20 Bars Agree To Enforce Smoking Bans After Judge Threatens Jail Time

Copyright 2003 by NBC4.tv. ^ | September 24, 2003

[CSM]

LOS ANGELES -- Twenty Los Angeles-area bars have agreed to comply with the statewide smoking ban after a judge threatened their owners with major fines or jail time if failed to enforce the law, an attorney said Wednesday.

Attorney Michael Linfield filed several lawsuits representing BREATH, the California Smoke-free Bars, Workplaces and Communities Program, on behalf of the general public to force some bars to enforce the law.

BREATH is an acronym for Bar and Restaurant Employees Against Tobacco Hazards. The program is statewide project of the American Lung Association of the East Bay and funded through tobacco tax revenues.

[honeygrl]

You really should send in that letter.

[freeeee]

I'd like to, I can't find their addresses.

And thanks for your comment!

[MrLeRoy]

Those conditions include not providing ashtrays and not serving drinks to people who insist on smoking, Linfield said.

So they'll have to do more sweeping up, and there'll be no smoking at the bar itself.

[Protagoras]

How many jury trials does it take to tie up the court system so bad that the judge starts throwing the cases out by default?

And many argue against jury nullification. But it's just what the situation demands short of violence. The bigger question has to do with when they will load up and defend their rights against the thugs?

[Mears]

Boston area smokers can still go to Waltham,Dedham,and Norwood to smoke,but probably not for long. The state wants to go smoke-free.

Looks like I'll be moving after 71 years in the same state.Nice,huh?

[maryz]

Bar and Restaurant Employees Against Tobacco Hazards

I don't suppose anyone would have an actual membership list for this soi-disant group . . .

[Mears]

Forget ashtrays,just carry around a little Altoids box.

[MrLeRoy]

Welcome to the War On Drugs.

[qam1]

Bar and Restaurant Employees Against Tobacco Hazards

One thing I can guarentee you that there are few if any actual Bar or Restaurant employess that are members of the Bar and Restaurant Employees Against Tobacco Hazards.

[freeeee]

I recently went to a few bars in Southie and they wouldn't let anyone smoke. In Southie!

The World Turned Upside Down

[Pagey]

They thought they could thumb their noses at the law, and continue to blow smoke at the enforcement agencies," he said. "We had videotapes of bartenders smoking behind the bar."

There couldn't possibly be anything more important in L.A., than enforcement of a no smoking law.<====dripping sarcasm

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

*This won't work if you use any of the normal religions. Liberals hate that. Gotta use some new, weird one.

Got one to use.
Alvism.

FEAST OF ALVIS

[Mears]

Southie hasn't been the same since it became gentrified by the yuppies!!!!!! I think there is even a Starbuck's there----gasp!!!!

[freeeee]

"We had videotapes of bartenders smoking behind the bar."

I'd like to know just who is the slimy prying fatmouth ratface worm who accepts a job sneaking around and videotaping hard working people smoking in bars.

What kind of two-bit backbiting ratfink snitch looks himself in the mirror after a day of that kind of 'work'?

[freeeee]

Starbucks? Dear God.

I should have know after I saw what happend to L Street Tavern. < shudder >

[honeygrl]

Here is their website:

http://www.breath-ala.org/

I just found it myself after a quick search so I don't know if members are listed.

[honeygrl]

Check out this from their website:

TO: All Interested Parties

FROM:   Dian Kiser, BREATH

               Theresa Boschert, BREATH

RE: Occupational Group Disease Rate:

BARTENDERS HAVE RATES OF LUNG CANCER HIGHER THAN FIREFIGHTERS, MINERS, COOKS, DUCT WORKERS, AND DRY CLEANERS

This information received from Michael Siegel, M.D. regarding the highest overall death rates and the highest lung cancer rates by occupation. Of the 68 occupations measured by the California Department of Health Services - Health Data and Statistics from the California Occupational Mortality Study 1979-1981, the highest relative mortality rates by occupation were:*
 

1. Plumbers and duct workers	Lung Cancer 53	Overall 124
2. Firefighters	Lung Cancer 150	Overall 104
3. Cooks	Lung Cancer 104	Overall 110
4. Dry Cleaners	Lung Cancer 123	Overall 88
5. Helpers and Laborers	Lung Cancer 56	Overall 22

Relative mortality rates for five other occupations known for being traditionally dangerous due to toxic exposure were:

1. Water transportation workers	Lung Cancer 368	Overall 373
2. Roofers	Lung Cancer 329	Overall 231
3. Foresters and Loggers	Lung Cancer 289	Overall 307
4. Plant and Systems Operators	Lung Cancer 258	Overall 184
5. BARTENDERS	Lung Cancer 244	Overall 205
6. Miners and Drillers	Lung Cancer 243	Overall 222

 

* Note: A relative mortality rate of 100 means that the death rate in the group is equal
to that for all workers combined.
&#8220;Lung Cancer&#8221; reflects just lung cancer, &#8220;Overall&#8221; reflects heart disease and lung cancer.

 

[honeygrl]

Also see what it takes to prove smoking violations in a Bar or Restaurant.

http://www.breath-ala.org/html/work_elements.html

It specifically says: Burden of proof is on the owner. I take that to mean he's guilty until proven innocent.