Air is clear, patrons scarce after smoking ban

north.cbc.ca ^ | 10-08-03

[SheLion]

Air is clear, patrons scarce after smoking ban
WebPosted Oct 8 2003 05:37 PM CDT

YELLOWKNIFE - A bar manager in Yellowknife says the new smoking ban is killing his business.

Trevor Glowach, who manages the MacKenzie Lounge, says his sales have gone down by 80 per cent since the smoking ban took effect a week ago.

City council banned smoking in all bars and clubs in August. The bylaw came into effect on Oct. 1.

Glowach says customers used to come to the lounge so they could have lunch and smoke.

"It's not all negative. I do see some pros. When we bring up lunch, you can smell the lunch a little bit better, and it is a little bit clearer and it does have a bit of a fresher, cleaner feel to the lounge," he says. " But that's fine. It'll be like that when we're closed down."

Glowach says some non-smokers have started to come to the lounge, but not enough to make up for the drop in smoking customers.

Several other bar managers in Yellowknife contacted by CBC reported a drop of 30 to 70 per cent in business because of the ban.

Law is being obeyed

Any bar that decides to contravene the ban could face fines of up to $5,000.

But compliance isn't a problem so far. Doug Gillard, who's in charge of by-law enforcement for the city of Yellowknife , says he's only received six complaints about smoking.

"Our indication is that businesses are doing a lot of work and they're asking people to desist from smoking, which they're required to do. And it sounds like they're getting fairly good compliance," he says.

Back at the Mackenzie Lounge, Trevor Glowach says he'll continue to enforce the bylaw.

But he says he might not have to do it much longer – if the customers don't come back, the lounge may soon close.

Glowach says some non-smokers have started coming to the bar, but not enough to compensate

 

 

 

[CSM]

"Smoking is a dirty, filthy, nasty habit that kills."

Prove it. If your statement of fact were true, then the japanese life expectancy would be much shorter.

[Just another Joe]

Real issue: That we'd have been a lot better off if smoking had remained a closely held secret amongst the Indians.

That's not an issue, that's an opinion.

Give me the issue.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

No chop buster, me.
See my post regards the American Indians--they invented the practice.

[SheLion]

You, on the other hand, believe that smoking "stinks" and because of this offensive behaviour you support the government dictating activities on private property. That causes freedom to be lost. Any true conservative would speak against any confiscation of freedoms.

This subject sure brings them out from under their rocks, doesn't it? I always find it interesting to see who "sits on the fence" in Free Republic on this issue. My list keeps growing. Pity.

[Just another Joe]

See my post regards the American Indians--they invented the practice.

I've read it two or three times and it still isn't an issue, it's an opinion.

Give me the issue.

[CSM]

Yep, I can't wait until it is their ox getting gored!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I don't support bigger govt or any govt intervention in a public restaurant. The issue is tobacco use and the derived benefits, not your corruption of my position on tobacco.

[Grit]

SITTING ON A STOOL PROMOTES POOR POSTURE, CREATING MEDICAL PROBLEMS THUS PUTTING ADDITIONAL STRAIN ON THE ALREADY OVER BURDENED HEALTH CARE INDUSTERY. BAN IT.

Very true. And also very close to being real. Ergonomic regulations in the workplace have not been defeated for good.

I can picture it now: All of us "children" sitting in bean bag chairs, wearing helmets, and drinking purified water (with Arsenic levels federally mandated not to exceed .0001ppm)

Ok. Maybe not that far.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

This issue is, "name a single benefit from tobacco use."
A weepy post about a Yellowknife restaurant is as good a place to bring it up as any. That the Canadian government is overreaching is not news.

[Chuzzlewit]

Yes I agree. Smoking is a symptom. When one stops smoking, or better yet never starts this digusting habit, one becomes more "centered" and is more in tune with the oneness that we all share. blah blah blah...(sarcasm/off).

If I'm ever annoyed by smoke I move. If my cigar looks like it is annoying someone else, I move.. Pretty simple actually.

[Just another Joe]

The issue is tobacco use and the derived benefits

That is NOT the issue.

The issue is government banning the use of a legal substance, on private property, using fake science as a premise.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

You are building the strawman. I'd be happy to kick them down as fast as you put em up.

[Phantom Lord]

I don't support bigger govt or any govt intervention in a public restaurant. The issue is tobacco use and the derived benefits, not your corruption of my position on tobacco.

The, the issue is the government enforcing a ban on smoking in privately owned properties.

Easy question. Do you support government bans on smoking in restaurants and bars? A simple yes or no answer only please.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The less govt the better. How many times do I have to say it. And, that includes making rules for the private sector.
The issue is tobacco.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Carcinomas are junk science ?

[Just another Joe]

The issue is tobacco.

No matter how many times you say it, the issue on this thread is not, "tobacco".
The issue on this thread is the loss of business caused by a ban , using bogus science, on a legal product on private property.

[Phantom Lord]

Article headline... Air is clear, patrons scarce after smoking ban

The issue is government banning smoking on private propety.

[Just another Joe]

Carcinomas are junk science ?

Don't carcinoma me.
Give me a scientific study, that hasn't been debunked or thrown out by a federal court, that says ETS causes any lasting harmful effects on a person with no pre-existing medical conditions.

I can show you several that, statistically, say the opposite.

[SheLion]

Personally, I hate the smell of booze and think that all bars should stop selling alcohol products. How nice it would be if I could just sit on the stool and watch football and enjoy my peanuts and popcorn in a smell-free tavern. I also think that all patrons should be sprayed with cholorphyl when they come in the door to remove offensive body odors.

I have a lot of dear friends who love beer. I can't drink beer. I think it stinks. My hubby loved beer. Did I tell him he couldn't drink beer at home? Heck no!

And I am not out there crusading to have beer banned. For heavens sake! We have to learn to be more tolerant again and live and let live.

The world does not rotate on any ONE'S arse!

I'm sure there are quite a few ANTI'S in here that have Old Beer Breath. heh!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

My comment was, we'd be better off if smoking had never become commonplace. I'm not going to take your precious little ciggies.