SMOKING LAWS TOO HARSH, VOTERS SAY (New York)

Yahoo News ^ | September 8 2003 | FREDRIC U. DICKER

[Outraged At FLA]

NEW YORKERS over whelmingly believe that Gov. Pataki and the Legislature "went too far" in passing the state's harsh new anti-smoking law, a bombshell new poll shows.

And the poll found they want the law - which took effect July 24 - changed.

The still-secret survey, a copy of which was obtained by The Post, shows that nearly 68 percent of all New York state voters - and 63 percent of city voters - say the controversial anti-smoking ban is too severe.

New Yorkers of all ethnicities agree that the ban went too far: blacks, 78 percent; Hispanics, 68.4 percent; and whites, 66.4 percent;

They also agree it went too far by sex: men, 70.7 percent, and women, 64.5 percent. They even agree it went too far by political orientation: Democrats, 63.8 percent; Republicans, 67.9 percent; independents, 75.3 percent.

And even nonsmokers agree it went too far.

A whopping 62 percent of nonsmokers said the law is too harsh.

The poll also shows a majority of New Yorkers want the law changed.

The poll, conducted by the nationally renowned firm of McLaughlin & Associates, found two out of three voters say Pataki and state lawmakers should modify the law to permit - at the very least - some smoking in bars, nightclubs and lounges.

Just 28 percent said they wanted the current law left the way it is.

The poll - the first to become public since the smoking ban took effect - was commissioned by the state Conservative Party.

It found a majority of New Yorkers believe the state should keep its hands off local smoking regulations and leave it to bar and restaurant owners alone to decide if smoking should be permitted.

Nearly 57 percent of all those surveyed - and nearly 53 percent of New York City voters - said the decision should be left to the private sector.

Just 22 percent said state government should make the decision, and another 17 percent said it should be left to local governments.

"This poll shows that the Legislature and Gov. Pataki went too far," said state Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long.

"Voters wisely know we can find a workable way to handle smoking without big government crushing everybody's freedom of choice," said Long, who is expected to make the poll public as soon as today.

The new poll surveyed 600 likely New York voters July 29-30 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

[Outraged At FLA]

I just hope every NY politician reads this poll..

[xzins]

What will the NY socialists do about repealing the smoking ban?

Isn't it obvious?

They'll raise gasoline taxes.

[CdMGuy]

That poll sure seems suspicious since the number of adults who smoke is around 20 to 25%. Talk to most any non-smoker and they think that it is great they can go into a restaurant, bar, office, store and not have to put up with some inconsiderate smoker's polution.

California passed a similar law several years ago. Despite the complaints from smokers and bars, it stuck. Yes, a few small neighborhood bars let people smoke, but all the larger establishments follow the law.

Those of us who are former smokers or never smoked think it is great. Sorry smokers, you are in the minority. Your habit, in which I once participated, is filthy and unhealthful. I have no problem if you want to kill yourselves or make your breath and clothes smell like a sewer. However, I along with millions of others don't want you doing the same to me.

Bombs away smokers. Take me to task. I don't care. I love going to smoke free restaurants and bars. Now you know how we felt for all those years.

[Mark]

I too like going to smoke free restaurants, but why should the government force a business owner to ban smoking? Remember, smokers are in minority, so most restaurants would not allow smoking.

[CaptRon]

I'll say one thing, there's no problem getting a seat.

[Just another Joe]

Puff!!
Like the song says, "Two out of three ain't bad".

[JoeSixPack1]

They had to outlaw smoking in order to implement the new smoking permit division of government. They're just not done outlawing it everywhere yet.

[Just another Joe]

Bombs away smokers. Take me to task. I don't care. I love going to smoke free restaurants and bars. Now you know how we felt for all those years.

Since there are so many nonsmokers around that don't want any smoking where they do business, why weren't there more smoke free businesses before any of these bans?
Non smokers can't band together and tell the business owner, "If you allow smoking we will not do business with you."?

[Conspiracy Guy]

No big deal the nannie gummit don't care what the people want. Imagined Pataki quote, "The people of New York are too stupid to know what they want so they elected me. Isn't that proof enough that someone needs to make decisions for them. NYC Mayor Goldbloomers concurs."

[CdMGuy]

You say that most restaurants would not allow smoking because most smokers are in the minority. Unfortunately, restaurants figured they could have the best of both worlds in that the non-smokers would have no choice.

In CA, restaurants would not even set up non-smoking sections. It took a state law some years ago to create even that. Then, about 10 or so years later, the state said no smoking in offices, restaurants and some other public places. Finally, there was a 2 year delay in implementing No Smoking in bars. It went into effect and bar owners went nuts claiming they would be put out of business. Funny thing, they are all still in business.

