[SheLion]

[SheLion]

We have tried and tried and tried to tell them!

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Lots of union, blue-collar Democrats in Pittsburgh. These are the guys who hang out at the tavern after work and enjoy a drink and a smoke. The people pushing these smoking bans are elitist snobs.

[mtbopfuyn]

One would think the chefs at the nicer restaurants would want to ban smoking. Smoke interferes with the aroma and taste of the food.

[xrp]

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.

Employees who are concerned about alleged 2nd hand smoke effects shouldn't work at establishments where 2nd hand smoke would be a concern.

[Dan Nunn]

I actually like the way New York does it, or at least my county. Sure, there's a statewide ban and no restaurants or bars allow smoking. However, you can apply for a waiver if you meet certain conditions (a certain percentage loss of business, restrictions on employees). Several bars in town have one, and if you want to go to a bar to smoke and drink, there are choices.

This solves the problem of the business owner who wants to disallow smoking but fears losing business because no other restaurant will (opt-in rather opt-out). Of course, this is also coming from a non-restaurant owner and a non-smoker.

[dakine]

Three letters: ADA.

Where were all you smokers 15 years ago?

hahaha

[tflabo]

"The proposal to ban smoking in public places was introduced by Sen. Stewart Greenleaf"

Cant trust a Greenleaf to do the bidding of the tobacco 'Brownleaf' brigades. eheheheheh!

The Gestapo tactics against smokers is reprehensible and un-American. Let each restaurant and customer patrons decide the issue without government interference.

[TheSpottedOwl]

"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?

Yep. My dad's occasional cigars didn't cause the melanoma that eventually marched through his body.

I don't blame restaurants for being angry. A lot of smokers boycotted eateries here, years ago.

[Graymatter]

Maybe they should start calling their establishments "smoking lounges" and serve food incidentally. Food is actually good for smokers!

[AGreatPer]

I would love to know what kind of feedback the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association is getting from their members.

[DogBarkTree]

I worked in NYC for years. When Bloomberg brought on the smoking ban there I knew it was only a matter of time before it was the law of the land everywhere.

[Badray]

ping

[TheLion]

"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?"

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.

[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?

[Doc Savage]

In his free society owners could also pipe in sewer gases, asbestos fibers, allow animals to crap in the kitchen, etc., etc. Wanto to smoke? Smoke outside public places and in your own home. Why foul the air and irritate others?

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.

[Republicus2001]

for coal miners, smokings the least of their problems - leave 'em alone. Don't they suffer enough without the do-gooders?