"Psssst....waitress. I will pay their tab, and throw in a 30% tip, if you throw them out."
Here's a good cartoon:
Posted on 07/15/2006 7:30:05 AM PDT by SheLion
The Pennsylvania Restaurant Association has thrown its support behind a statewide ban on smoking in restaurants, bars, casinos and private clubs.
So why couldn't we find any local establishments who agree with them?
Admittedly, we used a small sample, but when staff writer Jeff Pikulsky talked to owners of Mon Valley clubs and restaurants last week, he found angry opposition to the proposed ban.
Monessen Elks Club Steward Marcy Zites estimated that 70 percent of her club patrons smoke and feared that a ban would be bad for business.
Those sentiments were echoed at the Foster House in North Belle Vernon, where bartender Lisa Vestrat said customers have been complaining about the possibility of a ban.
At the High Point restaurant in Coal Center, Loretta Sepesy lamented, "People like to have a drink and cigarette. They take away all of your rights anymore."
The proposal to ban smoking in public places was introduced by Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, a Republican from Montgomery, and is currently being considered by the Senate's Public Health & Welfare Committee. Similar legislation in the House died in committee last month.
The ban is being offered out of concern for the health and welfare of employees who work in those facilities and are exposed to second-hand smoke. A recent report from the U.S. Surgeon General brands second-hand smoke as a health risk and recommends that it be banned from public gathering places.
We understand the concern of the state's Restaurant Association and its desire to be on the politically correct side of the smoking argument. But we think the organization should have contacted more of its members to see if they feel the same way.
It's our position that in a free society, this decision should be up to the individual restaurants, not the government. Restaurants who want to ban smoking should be welcome to do so, and customer response will determine if they are right or wrong.
"The sun does more damage to peoples' bodies than second-hand cigarette smoke," said Monessen Elks Club trustee Brian Mears. "What is the government going to do next, shut down the sun?
Shh, Brian, don't give them any ideas.
Since the vast majority of smoking establishments are for cigerettes, and there really is no fine smelling one IMO, yes I believe that. These are not cigar or pipe bars we're talking about, but your local, Applebees or Chili's
Bovine excrement. There was no law saying that the establishments had to allow smoking to begin with. Where were the nonsmoking restaurants then? THAT was opt-out, where the owner just had to say NO. But most of them didn't - which is why the gnatzies (supported by people with your point of view) had to attack!
The exceptions - which WILL end one day - are designed to decrease the pain of complying with the law. In other words, the gnatzies temporarily feel the restaurant/bar owner's pain. TEMPORARILY! Because, eventually, the non-smoking places will complain that the establishments with "waivers" have an unfair advantage.
BTW - you need to bone up on the true science about second hand smoke. You're sadly mistaken, apparently willing to swallow the garbage pushed by the gnatzies whole-hog.
3 years after moving, I still know exactly where to go on the rare occassions I'm in Delaware :)
The scene yesterday afternoon was priceless. The young man sitting next to me, a non-smoker, was the one that started the applause when the pecksniff and company got up from the table to leave.
I didn't say the smoke doesn't drift....however, we were sitting outside. OUTSIDE.
But that doesn't change the fact you have ignored that which you tried to get me on, that people will do for those they care about.......you were implying my friend's son was trying to accomodate dad and his friends when the total opposite was the fact of the story.
Why are you avoiding addressing my point? That is very unlike you.
"Psssst....waitress. I will pay their tab, and throw in a 30% tip, if you throw them out."
Actually it is the Applebees and Chili's and those chain types that are behind restaurant associations supporting these bans. The chains can handle the initial downturn in business, the local mom & pop's and taverns cannot. The chains know that when the local guys go out of business they will be the only game in town.
I know this for fact because that was how the smoking ban was passed in Delaware in 2002.
There is no hope for some people.
They choose to remain blind.
Or.........having a very bad day and just need to beat someone up. We smoker's are an easy target, I guess.
Isn't that something! It's about time people stood up for what is right. Thanks for sharing that story, Gabz!! Made my day.
Christmas Eve, 1999 (or was it 2000) that was pretty much what we did in a bar in Dover. Folks refused to go sit in the non-smoking bar (which was empty) but insisted we (nearly 30 of us) put out our cigarettes. It was a non-smoker at one of our tables that told the waitress she would pay their tab when thy refused because the waitress refused to tell us to stop smoking. I think her tip from us was around $200 that night.......and we were all home by 8pm.
You have to respect that! The way it should be!!! Business owner's choice!!
Sorry I guess I was just being prissy. The son always chooses to sit in the smoking section even when he and his non smoking wife are alone. It has nothing to do with his parents, Is that your point? That there are at least 2 non smokers who prefer the smoking section? I find that story a little difficult to believe but I would NEVER call fellow freeper a fibber so it must be a true story. You have made a believer out of me.
Glad to hear, m'dear.
And on that note it is time for me to head for work........tending bar in a bar where adults rule and pecksniffs get laughed at.....in other words, we allow smoking :)
Later gators.
My state Delegate told me he received close to 1,000 calls and emails in opposition to the ban and also told me our state Senator received even more.
It truly sickens me that it is Republicans in the state Senate pushing for it, and the Dem Governor is not real supportive. Go figger.
It's horrible when our own lawmakers stick it to us! They promise us the moon to get our votes, then once in office, all they give us is the outhouse.
You should have plenty of ammunition Gabz, to present. The loss of businesses across the United States in a smoke free state is alarming!
GREAT WORD Randall!!!!!! LOL
Say what????
Sounds delicious, actually. Now you made me hungry. LOL
"Psssst....waitress. I will pay their tab, and throw in a 30% tip, if you throw them out."
Here's a good cartoon:
You might remember me as the non smoker who defends your right to smoke.
What I want them (the government at the state or federal level) to do is have the honesty to come right out and ban the sale of cigarettes. When they give up the revenue, then I will believe that they are sincere. Until then, they are just out of control control freaks.
The other thing that would be great would be for the tobacco companies tell the States to go to hell and not sell in that state when they enact a ban like this. The loss of revenue should get their attention.
As long as it is a legal product to sell (and tax) it should be a product that can be used, subject only to the whim of the owner of the establishment and not some petty bureaucrats.
Hey pal, can you find the word 'democracy' anywhere in the Constitution?
Don't bother looking. It's not there. We are not a democracy. We live in a free country. I am free to allow smoking in my restaurant. You are free not to come in. That's the only frigging vote you get.
I just have to chime in here. If the neighbors don't like what I do in my own home do they have a say? No. If the patrons of a private business find something offensive to them than they have the right to not patronise that business.
I did construction on a bar/restaurant where I live. They had over $12,000 a week in sales. The state of Florida imposed the smoking ban and they decided they would rather be a restuarant than a bar. They are now making $3500 a week in sales. It was the choice of the OWNERS of the place and I don't blame them a bit.
I go to a little hole in the wall bar that serves food like hot dogs and hamburgers and sandwhiches. They quit selling food after 4 pm because if their sales equal 10% of their net they have to ban smoking. 75% of us smoke which makes us a majority. There is outdoor seating for those who don't like the smoke.
It is up to the consumer on where they decide to spend their money, not the government. Period.
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