New Jersey: Smoking ban limits donations

United Pro Smoker's Newsletter ^ | June 04, 2006 | Jim Six

[SheLion]

[SheLion]

[tigtog]

In one of my previous lives I was a bartender. I can tell you, smokers tip better than non-smokers and stay longer at the bar. I have also noted that smokers are a lot more fun to talk to than non-smokers.

[Calpernia]

It will be real interesting to see if the non smoking trolls show up at this thread.

[IL Republican]

My hometown of Bloomington/Normal IL will be smoke free as of 1/1/07. I have never smoked, but I was very vocal against the ban. If I were a business owner, I would sue the city!

[Tired of Taxes]

I don't smoke - I never did - and, though I grew up in a smoking household, now I hate the smell. I've come across so many rude smokers, blowing smoke all over me when I was pregnant, blowing smoke near my babies,...

But I would NEVER support a smoking ban aimed at private property. It goes completely against the idea of limited government. It's the nanny state.

[Calpernia]

Woo HOO!@!!!

My American Legion mail just sent me back this:

"Presidant Bush signed exc order that All Veterns Building and Lodges were exempt from the non smoking Law. Let them know state law has no effect on them."

I will have to get a note to them!

[Calpernia]

bttt

[HEY4QDEMS]

and stay longer at the bar.

No matter how you say it, it's not a good thing.

[JohnLongIsland]

whoever says or produces statistics that show the smoking ban has a positive effect on the bar/tavern/saloon business is extremely naive.

[metesky]

I'd like to know where the spirit that defeated alcohol prohibition has gone.

Where are the smoke-easies?

[Ditto]

Thank$ to new $tate legi$lation prohibiting $moking in all public place$ but ca$ino$.

Bottom line -- Big Casino operators have more rights than Vets.

[3dognight]

stay longer at the bar

What a waste of a life. My neighbor just passed away early because of complications from drinking and smoking. Probably not a lot of his old drinking buddies were at the funeral, but his family who had memories of a drunken smoker were.

I agree with private property rights and the liberty of people to make their own good and bad decision. I'd rather people find a better way to live.

[JamesP81]

I'd rather people find a better way to live.

I don't think anyone disagrees with you on that. But let's face it: the government doesn't give a rat's posterior about whether or not you smoke. This is all a cheap ploy to get their hands into other people's money. I will not ever, under any circumstances, no matter how it's presented, support higher taxes when our government already spends money like a drunken sailor.

People smoking in bars is not going to spell the doom of American civilization. The out of control increase in the size of the government will, if not checked. It's time for us to determine what our priorities are.

[tigtog]

There are hedonists and health freaks. I have never seen a smoker/drinker try to shut down a marathon because of the body odor produced. Bars can be fun and entertaining. People do what they want with their lives. My observation still stands, smokers make better bar patrons than non-smokers. There is a strong streak of puritanism associated with the health freaks, thus the moniker "health NAZI." There is one fact I think we can all agree on, everyone is going to die. A friend of mine just lost a good buddy at the age of 42 to a heart attack. He never smoked and did not drink. What does it mean? I don't know, but I hope for him that he a good time while on earth.

[3dognight]

I agree with you totally. I just won't go out of my way to laud smokers as the Minutemen of our day fighting for our liberties. Most of them in the end are probably crying for government (me) to pay for their oxygen tanks to be delivered to their house and hospice care.

[rudabaga]

"Where are the smoke-easies?"

they do exist, at least here in NYC. Ssshh.

[microgood]

Most of them in the end are probably crying for government (me) to pay for their oxygen tanks to be delivered to their house and hospice care.

Judging from your post I assume you make minimum wage so I think it is more likely the smokers are paying for this themselves since in addition to all the taxes you pay (if you pay any at all), they pay $3 a pack in cigarette taxes.

[HEY4QDEMS]

crying for government (me) to pay for their oxygen tanks.......

Slow down there Tex, I'm afraid you just branded the wrong steer.

Based on the size of the tobacco settlements paid annually and the tens of billions of dollars in tobacco taxes paid annually, I can tell you with a high degree of certainty that you are not the one footing the bills for smoker care.

[tigtog]

Ditto. Smokers and drinkers have been carrying a heavier tax load for decades. These so called sin taxes have been a favorite for politicians for years. BTW, smokers generally cost governments less because they die earlier and faster than their healthier counterparts. Also, who here wants to outlast the rest of us in the nursing home anyway??