Pittsburgh, PA: Restaurants fuming over smoking ban

United Pro Smoker's Newsletter ^ | July 14, 2006

[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.

[383rr]

"Try as I might, I just can't understand the mindset of the statist."

Elk, my friend, I have wondered that more than once.

I do not think we are able to comprehend this mindset, because we can actually think for ourselves.

[dakine]

"This insanity is coming your way"


???

I was pointing that out...

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

The Pennsylvania Restaurant Association has thrown its support behind a statewide ban on smoking in restaurants, bars, casinos and private clubs.

Why in the world would they do that? Does the American Cancer Society have pictures of the Association president in compromising positions with a woman not his wife, or is it something else entirely?

[at bay]

While cops try to sniff out the worst offenders, in many cases they're butting up against organized opposition. Bartender phone trees warn each other of impending busts, powerful fans blow away tell-tale scents of "smokin' in the boys room" and tin cans double as ashtrays in case of an unexpected visit by police.

The article is more than five years old. What a dishonest claim today. Shelyin again.

[SheLion]

The article is more than five years old. What a dishonest claim today. Shelyin again.

You are one sad individual, FReeper.

And yes, I keep that article no matter how old it gets.  Just a small reminder that business owner's aren't always licking the boots of the government.

And where do you get off calling me a liar?!

[SheLion]

Anyway, he asked me if I could figure out what is wrong with some people. I didn't make the connection right away with the incident and asked him what he was talking about. He reminded me by saying - the "dork" that wanted all the smoking to stop. I just burst out laughing and said the world is full of such types and you best get used to it. He just shook his head and went on his merry way.

Sure.  If someone doesn't spend some time on the Net, they don't have a clue as to all the smoking bans popping up across the United States and how smokers are talked to in here.  When I tell them, they just can't believe it.

[SheLion]

I don't eat at those places, because I don't want to pay $10 for a TV diner.

That's great!

[SheLion]

Some would say that the liquor industry is just callous and brazen. Maybe that's what comes of having been subject to a government prohibition. Maybe that's how the tobacco companies and the related industries must learn.

I love the cartoon. That really nails it. They want it both ways, don't they?

The government sure DOES want it both ways.  I guess they thought we smokers wouldn't stir the waters and keep our mouths shut.  But a lot of smokers have done a lot of research.  You would be sick at what was found about this smoking issue.

Here is another cartoon for you! :)

[TheSpottedOwl]

Thanks for adding me, and the kind words :) I totally believe that we all must put aside differences to achieve what America used to stand for. Individual liberty....

[SheLion]

What about all those good fumes everyone sucks up behind other cars in rush hour. That has got to be a 100 times worse than second hand smoke....I forgot, they can't do much about that little problem.

Exactly.  The following is an excerpt from a letter to an Editor in LA:

All citizens do NOT have any "right" to breathe clean air.  If we did, then all planes, automobiles, trucks, factories, and breweries (the source of toxic poisons in the air) would be banned. Only then could everyone "breathe truly clean air".

[SheLion]

Yes, I'd love to be added to both. Thank you!!!!!

I am playing ketchup! :)  We had a storm come through last night so I had to shut the PC down.

I have you added to my puff list.  Thank you!

[SheLion]

Why in the world would they do that? Does the American Cancer Society have pictures of the Association president in compromising positions with a woman not his wife, or is it something else entirely?

Really makes one wonder!  There has to be something going on under the table or behind closed doors, and I have no doubt!

Someone is sure kissing up to someone!  heh!

[SheLion]

Thanks for adding me, and the kind words :) I totally believe that we all must put aside differences to achieve what America used to stand for. Individual liberty....

I doubt if we will ever see it again.  Not with all the illegals and the border and the terrorists, etc.  America as we knew it will never be the same again. :(

[Ditter]

You take your habit way too seriously elkieboy. There is a whole world out there that doesn't need tobacco to make it wonderful.

[SheLion]

You take your habit way too seriously elkieboy. There is a whole world out there that doesn't need tobacco to make it wonderful.

Then why aren't you out there enjoying it, instead of wasting your time in here picking on people who choose to smoke?

You take your habit way too seriously elkieboy. There is a whole world out there that doesn't need tobacco to make it wonderful.

Then why aren't you out there enjoying it, instead of wasting your time in here picking on people who choose to smoke?

[Ditter]

Actually I am packing my art supplies for a trip to elkboys home state New Mexico. I am doing a week long workshop with an artist named Carolyn Anderson. I can't wait! ;9)

[SheLion]

Actually I am packing my art supplies for a trip to elkboys home state New Mexico. I am doing a week long workshop with an artist named Carolyn Anderson. I can't wait! ;9)

I have heard of her.  Sounds like a wonderful trip.  Although hot.  Very hot in NM.  But beautiful country!!!!  I love the southwestern look.

Actually I am packing my art supplies for a trip to elkboys home state New Mexico. I am doing a week long workshop with an artist named Carolyn Anderson. I can't wait! ;9)

I have heard of her.  Sounds like a wonderful trip.  Although hot.  Very hot in NM.  But beautiful country!!!!  I love the southwestern look.

[Ditter]

We are going to be in the mountains, it is going to be cool. I had a friend come back from Taos last week and she said take a coat. Hot I have here in Texas, scorching hot!

[SheLion]

We are going to be in the mountains, it is going to be cool. I had a friend come back from Taos last week and she said take a coat. Hot I have here in Texas, scorching hot!

Oh good!  Yes, cooler in the mtns!  And Texas 'is' hot! 

When it gets above 85 here in northern Maine, I just about die.  Thank God for A/C!

We are going to be in the mountains, it is going to be cool. I had a friend come back from Taos last week and she said take a coat. Hot I have here in Texas, scorching hot!

Oh good!  Yes, cooler in the mtns!  And Texas 'is' hot! 

When it gets above 85 here in northern Maine, I just about die.  Thank God for A/C!

[Ditter]

If it doesn't get above 95 here on the Gulf Coast, I am thankful. LOL!

We have some fabulous weather here but you only hear about our hot humid summers. No one ever tells you that when the rest of the country is slipping around on the ice, we have perfect warm spring. 75 degrees, no wind, sunny skies, beautiful here in the winter. We get cold occasionally but it doesn't last more than a day or 2.