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Pittsburgh, PA: Restaurants fuming over smoking ban
United Pro Smoker's Newsletter ^ | July 14, 2006

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.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS: anti; antismokers; augusta; bans; budget; butts; camel; caribou; chicago; cigar; cigarettes; cigarettetax; commerce; epa; fda; governor; haha; individual; interstate; kool; lawmakers; lewiston; liberty; maine; mainesmokers; marlboro; msa; nannystate; niconazis; osha; pallmall; pipe; portland; prosmoker; pufflist; quitsmoking; regulation; rico; rights; rinos; ryo; sales; senate; smokers; smoking; smokingbans; taxes; tobacco; tobaccophobics; winston
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To: SheLion

Wow, some of the comments on that link are pretty sad. One owner is shutting down for the winter, because his employees can make more on unemployment. Then there are the Elks, who count on the money to run the Christmas programs for needy families. Volunteer fire depts who used the money to keep up their equipment.

There was a piece here that I didn't get a chance to read, about some government agency, and mandatory aerobics :-/ When will the nanny state stop?


41 posted on 07/15/2006 8:32:34 AM PDT by TheSpottedOwl (If you don't understand the word "Illegal", then the public school system has failed you.)
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To: Hazcat

How about a little reading comprehension on your part. I didn't stutter.


42 posted on 07/15/2006 8:33:00 AM PDT by Ditter
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To: Hazcat
"If ya don't like it don't go there."


Hazcat, common sense don't apply to these situations.
If it did, we wouldn't have these problems.
43 posted on 07/15/2006 8:33:58 AM PDT by 383rr ((those who choose security over liberty deserve neither; GUN CONTROL=SLAVERY)
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To: SheLion

We can't say anything about them, you know.
That would be racist.


44 posted on 07/15/2006 8:35:46 AM PDT by 383rr ((those who choose security over liberty deserve neither; GUN CONTROL=SLAVERY)
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To: Hazcat
Wow, chill. Of course, by your argument, there would be no taxes, no permits or licenses of any kind, and free reign over what your business could do (strip club next to a school, you own the building!).

The difference between my view and most smoking bans differ, however - I still say don't outright ban smoking, but require a waiver. As I said before, opt-in rather than opt-out. With the opt-out of smoking system, we have very few restaurants without smoking because of fear of losing business. This law is a catalyst towards clean air that will help my kids and yours live longer.

45 posted on 07/15/2006 8:38:35 AM PDT by Dan Nunn
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To: Ditter

"Yes you are right, it should be left up to the restaurant owner but here is the result of that. Many restaurant owners want both smoking and non smoking customers and they put us all in the same space, the people stay where they belong but the smoke doesn't."

Then you go on to complain about it. Look if it bugs you tell the management that you won't be back. If he hears it enough he will change. If you don't something AND have other choices then your outcome is up to you.


46 posted on 07/15/2006 8:39:35 AM PDT by Hazcat
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To: DogBarkTree
The worst part about the NYC ban was that you could get around it by having a specially ventilated closed off section. We had the same thing in Buffalo. Businesses spent thousands of dollars to comply, and then the state turned around and banned it entirely, in the middle of the night during the beginning of the Iraq invasion when everyone's attention was elsewhere. Business were out all that money with no compensation.

Remind me why I live in this state again?

47 posted on 07/15/2006 8:41:13 AM PDT by Obi-Wandreas (Dedicated to the shameless pursuit of silliness)
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To: All

Check out the Newsletter, updated weekly for news in your area:
The United Pro Choice Smokers Rights Newsletter

Save this link for future reference. The site seems to be having problems today.

48 posted on 07/15/2006 8:42:40 AM PDT by SheLion ("If you're legal, you can fly with the Eagle!" - Michael Anthony)
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To: SheLion
I know the feeling. In Burlington(first, then all other surrounding communities) Vermont, the councils voted for total bans--and that included my favorite places, PRIVATE CLUBS, such as Legion and VFW.

Restaurants and bars claim they have not suffered and that may be true as VT is one of the most liberal (read: Socialist) states in the Country.

However, I also quit completely, going out to restaurants.

Moved to Virginia a year ago and now am back to a normal life as you can smoke just about anywhere, although there are signs that some groups are trying to get legislation passed to do the same here.

