with tactics to draw more customers, such as offering more food or entertainment, with mixed success, she said.
The city clerk's office reported there are 341 Class B combination licenses in Madison, compared to 332 such licenses a year ago. State law authorizes up to 396 licenses.
It's possible that some liquor license holders will not pay the fee, thus forfeiting their licenses.
The nine businesses that said they would surrender their liquor licenses are the Green Room, 5618 Odana Road; Rocky Rococo Pizza, 702 N. Midvale Blvd.; Sal's Pizza, 15 N. Butler St.; Packer Liquor, 3506 Packers Ave.; Canterbury Booksellers Inn, 315 W. Gorham St.; Burger Joint, 309 N. Henry St.; Woodfield Suites, 5217 E. Terrace Drive; Stillwaters, 250 State St.; and Beijing Restaurant, 40 University Square.
Those not responding by Friday were Cool Runnings, 320 N. Randall Ave.; Bella Vita, 6546 Town Center Drive; and Pizzeria Bellini, 401 E. Washington Ave.
FWIW, "The Green Room" has always been alcohol and smoke free. If a liquor store is giving up it's license, that would mean they're going out of business, right?
Ping!
No smoking ... no drinking ... condom machines in the schools ... soda machines out ... queers rule ... stay at home moms & home schoolers suck ... Muzzies are our friends ... Christians need to be outlawed ... illegal aliens in ... citizens out ...
Other than that, it's a great life.
With statements like these, how can they say that the smoking ban hasn't hurt businesses?????
ping
You wanna know why - cause people still smoke in the bars. They do here the bars I have been to (Ohio). We even had the cops in the bar one night when someone stole someone else's wallet and people (including the guy that checks your ID on the way in) were smoking.
They give you an empty bottle instead of an ashtray.
http://whitelies.tv/documentary.asp
i also found this link to a john stossel show he did last night one of you guys can post this to its own thread if you want i have to leave pretty soon so i dont have time right now but its getting so bad that even anti smoking activists are getting turned off by it http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Stossel/story?id=1955237&page=1
If - citizens can't smoke at bars and they choose instead to stay at home (more family togetherness?) and do their smoking and drinking - maybe - there will be less DUI caused traffic deaths.
They're running that one around here, too. I just laughed the first time I heard it. ;)
"If - citizens can't smoke at bars and they choose instead to stay at home (more family togetherness?) and do their smoking and drinking - maybe - there will be less DUI caused traffic deaths."
Please post your statistics showing how many drunks smoke. The two are NOT mutually exclusive.
My drunk, loser Sister-in-Law is FINALLY in prison after her SIXTH DUI. (she's been in rehab every year, she's been in jail every year, but they're finally locked her @ss up for three years!)
She doesn't smoke. And I don't smoke. And I raised her children for her while she was busy drinking in bars and neglecting her children and NOT smoking.
You're full of smoke if you think there's a connection between the two. What's your point?
The wonders of statistical homeopathy. Using legitimate statistical methods, a non-smoker who develops lung cancer with only minimal exposure to second-hand smoke would be counted as evidence against the harm caused by second-hand smoke. But to the statistical homeopath, if anyone who develops lung cancer has had any exposure whatsoever to second-hand smoke, that's proof that the smoke caused it. The more remote the causal link, the greater the danger implied.
Many people who go to bars smoke. Many such people, if they cannot smoke in bars, will drink elsewhere, but not necessarily in their own homes. Perhaps in bars where smoking is allowed, or perhaps a group of people will get together in one person's house. Or perhaps people will drink and then go somewhere where smoking is permitted but alcohol is not.
there will be less DUI caused traffic deaths."
==
DUI means one beer. You smell like alcohol.
Not many accidents caused by DUI.
If she took the birth control pill, she increased her chances of getting cancer many times. It is possible that she started with one kind of cancer and it spread to the lungs.
I am assuming the whole thing is truthful!
there will be less DUI caused traffic deaths."
==
DUI means one beer. You smell like alcohol.
Not many accidents caused by DUI.
Libertarian ping! To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here.
If - citizens can't smoke at bars and they choose instead to stay at home (more family togetherness?) and do their smoking and drinking - maybe - there will be less DUI caused traffic deaths.
DUI = Usually less than a beer. You SMELL like alcohol.
The same as being arrested for 1 toke.
Educate yourself, before making stupid comments.
"With statements like these, how can they say that the smoking ban hasn't hurt businesses?????"
I don't think these fools care if they hurt business.
As long as they get their way, their CONTROL.(what else on earth could it be about?)
I have never saw a group of people attacked like they are attacking tobacco-users. It is truly getting out of hand.
It's almost surreal.
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