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.
Good grief - how the heck tall are you?????????
And remember who was very instrumental in this whole mess -- none other than John McCain.
Some conservative.
The people here who still believe him to be a conservative must be blind.
Ain't that the truth.
Indeed. Apply for a waiver to run your business the way you want to run your business, but a petty bureaucrat can deny you that waiver.
I remember when this was a free country. As we lose that freedom, I sometimes wonder if such memories are a blessing or a curse.
They say ignorance is bliss. Maybe that's why I am pissed so often.
I can't believe that some people EVER believed him to be a conservative, let alone still believe it.
Oh lighten up, I'm just playing with you , I don't care if you smoke. My husband chews and I don't care about that either.
On another subject, where did you get your elk?
Well, I haven't been measured in awhile and I'm shrinking, but odds are the exterior doors on your house are 6' 8" tall and 3' wide.
I have to take off my hat, duck and turn slightly sideways to get through those.
I've taken elk in the Gila, the Mt. Taylor area, the White Mountain wilderness, and the Carson National Forest
I sat next to guy in the barbershop the other day. This guy reeked so bad I literally couldn't take it. I had to move as far away as possible. I don't think smokers even understand how bad they smell to others.
That one's not mine, nor is that me.
Just googled the photo.
Why would you do that? Put your picture up there.
Elk, keep up the EXCELLENT work!
EEHAWWWW!!
OMG.................You wouldn't be able to stand up straight in my kitchen or family room without hitting your head. Standing in barefeet I can put the palm of my hand flat on the kitchen ceiling :)
I have no problem with smoking outside of public places.....I do have a problem smoking outside of private establishments that wish to permit to smoke in their establishment.
Tobacco smoke is a fleeting aroma, the stench of sanctimony, on the other hand, can't be washed off........
Don't have any. It's a long story.
FReepmail me.
That venue accepts HTML.
We're not about to become email pen pals.
Instructions are here
I am so thankful for the Internet and for being able to reach millions of people. Smokers and non-smokers alike. If we are just wrapped up in our own communities, we have no clue as to what is going on throughout the rest of the United States.
It's a real eye opener!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.