Posted on 05/25/2003 1:03:31 PM PDT by TLBSHOW
Smoking ban ‘wanted’ posters panned
ALBANY — The simmering battle over the state’s upcoming smoking ban has all the makings of a spaghetti western: There have been threats, civil disobedience and now mugs of a notable few on what some say too closely resembles wanted posters.
They are picture-posters of state legislators, and they’ve been going up in saloons near you. On them is how the lawmaker voted on the smoking ban, and how to get in touch with him or her.
"I have heard that upstate somewhere one was put on a dart board," said Russell Sciandra, director of the Center for a Tobacco Free New York.
The posters were sent statewide by the Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association, a group steadfast against the July 23 cutoff of smoking in virtually all businesses and public gathering spots in the state, including bars, bowling alleys and billiard halls.
That group is counting on a backlash from bar owners afraid of what will happen to their businesses and patrons accustomed to lighting up when they sip their drinks.
Already this week, hundreds of drinking establishments across New York shut down Quick Draw lottery machines to protest the ban, depriving the state of more than a half-million dollars.
But the posters, some legislators said, were just over the top.
"I don’t think it is an intelligent way to lobby officials," said Sen. John Bonacic, R-Orange County.
"It’s just not a responsible or professional way for an organization or lobbyist to act," said Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, D-Ulster County.
He said he was recently accosted by one angry man who blew a blue plume in his face and said, "You want a smoking ban, do you?"
"What do you call someone coming up and blowing smoke in your face? It wasn’t accidental. It wasn’t a little puff," Cahill said.
But Assemblyman Chris Ortloff, R-Plattsburgh, said he’s heard a poster with his picture is in at least one bar in his district, and he has no problem with it. He voted against the smoking ban.
"I would rather have something favorable in any location than something unfavorable," he said.
Sen. Betty Little, on the other hand, voted for the ban. She said her office has received calls from angry constituents ready to vote for someone else.
"But I’ve also had many, many people thank me," she said.
The person who orchestrated the poster campaign said extraordinary moves were needed to battle an extreme law.
The idea is "something our board believes is an appropriate strategy to use given the economic severity of the issue here," said Scott Wexler, the executive director of the Restaurant and Tavern Association.
"We’ve heard the criticism. We think we made our point, and I communicated to the board it was not received very well by some legislators."
Meanwhile, a move to weaken the ban before it goes into effect is gaining momentum in the legislature.
Lawmakers are considering exempting some bars and outdoor drinking areas. Little said she is even drafting a bill of her own to help lessen the hardships some bars may feel.
Sciandra, lobbying against any changes to the planned ban, said his group will try a more subtle approach to influence lawmakers.
"I don’t think you get anywhere by disrespecting elected officials," he said. "We are going to engage in civil grassroots advocacy, and we are working to assure that all our legislators hear from the non-smoking majority that wants to breathe clean air."
Too bad New Yorkers seem to roll over and take it.
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