Smoking Ban Hurting Tempe Restaurants

cbsfive ^

[chance33_98]

Smoking Ban Hurting Tempe Restaurants 

Tempe, June 19 (AP) -- It may be a breath of fresh air to walk into restaurants here and not smell smoke, but restaurant and bar owners say they're smothering.

They are asking the City Council to do something to ease the financial pain arising from the new, restrictive anti-smoking ordinance.

A number of owners say revenue is down by as much as 20 percent since the voter-approved ordinance took effect May 30. They plan to outline their concerns during a council meeting Thursday.

"You can either kill yourself with gloom and doom, or you can take the tack that clean air is far better than dirty air," said Lee Fairbanks, who spearheaded the campaign to restrict smoking. "It's healthy, it's better than sitting in a cloud of cancerous smoke."

Since Tempe voters approved the most stringent smoking ban in the area, police have responded to 38 complaints of smokers in bars and restaurants but issued no citations.

[Don Myers]

"What's the matter dear, can't handle people not agreeing with you........ well, you have better get used to it. :-}"

Oh, I am used to it. Ok, go ahead.

[Don Myers]

"...as for the businesses that have gone smokefree, it just proves there is room for both, but you can't tolerate that.... can you. ?"

Sure, I can tolerate it. I am just a soft-hearted pussy cat.

[Don Myers]

"I wish you had the balls to come onto my private property and tell me who could and couldn't smoke. I'll be happy to make your dental appointment for you."

Tom, maybe, you had better go back and smoke a joint or two and calm down a little.

[Don Myers]

"And when she found out you were posting this to a conservative website, she actually bought me a beer. and she's a DEMOCRAT. "

I bet your mama is real proud of you. When do you switch to the democrat side of the aisle?

"There is not one member of the contingent here smoker or non that has EVER expressed smoking should be allowed anywhere, everywhever or at all times."

Maybe, cigarette smoking harms the brain? That is what this entire thread is about.

[Don Myers]

I got the info from yahoo news. You can probably do a search and find it if you want to look at it.

[Don Myers]

Well, laws are passed all the time governing public businesses on private property.

[Don Myers]

"When it comes to smoking in restaurants, you want to treat them as health hazards. But outside of that, you don't care? That's some very shallow thinking on the issue you seem to care so much about."

Snuffington, I have spent a good part of the day here more or less just killing time. Do you think that I will stay awake tonight worrying about this issue? I have had an interesting time watching posters virtually threatening me, calling me names, or simply arguing all day long about being allowed to smoke in public places. The rationale is quite interesting, and shows just how self-gratifying we have become as a people.

[Don Myers]

"You, of course, will provide the article or amendment that provdes for not being subjected to cigarette smoke as a constitutional right."

I consider matters of health as a natural right. People do not have the right to endanger my health simply because they want to smoke a weed.

"And while you're at it. I'm sure you will be willing to provide the article or amendment that provides for your right to cause harm to the income of a private business owner."

Sure, right after you provide me the article or amendment that provides for my obligation to support them.

[Don Myers]

"Then why do you ignore the business owner's rights?"

The owner has the responsibility to provide a safe and healthful environment for the patrons. That is why various agencies like OSHA and State Health Inspectors inspect public facilities.

[Don Myers]

"Mind you own damn business and stay off of the property of those who have policies you do not like."

My health is my business, and when a business owner opens a business, he or she has responsibilities to patrons.

[Don Myers]

"The government should have NO SAY in it."

Well, they do, and they have for some time now.

[Don Myers]

"I've yet to meet a smoker who has made any such comment. "

Here is one example from this thread of just that. "I argue this case STRICTLY from a Constitutional standpoint while most non-smokers who wish to argue it do so from a Personal Desires/Emotional standpoint. "

[Protagoras]

Tom, maybe, you had better go back and smoke a joint or two and calm down a little.

I don't smoke, amything. I have never taken drugs. I need to keep my wits about me so I can make your dental appointments.

Anytime you want to tell me what I can or cannot smoke you will need one. But you won't, you will hide behind the cops. Cowards sicken me.

[Protagoras]

My health is my business, and when a business owner opens a business, he or she has responsibilities to patrons.

Yep, and he should tell them, if you don't like how I run my business, try to force me to change it and you will have immediate heath issues.

[Great Dane]

and shows just how self-gratifying we have become as a people.

I am so glad you said "WE"

[Don Myers]

"Cowards sicken me."

Tom, and blowhards like you are a real joy.

[Don Myers]

"I am so glad you said "WE""

Well, for the moment, we are all here together.

[Protagoras]

Tom, and blowhards like you are a real joy.

I'm glad if you don't find any joy here. I hope you hate it so much that you crawl back into your hole and hide your pathetic self.

Two bit cowards like you have ruined this country.

[Gabz]

Non-smokers are citizens, and they have the rights of citizenship under the Constition,including the right of representation with their representatives

You are forgetting that owners of bars an restaurants are also citizens.

[Gabz]

What is funny is smokers and non-smokers trying to come to any sort of agreement

No, what is truly hilarious is people like you who think you know better than everyone else. Including the owners of the PRIVATE businesses you believe you have the right to put out of business.