What do you expect when we have a completely bias, stark raving mad, lunatic, as our Spur geon General, who espouses these ridiculous junk-science positions and no one challenges him? Thanks George for another stellar cabinet appointment. Your not even batting 50 - 50 as far as I'm concerned.

49 posted on 07/15/2006 8:43:45 AM PDT by seasoned traditionalist (ALL MUSLIMS ARE NOT TERRORISTS, BUT ALL TERRORISTS WHO WANT TO DESTROY OUR COUNTRY, ARE MUSLIMS)
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To: TheSpottedOwl
I don't blame restaurants for being angry. A lot of smokers boycotted eateries here, years ago.

Well, I know "I" did.  I tried eating out at my favorite tavern right after the ban.  I felt like I was in a reform school setting.  That was the last time I spent my money sitting in a restaurant/bar/tavern that can not accommodate me just because I smoke.  Heck, I can smoke at home, order in and save money!

50 posted on 07/15/2006 8:45:35 AM PDT by SheLion ("If you're legal, you can fly with the Eagle!" - Michael Anthony)
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To: Dan Nunn

No I won't "chill". I own a business (not restaurant related in any way) and unless you've been there you have NO idea how tough it is to make a go of it. We (business) don't need you self righteous people telling us how to run it. As I stated, this is not a "hidden" thing. Open the door if there's smoke and you don't like it don't go in. Should all Italian restaurants be closed because tomatoes give ME heartburn?


51 posted on 07/15/2006 8:46:17 AM PDT by Hazcat
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To: seasoned traditionalist

The stooge-in general's a real hoot, ain't he?


52 posted on 07/15/2006 8:46:26 AM PDT by 383rr ((those who choose security over liberty deserve neither; GUN CONTROL=SLAVERY)
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To: All

53 posted on 07/15/2006 8:48:05 AM PDT by SheLion ("If you're legal, you can fly with the Eagle!" - Michael Anthony)
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To: Hazcat

LOL! You said it but you still don't GET IT. That is EXACTALY what has been happening for XXX years. People have been complaining to restaurants, bars and when that didn't work, some complained to city councils. What you have are the results of those complaints.


54 posted on 07/15/2006 8:49:13 AM PDT by Ditter
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To: VermiciousKnid
They are drunk with power, and WE let them get away with it.

It's the same old adage:  we didn't think it could happen to us...............

55 posted on 07/15/2006 8:50:39 AM PDT by SheLion ("If you're legal, you can fly with the Eagle!" - Michael Anthony)
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To: SheLion

They're just never, never, going to get it, are they?


56 posted on 07/15/2006 8:51:22 AM PDT by 383rr ((those who choose security over liberty deserve neither; GUN CONTROL=SLAVERY)
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To: AGreatPer
I would love to know what kind of feedback the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association is getting from their members.

Sure can't find THAT in print, can we?!  If I do, I will sure post it!

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?

57 posted on 07/15/2006 8:54:14 AM PDT by SheLion ("If you're legal, you can fly with the Eagle!" - Michael Anthony)
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To: Hazcat
Cute, because, of course, tomatoes giving heartburn is directly analogous to cancerous, foul smoke passing through the fiberous tissue all throughout the willing and unwilling's lungs within a 30 foot radius as though we're bathing in some sort of sauna of filth. Wouldn't want my self-righteous desire to live get in the way though.

Besides, as I said, I have a friend that owns a waivered bar. His business has gone up significantly since the ban. It's likely it could work to your benefit. Unless, of course, there would be no waiver in your state's smoking ban, which I do not support.

58 posted on 07/15/2006 8:55:27 AM PDT by Dan Nunn
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To: Yorlik803

It makes it more fun to fire off fireworks when it's illegal!

Well you just buy your stuff the other six days of the week.

Lots of beer distros, got two of them within walking distance from work.


59 posted on 07/15/2006 8:57:15 AM PDT by thebaron512
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To: Ditter

LOL, yeah it's REAL funny when a vocal MINORITY puts more crap on businesses that threatened their livelihood. Just laughing my a$$ off at that.

Why didn't YOU start or invest in a non smoking eatery? Nope not you, you'll just make every one else bend to your will.


60 posted on 07/15/2006 8:57:23 AM PDT by Hazcat
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