Unfortunately, it took the state to do what restaurants and bars should have done years ago. In my parents generation, and when I was a teenager, smoking was not known to be a killer. So, we all had an excuse, including restaurants and bars. However, that changed back in the late 60s. Now it is going on 40 years later and it takes a state law to make business establishments do what they should have done years ago.

I used to work in a bar while in college when the drinking age was 18 in NY. I used to smoke. In the wintertime, you could cut the smoke with a knife. In retrospect, it was a pretty unhealthy environment, not considering all the drinking I did. Smoking is fun. Too bad it is a dirty habit and a highly unhealthful one at that.

[CdMGuy]

Enjoy those empty seats while they last. Believe me, the smokers will be back. They will just step outside for a smoke.

[mewzilla]

Nothing. This poll's out to lunch.

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

I had to smoke my after-dinner-cigars in Florida outside! I don't think we can do that in NY. Cigarette taxes are already spent, these are obviously intelligent people in government.

[VRWC_minion]

This poll will go nowhere, after its trashed thoroughly.

[MontanaBeth]

These laws don't apply to politicians just the lowly masses.

[MontanaBeth]

California-yeah let's do what California does....

[Nik Naym]

I don't give a rats A$$ how you felt all those years. A bar is private property. This is about property rights. If you don't like smoke, go to a bar that doesn't allow smoking. If there are none, START one yourself. Otherwise, sit down and shut up. YOU don't own the place, so YOU should have no right to tell the guy that does what to do with it. YOU get to decide if you want to patronize the joint, thats all. You people who force your own wants on private individuals and private businesses by Government fiat make me ill.

When did this country turn the corner? At what point did we forget this was supposed to be a free country, and people who own property got to decide what to do with it?

I live in NY. I can attest to the fact that this law is very unpopular here. Smokers and non-smokers alike belive that it is nobody's business but the bar owner if smoking is going to be allowed there. I have talked to very very few people who think this law is just.

BTW: I don't hang around in bars, and I gave up Ciggs. over a decade ago, so this is not some bar hopping smoker talking.

Nik

[Outraged At FLA]

First of all, alchohol is bad for you, so why don't we just close the bars? Alchohol is bad for people who do not drink as that drunk could get behind the wheel and kill someone.

Do you really think non-smokers will now come out in droves because bars are smoke free? If that was the case there would have been smoke-free bars without a law. You say they wanted the best of both worlds, seems to me if people are not going out because of the smoking, there is another world that is untapped.

The fact there are not that many smoke-free successes in history shows your arguement to be a farce at best.

You know what I see at bars now? Smokers outside smoking, nonsmokers inside drinking. You know what I saw before the ban? Smokers inside with nonsmokers drinking. This ban has separated and segragated people and they are not happy about it. Be it non-smoker or smoker, they both do not like it.

NY is not California. In the majority of the CA populace, you can stay outside and smoke all year round, try that during an average NY winter. Also, California is a separate country and should not even be counted as a state anyway.

Just because you like it or dislike it does not make it constitutional, and as long as there is a judge that will hear this case who is not a card carrying member of the Communist Cancer Society like yourself, then it will be shown as just that.

We are talking about PRIVATE property here. If I invite you to my private home, what gives you the right to tell ME to go outside and smoke? This ban does the same thing.

It is people like you that are turning this country into a cesspool of control and the defamation of liberty.

[VermiciousKnid]

This smoker won't be back until they repeal this unnecessary and intrusive law. And they should repeal it for ALL businesses, not just bars and restaurants.

Do any of these do-gooding busybodies remember what PRIVATE PROPERTY is?

BTW, I find your attitude most disturbing. Do YOU pay the business owner's bills? Do YOU pay his taxes for him? What makes you think you have a right to be accommodated no matter what? There are plenty of places out there that I do not patronize because they don't suit my tastes. Perhaps the music is not to my liking -- or maybe it is simply too loud. Maybe it's in a neighborhood that is inconvenient for me to get to. Maybe the food is too bland and the green beans are mushy. You don't like smoking? DON'T GO TO PLACES THAT ALLOW IT.

See how simple that is?

Regards,

[Great Dane]

That poll sure seems suspicious since the number of adults who smoke is around 20 to 25%. Talk to most any non-smoker and they think that it is great they can go into a restaurant, bar, office, store and not have to put up with some inconsiderate smoker's polution.

Not necessarily, our health unit took a poll, asked 520 people if the wanted a 100% smoking ban, 85% said compromise, guess what, only 4 of the polled were smokers.