Bar Owner Blames Smoking Ban For Rape

The Denver Channel ^ | March 15, 2004 | The Associated Press.

[hunter112]

If we didn't have smoking bans, we wouldn't have rapes.

We'll have a chance to test that theory here in Washington, the state announced it is going to ban smoking in all 12 of its state prisons (one is nonsmoking right now). There have been news reports about lifers claiming it isn't fair.

I just feel sorry for the correctional officers who have to deal with thousands of society's worst misfits (you have to REALLY screw up to get prison time in this state) all having simultaneous nicotine fits. It might make sense to wean them off of it gradually if they're going to do it at all.

[philetus]

Most of the people who push the smoking bans could care less if a bargirl gets raped.

[LisaMalia]

This is sad. Not just the smoking aspect of it, but the fact that woman was raped. However, the bar owner makes a good point.

Had she not been forced out in a dark place to take her smoke break, the rape would not have happened. Although I'm against frivolous litigation, I would say a HUGE lawsuit is in order in this instance.

[Gabz]

You're kidding, right? You are not truly trying to lay the blame on the victim here, are you?

[Hell to pay]

This establishment is one of the better downtown restaurants also. The woman was likely one of the waitresses.

[snowstorm12]

Nope, just saying it's a bad idea to go outside alone late at night.

[Gabz]

If there was no smoker ban, this woman would not have been outside and not been placed in such a situation.

[snowstorm12]

Yeah but that doesn't mean she was forced outside. She could've accepted the ban and waited to have a cigarette in a safe place after work. It would've been just as stupid if she went outside alone to get some fresh air outside on break.

[cartoonistx]

You know, I'm old enough to remember when liberals smoked as a sign of solidarity with their Democrat tobacco-farmer brethren. When the South stopped being solid for the Dems that's when the smoking nazis arose!

[SheLion]

Sob...another victim of those mean ol' smoking bans. Victims of the world unite! If we didn't have smoking bans, we wouldn't have rapes. Sob.

Hi little boy! I thought you had to be 18 to post on FR!

[NYCVirago]

I still don't see much blame for the actual rapist on this thread, which is very scary. Also, who's to say the attacker wouldn't have waited for the lady as she left the bar to go home? It's not like if she had been able to smoke inside the bar she would have NEVER had to leave the bar again.

Chances are when she had left the bar to go home, other employees would be leaving the same time as her, which would have foiled the rapist's plans.

[KneelBeforeZod]

wow, the only time she EVER leaves the bar is to smoke?

smoking bans are ruining restaurants. the servers at Gary Danko are only averaging $85,000/ year.

[My Dog Likes Me]

This sounds like a good issue for the "O'Reilly Factor."

I think some guy was killed in NYC a few months ago due to the smoking ban. And now this...

[Kakaze]

" Had she not been forced out in a dark place to take her smoke break, the rape would not have happened. Although I'm against frivolous litigation, I would say a HUGE lawsuit is in order in this instance. "

She might have a case against the city.

She chose to engage in a legal activity on her break, however the requirement of the job (due to legislation) put her in harms way. I believe alcoholism is now included in the american with disabilities act, so why not nicotene addicts.

She really might win on this.

[Gigantor]

"But hey at least this employee was protected from secondhand smoke when she was outside smoking cigarette."

And being raped.

[metesky]

Not every "server" works at a high end San Francisco gaybo eatery, in fact I'd have to say most do not.

[Hell to pay]

Here is the original article. Smoker raped and beaten by illegal alien.

[Hell to pay]

This does indeed sound like something that should be on O'Reilly. Does anyone know anyway to ping one of the staff?

[NautiNurse]

She could've accepted the ban and waited to have a cigarette in a safe place after work. It would've been just as stupid if she went outside alone to get some fresh air

You really are hell bent to blame the victim and control behavior by legislation. Your profile doesn't indicate where you live. Is it a nanny state that prohibits CCW too?

[Jason_b]

The fault of the first rape is with the rapist. The fault of the second rape is with the criminal justice system. When the second rape happens, it is clear the problem is not fixed. I would fix it one way or the other.